'Children Welcome': customers divided by restaurant's strict rules for kids

A restaurant in North Wales has found itself at the centre of a fierce debate after a customer shared a picture of its house rules, which include strict policies for children.

As reported by The Sun, The Mediterranean Restaurant’s list was uploaded to social media by a customer visiting from Scotland, prompting some to call out the policies, while others vehemently defended them.

The rules, which also include the restaurant's allergen, service charge and minimum order policy, stipulate that children remain seated at all times and require that they only use the restrooms if accompanied by an adult.

 “We will not be held responsible for your children if they are hurt in the restaurant because they are not being looked after.”

Furthermore, they state, as food is usually served in heated porcelain bowls, children under the age of eight are to be served with melamine (plastic) plates.

The list includes an entire subsection titled Screaming/Crying kids, which include the following terms:

“Customers do not come to listen to screaming children; we ask in the politest way possible, please if your child is crying/screaming, please take them out of the restaurant until they’ve calmed down.”

“If a child cannot be stopped from disturbing other dinners (sic) we will unfortunately have to ask you to leave the restaurant”

 “We will not be held responsible for your children if they are hurt in the restaurant because they are not being looked after.”

While some called the restaurant out for adding to the stresses of eating out with children, others defended the restaurant’s policy.

“Makes a change for a restaurant to cater for adults instead of those 'precious' children. Ignore the bad reviews from sad individuals guys. Don't change a thing,” said ThDebster99 in a Google review.

Meanwhile the restaurant manager told The Sun that the rules have been in its menu for a decade and has so far received no complaints.

She said: "I think it is ridiculous that anyone could have a problem with this. I don't understand.We are walking around with hot food, children have to be seated."

The etiquette of eating out with kids is contentious; different restaurants choose to be more or less welcoming to families based on the type of experience they offer.

The Guardian recommends that parents give up on fine dining restaurants in favour of places with sympathetic waiting staff serving “penne in red crap,” but more importantly, that they be considerate of other guests, clean up after their kids and “tip like you’ve never tipped before.”  

Do you think restaurants should be more welcoming to children? Do you let your kids roam free when you eat out? Do you pick where you eat based on whether it is accommodating of children? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!