Going to restaurants is not an easy task, especially with small kids. There are a different set of requirements for a family with small children and not all restaurants are equipped with it. I was blissfully unaware of the challenges faced by parents when going to a restaurant.
Apart from the facilities, they are also looking for child-friendly food, helpful staff, a seating arrangement that can ensure that the family has a separate section and some carefree time, if possible. While many restaurants are still miles away from attaining these, I have curated a list of restaurants that have put in some effort to help in these areas.
The Village – Soul of India
This is bang in the middle of Amanora Mall. This restaurant has a rustic theme and has a dhaba style sitting arrangement. The fun part of this place is it serves buffet with a lot of activities. You have an event manager who engages the children in some games, while they eat and there is also some music to which children can groove. This place is the go-to place for me and my girlfriends when we have to catch up and chill. As children get busy in activities, we can catch up on each other’s life. The spread is huge and there is a mix of items with various spice levels, so even the fussy eaters will find something that they enjoy.
Vaishali
If you have ever been associated with Pune, you know Vaishali. This is the most popular Udupi style restaurant in Pune, popular for years among college students and oldies alike. The staff is always helpful and smiling despite the fact that it is always full. They will try and ensure your wait time is less and the service is very quick. Apart from the usual Dosa, Vada, idli etc, the other thing that Vaishali is popular for is SPDP (Sev Papdi Dahi Puri) I like Vaishali for two things, the whole community feeling that the restaurant brings about and the fact that you can ask for a change in spice level. The staff honours all the requests.
Wadeshwar
Wadeshwar is another old haunt that is synonymous with Pune. It is famous for its typical Marathi cuisine and healthy bites. Yup! You can easily order flavorful Protein shake, Misal and a tofu sandwich, all in one breath and not worry about the budget. As they offer healthy meal options, I can happily say Yes to any item on the menu for my kids without worrying about them eating junk or unhealthy food.
11 East Street Café
This is actually a cute little restaurant on the busy East Street in Pune. East Street is famous for street shopping. It also boasts of a lot of lovely eateries and restaurants. This restaurant is inspired by a London street and is a theme restaurant. They have a façade of a double-decker bus right at the entrance. Kids love going up and down the bus and looking for other such nooks in the restaurant. The whole novelty factor of this themed restaurant is enough to keep the kids engaged. The desserts here are to die for! Their continental food is also great.
Yana
Yana is a restaurant that specializes in Sizzlers. They have a great variety of sizzlers and sometimes they also have live counters that will help you create your own sizzler! Yana’s table mats are activity sheets for children! Every table has a table mat and a pencil to do the activities. So till the parents decide on what to order, kids are busy solving their sheets. It’s a fun thing and even I can’t resist solving a crossword before the food arrives. It’s an educational and fun way to keep the children engaged.
Over to You
These are some of the restaurants that I have enjoyed taking my children to, what’s yours? Do share in the comments below and we could compare notes.
This article is written by our mommy voice of Pune.
Find more about her here
See here- Kid-friendly restaurants in Bangalore
November 23, 2017 at 12:19 pm
All the restaurants seem worth a try! Will remember on my next trip to Pun
e!
November 23, 2017 at 4:54 pm
Thanks
November 23, 2017 at 3:02 pm
There’s a Village branch in Hyderabad as well and I love it. Totally kid friendly.
November 23, 2017 at 4:56 pm
Ok thanks.
November 23, 2017 at 4:23 pm
I am from Mumbai but I do visit Pune on and off, havent had a chance to do so since my baby arrived. This gives me a reason to take him along and explore 😛 I am a big foodie 😀
November 23, 2017 at 4:57 pm
Great Priya. We have a list of Mumbai restaurants coming up soon too. 🙂
November 23, 2017 at 7:56 pm
I haven’t been to the village but I love the rest of them. Lovely places and amazing food. 🙂
November 24, 2017 at 10:13 am
Thanks Sapna
November 23, 2017 at 9:48 pm
I like Yana the most, and hope to enjoy here with kids when I visit Pune some day :)!
November 24, 2017 at 10:14 am
Thanks Z
November 23, 2017 at 10:43 pm
Now this sounds like a awesome list which i would love to try when i visit Pune….Being a foodie would defiantly want to try this places with my little ones
November 24, 2017 at 10:14 am
Thanks for stopping by.
November 24, 2017 at 12:29 am
Village and Yana are there in Bangalore as well. Would love to their setup in Pune and also other restaurants.
November 24, 2017 at 10:13 am
Thanks
November 24, 2017 at 11:29 am
Village sounds perfect to hangout with kids with so many activities for them and they’ll definitely enjoy the visit
November 24, 2017 at 12:55 pm
Thanks Bushra
November 24, 2017 at 12:40 pm
Nice list Deepa. Pune is a lovely place, and great to see so many worthwhile options available.
We have our very own Roots Cafe with an open air park and outside as well as inside dine in.
https://natashamusing.com/2017/11/joy-sorrow-monday-musings/
November 24, 2017 at 12:55 pm
Thanks Natasha
November 24, 2017 at 2:01 pm
This makes me want to visit Pune asap! That’s quite a diverse list of options, and you make them all sound so tempting.
November 24, 2017 at 7:26 pm
This made me include Pune in my bucket list. I am a foodie, you know..
November 24, 2017 at 10:04 pm
That’s great. Coming up for some other cities too. 🙂
November 24, 2017 at 8:11 pm
I know the advantages of having kids friendly restaurants around. It is a blessing for the kids as well as or parents. This list will be very helpful to all Punekars.
November 24, 2017 at 10:04 pm
Thanks Hiral
November 25, 2017 at 12:47 am
I loved reading about all tge different options for Pune.Now I kniw where to go when I visit my friend.
November 25, 2017 at 9:51 am
Thanks
November 25, 2017 at 4:29 am
i love restraints which are kids friendly..will defintely keep these in mind while visiting pune
November 25, 2017 at 9:52 am
Thanks
November 26, 2017 at 7:43 am
Wow next time i visit pune I now know where to go ! Thank you for sharing
November 26, 2017 at 10:03 am
Thanks
November 26, 2017 at 9:09 pm
I will save this for my next trip to Pune. It is a blessing to find a restaurant with humble staff when a toddler decides to throw a tantrum…hehehehe…
November 26, 2017 at 11:27 pm
Haha..Agree. Thanks for reading.
November 27, 2017 at 12:30 pm
You brought back memories from my years in Pune. I been to three of the five restaurants that you have mentioned. Love them a lot. Hope some day I ll be able to take my kids back to my favorite city
November 27, 2017 at 2:55 pm
Thanks Anupriya
November 28, 2017 at 9:00 am
I have a wedding coming up in pune and I will be travelling there. I’ll surely try and go to these places. Thanks for the list