Why Banning Kids From Restaurants Is Terrible For Our Society | Bon Appétit

"A New Jersey Italian spot whose Feb. 9 social-media announcement that it will ban children under 10 starting in early March sparked a heated debate. Though its name evokes a children’s restaurant, the management framed the policy as a staff-centered response to operational challenges — rising noise levels, limited space for high chairs, frequent messy cleanups, and the liability of kids running around. The commentary argues the ban misunderstands dining as a collective experience, noting restaurants as vital communal spaces where children learn social behavior and parents find support; it suggests alternatives such as better material accommodations, greater parental tipping, and livable wages for staff rather than exclusionary policies, while acknowledging that very young children can be incompatible with some curated fine-dining experiences." - ByJessica Blankenship