Where to Eat in Toronto with Kids in Tow & a Giveaway!

Lets be honest, eating out with kids is not easy. When we make plans to eat out, we always envision a fun family experience. But when we get to the restaurant, reality sinks in and we almost immediately regret our decision. Of course, it hasn’t stopped us from going out, which is good because both John and I despise cooking. We learned that there are a few things that can make our experience better. Two of those things include distractions and restaurant choice. For distractions (aka: so you can finish your meal in peace), bring along some toys, colouring /sticker books and when the time is right (i.e. after they finish their meal), pull out your smartphones. In terms of restaurant choice, I highly recommend heading straight to Aroma Espresso Bar which is super kid friendly both in terms of atmosphere and the menu (there’s a kid menu)! When we’re relaxed, it seems like the kids are too.

My fondness for Aroma started even before they opened up stores here in Toronto. That’s because I was lucky enough to enjoy them abroad. I was so excited when they first launched in Toronto and now they have 38 locations throughout the GTA! I guess you could say Aroma was a way for me to connect with my roots. The food that they serve reminds me of my parents cooking and many happy memories of quality time spent with loved ones around the dinner table. From their delicious cheese bureka (flaky savoury Bulgarian pastry with feta cheese) to their power breakfast to my favourite sandwich; avocado. Don’t even try to recreate it at home, you won’t even come close…trust me, I tried. Besides the food, they have lots of delicious, healthy and fresh options, they also make some of my favourite hot drinks. The mocha, which has a real piece of chocolate at the bottom, is my go-to drink of choice there.

While posh and upscale, Aroma has a relaxed and laid back atmosphere. In fact, it’s where I spent most of my early years as a first-time-mom. When I used to only have one kid and a trip to the mall was an escape and easy trip to make with a baby or young toddler in tow. Once I had my second and third son, mall outings decreased, but going to eat at Aroma did not. In fact, it’s the one place where I always felt extremely comfortable bringing my kids with me knowing that no one will fuss if they walk around, talk or do other “kid” stuff that may not be appropriate at most restaurants. It was a win-win for me because it meant I could sit back and actually enjoy my meal and finish it (and my coffee) while both were hot.

In fact, we ate lunch there the last two weekends. They have a kids menu with three items, but that’s all you really need because most likely, your kids will want to eat what you’re eating anyway. At least our kids do, and no, they are not “great” eaters. The kids split the grill cheese but they also ate some of our sandwich and eggs. Eating out with your kids doesn’t have to be a struggle if you know where to go.