You’ve swapped a Sunday afternoon of binge-watching Inventing Anna on the couch for lunch at a nice restaurant with the kids, or to spend some quality time with your best friend, only for them to stick their nose up at everything on the menu, from start to finish. Annoying doesn’t even begin to describe it, but the good news is it’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to eating out with a fussy eater. You can still enjoy time out with them without wanting to storm out of the restaurant and never look back. Instead, try some of these useful tips.

PICKY EATER #1: CHILDREN

To be honest, this isn’t the best time to worry about whether chicken nuggets are healthy or not, just order what they’ll enjoy, so you can enjoy yourself too. Another great tip is to order their meal(s) earlier than yours (with the appetisers, for instance); when they’re less hungry and cranky, they’ll be more receptive to food. You could also consider letting them look through the menu and place their own orders; everyone loves having choices!

PICKY EATER #2: FRIENDS

Suggest a restaurant with a unique or creative atmosphere. The trick is to get them to focus more on the aesthetics and best spots to make killer Reels and less on the menu 😉 Another great tip is to try picking a restaurant where they can be involved in the preparation of the meal; this way, they are more likely to feel in control of what they are eating and want to experiment.

PICKY EATER #3: COLLEAGUES

If you have a colleague that makes quick work lunches a nightmare because they only eat 1.5 things on the menu, try to get them talking and keep the conversation going. Asking them to share stories and experiences can help distract them, and when they are in the middle of a good conversation, they won’t be as focused on picking what to eat. Yay for you! 🎉

PICKY EATER #4: DATE (BLIND OR OTHERWISE)

Avoid getting irritated and hailing an Uber. Chances are this person could still very much be worth your time if you show a little patience. Rather than asking them to “Just pick something, it’s not that deep!”, try suggesting fun items on the menu you’ve had before, or offering a little bit of your meal to see if they enjoy it.

PICKY EATER #5: SPOUSE

The same goes for your wife or husband; try not to get snappy with them or blame them for ruining your precious time out together. A more helpful approach would be to ask if they need help making their order (based on the fact that you know them so well), or if they’d rather go for a nice appetiser and cocktail, rather than forcing themselves to choose a main they won’t enjoy. It’s the little things 💜