Avoid Long Restaurant Waits On Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is typically the busiest day of the year for any restaurant, thanks to the popular tradition of taking Mom out to dinner so – for one day of the year, at least – she won’t have to cook and clean up.

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If you want to avoid long restaurant waits on Mother’s Day, you’ll need some tips.

Avoid long restaurant waits on Mother’s Day

The problem with this nice idea is that everyone else in the US has it, too, so when you get to the restaurant of your choice, a wait time of two hours is pretty typical.

This can be frustrating, especially if you have small children or older people in your party. I worked in restaurants years ago and found people usually had absolutely no idea they should expect any unusual wait time on Mother’s Day.

There was nothing we could do to speed it up. Our servers were turning tables as fast as they could, but people wanted to linger over a nice holiday lunch. So everyone else had to wait.

But now you know. Read on for several ways to plan ahead and avoid this inconvenience.

Getting a table on Mother’s Day

Get a reservation?

Surprise! Many restaurants will not take them on Mother’s Day. But if the one you chose will, this should cut your wait time down to almost nothing. Pro-tip: look for restaurants that take Restaurant.com bookings.

Wait until dinner time

A lot of people choose midday for the Mother’s Day restaurant dinner. At dinner time – 4pm or later – the wait time usually decreases to about an hour.

Book a private room at a hotel

If you can get a big group together – and it doesn’t take much extended family to get that going – a banquet room might be worth the expense. It doesn’t have to cost that much, and once you factor in the included meals, it can even be pretty economical. And memorable.

Look for Hidden Gem Restaurants

The most popular restaurants in town will always have the biggest crowds. Instead of sticking with the usual chain spots or trendy local places, try looking up smaller, lesser-known restaurants or cafes in your area.

These “hidden gems” might not be what everyone thinks of first, but they often have delicious food and a cozy atmosphere. They will still probably be on a wait, but likely less of one than the bigger and more popular restaurants.

Check online reviews, ask friends for recommendations, or drive around your neighborhood to spot places you haven’t tried before. You might find your new favorite place and avoid the huge crowds.

Restaurant Alternatives

Or you can give up on restaurants and try something different! It might be even nicer.

Make a family meal…

…and skip restaurants altogether. Everyone can pitch in by bringing a dish or helping to cook, set tables, clean up or arrange other activities to make a whole day of it.

A backyard barbecue could be perfect and easy this time of year, depending on your weather. This is a great and relatively inexpensive way to do something nice for all the moms in your family at once.

Takeout food

Get to-go food from a nice restaurant. Note that you should still expect a bit of a wait if you order meals from a restaurant, because the kitchen is so busy.

But at least you won’t spend all that wait time in a lobby with antsy children. When you phone in the order, they’ll give you a good estimate of when you should come pick it up.

Reschedule your own private Mother’s Day

Celebrate it on a different day, when restaurants aren’t so hectic. Chances are, the mothers you’re celebrating will appreciate this too, since no one wants to wait in a restaurant for two hours just to get a table.

But check first, because some people are not open to celebrating holidays on different dates than they normally would fall.

Plan for the long wait

If you really want to go to a restaurant at midday without a reservation, just expect a two-hour wait and be prepared for it. Bring along something to keep the kids busy.

You can also choose to wait in the bar area where you can order appetizers and beverages (doesn’t have to be alcohol) and even kids’ meals.

And as long as someone stays nearby to hear when your table has opened up, the rest of the party could go to a nearby mall or something for an hour or so and wait for your call. That way at least the moms get some fun during the wait.

Hire some caterers

Enjoy a catered family meal at home if you want to take it easy and/or add a touch of elegance. Remember to assign someone to look after the kids so the moms can really get a break.

And if you want to lay out something really nice, send the moms in the family to a day spa until mealtime.

Make a Home Brunch

Whether you try to avoid the wait or just embrace it and plan how you’ll pass that time, just knowing to expect it reduces a lot of frustration and disappointment that could make the day less enjoyable.

A home brunch for Mother’s Day is a great idea! You get all the fun of a special meal together without the hassle of waiting at a restaurant. Plus, you can make it as simple or fancy as you want. Here’s how to pull it off, even if you’re not a pro in the kitchen.

Plan the Menu

Pick foods that are easy to make ahead or don’t need much last-minute work. Here are some brunch ideas:

• Egg Dishes: Scrambled eggs, omelets with mix-ins (cheese, veggies, ham), or a make-ahead breakfast casserole
• Pancakes or Waffles: Set up a toppings bar with fruit, whipped cream, syrup, and chocolate chips
• Pastries: Croissants, muffins, or cinnamon rolls from the bakery or baked at home
• Fruit Salad: Fresh berries, grapes, melon, and pineapple tossed together
• Yogurt Parfaits: Layer yogurt with granola and fruit in cups or bowls
• Breakfast Meats: Bacon, sausage, or ham
• Drinks: Coffee, tea, orange juice, and maybe some sparkling water with fresh fruit

Set the Table

Make it feel special! Use a tablecloth or placemats, set out real plates and glasses, and add a vase of flowers from your yard or the store. Kids can help make place cards with Mom’s name or draw pictures for her spot at the table.

Let Everyone Help

Get the family involved so it’s not just one person working in the kitchen. Kids can wash fruit, stir batter, or set the table. Older kids and adults can handle cooking tasks.

Add a Personal Touch

Slip a card, a handwritten note, or a little homemade gift at Mom’s seat. Play her favorite music in the background. Maybe have everyone share something they love about her before you eat.

Keep It Relaxed

The best part about a home brunch is you can take your time. There’s no rush to finish so the next group gets your table. After eating, hang out together””play games, watch a movie, or just chat.

Try a Brunch Potluck

If you’re celebrating with extended family or friends, ask everyone to bring a brunch dish to share. This way no one is stuck doing all the work and you get a fun mix of food.

A home brunch is cozy, tasty, and lets you focus on what matters: making Mom feel special!

Celebrate with a Picnic

If the weather is nice, a Mother’s Day picnic is a simple and relaxing way to celebrate. Pack a basket with Mom’s favorite foods, grab a blanket, and head to a nearby park or even your own backyard.

Sandwiches, salads, cheese and crackers, fruit, and cookies are easy picnic foods that everyone can help prepare. Bring along some outdoor games or a deck of cards to keep everyone entertained.

This can be a special way to make memories without any stress about reservations or wait times.

Plan a Food-Themed Activity

Sometimes, sharing an experience is even more memorable than just eating out. Think about planning a food-themed activity that gets everyone involved.

For example, you could sign up for a family cooking class where everyone learns to make something new together. Or try a bake-off at home””each person or team bakes a dessert, and then you all taste and vote for your favorites.

You could even plan a DIY pizza night with lots of toppings so everyone can make their own pie just how they like it. Activities like these are fun for all ages and give Mom a break from doing all the work.

Order Ahead from Grocery Stores or Meal Prep Services

Many grocery stores offer ready-to-eat meals or catering trays you can order ahead of time for special occasions like Mother’s Day. Some meal prep services also offer special Mother’s Day menus that are delivered right to your door.

These options can save tons of time and stress while still giving you delicious food at home. It’s also nice because you can enjoy the celebration in your own space without worrying about noise or crowds.

Make It About More Than Just Food

Mother’s Day is really about making Mom feel special and appreciated. So if dining out isn’t working, think about other ways to show her you care.

Maybe plan a family game night where everyone plays Mom’s favorite board games or card games together. Or work together on a craft project, like painting flower pots, making a photo collage, or writing letters to Mom about what she means to each person in the family.

These activities create lasting memories and are sometimes even more meaningful than any meal.

Give Mom a Break from Chores

One of the best gifts you can give on Mother’s Day is simply giving Mom a rest from her usual chores””without her having to ask! Organize the family so someone handles dishes, laundry, pet care, and other daily tasks for the day””or even the whole weekend.

If you have small kids, make it into a fun challenge: who can clean their room the fastest or fold towels the neatest? You can even create “chore coupons” that Mom can redeem later for help around the house.

Try Virtual Celebrations

If your family is spread out or you can’t all be together on Mother’s Day, plan a virtual celebration. Set up a video call during mealtime and eat “together” while chatting and catching up.

You could even plan some online games or trivia about Mom””see who knows her favorite color or song! If you want to share a meal, coordinate ahead so everyone orders from the same restaurant chain (if possible) or cooks the same recipe at home.