Fine dining is no longer reserved for adults. Across the UK and overseas, chefs and restaurateurs are noticing the same shift: families want to enjoy refined dining together, and high-end venues are increasingly welcoming younger guests.
Losehill House Hotel & Spa, a 111-year-old, family-run boutique retreat in the heart of the Peak District, has embraced this evolution - and is seeing a growing number of families booking stays and dining at its acclaimed 2 AA Rosette restaurant.
When owners, Paul and Kathryn Roden first took over Losehill House 18 years ago, its restaurant - like many traditional country hotels - had a strict ‘no under-12s’ policy. The elegant Arts and Crafts property, while beautiful, had a very traditional guest profile and a formal feel that that no longer reflected how many travellers choose to holiday today.
“We inherited a stunning setting with customers that could feel quite set in their ways,” says Paul. “We wanted to enable people of all ages - families included - to enjoy a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere - rarely seen in a fine dining restaurant, while still preserving the calm, considerate atmosphere our long-standing guests value.”
The result is a place where exceptional food and time together go hand in hand - whether guests are visiting with children, grandparents, or the whole family. Multi-generational stays are increasingly common, with three and even four generations gathering at Losehill to eat, relax, celebrate, and explore.
Millie Roden, who is a Losehill House director and daughter of Paul and Kathryn, grew up travelling and dining alongside her parents. She was keen to provide the same for guests today.
“Some of my happiest memories as a child were sitting around the table, trying new dishes and talking about the day’s adventures,” she says. “Now we’re seeing more and more families who want that same experience - and restaurants across the UK and beyond are embracing it too.”
That wider trend is clear, with chefs and fine-dining destinations tailoring experiences for younger diners in thoughtful ways. From Leeds chef Jono Hawthorne calling children’s menus “the biggest food trend,” to fine-dining destinations across London introducing tasting menus and experiences for junior palates (Truly Experiences, Yorkshire Evening Post, Grub Street).
Internationally, restaurants are adding private spaces, chef’s table visits, and menus designed to encourage young diners to explore new flavours (Travel & Leisure, Food Family Travel).
At Losehill, the approach is simple: the kitchen cooks the same seasonal, locally sourced dishes for children and adults, and portions are tailored to appetite rather than age - sometimes a child’s plate is every bit as generous as an adult’s. Parents love seeing their children explore new flavours, from heritage vegetables to locally reared meats.
Importantly, welcoming younger guests has not changed the restaurant’s serene feel.
“Families are incredibly respectful of the setting,” says Kathryn. “The children who dine with us have always been a pleasure - it’s a lovely atmosphere.”
With its two AA Rosette restaurant, tranquil spa, and miles of Peak District countryside on the doorstep, Losehill offers time to slow down, reconnect, and share memorable meals together. For the Roden family, it is a continuation of the values they have always held: food as connection, hospitality with heart, and luxury that feels warm rather than formal - welcoming to guests of every generation.
