A good question.
A local answer.

Look for flexible seating and food that remains available after the lunch rush.

Ask for a written room-capacity, minimum-spend and set-menu quote; a restaurant's usual tables may not suit a noisy group.

Compare current adult and child prices, booking requirements and the actual breakfast selection for your date.

Reserve a table for a group and confirm whether the performance is indoors, outdoors or ticketed. A quieter venue may be better for conversation.

Shortlist places with a children's menu, high chairs if needed and a table for eight. Book ahead because a large walk-in group can be hard to seat.

A cafe that trades through the afternoon may be easier than a formal dinner venue. Ask about dairy, egg and shared cooking surfaces if those details matter.

Ask the kitchen how gluten-free dishes are prepared if cross-contact matters to your group. A menu symbol alone may not answer the practical question.

If steak is the priority, check whether the restaurant offers the cut and cooking style she likes. For Italian, look beyond a generic pizza list to the full menu.

If laksa is the main reason to travel, make the Dickson visit part of a broader meal outing. If convenience matters more, try a well-reviewed Civic option first.

Keep a supermarket meal or takeaway fallback near the hotel. Pair dinner with an easy park or museum visit rather than crossing the city at a tired hour.