AITA for only going out to eat with my uncle after the rest of my family disagreed with my restaurant choice?

A Reddit user chose a Moroccan restaurant for their birthday dinner but faced resistance from their family, who complained about the cuisine without even trying it. When no one but their uncle was willing to attend, they decided to enjoy the meal together, leading to backlash from the rest of the family.

Read the full story below to weigh in on whether their decision was justified.

‘ AITA for only going out to eat with my uncle after the rest of my family disagreed with my restaurant choice?’

I (F21) am currently living with my uncle and his family while I attend university. In my family it’s tradition for everyone to invite out their family for their birthday. The person celebrating their birthday pays.

My birthday was yesterday and luckily restaurants here have already opened up. About a week in advance I chose a Moroccan couscous restaurant and made a reservation. I briefly mentioned it to the rest of the family at dinner but I don’t think most of them were listening.

Two days ago I reminded everybody where we were going. Everybody except for my uncle started to complain about the choice. My extremely picky cousin (17) apparently hates Moroccan food, even though I don’t think he’s ever tried it. My aunt is uncomfortable with going to “that kind” of restaurant (?).

My other cousin (26) is a vegan and didn’t think he would be able to eat a lot of things, and his girlfriend didn’t want to eat there because she’s on a raw food diet. My other cousin is apparently on a diet and didn’t want to go somewhere where she could get a salad.

It didn’t really bother me that they disagreed with my choice, but what bothered me was that they hadn’t even tried the food or looked at the menu, but already didn’t want to go. They asked me to change my choice and instead that we could go to a nearby restaurant that they go to every week and that I don’t really like. I refused and said they just didn’t have to come.

Only my uncle came with me when we went to the restaurant yesterday, which I’m happy about because I know the rest of the family would have done nothing but complain. It was delicious and it was nice eating with an actually adventurous person for once.

Now the rest of the family is angry at us because birthday meals usually include the whole family, and they think it’s inconsiderate of us to have eaten without them. I think it’s their fault for not even wanting to try it. AITA?

Edit: Thank you everyone for your judgements. I saw a lot of people confused about paying when it’s your birthday. Where I’m from it’s the custom, not just in my family but everywhere. I think it’s a nice custom. That way no guest worries about not being able to pay, and it’s nice to be able to pay for family and friends to have a nice meal.

Here’s what Redditors had to say:

[Reddit User] −  NTA! Also, isn’t a lot of Moroccan food plant based and healthy??

kingsqueenofhearts −  NTA. Your birthday. You’re paying. Your choice. Your uncle is a good guy to go with you and I’m glad you had a nice time! (Probably best if the complainers stay home anyway… besides it looks like they just wanted a free meal rather than celebrate with you.)

kikiojji −  NTA. I’m vegan. I’ve gone to restaurants with people even though I couldn’t eat anything or only fries or something. I know to eat ahead of time. I go to show my support and social comradere with my friends. They still could have come to your dinner and talked just not ate anything.

unneuf −  My aunt is uncomfortable going to “that kind” of restaurant (?) Ah. Sounds like your aunt is r**ist. NTA, it’s *your* birthday dinner. Birthday boy/girl gets to pick. Thems the rules. If they didn’t like it, well, stuff them. They didn’t have to go.

AccordingTelevision6 −  NTA, it was your birthday and you were paying, if they didn’t want to go that’s their choice. You can go out for a meal as a family to a different restaurant any other time of the year, or for their birthdays.

scpdavis −  NTA! It was their choice not to come or even bother looking at the menu. Be happy you saved a bunch of money and let them get over it themselves.

Dangerfyeld −  NTA. Apparently you’re living with your uncle and several finicky toddlers. If they can’t put their own issues aside for a day to celebrate a birthday then they’re not much in the way of family.

messysagittarius −  NTA. Your aunt sounds r**ist, and the rest sound insufferable. I’m part Tunisian, and couscous is probably the healthiest, most veggie-based dish I make, more so than any American/Italian/other cuisine I attempt. I’m glad you have your uncle willing to go on food adventures with you.

edenburning −  NTA. You invited them. They declined.

Suitable-Toe −  NTA. Your family sounds pretty close-minded. It seems like you have a desire to distance yourself from them, otherwise you’d have picked a crowd-pleaser for the family dinner, and reserved the Moroccan restaurant for a different time.

Was the user right to enjoy their birthday meal without accommodating the rest of the family, or should they have chosen a restaurant everyone agreed on? How do you handle differing preferences in group celebrations? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!