Next Article – Menu Engineering
Theme
It is essential to make sure that there is a theme that is carried through the details of the restaurant design. A story will ensure that all details are tied together.
Flow
The operational flow in a restaurant will influence the layout. You need to work with an architect that understand the flow and operational efficiency of restaurants.
- How do guests arrive at the restaurant?
- What route does the food take from the kitchen to the table?
- How is it delivered?
- Where are the waiters standing?
- How easy I sit to get to the tables?
A restaurant that doesn’t work properly from a functionality point of view will never be a success, and it doesn’t matter how beautiful it is.
Lights
Lighting has to be soft and to make guests feel comfortable so that they are relaxed and enjoy their stay in the restaurant. In my experience, I hate it when there are just downlights over the tables that can cast shadows.
Furniture
The comfort level of furniture should reflect the type of dining – formal vs. informal. With more formal dining, the furniture should support and hold the guests comfortably for long dining experiences, and this isn’t the case with faster turnover, more casual dining establishments.
Color
Color is very subjective but it plays a large part in creating ambiance. If it is properly paired with the lighting and furniture, sets the mood almost entirely in a restaurant.
Seating
The biggest challenge for restaurants is to make sure every table is a good table. I am searching for a scientific study about seating preference. It’s interesting to see which tables people prefer in restaurants – different people always have different favorites. Over time a good ‘greeter’ can sense the customer’s mood and not seat according to the rotation.
These small details differentiate between an “OK” restaurant, a great restaurant and keep guest coming back.