What Restauranteurs Wish They Knew Before Designing Their First Restau

Exterior view of a bustling Modern American Bistro at dusk with warm lighting and happy customers visible through large windows.

Before you design your dream restaurant, are you sure you've avoided the pitfalls that could turn your culinary vision into a costly disaster? Discover the critical design mistakes that first-time restaurateurs often overlook, and learn what seasoned owners wish they knew before embarking on their journey.

Workflow and functionality

Isometric illustration of an efficient and organized restaurant kitchen in an Italian restaurant, with chefs working at different stations, preparing food.

A poorly planned layout can severely affect your service and speed of serving. For example, a kitchen too close to the dinning area can create bottlenecks and slowdown service. Lack of space in the dining area also impedes movement, causing a slow in customer service. The design should facilitate movement for guests and waitresses. Streamlining kitchen workflow is crucial for efficiency and profitability [5], which is directly impacted by the initial design.

Accessibility for everyone

Inviting Mediterranean restaurant entrance with a seamlessly integrated stone ramp, surrounded by outdoor seating and lush greenery, showing accessibility and welcome.

Not taking into account the ease of movement and entry for people with disabilities shrinks your target market size. Ensure accessibility features like handicapped ramps and space to make entry accessible for anyone. Restaurant accessibility is not just a good practice but often a legal requirement under the American Disabilities Act (ADA) [4]. Resources like Disabled World [2] offer insights into restaurant access for people with disabilities, and understanding ADA requirements [8] is essential for restaurant owners.

Storage

Interior shot of a well-organized and stocked pantry in a French Bistro style, with labeled jars, cans, and bottles neatly arranged on shelves.

Sufficient storage space is vital. Don’t forget to plan for enough space to organize and serve the level of demand you have. Is always much more cost effective to incorporate these first than to reform later. Proper storage solutions are a key step in restaurant design and project management [3], ensuring smooth operations and preventing future costly renovations.

Delivery and holding areas

Vibrant and welcoming interior shot of a busy Farm-to-Table Restaurant during lunch service, with happy customers and efficient staff.

Delivery services are increasingly important. Designate specific areas with clear signage to ensure secure handling. Adequate holding areas for glassware, utensils and food items is key to keep the restaurant running smoothly. Efficient restaurant management [1] relies on well-planned delivery and holding areas to maintain service quality and speed.

Ambience and lighting

Interior of a Spanish Tapas Bar in the evening, showing warm and layered lighting with pendant lights, wall sconces, and a cozy, inviting atmosphere.

Lighting is crucial for a pleasant dining experience. Avoid overly bright lighting that distracts staff and guests, while ensuring adequate lighting to avoid dimness and uncleanliness. Research has shown the impact of lighting and color in restaurants on customer perception and dining experience [6]. Thoughtful lighting contributes significantly to the overall ambience.

Exterior design

Exterior design creates a first impression for potential customers. It should be visually appealing, reflect the brand, and clearly indicate what to expect. Ensure it’s well-lit, inviting, and easily visible from a distance. The exterior is the first element in creating a memorable restaurant experience, as seen in the creative design process of successful restaurants [7].

Balance aesthetics and functionality

Spacious and elegant interior of a Modern Scandinavian Restaurant, featuring clean lines, natural materials, minimalist decor, functional furniture, and beautiful yet practical pendant lighting.

Consider practical implications like maintenance and cleaning requirements for intricate light fixtures or curved walls’ impact on storage and traffic flow in the kitchen. Balancing aesthetics and functionality is key to long-term success, ensuring the restaurant is both beautiful and operationally efficient.

Test the design

Sketch illustration of a team role-playing in a restaurant mockup made of cardboard, testing workflow and space, with blueprints in the background, emphasizing proactive design testing.

Create mockups and role-play scenarios to identify potential issues with workflow, space, and ergonomics. This hands-on approach reveals problems that may not be apparent on paper. Testing the design through mockups and simulations is a crucial step in avoiding costly mistakes down the line.

Overall

Vibrant and welcoming interior shot of a busy Farm-to-Table Restaurant during lunch service, with happy customers and efficient staff, representing overall restaurant success.

Overall, a holistic approach balances aesthetics and functionality to create a visually appealing and operationally efficient space. By considering these aspects, first-time restaurant owners can avoid costly mistakes and succeed.