What are the most popular types of restaurants? Every one of them has their own characteristics and essential elements. It’s their particular feel, or ambiance whether it’s a tablecloth establishment that offers a three page wine menu, or a modish vegan eatery downtown that features herb-inspired cocktails.
11 Common Types of Restaurants with their Distinguishing Factors
Below is a list of the 11 common types of restaurants with their distinguishing factors.
1. Fine Dining
These high-end establishments are opted by a majority of the population during special occasions, such as an anniversary, a wedding, or a birthday. There are several elements that characterize a fine dining restaurant, and usually they are a formal dress code, with guests going about with fine dining etiquette. The atmosphere of this place tends to be formal, and its decor is high-end as well. With particular attentiveness, staff members follow specific etiquette with their service, and its menu typically features exotic food choices. A sommelier may also be present to assist guests with the pairing of their wine and food.
2. Casual Dining
Depending on the brand and the target customer base, the ambiance of this type of restaurant greatly varies. However, its salient characteristics include table service, an understated ambiance, slightly affordable menus and a unique decor.
3. Contemporary Casual
This is a trend of restaurants that has recently emerged, featuring a modern and up-to-the-minute style incorporated by their unique brands. Many of these establishments adhere to eco-friendly standards while serving distinctive and healthy menu choices characterized by fusion cuisine. Keeping to the social media craze, its decor and food presentation is typically Instagram-worthy.
4. Family Style
One of the prime characteristics of this type of restaurant is that it only serves shareable platters. Then again, there are others that not only feature food items for sharing but also offer individual dishes as options. Commonly, in family style restaurants, food is served on big platters for a few or several guests to share, passing them around as they help themselves. The atmosphere in this establishment tends to be casual, although there are upscale ones.
5. Buffet
Your dining experience is customized in this place because an array of food options is presented for you to choose from. Some buffet restaurants are likewise referred to as “All You Can Eat” establishments. Most of them feature a culinary theme, such as buffets of Indian or Chinese food. You pay for a fixed price to be able to enjoy eating a selection of foods. These delectables are typically arranged in food bars where guests choose and serve themselves. The decor of these establishments is often casual but elegant.
6. Cafe
This place is known to be versatile, ideal for a quick sip of coffee on the way to work or for hanging around to catch up with an old friend. Food items sold in this establishment range from coffee to teas and pastries, along with small breakfast or lunch meals. Its atmosphere is inclined to be casual and relaxed where guests might work or converse for periods of time.
7. Fast Casual
You can get a quick bite in a fast casual restaurant, but the food they serve is healthier than that served in fast food restos. However, it is more affordable than meals offered in casual restaurants. They require counter service, and its environment is likely to be casual and contemporary.
8. Fast Food
There are plenty of them around, and you must be familiar with the most popular ones such as McDonald’s or Taco Bell. The focus of these establishments is to serve food quickly to their customers. They tend to provide counter service, or else drive thru. Fast food restos are apt to come in chains, and the meals they serve are standardized and comprised of processed foods. You’ll normally find them contained in disposable containers like plastic and paper food trays or to-go bowls.
9. Food Trucks and Concession Stands
These types of restos can take on many forms, such as the falafel food truck on the city street, or a hotdog stand when there’s a football game. The same goes with the food truck that sells organic burgers. This type of business is actually cheaper in that the owner simply purchases a food truck or a stand which is a small space instead of a brick and mortar location. A singular type of edibles are generally sold by food trucks and stands, and they make up a small menu. They normally station on the city streets, sporting events, or fairs.
10. Pop-Up Restaurant
Owners, guests and chefs can try new restaurant concepts, food options and creations with this type of resto. A beer garden that operates merely during the summer is an example, or a sit-down establishment in a unique or out-of-the-ordinary location that opens only for a short period of time, say, one or two months. Apparently, the operations of a pop-up business is just temporary, ranging from a few hours to until a few months. Its location varies, from rooftop gardens, unused old buildings, outdoor places to shipping containers. Word about its business is spread via technology and social media.
11. Ghost Restaurant
This type of business operates virtually, and they are otherwise called delivery-only restos. Expending the least overhead costs, its owners and chefs can focus on giving efficient service and creating high quality culinary items. They are a delivery only service and do not have a brick and mortar space. Ghost restaurants are strongly present on their websites and in social media.
These are the 11 common types of restaurants that can guide you about your business and dining options. If you plan to start a new resto, you can work with World Wide menus to acquire the best and high quality menu covers and holders and boost your business.
