Creating a successful restaurant isn’t simply about great tasting food. You need to provide guests with a great dining experience, which is why the interior design and layout should be high on the agenda.
This can seem a daunting prospect, but borrowing a few ideas from around the world will give you a solid foundation. Not least when you take it to the next level with ideas of your own.
Here are 11 possible sources of inspiration. Hopefully, they’ll get your creative juices flowing.
The Musket Room in New York, USA
Inspirational Design Aspects: Strong textures against jewel tones.
New York is unsurprisingly blessed with many wonderfully decorated restaurants. However, the Musket Room is the gem where you can borrow the idea of using weathered looking brick and wood. When supported with the right tones and lighting, you’ll gain a truly inspired and rich atmosphere.
Whether it’s a contemporary restaurant or a high-end cafe, this is a fantastic solution that brings personality to the dining area.
Image credit: Emily Andrews
Armani Nobu in Milan, Italy
Inspirational Design Aspects: Utilising geometric shapes.
The sushi food chain is known for its great food, but the Milan venue is equally stunning from a design outlook. The combination of Italian and Japanese style works wonderfully well, and the geometric ceiling is a key feature.
Four-sided shapes are crucial for shelving and wall décor too, and this could be a great addition to your restaurant.
Given that Nobu this is located in an Armani store that itself sits at the heart of the Italian fashion capital, the style should be no surprise.
Radio in Copenhagen, Denmark
Inspirational Design Aspects: Wood backdrops to enhance the black and white tone.
The black and white colour scheme is a tried and tested winner. It oozes class and style while its versatility is ideal for virtually any restaurant type. The only issue is that it can get a little bland.
Character building décor is an option, but can be tough when the space is a little tight. Choosing the wood effect tiles for a feature wall can work wonders.
It’s a simple idea, but should transform the space while maintaining the simplicity. Just like it has at Radio.
1949 Noodle Bar in Beijing, China
Inspirational Design Aspects: Combine dining and kitchen areas.
The 1949 Noodle Bar isn’t the most prestigious place to eat in China. However, it provides a comprehensive dining experience by having the chef stretch the noodles out in sight of diners.
This makes the small yet trendy bar a real winner. Those ideas are utilised by many other restaurants, but the way it gives the tiny venue a big personality is simply fantastic.
While this idea won’t suit all restaurant types, it can be incredibly useful for some.
The Lecture Room, Sketch in London, England
Inspirational Design Aspects: Warm colour schemes and eye-catching furnishings.
All of the Sketch venues are stunning. But the Lecture Room utilises reds and oranges in the furniture choices as well as the lamp shades and other features.
This creates a warm and magical vibe that is sure to win over all diners. Meanwhile, the simple white table clothes stand out to produce a feeling of elegance.
This is a particularly ideal option for sophisticated spaces.
Le Grand Restaurant in Paris, France
Inspirational Design Aspects: Cement walls with dramatic skylight.
Paris is heralded the world over for its styles and aesthetics. Le Grand is particularly impressive as it breaks away from the traditional seriousness of France.
Instead, the combination of cement bricked walls and stunning skylight creates a winning modern vibe. Meanwhile, the honeycomb carpet brings the room to life.
Baccarat style sconces and elegant yet comfortable seating work wonders for this environment too.
Rick’s Cafe Americain in Cape Town, South Africa
Inspirational Design Aspects: Utilising views of the local surroundings.
Rooftop bars and restaurants are commonplace across the globe, but Rick’s in Cape Town is one that stands out. Your restaurant isn’t blessed with the surroundings of South Africa’s most beautiful city.
Nonetheless, it can still embrace your natural backdrops for great results. Rick’s takes those vibes to the next level with the strategic use of plants and wooden features.
When a premise is blessed with a rooftop facility or is simply high off the ground, embracing this element is key.
Palkin in St. Petersburg, Russia
Inspirational Design Aspects: Embracing artwork to wow diners.
Palkin is a design masterpiece that encourages an incredibly romantic atmosphere. The walls adorn famous paintings and artwork that set the tone.
Meanwhile, the characteristics of skirting boards and ceiling decorations are amazing. The use of large eye-catching curtains and pretty ceiling lights further enhance those sentiments.
The simple additions of candles, plants, and a good layout all help. However, it’s the general design of the room that lends itself to those loving feelings.
Tandory in Montevideo, Uruguay
Inspirational Design Aspects: Mixing brick walls with white walls.
Tandory is one of Montevideo’s most popular restaurants, and it’s not all about the food. The simplicity of white coloured walls mixed with brick work creates a very comforting vibe.
This is supported by the low but warm lighting as well as the decorative items mounted to the walls. Avoiding the threat of overcrowding has a positive impact on the venue.
The brick walls with white wall is a simple concept that can provide a winning platform to build upon.
Tavern Arka in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Inspirational Design Aspects: Barrel brick roof for romantic venue.
As one of Dubrovnik’s most romantic restaurants, Tavern Arka is blessed with several dining areas. While the patio overlooking the Adriatic Sea is lovely, the design of the internal area is especially inspired.
The bricked roof takes a barrel shape, which is complemented by the arched doorway. This creates an intimate dining experience that oozes class.
Those tones are further supported by the lighting, fireplace, and light brown furnishings. If working with an old but intimate area, borrowing those ideas would be a great solution.
Les Moustaches in Mexico City, Mexico
Inspirational Design Aspects: Grand balcony for luxurious style.
There’s a lot to like about Les Moustaches in Mexico City, and the space is decorated in stunning style.
However, it’s the use of the balcony as a major aesthetic feature that gives the restaurant its distinguished and exclusive feel.
The combination of whites and yellows makes a wonderful look, which is a nice contrast to the wooden floors and use of plants.
You’d need the spacious restaurant to embrace this idea. Still, for venues lucky enough to have those features, this venue is one that provides huge inspiration