You may find yourself here because you’re looking for a new restaurant to try out or you’re thinking of opening your own restaurant. Or perhaps you’re an avid foodie looking to know more about the industry.
For generations, people have had a love for food and have tried to make original dishes and flavours. The medium where food is served matters too because part of the joy of eating is the dining experience.
Here are ten different types of restaurants and dining services:
Type #1: Fast Food Restaurants
Nearly everyone has enjoyed a greasy meal from a fast food restaurant! Afterall, who can resist the tasty foods? Fast food restaurants are best known for their rapid service, convenience and low prices. This type of restaurant is usually a chain, such as McDonalds, Taco Bell or KFC.
Type #2: Fine Dining Restaurants
The term fine dining likely makes you think of a sharp tuxedo, crisp white table cloths and foods that you may have never heard of before! Fine dining restaurants aim to provide customers with the best food, service and ambience.
Due to the luxury and high-end experience, these types of restaurants are usually the most expensive to operate. That being said, they are also the most unique and original meaning your customers will stay loyal to your great restaurant!
Type #3: Café Restaurants
The main defining feature of this restaurant is no table service is offered. Instead, customers order food via a self serve counter but casual seating is still available. You can expect to see a wide variety of coffee options, sandwiches and baked goods in these types of restaurants.
Cafes are heavily associated with France which is why they tend to have a French vibe to them. As you probably have experienced before, cafes are known to be intimate and relaxed.
Type #4: Fast Casual Restaurants
Currently, one of the hottest trends in the restaurant industry is fast casual which means high end fast food restaurants. Usually these restaurants still have disposable dishes and flatware, however, their food tends to be higher quality. You can expect to see gourmet breads, organic ingredients and local ingredients.
Panera Bread is a great example of a fast casual restaurant. Another feature of fast casual restaurants is they have open kitchens so you can see your food being made right before your eyes!
Type #5: Buffet Restaurants
Did you know that buffets have been around since the Middle Ages? This restaurant style certainly has withstood the test of time! Buffets are still a popular choice of many customers. As you probably know, customers pay a flat fee and can serve themselves infinitely from a wide selection of items displayed on tables and sideboards.
Type #6: Prepare It Yourself Restaurants
These types of restaurants are an extension of buffet or all you can eat style restaurants. Essentially, with prepare it yourself restaurants, food is ordered but you cook it yourself.
A great example is Korean grill restaurants where raw meat is brought to your table but you cook it yourself on a grill. There is something fun about cooking your own food in a restaurant setting!
Type #7: Family Style Restaurants
This type of restaurant offers moderately priced dishes and menus tend to feature classic cuisine among the home chef’s creations. Usually, family style restaurants have a theme, such as barbecue, Mexican or grill house.
In addition, these restaurants have table service, non-disposable dishes and are relatively inexpensive. These restaurants are great for a low-key night out!
Type #8: Pop Up Restaurants
Yet another growing trend, pop up restaurants are food services that take place in a rental space for a limited amount of time. While pop up restaurants have become famous in recent years, they’re not a new concept at all. The idea originates back to the 1960s and 1970s but back then they were known as supper clubs. There definitely is something exclusive and exciting about pop up restaurants!
Type #9: Food Truck Restaurants
Another popular trend in the food industry is food trucks. The greatest benefit of operating a food truck is the low cost and overhead. Food trucks can essentially serve any kind of food that can be made within the truck.
Because of the mobility, food trucks can serve people virtually anywhere there is a place to park your truck! Food trucks are quite popular at music festivals, on university or college campuses and outdoor fairs.
Type #10: Food App Restaurants
As an extension, many restaurants are offering their food, regardless of restaurant style, over the internet using food apps. Examples of these apps are UberEats and Skip The Dishes. Many don’t want the hassle of going out to a restaurant, by using food delivery apps, you can get your favourite foods delivered right to your door!