The Different Types of Restaurants
One of life's great pleasures is getting a group of friends together; or your partner; or family, and booking a table at your favourite restaurant. In fact, it is perhaps one of the simplest pleasures that we take for granted.
Whether you’re meeting for lunch, a quick brunch, a large group dinner, or a first (or 30th) date, a restaurant visit is a fantastic way to enjoy a night out. What’s more, with so many options available there is always a fantastic choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. From casual dining, fine dining, family restaurants, and ethnic restaurants, there is always something for everyone’s tastes.
At Cab Hospitality, we work with some truly incredible restaurants and each member of our team prides themselves on being a renowned foodie with a passion for trying new foods and supporting the industry. Below, we’ve covered an explanation of various types of restaurants and what you can expect from dining in one of these restaurants.
Fine Dining Restaurants
Fine dining restaurants are usually a much more sophisticated and unique type of restaurant. Slightly higher in price too, you’re certain to get a premium experience when dining somewhere considered fine dining.
From the decor to the a la carte menu, and usually a very impressive drinks menu, a fine dining restaurant demands a fantastic occasion. As for cuisine, there’s plenty of choice. From classic British to modern French, Asian and Pan-Asian, Italian, and beyond, there is no shortage of cuisine types at fine dining establishments.
Fine dining restaurants stem from luxurious dining, French cooking influence, the emergence of the Michelin Guide and the prestigious Michelin stars.
Good examples of fine dining restaurants include eateries with incredible tasting menus from renowned chefs, where you can sample from their carefully curated menus. Restaurants such as Hide and Fox, Kent and Meadowsweet in Norfolk.
Casual Dining Restaurants
Casual dining is somewhat on the other side of the spectrum than fine dining establishments. A casual dining restaurant is more likely to be a chain, such as Nandos or Hanbao. These types of restaurants will have the same menu (largely) at every location, with similar decor and an almost guaranteed expectation of the type of service you’ll receive.
These restaurants may require you to go up to the desk yourself and order or use a QR code, and the in and out experience will be considerably less than a fine dining experience. As for price, the food at casual dining restaurants will be moderately priced in comparison to other high-end choices.
A casual dining establishment is where you’re most likely to grab a bite to eat when shopping or meet up with your friends after work.
Fast Food Restaurants
We’re sure we don’t have to explain this one, we’ve all been in the drive-thru of a fast food restaurant ordering more than we actually need. Fast food restaurants include the likes of McDonald’s and KFC where the food is cooked and given to you incredibly quickly. You can eat in or take out the food at these places, or for extra convenience, not even leave the car.
The easiest and probably most common of restaurants: you’ll always know what you’re getting at a fast food spot, and will likely have a dedicated order too. As for pricing, fast food is typically on the much cheaper side of the spectrum.
Fast food in the UK began solely as fish and chips, but with the American influence of the late 20th century, fast food restaurants began to grow in popularity and make their way into UK culture.
Cafés
Cafes are a more specific type of restaurant, originally finding popularity in Middle Eastern culture in the 16th century. By the 18th century, cafe culture emerged in European culture and was the home of intellectual discussion and debate. In modern days, cafes are casual places to enjoy some great food before the evening.
Cafes are more likely to close by the early afternoon and therefore specialise in breakfast, brunch and light foods. Items like delicious brunches, light bites, sandwiches, breakfast bowls, toasties and various drinks and smoothies are commonplace on a cafe menu.
There are many cafe chains such as Caffe Nero and Coffee Republic, as well as plenty of independent cafes. Perfect for a breakfast date with friends, coffee and a catch up, or a quick bite while out and about, everyone will have visited a cafe, and likely have their favourite choice with their regular order.
Diners
Diners aren’t too commonplace in the UK and are much more common in America, finding their origin in the Art Deco era of the 1920s, but truly finding their heyday in the 50s and 60s. When you think of a diner, the traditional thing to think of is 50s vibes, milkshakes and burgers, cherry red seats, retro American themes and tall bar stools. Traditional diner food is usually fast food, such as milkshakes, hot dogs, and fries. A good example of a diner chain in the UK is Ed’s Easy Diner.
Ethnic Restaurants
Ethnic restaurants are restaurants that specialise in offering foods from different cultures. Chinese restaurants, Thai restaurants, Mexican, and Greek are all considered ethnic restaurants in the UK. These places can range from casual dining to fine dining, brunch spots, buffet spots and everywhere else in between.
In the UK, we’re incredibly lucky to have access to so many different cuisine types and restaurant choices. From chains to family-run independents, if you’re craving something that was founded across a different continent, you’re still very likely to find it in a local restaurant.
Good examples of chain ethnic restaurants include Dishoom, Carluccio’s, Damescena and Bodega Cantina.
Buffet Restaurants
A buffet restaurant is a restaurant where you can help yourself to as much (or as little) food as you like. Often cooked in batches and put into heated containers, buffet restaurants do not require you to put in an individual order. Instead, you can walk around and grab whatever takes your fancy, as many times as you fancy it.
Buffet restaurants can be multi-cuisine, one specific cuisine type (such as a Chinese buffet) or combine foods from across the world.
Seafood Restaurants
Seafood restaurants are traditionally found in areas near to the sea or along the coast where their menus can showcase the myriad of fresh seafood caught locally. Seafood restaurants will have a lot of fish and shellfish on their menus and artfully know how to present those flavours in the best way.
A good example of a seafood restaurant is Bentley's in London, one of the gems that are part of the Corrigan Collection.
Steakhouses
Steakhouses are restaurants that specialise in offering great quality steak. Quality steakhouses will be knowledgeable about the cuts they offer, with suggestions on how best to serve and eat them. They will often have in-house ageing and curing rooms to ensure they are serving the best beef possible. Across the UK, you’ll find plenty of steakhouses. One of the most notable steakhouses is Goodman, a favourite of Londoners.
Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants
Vegetarian and vegan restaurants are restaurants that focus only on plant-based cuisine and will adhere to the dietary requirements of those who don’t eat meat (vegetarian) or don’t eat any animal products at all (vegan).
Pizzerias
Pizzerias are restaurants specialising in fantastic, home-cooked pizzas. Often following traditional menus and the stone-baked method favoured in Napoli, but this could also extend to Chicago-type pizza and the classic New York slice. Pizzarias will usually exclusively have a menu of pizzas and perhaps some bar snacks or sides to accompany them.
Price points of pizzerias will vary, as well as the decor inside. However, most likely, your visit to a pizzeria will be relatively casual and enjoyable.
Food Trucks
Food trucks are much more casual, almost like an up-market fast food option. Food trucks have surged in popularity in recent years, with many large vending spaces housing several food trucks popping up all over the UK. Here there will be several different vendors collated in one place so you have the choice of several different vans and their menus.
The benefit of a food van is that it is still driveable, so sometimes they will tour and stop at different places, such as food fairs, sports matches and events. A good example of a food truck space is Herbert's Yard in the West Midlands.
Farm-to-Table Restaurants
Farm-to-table restaurants are restaurants where the menu is specifically sourced directly from local farms and suppliers. The restaurant will likely have built a relationship with the farm and they get their ingredients directly from them, making for a perfectly fresh, lovingly created menu where the ingredients shine.
These restaurants may lean back into a more rustic, farmhouse style with carefully crafted menus of elegant dishes. Pricing at this type of restaurant will be similar to that of fine dining establishments. An example of this type of restaurant is The Wide Rabbit in Kingham.
Family-style Restaurants
Family-style restaurants prioritise family dining, plentiful children's options and friendly service. These types of restaurants will likely have offers on and value-friendly choices so the whole family can enjoy dinner out throughout the week and weekend.
Good examples of family restaurants include Frankie and Benny’s and Harvester.
Gastropubs
Gastropubs were coined in 1991 by British restaurateur David Eyre. The term is a combination of the words "gastronomy" and "pub". Gastropubs offer great menus of seasonal produce in a casual dining atmosphere. The price point of gastropubs varies as they’re not quite cheap and cheerful but might not be hugely expensive either.
You can expect traditional pub food to be served at a gastropub but with more impressive ingredients and the flare of a knowledgeable and skilled chef. Gastropubs are perfect for those countryside strolls, a weekend away and are frequented by couples, groups and families alike. Examples include The Eagle, Farrington.
Barbecue Restaurants
Barbecue restaurants specialise in barbecued meats. Sometimes referred to as a smokehouse, barbecue restaurants are renowned for offering plenty of choice for meats cooked on a traditional barbecue, and of course, slathered in a house barbecue sauce. At these types of restaurants, you can expect a lot of beef, pork, ribs, chicken breasts and American-style sides such as fries and pickles.
Barbecue restaurants aren’t the best choice for veggie and vegan diners, as they’re usually quite meat-heavy. The price point here can be expected to be the same as a casual dining restaurant and a good example of a chain barbecue restaurant is Hickory’s Smokehouse.
Catering Services
Catering services aren’t exactly a restaurant, but more of a service of chefs that provide fantastic food. Catering services craft delicious menus of various courses for weddings, parties, and large corporate and professional events.
Catering services provide food for large volumes of people and take away the hassle of cooking yourself. For example, a wedding dinner from professional catering services ensures a smooth service and a delicious dinner. Catering service prices vary from business to business and can be specific to certain cuisines or craft speciality menus entirely for you.
Hotel Restaurants
Hotel restaurants are an umbrella term for the eateries found at hotels. From fine dining to a casual country pub, a hotel restaurant can be anything in between and just means the restaurant on the same site and managed by the hotel. For this reason, there is no average price point. The hotel you’re staying at may have several restaurants or cafes within, or maybe just one that is open from breakfast to dinner.
Dessert Shops
Dessert shops are for when your after-dinner sweet tooth kicks in. Or maybe you want to skip dinner entirely and go straight to dessert. Dessert shops have a menu of only sweet treats, so you can expect waffles, ice cream sundaes, pancakes, cakes, ice cream, milkshakes, etc., and lots of them.
Dessert shops are a great spot for taking the family out, going out for a date, or just enjoying a catch up with your friends over something super sweet. Good examples of dessert restaurants include the chain Creams.
Bakeries
Bakeries are a different type of restaurant where you may not always have the option to sit. Sometimes bakeries are takeaway only, but they are all built on fantastic baked goods. Bakeries provide a plethora of baked goods, from fresh bread to incredible sandwiches, pastries: savoury and sweet, and plenty of breakfast/lunch options.
Bakeries date as far back as the Egyptian empire, through the Middle Ages and of course into the modern day where they are still incredibly popular. Bakeries can be split into sub-categories such as Artisanal bakeries, sweet bakeries and beyond. An example of a fantastic bakery is Medicine Bakery.
Noodle Bars
Noodle bars are a casual eatery that specialises in Cantonese and Oriental cuisine. Traditionally in regions of China and Japan, noodle bars or shops are dedicated to serving noodles, a tradition which began to emerge during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). Modern noodle bars have popped up all over the world and have fused together traditional cooking methods and modern flavours.
The price point of these restaurants varies and the vibe is often casual and fast-paced. Expect lots of udon dishes, rice noodles, soba and noodle soup choices.
Sushi Bars
Not dissimilar from noodle bars, sushi bars also hail from Japan. Sushi bars purchase lots of fresh, quality fish and make fresh, traditional sushi for their menus. Dishes such as sashimi, sushi rolls, nigiri, maki and beyond. Perfectly prepared, presented before you and ready to dip into delicious soy sauce, and wasabi and topped with pickled ginger.
Sushi bars range in price and can be anywhere from a quick, casual dining chain such as Yakinori, or a more up-market restaurant such as Tabu.
We can help
Whatever category your restaurant falls under, the cab Hospitality team is skilled in creating an effective marketing strategy that will boost brand awareness, direct bookings, organic traffic, and revenue from visitors. We are all patrons of the industry, lovers of restaurants and passionate about helping small and large restaurant businesses succeed in their marketing efforts.
Join our list of happy restaurant clients and enquire with us today to learn more about the potential we see in your brand and what we can do to achieve it.