When we say that we eat with our eyes first, we usually mean it's about the food itself. However, the environment that we're eating in can often also have a big effect on whether we're enjoying our meal. Restaurateurs really need to come up with something unique if they want to dazzle their customers. A survey by Evenbrite revealed that 75% of foodies want something more out of their dining experience and are willing to splurge on something more special than just a meal.
So, what we've gathered here for you today, Pandas, is a collection of restaurants and bars with unique and interesting concepts. Some of them have a one-of-a-kind design, while others offer some delightful decor. In some cases, the uniqueness might be in the details, such as the cutlery or some innovative eco-friendly solutions. Which ones do you think are the most creative? Let us know by upvoting your favorites!
#1 This Restaurant Offers Food For Free If You Can’t Afford It
Image credits: nopepotato69
#2 A Local Mexican Restaurant Used To Be A Chinese Restaurant. Instead Of Painting Over A Mural, They Just Put Sombreros On The Pandas
Image credits: Bombaskos
#3 They Have Everything You Need
Image credits: Lord-Velveeta
Eventbrite conducted their survey in 2015, but the trend of people seeking some new thrills in their dining experience still tracks. Back then, 75% of respondents said they wanted a unique dining experience. 76% said they would like an unexpected, memorable location, and 84% wanted a surprising menu or theme.
Forbes describes three of the most popular trends for restaurant design in 2024: cultural crossovers, the rise of mixology, and the concept of an urban oasis. Gone are the days of simply Mexican, Indian, or Korean food. People want fusion cuisine, and they want the same thing to happen to their dining environment. Ometeo is one example, as it mixes Texan and Mexican influences in its design and its menu.
#4 The Cafe At My Closest Beach Gives Free Drinks To People Who Collect A Bucket Of Litter From The Beach
Image credits: Chazster567
#5 This Bar Has A Safe Word For People On Bad Tinder Dates
Image credits: EstablishmentThis743
#6 The Restaurant In My Town Has A Board With "No Questions Asked" Prepaid Meals For People In Need
Image credits: rjoyfult
However, some architects caution restaurant designers to be mindful when going for the cultural crossover aesthetic. "It's crucial for designers to approach these designs with cultural sensitivity, steering clear of stereotypes," Griz Dwight, founding principal of GrizForm Design Architects, told the publication.
Functional Creative Design studio writes that designers should take global inspiration and not be afraid of different colors, textures, and patterns. "Whether it's Moroccan tiles, Japanese minimalism, or Indian textiles, infuse your restaurant with the richness of global design influences. The result? A visually stunning space that celebrates the beauty of diversity."
#7 The Pub I'm In Has Little Booths For Solo Diners
Image credits: Christopherfromtheuk
#8 Restaurant I Ate At Framed This Hole Someone Punched In The Men's Restroom
Image credits: Rigelstein
#9 This Sign On The Bathroom Door Of A Local Seafood Restaurant
Image credits: Certain-Ferret3692
Unique cocktails and beverages are another popular trend that diners are craving. The Glendale Panda Inn, for example, offers alcoholic drinks infused with teas and fresh herbs. Mixologists also get creative with garnishes and hand-carved ice spheres to the point where serving cocktails becomes a work of art. But the mixology trend is about more than just the drinks. It's also about the unique bar displays and dynamic lighting, allowing mixologists to make cocktail alchemy an immersive experience.
#10 This Starbucks Has A Picture Of Every Dog That’s Come Through The Drive-Through
Image credits: chair823
#11 The Cream I Ordered With My Coffee At A Switzerland Cafe Was Served Inside Of A Chocolate Treat
Image credits: TexasJoey
#12 I Found This Salt And Pepper Chess Set At An Italian Restaurant In New Hampshire
Image credits: Brie_M
Restaurateurs also try to enhance their customers' dining experience with the urban oasis concept. Most restaurants and bars do this by designing their interior with greenery indoors. Wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city, more and more diners are looking for their dining environment to be calming and relaxing. Rooftop dining falls into this category too, and they're combining the escape from the city turmoil with sustainability.
#13 This Bar/Restaurant In Chicago Was The First To Obtain Its Liquor License From The City After Prohibition Ended. Their License Number Is 1
Image credits: PerfectionEludesMe
#14 This Restaurant That I'm At Has A Dog Menu
Image credits: reddit.com
#15 This Restaurant Named "Thai Food Near Me"
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Locally sourced ingredients continue to be popular amongst diners, as they're looking to make their dining habits ethical and sustainable. The sentiment also seeps into restaurant architecture and interior design as well. More and more restaurants follow this trend by choosing reclaimed wood, recycled metal, and energy-efficient lighting in their design.
#16 The Cafe I Went To Puts A Teddy Bear Espresso Ice Cube Into Their Iced Lattes
Image credits: AshtonJupiter
#17 This Restaurant Near My House Uses Concrete Sewer Pipes For Outdoor Seating
Image credits: mrcortado
#18 This Restaurant Has An Angled Mirror Over The Chefs, So You Can See An Overhead View
Image credits: DrawThatRedstone
Apparently, people also like it when a restaurant is not actually a restaurant. Hence the rise of multi-functional dining spaces. By day, it can function as a cozy cafe or a restaurant. And by night, it's a unique cocktail bar. According to Acme, spaces like this were all the rage in 2023 in commercial bar design, and they continue to be so in 2024. "This flexibility allows for a broader range of customers and events, maximising the use of space," they claim.
#19 This Restaurant Has A "Toepener" For People Who Want To Avoid Germs On The Doorknob
Image credits: happysunbear
#20 Restaurant Toilets Force You To Sanitize Your Hands On The Way Out
Image credits: reddit.com
#21 This Restaurant Has A Discount For Being Friendly
Image credits: optionalgambino
Did you know that there's a revolution going on in the restaurant industry? A small plate revolution! Apparently, another popular trend is to say goodbye to the entree, main, and dessert and embrace sharing with your friend group. This is not a new concept in Middle Eastern restaurants, where dining is a very communal experience, but one that has been gaining more popularity since the pandemic.
#22 This Place Had The Bar Counter Decorated With Fake IDs That Were Confiscated From School Kids Trying To Get In
Image credits: beeedeee
#23 This 2D Cafe In Shinjuku, Japan
Image credits: Tokyodrew
#24 This Use Of The N In An Open Sign At A Cafe
Image credits: mediumbugger
Interestingly, it's also an issue many foodies can't seem to agree on. It turns out the small plates trend has as many fans as it has haters. Some critics claim that "small plates are over," while others explain how individualistic Westerners could learn a thing or two from this way of dining. Still, some insist that the trend is over and people miss big portions.
#25 My Local Domino's Has A Stand For Kids To Come Up And Watch Them Make Pizzas
Image credits: theovincent1997
#26 This Restaurant Has Negative Reviews Displayed Up On The Walls
Image credits: Opiumoptimistic
#27 This Ceiling Light Full Of Rubber Ducks In A Pub In Edinburgh
Image credits: reddit.com
As you see in many of the entries here, gallery walls have become a popular trend in restaurant and bar design. Whether they're made from fake IDs from real customers or photos of every dog that has passed through a Starbucks driveway, many restaurants are choosing them to liven up the interior. "They create a good mood, influence the traffic flow, and give more opportunities for local artists to present their work," Raj Architects writes.
#28 The Water Taps At This Cafe Drip Onto Plants To Not Waste Water
Image credits: halfandhafu
#29 These Chairs In A Ski Resort's Restaurant Have Room For Your Gloves, Helmet, Hat, Etc
Image credits: kazarnowicz
#30 I Saw These Kids' Meal Crayons With Flat Edges To Prevent Rolling Off The Table In A Restaurant
Image credits: reddit.com
So, Pandas, what are the most interesting restaurants and bars you have ever visited? Was it the design, the utensils, or the sustainable solutions that impressed you the most? Or maybe the Pokémon card that came with the bill? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to upvote your favorite restaurant and bar design concepts in this list!
#31 My Local Pub Used To Be A Bank
Image credits: psycho-mouse
#32 A Mexican Restaurant Near Me Moved Into An Old KFC. Instead Of Removing Colonel Sanders, They Just Added A Sombrero, A Mustache, And Poncho
Image credits: razor10000
#33 This Restaurant In Colorado Has Air Conditioned Pods For Families To Eat In
Image credits: weeb_sword1224
#34 This Menu In An Italian Restaurant Is Shaped Like A Circle, Showing You What Type Of Pizza Would Look Like
Image credits: polynilium
#35 This Gaming-Themed Restaurant Puts Their Drinks In "Potion" Glasses
Image credits: Elizaminx
#36 This Picture At My Local Pub Is Made From Bottle Caps
Image credits: ducktaperules
#37 This Bar Had A Mini Version Of Itself On The Wall
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#38 This Restaurant I Went To Had Wall Tiles Shaped Like Cassettes
Image credits: DandyGargoyle
#39 My Local Cafe Has The Table Numbers As Answers To Interesting Facts
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#40 This Arby's Has A Plaque For A Customer Who Died
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#41 This Restaurant Gives You An Hourglass When You Order. If Your Food Hasn’t Arrived Before The Time Runs Out Then You Get Your Meal For Free
Image credits: ForFoxSake_23
#42 This Jellyfish Lamp At A Seafood Restaurant
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#43 This Restaurant's Forks And Spoons Look Like Miniature Shovels And Pitchforks
Image credits: RyanDhawk
#44 This McDonald's In New Zealand Has A Decommissioned Plane You Can Dine In
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#45 A Restaurant In Spain Has Teddy Bears Sitting Down At Every Table To Keep You Company
Image credits: voltaicudo
#46 I Visited The H.R. Giger Museum In Switzerland Last Week. This Is The Bar Next Door
Image credits: Rivergod3
#47 This Restaurant Calls Bill "The Damage"
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#48 This Restaurant Has The Option To Order More Fries When Your Girlfriend Says She's Not Hungry
Image credits: kipperzdog
#49 This Pizza Place Tells You Their Pizza Sizes And How Large They Are Compared To Each Other
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#50 The Bar I Went To Uses A 2-Way Mirror As The Urinal Wall
Image credits: Bignbadchris
