According to a 2019 study, more than half of Americans dine out or get take out at least two or three times a week. Although COVID-19 has caused many people to stay at home, the United States has begun reopening in some parts. Many people are now eager to go out and enjoy a meal while staying safe.
Yet with so many restaurant types to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one is right.
Keep reading to learn about five of the best restaurant types, as well as how to go about choosing one.
How to Choose a Restaurant Type
To choose the right restaurant type, there are a few things you need to consider. The first is the interests of the people dining.
Although you may love Indian food, if your girlfriend doesn’t, it won’t be a fun experience for either of you. Choose something that you’ll both enjoy.
Different restaurants also have different environments. You can choose anything from a small and noisy bar to a quiet and formal bistro. No option is bad, but you should be aware of what the experience will be like beforehand.
You also need to pay attention to your budget. Are you ready to splurge and enjoy a five-star dining experience? Or are you trying to stay frugal, and need to stick to a strict budget? How much money you and the people you’re eating with can spend will impact which restaurants you can choose from.
Five Popular Restaurant Types
Once you’ve set your budget and decided on what sort of environment you want to eat it, it’s time to go ahead and look at the different types of restaurants. Here are five popular types.
1: Cafés
A café is a unique type of restaurant in that it focuses on serving beverages as opposed to food.
Most cafés serve coffee, tea, and different types of caffeinated beverages. Often, they’ll offer simple and small food dishes, such as sandwiches, pastries, and different types of snacks. For the most part, café prices are low to moderate.
A café can be a great place to have a date or a good conversation. In most cases, they won’t be as noisy as other restaurant types. They also don’t require you to spend as much time as other places, as you’re drinking a beverage and having a snack as opposed to eating an entire meal.
2: Buffet Restaurants
Are you someone who likes to eat a lot? Are you going with a large group of people, all of whom have different tastes and preferences? If so, a buffet restaurant could be the perfect option for you and your group.
Buffets let you pay a set price, then eat as much food as you want. You can choose whatever dishes the restaurant offers. If you want to load up on chicken tenders, you can do that. If you want to skip the dinner section and head to the ice-cream bar, you can also choose to do that.
In many cases, buffets can also be cost-efficient decisions. As long as you eat a lot, you’ll be able to enjoy a lot of food at a reasonable price.
3: Small Plate Restaurants
If you’re familiar with Spanish culture, then you’re also familiar with tapas. Tapas are small plates that contain snacks or appetizers. Most of the time when you’re at a restaurant, conventional dining limits you to trying one or two dishes. Tapas avoid that and allow you to try many different things.
Common tapas dishes include savory dishes, such as ham, bread, vegetables, and different types of seafood. Most parties order several different plates, then share them with one another.
It’s also common to enjoy drinks alongside tapas. This makes them a great food to order at bars. You can enjoy a refreshing drink, while also making sure that you don’t get too hungry.
Buckingham Farms has a number of great plates that you can share with your friends. Check out their menu to start planning a meal you won’t forget.
4: Diners
Are you a fan of breakfast foods no matter the hour? Are you craving a laidback environment where you can enjoy classic American foods? If so, a trip to a diner could be what you need.
Diners are small restaurants prevalent across much of the United States and parts of Europe. Most diners are cheap and can provide you with quality food in a casual environment.
Diner options range from national chain restaurants to local holes in the wall. Most feature a menu that doesn’t change throughout the course of the day. This means that you can enjoy pancakes for dinner, or shove down a burger and fries at 10 AM.
5: Fast-Food Joints
Depending on the region and the country, fast food can take a variety of different forms. Although a burger and fries are common in American, barbeque is common in South Korea, as are street tacos in Mexico.
Although many people consider fast food to be unhealthy, that isn’t always the case. Many fast-food joints offer healthy (or somewhat healthy) options, letting you enjoy a quick meal without feeling regret afterward.
Aside from being a speedy option, most fast food is also cheap. This means that it can be a good choice if you don’t have time to cook and are looking to save money.
Delicious Meals Guaranteed
When you’re in the mood to go out and eat, it can be difficult to know what your options are, as well as how to decide on a place. Yet by following this guide, you’ll be able to decide on the restaurant types that work best for you.
What are your favorite types of restaurants? Make sure to tell us in a comment down below!
If you enjoyed reading this article, don’t forget to take a look at some of our other blog posts for more guides and tips.