As consumers search for interactive experiences that engage them through multiple senses, plenty of brands and establishments are lining up to provide them with the experience-driven dining concepts they desire.
One particular winning example is a restaurant in China built in a former prison that aims to replicate the experience for interested parties. The intriguing concept is quite extreme but shows that their is market demand for even the most unconventional and seemingly unpleasant dining concepts.
Moving away from the theatrical but still offering the experiential is the Instock Restaurant in Amsterdam. A side project of Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn, Instock is a food rescue establishment that gets its ingredients from the leftover food from its retail stores.
45 Imaginative Dining Concepts
From Communal Garden Eateries to Converted Prison Restaurants:
Rebecca Byers — Jan 15, 2016 — Lifestyle
45
Fast Casual Street Cafes
Lumee is a Bahrain Restaurant Boasting a Contemporary Heritage Style
44
Industrial Restaurant Interiors
This Fast Food Eatery Boasts a Chic Vintage Interior
43
Food Factory Eateries
This Korean BBQ Restaurant was Designed by ARTTA Concept Studio
42
Eccentric Open-Kitchen Lounges
This Budapest Bar is Perfect for Enjoying a Drink with a Big Group
41
Cajun Restaurant Interiors
This Cajun Restaurant in Hong Kong is Inspired by a Fishing Boat
40
Clothing Store Diners
This New Concept Store by Urban Outfitters is a Food Court Eatery
39
Pop-Up Community Kitchens
This Kitchen-Free Restaurant Asks Locals to Cook for Patrons
38
Converted Prison Restaurants
China's Latest Experiential Dining Fad Involves Shackles and a Cell
37
Dorm Room Restaurants
This Student is Revolutionizing University Dining with Shared Gourmet Meals
36
Elegant Concept Restaurants
Spring Restaurant at Somerset House is a Luxurious French Eatery
35
Personalized Pizza Bars
Blaze Pizza Builds and Cooks Custom Fast-Fired Pizzas On the Spot
34
Multi-Dimensional Dining Experiences
The 'Chambers of Flavour' Events are Packed with Suprises
33
Intimate Open-Kitchen Eateries
This Washington DC Restaurant Has the Atmosphere of a Homey Kitchen
32
VR-Powered Hotel Dinners
Ibiza's Hard Rock Hotel Hosted a Samsung Gear VR Gastronomy Experience
31
Food Scrap Dining
The Salvage Supperclub Initiative Serves Food From Dumpsters in a 6 Course Meal
30
Airy Greenhouse Cafes
This Converted Greenhouse Cafe in Beijing Was Designed by Four O Nine
29
Rooftop Restaurant Pop-Ups
The Forest on the Roof is a Dining Experience Atop of Selfridges
28
Slow-Paced Lifestyle Eateries
Yoshinoya is a New Taipei Restaurant with a Relaxing Atmosphere
27
Warm Asian Eatery Interiors
This Prague Restaurant is Inspired by Traditional Asian Ingredients
26
Retro Music Restaurants
This Eatery Incorporates Musical Nostalgia From Rock and Disco Eras
25
Hybrid Bistro-Sneaker Shops
KNOCK Kitchen & Kicks Combines a Love of Good Food and Sneakers
24
Holiday Hotel Experiences
This Harrods London Christmas Package Includes VIP Present-Shopping
23
Speakeasy-Inspired Dining Experiences
This Restaurant Delivers the Full Speakeasy Experience
22
Elegant Food Rescue Eateries
Instock Restaurant Prepares Meals with Grocery Store Leftovers
21
Superfood-Focused Quick Eateries
Backyard Bowls is a Revolutionary Health Food Dining Concept
20
Post-Modern Hot Pot Restaurants
This Nanjing Restaurant Features a Host of Suspended Decor
19
Interactive Dining Events
This Restaurant Combines Interactive Theatre with Fine Dining
18
Pop-Up Toast Cafes
Popped Culture is a Pop-Up Cafe Dedicated to Artisan Toast
17
Custom Fast Casual Pizza
Cucinova Urban Italian is Sbarro's New Fast Casual Dining Concept
16
Custom Grain Bowl Menus
The Sweetgreen Menu Includes a 'Make-Your-Own' Section
15
Gamified Restaurant Experiences
London's Inamo Restaurant Features Personalized Touchscreen Tables
14
Communal Garden Eateries
The Erba Brusca Restaurant Boasts Organic Ingredients & Communal Dining
13
National Gallery Restaurants
This Elegant Restaurant is Inside the Singapore National Art Gallery
12
Decadent Retro Bistro Designs
The New Sophisticated American Grill General Assembly is Classy
11
Opulent Glass Eateries
The Guilhermina Restaurant in Sao Paulo is a Rectangular Glass Structure
10
Open-Kitchen Dining Experiences
This Restaurant Prepares Each Meal in Front of Diners
9
Parisian-Inspired Dining Experiences
This Themed Dinner Party Involved an Immersive Atmosphere
8
Bed-Style Supperclub Seating
Amsterdam's Supperclub Recently Moved to a New Location
7
Poetry-Infused Restaurants
The Atelier Crenn Restaurant Blends Poetry and Culinary Excellence
6
Elegant Jailhouse Eateries
The 'Poczekalnia' Conceptual Restaurant Design Comes From Karina Wiciak
5
Floating Pizzerias
Pizza Pi is a Sailboat-Turned-Pizzeria in the Virgin Islands
4
Car Servicing Restaurants
The Kent & Co Wine Bar Doubles as an Auto Repair Shop
3
Prisoner's Dilemma-Inspired Eateries
The 'Betrayers’ Banquet' is a Psychological Dining Experiment
2
Video-Integrated Dining Rooms
This Restaurant Uses Video Conferencing Technology to Connect Diners
1
Festive VR Dining Experiences
TGI Fridays' Holiday Experience Transports Diners to the Arctic
Related Ideas
Playful Toy-Inspired Pop-Ups
The Jellycat Café Pops Up at Shanghai’s Plaza 66 to Revive Traffic
Cookware Brand Retail Concepts
Hestan Culinary Unveils an Immersive Experience in Napa
Playful Bar Interiors
The Funny Bar Redesign Reshapes a Compact New York Nightlife Space
Modular Store Concepts
Aldi South Group Introduced a New Store Format
Immersive Upscale Dining Concepts
The Playbook Commons Merges Culinary Arts with Sports
Pop-Up Recovery Shops
Nike’s Soup Shop in China Redefines Comfort Post-Run Experiences
Theatrical Cocktail Experiences
The Theatre by ZLB23 Unfolds at a Seven-Seat Bar
Therapy-Inspired Retail Concepts
Okamura Reimagines Retail Therapy with the Kimochi Kiosk in 2025
Experiential Convenience Stores
FamilyMart Announced IP-Centered Store Experiences in Japan
Eclectic Bistro Designs
Luke Edward Hall Designs Deux Gares Express Café with British-French Flair
Last-Minute Meal Pop-Ups
HelloFresh's No-Need-To-Go-To-The-Store Store Saves Commuters Time
Faux Food Pop-Ups
MoMA Design Store Unveils an Immersive 'MoMA Mart' Pop-Up for NYC
Automotive Restaurants
Hyundai is Opening Backseat Bites, the UK’s First Restaurant Inside a Car
Immersive K-Beauty Pop-Ups
TIRTIR Brings Jeju Matcha Skincare to NYC with a Sensory Experience
Gamified Condiment Experiences
HEINZ’s Ketchup Blast Turns Meals Interactive
Farming-Inspired Cocktail Menus
Agri/Culture by Little Red Door Explores Agricultural Methods
Community-First Beauty Hubs
The Immersive Club MAC Retail Concept Features Experiential Zones
One-Night-Only Dining Events
The Saratoga Supper Club Turned a Convenience Store into a Speakeasy
Immersive Architectural Activations
Dinesen Presented Dual Exhibitions at 3daysofdesign
Luxury Exhibition Concepts
Louis Vuitton Unveils 'The Louis' Vessel Concept in Shanghai
EV Brand Diner Concepts
The Tesla Diner Offers Dining and Vehicle Charging
High-End Pizza Dining Experiences
This Papa Johns Dining Experience is Part of a MICHELIN Bid
Feline-Inspired Culinary Experiences
Purina Fancy Feast Creates Human-Friendly Italian Pop-Up
Design Food Exhibitions
IKEA's Food for Thought Exhibition in Milan Explores Cooking Rituals
French-inspired Stake Restaurant Designs
Sansa Interiors Designs the Interior of Paris Steak
Emotional Introspection Drinking Experiences
Suntory's Glass and Words Bar Concept is Novel
Meal Kit Installations
HelloFresh's Giant Delivery Box Features a Real Family Sharing Dinner
Immersive Garden-Inspired Exhibitions
c+d Studio Presents the Stunning 'Garden for the Eyes'
Honest Sustainability-Focused Installations
Temple (The Last Cheeseburger) is Thought-Provoking
Comprehensive Fast Food Reports
Yum! Brands, Inc. Explores Food Trends Influencing the Industry
Consumer-Driven Grocery Stores
The Waitrose Home of Food Lovers Concept Store is in Newbury
Cinema Restaurant Interiors
Ceintuur Theatre by Studio Elèn Letort Reworks a 1920s Cinema
Local-Led Culinary Experiences
Intrepid Offers a Diverse Range of Food Tours for Curious Travelers
World Cup Hospitality Experiences
Stella Artois Turns Bars into Immersive FIFA Viewing Locations
Immersive Design Studio Showcases
Fritz Hansen Presented 'Shaping Lasting Design' in Copenhagen
Tomato-Themed Dining Experiences
Mutti Tomatoes Hosted an Immersive Dining Experience in London
Ranch-Inspired Pop-Up Restaurants
The Hidden Valley Ranch Tiny Restaurant is Coming to NYC
Chic Avant-Garde Restaurant Interiors
Estereotomia Architects Designs Masahouse
Textural Residential Interiors
L Architects Complete the Plant-Inspired In a Park Residence
Celebrity-Supported Chef-Crafted Restaurant Concepts
goop kitchen is Expanding to New York City
Ambitious Urban Revitalization Proposals
Yujin Cao & Xiaofan Ye Design the Brooklyn Dairy Project
Website-Based Restaurant Customizations
The 'Wix Restaurant Experiences' Enables Unique Dining
Nostalgic Charging Stations
The Tesla Diner Delivers Retro-Futuristic Dining and EV Charging
Curated Discovery Stores
The Shelf Spotlights Emerging Food, Drink and Wellness Brands
Immersive Dining Partnership
American Express, Resy & Chef’s Table Launch a Culinary Event Series
Stylishly Comfortable Restaurant Concepts
The Frederick Restaurant is Led by Chef Cory Vitiello
Automated Commercial Kitchen Gardens
Instafarm Lets Restaurants Grow Their Own Ingredients
Mystery Dinner Shows
The Dinner Detective Combines a Whodunit Experience to Dining
Painterly Dining Experiences
7 Paintings - The Art of Dining Blends Art, Culture and Cuisine
Vintage Luxury Dining
Limousine Restaurant by Ivy Studio Captures the Glamour of the Classic Car
Smaller-Format Grocery Concepts
Sungiven Foods Unveils New Metro Vancouver Stores
Dynamic Layered Interior Cafés
Café Tondo Transforms a Chinatown Building into a Warm Dining Space
Comfort Food Hotel Restaurants
Piebird at DoubleTree by Hilton Will Offer a Range of Fare
Reclaimed Interior Spaces
The Onyx Aether Restaurant Unveils a Layered Reclaimed-Material Concept
NYC Identity-Inspired Retail Cconcepts
Concrete Amsterdam Designs the Inaugural Steve Madden Store
Playful Restaurant Elevations
The New Tom’s Pasta Has a Colorful Interior Designed by House of Dre
Community-Centered Dining Experiences
Joyous Enriches Seniors' Lives Through Food & Experiences
Experimental Chopstick Designs
Chopsticks 箸 Exhibition by S—3 Reinterprets East Asian Utensil
Pop-Up Sports Hospitality
Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival Turns Urban Spaces into Immersive Fan Hubs
Fine-Dining Pizza Events
The Pizza Hut Supper Club Let Quality Ingredients Speak for Themselves
Scent-Led Dining Experiences
Aroma by Tia Rosa Has Guests Choose What They Eat by Smell, Not Sight
Urban Egg Installations
The Diesel Human-Sized Egg Installations Bring Playful Fashion to Milan
Sustainable Hospitality Concepts
Riviera Dining Group's CASA NEOS Includes Eco-Friendly Materials
Glossy Ceramic-Pillared Restaurant Designs
North End Design Creates the Town Restaurant
Modular Dining Spaces
The 11 x 17 Restaurant in Denver Blends a Pizza Kitchen with a Gallery
Artful Sculptural Bistros
Holy Carrot by Studio Toogood Reworks a Spitalfields Restaurant
Globally Inspired Plant-Based Patties
Taste of the World Burgers Let Recognizable Vegetables Shine
Culturally Immersive Dining Experiences
D'Art Design is Transforming India's Dining Sector
Book-Themed Bar Concepts
Book Bar is an Upcoming Destination for Shopping, Eating & Connecting
Menu Discovery Challenges
Original ChopShop's Feel Good Foodie Challenge Rewards Menu Exploration
Evolutionary Toronto Dining Experiences
The Drake Hotel Unveiled a Reimagined Gen-Z-Forward Menu
Upgraded Experiential Museum Experiences
Museum of Ice Cream Undergoes Significant Renovations
Wellness Dining Experiences
CRISP & GREEN Combines Fitness Events With Healthy Meals
Retail Design Landmarks
D14.2 Concept Store in Oslo Rethinks the Shopping Experience
Community-Centered Rooftop Events
Heineken's Rooftop Revival Turned Building Tops into Social Hubs
Customer-Driven Food Innovation Centers
The Kerry Customer Co-Creation Centre is Now Open
Fantasy World Theme Parks
Disney Builds Real-Life Arendelle with World of Frozen
Container-Built Restaurants
Petti Restaurant by Wallmakers Stacks Shipping Containers Vertically
Nutrition-Focused Temporary Dining Menus
Ford's Garage Launches the Fuel-Efficient Fare Menu
Multifaceted Cultural Destinations
Hale Muskoka Represents an Ambitious New Cultural Development
Creative Culinary Evening Experiences
Enigma Yorkville X Langdon Hall Join for One Night Only
Private Parisian Residences
HIGHSTAY Reimagines Hospitality to Create an Intimate Experience
Gastronomic Coffee Experiences
illy Blends Coffee and Fine Dining in a Chef-Led Series
IP Theme Parks
iQIYI Brings Its Streaming IP into Immersive Real-World Theme Park Experiences
Dinner Escape Rooms
The Wedding Party Dinner Theater is a Three-Course Entertainment Event
Young Consumer-Focused Store Redesigns
Auntie Anne's Presents a Contemporary Updated Aesthetic
Curvaceous Restaurant Interiors
4SPACE Boasts an Extraordinary Cultural & Architectural Statement
Illusory Dining Concepts
A Taste Illusion Experience Plays with Diners' Perception on April 1st
Urban Indian Dining Experiences
The Cottage Cheese Features Menus Showcasing Chef-Driven Artistry
Culinary Research Landmarks
The Gastronomy Open Ecosystem Unites Education and Innovation
Modernist Burger Interiors
Studio Danel Designs an OMG! Burger in Houston Around a Communal Table
Circular Dining Interiors
Savvia Restaurant is Organised Around a Stone Table in Mexico City
Conceptually Transformed Restaurants
The Nami Restaurant is Scheduled to Launch in Early February
Dual Interior Design Concepts
Design Next Agency Was Recognized for Its Work on the Duo
Cultural Dining Discovery
AuthFoodMaps Helps Users Find Authentic Ethnic Restaurants Nearby
Brand-Driven Guest Experience Services
Outform Group Debuts the New Outform Hospitality Division
Renovated Food Court Designs
Bramalea City Centre Completed Its South Food Court Renovation
Mushroom-Inspired Dining Designs
Grybova Hata Evokes Mycelial Growth Via Bio-Based Materials
Industrial Food Hall Revivals
The Pullman Market Adaptive Reuse Design Revitalizes a Glass Factory
Barn Restaurant Conversions
Office Inainn Barn Conversion Transforms Heritage to Layered Dining
Immersive Chinese Culinary Productions
Trip.com Group Debuts the Multi-Media Taste of China
Virtual Dining Platform Expansions
GreetEat Corp. Expands to All Users in North America
Design-Forward Hybrid Spaces
Blanchette archi.design Envisioned Bistro Siège Social & Café Social
Japanese Minimalist-Inspired Restaurants
Ivy Huang of Vhouse Interior Design Designs Fifteen East
Gap-Focused Living Rooms
one-aftr Unveiled The 'Pavilion TEUM' Architectural Concept
Nostalgic Music Dining Experiences
The Bun House Disco Evokes 1980s Hong Kong with Buns and Music
Luminous Garden Rest Stops
The Ansan Service Area Debuted the LUMI GARDEN Concept
Food-Centric Communities
CERES Designs Housing With Integrated Food and Dining Spaces
Contemporary Mediterranean Restaurant Designs
URBANJOBS Designs Esca, a Mediterranean Restaurant
Kebab-Inspired Restaurant Totems
KFC Calls Attention to Its New Döner Menu via its Totems
Fruit Tree Edible Neighbourhoods
The Rijnvliet Project Integrates Food Growing into Community Life
Gothic Romance Restaurant Campaigns
Eggslut's Egg Yearning Explores an Unexpected Symbol of Desire
Upgraded Signature Dishes
INPARADISE is Serving Elevated Favorites for a Limited Time This Fall
Island Concept Pop-Ups
The 10am Apotheke Pop-Up Reimagines Island Retail and Hospitality
Foldable Greenhouse Kitchens
Your Greenhouse is Your Kitchen Transforms into a Community Space
Immersive Cultural Dining Experiences
HIRAKUZA Ginza Tokyo Combines Sumo Wrestling with Dining
Minimalist Warehouse Dining
Sōko Restaurant by CAAM Arquitectos Reinterprets Japanese Teppanyaki
Graffiti-Driven Franchise Interiors
Pablito’s Tacos Unveiled a New Mindful Design Concept
Artistic Dining Destinations
Daniel’s Room Restaurant Blends Art, Design and Food in Dubai
Chef-Led Recipe Series
IKEA Binging with Babish Recipes Explore Food Through Improvisation
Industrial Canal Restaurants
The Canal Restaurant Transforms a Waterside HQ into a Dining Space
Industrial Contrast Dining Spaces
SSOC Seoul Features Stainless Steel with a Contemporary Layout
Mud Clad Restaurants
Petti Restaurant by Wallmakers Uses Earth and Marine Waste Construction
Grotto-Like Punctuated Restaurants
Luchetti Krelle Designs the Cibaria Restaurant in Sydney
Asia-Influenced Western Dishes
Bombastic Supper Club Unveils its Winter Delights with a New Menu
Japanese Landscape-Donned Restaurants
Kriskadecor Installs a Mural at the Ginza 41 Restaurant
Venetian-Style Eatery Designs
Fettle’s Cicchetti Piccadilly Melds Venetian Warmth and Theatrics
Bold Bright Burger Restaurants
Flip-N-Fry in Berlin Uses Vibrant Colour as Its Core Design Theme
Revived Modern Burger Bars
PLUTO Burger Bar in Poland Reimagines an American Classic with a Twist
Tropical Brutalist Dining
Uchiko Miami Beach Blends Japanese Minimalism with Coastal Elegance
Itallian Restaurant Prototypes
Johnny Carino's Strives to Modernize the Dining Experience
Art-Decorated Converted Restaurants
Mammoth Designs the Field Guide Restaurant in Williamsburg
Greek Tavern Interiors
Homer Rogue Taverna by A.p Design House Reinterprets Mediterranean Dining
Brunch Club Experiences
Julius Meinl and KUBUS Reimagine Austrian Cuisine
Event-Centric Camping Experiences
Huttopia Hosts World Cup Viewing and Activities at Its Campsites
Redeveloped Industrial Cafés
Ironworks Café Transforms an Old Factory into a Culinary Hub
Brick Market Interior Design
The LINEHOUSE Ink Ink Food Market Uses a Greenhouse-Style Hall
Elevated Italian Dining Concepts
Vivo Culinary Group Launches Vivo Avanti King City
Alpine-Inspired Fine Restaurants
Jakob Sprenger and Antonia Crespi Reimagine the Monti Restaurant
Adaptive Restaurant Interiors
The Motorino Restaurant Adapts a Chapel with Spatial Sequences