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
Modular Store Concepts
Aldi South Group Introduced a New Store Format
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
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
Summer Fragrance-Inspired Pop-Ups
Maison Margiela Launched a Pop-Up Café in Amsterdam
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
Mobile Cafe Pop-Ups
Coach Introduced a Vibrant Coffee Truck in Gotemba, Japan
Immersive K-Beauty Pop-Ups
TIRTIR Brings Jeju Matcha Skincare to NYC with a Sensory Experience
Fashion-Branded Café Experiences
Vogue Blends Retail with Immersive Hospitality Spaces
Automotive Restaurants
Hyundai is Opening Backseat Bites, the UK’s First Restaurant Inside a Car
Gamified Condiment Experiences
HEINZ’s Ketchup Blast Turns Meals Interactive
Supermarket Tourism Campaigns
K-Supermarket's Tripadvisor Listings Share a Taste of Food Culture
Farming-Inspired Cocktail Menus
Agri/Culture by Little Red Door Explores Agricultural Methods
One-Night-Only Dining Events
The Saratoga Supper Club Turned a Convenience Store into a Speakeasy
Entertainment-Driven Distilleries
Ole Smoky and Yee-Haw create immersive brewery venues
Industrial-Inspired Brand Events
Reitmans Reimagined its Distribution Centre for a Curated Event
High-End Pizza Dining Experiences
This Papa Johns Dining Experience is Part of a MICHELIN Bid
Design Food Exhibitions
IKEA's Food for Thought Exhibition in Milan Explores Cooking Rituals
Experiential Fast Food Collaborations
Popeyes Turned Chicken Tenders Into a Music Venue Experience
Textural Residential Interiors
L Architects Complete the Plant-Inspired In a Park Residence
Girl Dinner Experiences
Waverly Kitchen + Bar Curates Shareable Comfort Food Plates
Meal Kit Installations
HelloFresh's Giant Delivery Box Features a Real Family Sharing Dinner
Personalized Fast-Casual Branding
FUSIAN Rebrands Around Customization and Bold Visual Identity
Comprehensive Fast Food Reports
Yum! Brands, Inc. Explores Food Trends Influencing the Industry
Dinner Escape Rooms
The Wedding Party Dinner Theater is a Three-Course Entertainment Event
Celebrity-Supported Chef-Crafted Restaurant Concepts
goop kitchen is Expanding to New York City
Workplace Meal Culture
ezCater Shows Employee Food Programs Driving Office Engagement
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
Story-Driven Adventure Tourism
Disney Expands Immersive Guided Travel Across Europe and Asia
Ranch-Inspired Pop-Up Restaurants
The Hidden Valley Ranch Tiny Restaurant is Coming to NYC
Tomato-Themed Dining Experiences
Mutti Tomatoes Hosted an Immersive Dining Experience in London
Chic Avant-Garde Restaurant Interiors
Estereotomia Architects Designs Masahouse
Website-Based Restaurant Customizations
The 'Wix Restaurant Experiences' Enables Unique Dining
Local-Led Culinary Experiences
Intrepid Offers a Diverse Range of Food Tours for Curious Travelers
Pop-Up Sports Hospitality
Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival Turns Urban Spaces into Immersive Fan Hubs
Curated Discovery Stores
The Shelf Spotlights Emerging Food, Drink and Wellness Brands
World Cup Hospitality Experiences
Stella Artois Turns Bars into Immersive FIFA Viewing Locations
Immersive Dining Partnership
American Express, Resy & Chef’s Table Launch a Culinary Event Series
Warm Narrow Burger Bars
URBANJOBS Draws Inspiration from Geometry from AINEN
Stylishly Comfortable Restaurant Concepts
The Frederick Restaurant is Led by Chef Cory Vitiello
Playful Social Dining Menus
Toronto's Mademoiselle Launched a $25 'Girl Dinner' Prix-Fixe Menu
Culture-Driven Product Launches
Church’s Texas Chicken launches Churchie Sauce with a local event
Immersive Queue Displays
Samsung Transforms Everland Wait Lines with Interactive 3D Safari Visuals
Automated Commercial Kitchen Gardens
Instafarm Lets Restaurants Grow Their Own Ingredients
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
Dynamic Layered Interior Cafés
Café Tondo Transforms a Chinatown Building into a Warm Dining Space
Wellness Dining Experiences
CRISP & GREEN Combines Fitness Events With Healthy Meals
Mystery Dinner Shows
The Dinner Detective Combines a Whodunit Experience to Dining
Regional Discovery Dining
Wine Bar Highlights Lesser-Known Regions Through Monthly Tastings
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
Luxury Experiential Rail Travel
Napa Valley Wine Train Combines Gourmet Dining and Winery Visits
Tasting Menu Evolutions
SARA Launches the Journey, a Seven-Course Dining Experience in Toronto
Community-Centered Dining Experiences
Joyous Enriches Seniors' Lives Through Food & Experiences
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
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
Experimental Chopstick Designs
Chopsticks 箸 Exhibition by S—3 Reinterprets East Asian Utensil
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
Large-Scale Dining Events
The Longest Table Offers an Open Invitation for Food and Connection
Upgraded Experiential Museum Experiences
Museum of Ice Cream Undergoes Significant Renovations
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
Intimate Social Dinner Concepts
Dinner With Friends NYC Features Low-Pressure Communal Dinners
Immersive Cultural Dining Experiences
HIRAKUZA Ginza Tokyo Combines Sumo Wrestling with Dining
IP Theme Parks
iQIYI Brings Its Streaming IP into Immersive Real-World Theme Park Experiences
Multifaceted Cultural Destinations
Hale Muskoka Represents an Ambitious New Cultural Development
Pet-Inclusive Dining
BarkHaven Expands Food and Entertainment for Dogs and Owners
Gastronomic Coffee Experiences
illy Blends Coffee and Fine Dining in a Chef-Led Series
Compact Urban Grocery Retail
Whole Foods Expanded Daily Shop Stores into Three U.S. Cities
Curvaceous Restaurant Interiors
4SPACE Boasts an Extraordinary Cultural & Architectural Statement
Illusory Dining Concepts
A Taste Illusion Experience Plays with Diners' Perception on April 1st
Container-Built Restaurants
Petti Restaurant by Wallmakers Stacks Shipping Containers Vertically
Retail Beverage Experiences
The Paper Store Uses Custom Drink Stations to Boost Engagement
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
Adaptive Reuse Luxury Hotels
1 Hotel Copenhagen Transforms a 1930s Landmark into a Hygge Retreat
Conceptually Transformed Restaurants
The Nami Restaurant is Scheduled to Launch in Early February
Brand-Driven Guest Experience Services
Outform Group Debuts the New Outform Hospitality Division
Barn Restaurant Conversions
Office Inainn Barn Conversion Transforms Heritage to Layered Dining
Food-Inspired Cocktail Concept Menus
The Salmon Guru Eat Your Cocktail Menu Rethinks Cocktails
Industrial Food Hall Revivals
The Pullman Market Adaptive Reuse Design Revitalizes a Glass Factory
Immersive Chinese Culinary Productions
Trip.com Group Debuts the Multi-Media Taste of China
Community-Driven Loyalty Programs
Salad House Turned Guest Spending Into Local Donations
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
Design-Forward Hybrid Spaces
Blanchette archi.design Envisioned Bistro Siège Social & Café Social
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
Local Restaurant Activations
Pepsi Hosts Community Events to Drive Restaurant Discovery
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
Event-Centric Camping Experiences
Huttopia Hosts World Cup Viewing and Activities at Its Campsites
Elemental Retail Spaces
Goldwin Creates a Multi-Sensory Retail Environment in New York City
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
Dining Experience Events
Blush at the Alexandra Inn Launched Its Girl Dinner Rooftop Dining Series
Travel-Optimized Restaurant Formats
Portillo's Launches a Compact Concept for Airport Travelers
Experiential Trade Shows
Wines Experience Reinvents Industry Networking in London
Dining Memory Journals
The Table Journal Turns Everyday Meals Into A Trackable, Reward Experience
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
Food-Centric Communities
CERES Designs Housing With Integrated Food and Dining Spaces
Minimalist Warehouse Dining
Sōko Restaurant by CAAM Arquitectos Reinterprets Japanese Teppanyaki
Graffiti-Driven Franchise Interiors
Pablito’s Tacos Unveiled a New Mindful Design Concept
Hospitality-Driven Collectives
The Aperitivo Society Curates Italian Culture for Communities
Artistic Dining Destinations
Daniel’s Room Restaurant Blends Art, Design and Food in Dubai
Immersive Brutalist Dining
Menu Extra Stages Efflorescence Inside a Montreal Franciscan Chapel
Industrial Contrast Dining Spaces
SSOC Seoul Features Stainless Steel with a Contemporary Layout
Chef-Led Recipe Series
IKEA Binging with Babish Recipes Explore Food Through Improvisation
Asia-Influenced Western Dishes
Bombastic Supper Club Unveils its Winter Delights with a New Menu
Regional Authenticity Dining
Marco’s Pizza Introduced a New York–Style Pizza Experience
Revived Modern Burger Bars
PLUTO Burger Bar in Poland Reimagines an American Classic with a Twist
Bold Bright Burger Restaurants
Flip-N-Fry in Berlin Uses Vibrant Colour as Its Core Design Theme
Social Learning Experiences
Lectures on Tap Hosts Expert-Led Discussions in Local Bars
Mud Clad Restaurants
Petti Restaurant by Wallmakers Uses Earth and Marine Waste Construction
Tropical Brutalist Dining
Uchiko Miami Beach Blends Japanese Minimalism with Coastal Elegance
Itallian Restaurant Prototypes
Johnny Carino's Strives to Modernize the Dining Experience
Greek Tavern Interiors
Homer Rogue Taverna by A.p Design House Reinterprets Mediterranean Dining
Brunch Club Experiences
Julius Meinl and KUBUS Reimagine Austrian Cuisine
Destination-Driven Luxury Dining
Seabourn Introduced Alaska-Inspired Culinary Cruise Experiences
Redeveloped Industrial Cafés
Ironworks Café Transforms an Old Factory into a Culinary Hub
Globally Inspired Chef-Developed Menus
INPARADISE & Chef Daniel Sanz Martin Debut Taste the World
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
Zero-Waste Dining Spaces
Gourmega Reuses Discarded Materials Across Its Manhattan Interior
Elevated Diner Franchises
Billy’s Downtown Diner expands its modern diner concept in the midwest
Adaptive Restaurant Interiors
The Motorino Restaurant Adapts a Chapel with Spatial Sequences