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
Experimental Grocery Concepts
This Amsterdam Supermarket Launches the Brand's New Concept
Homey Bar Cafes
The La Maison Bleue Cafe Combines an Eatery, a Bar and a Quaint Cafe
Monochromatic Eatery Interiors
The Eat Rice & Noodle Restaurant Uses One Color for Decoration
Industrial Restaurant Interiors
This Fast Food Eatery Boasts a Chic Vintage Interior
Timber-Clad Coffee Shops
The New 'Connel Coffee' Shop Features Flooring That Runs Up the Counters
Futuristic Liquor Stores
Toronto's EnoStore Makes Shopping Trips Experiential for Wine Lovers
Food Factory Eateries
This Korean BBQ Restaurant was Designed by ARTTA Concept Studio
Symmetrical Bar Interiors
This Rotterdam Restaurant Was Designed by Studio Modijefsky
Apothecary-Themed Bars
'Sundry and Vice' Features Ancient Artifacts Displayed Throughout the Space
Millennial Hostel Hotels
The CityHub Offers a Connected Stay for Travellers on a Budget
Experiential Ice Cream Cafes
Dubai's Ebony Restaurant Features a Customizable Touchscreen Menu
Pop-Up Christmas Cards
Nalacards Surprises with Intricate 3D Sculptures and Beautiful Handwriting
Sustainable Cardboard Cafes
This Cafe Boasts Numerous Environmentally Responsible Features
Fashionable Martini Pop-Ups
The Harvey Nichols and Grey Goose Pop-Up Offers Personalized Cocktails
Portable Pizza Pouches
This Lanyard Allows the Wearer to Have Pizza with Them at All Times
Floating Foggy Restaurants
Diaoye Niunan in Beijing Lets You Sit on Floating Tables and Chairs
Graffiti-Clad Taco Restaurants
Eatery Social Taqueria Boasts Street Art Murals and Bold Branding
Parisian Sneaker Shops
The Sneakersnstuff France Location is an Elegant and Airy Boutique
Multi-Dimensional Dining Experiences
The 'Chambers of Flavour' Events are Packed with Suprises
Open Air Hotel Rooms
This Hotel Suite Features a Retractable Roof That Opens Up to the Sky
Personalized Diamond Ornaments
This Christmas Snow Globe Uses Real Jewels and a 3D Family Portrait
Winter-Themed Whiskey Pop-Ups
The Hedonist Project and Diageo Launch a Festive Holiday Bar
Mediterranean Restaurant Branding
Bokeria Brings Mediterranean Cuisine to Mexico City
Massive Multicultural Markets
The Anthony Bourdain Food Market Will Host 100 International Vendors
Digital Wine Club Showrooms
Club Francais Du Vin Launched Its First 'Store-to-Web' Concept
Mathematical Pizza Cutters
The Protector Pizza Slicer is the Device You Need to Cut Perfect Slices
Worldly Father Christmas Guides
This Chart Shares the Different Continental Versions of Santa
Beer-Dispensing Christmas Trees
Carlsberg's Unique Christmas Tree Has Free Beer on Tap
Decaf Coffee Pop-Ups
This Temporary Cafe Only Serves Decaffeinated Coffee
Airy Greenhouse Cafes
This Converted Greenhouse Cafe in Beijing Was Designed by Four O Nine
Rooftop Restaurant Pop-Ups
The Forest on the Roof is a Dining Experience Atop of Selfridges
Modernized Retro Kitchens
This Parisian Apartment Boasts Stainless Steel Kitchen Cabinets
Hyper-Relevant Pop-Up Bars
PAND10 is an Amsterdam Bar That Will Close After 10,000 Beers
Gallery Sneaker Shops
LACES Show Store Only Sells Limited Edition Sneakers and Hats
Slow-Paced Lifestyle Eateries
Yoshinoya is a New Taipei Restaurant with a Relaxing Atmosphere
Industrial Lab-Inspired Eateries
This Munich Restaurant is Located Inside an Ordinary House
Hybrid Bistro-Sneaker Shops
KNOCK Kitchen & Kicks Combines a Love of Good Food and Sneakers
Noodle-Covered Interiors
This Restaurant's Decor is a Tribute to China's Iconic Street Food
Boozy Christmas Calendars
This Advent Calendar Design Offers a New Sample of Alcohol for Each Day
Craftsman-Inspired Cocktail Bars
The Blacksmith Pub Celebrates the Age-Old Profession
Cultural High Tea Menus
Abu Dhabi's Cafe No. 57 Offers Authentic Tea and Coffee Creations
Modernized Italian Bars
The UNTO Restaurant in Palermo Offers Food and Drinks in a Dark Space
Digitized Wine Displays
This Merchandising Project by PERCH Interactive is Powered by Technology
Robotic Coffee Brewers
This Cafe Features a Robot That Can Brew Five Pour-Overs at a Time
Fashion-Forward Steel Boutiques
This Shanghai Store's Interior Resembles a Forest of Steel Bars
Greenhouse-Inspired Coffeeshops
Coffee Ground is an Artisan Cafe Concept in Endsleigh, UK
Immersive TV-Themed Bars
This Immersive Brewery Experience is Based on the TV Show Breaking Bad
Terrarium-Inspired Eateries
This Fusion Restaurant is Housed Inside a Former Warehouse
Cinematic Restaurant Concepts
The Breakfast at Tiffany's Eatery is a Modern Homage to the Film
Maternal-Inspired Restaurants
The 'Mrs Mi' Eatery was Designed to Honor the Owner's Mother
Fast-Food Reservation Platforms
Mcdonald's Locations in Sweden are Testing Online Reservations
Festive Candy Campaigns
Nestle's Quality Street Christmas Event is a Multi-Sensory Experience
Idyllic Coastal Bakeries
Big Sur Bakery is Located on the Scenic California Highway 1
Elegant Food Rescue Eateries
Instock Restaurant Prepares Meals with Grocery Store Leftovers
Gourmet Fast Food Tacos
These New 'Knockout Tacos' Feature Bold and Unexpected Flavors
Celebrity Athlete Stores
Chicago's Jordan Brand Shop Boasts Exclusive Shoes & An Invite-Only Court
Interactive Wine Menus
This Digital Wine Bar Menu Offers Customizable Selections on a Touchscreen
Bite-Sized Pizza Pinwheels
The Recipe for Pepperoni Bites Makes a Tasty Dippable Appetizer
Gin Garden Experiences
The MCA's Archie Rose Pop-Up Serves Up Handcrafted Cocktails
Pop-Up Ski Lounges
This Asda Christmas Pop-up Replicates an Après Ski Lodge Experience
Branded Breakfast Menus
A New Luxurious Breakfast Menu is Now Offered at Burberry's Flagship
Industrial Pub Interiors
'The Coco Pub' Combines Industrial Design with Modern Wood Accents
Hybrid Cocktail Bar Cafes
The Walton is a Quaint, Tiny Cafe and Cocktail Bar in Toronto
Custom Fast Casual Pizza
Cucinova Urban Italian is Sbarro's New Fast Casual Dining Concept
Celebratory Throwback Menus
The Melting Pot Created an Exclusive Menu for Its 40th Anniversary
Gamified Restaurant Experiences
London's Inamo Restaurant Features Personalized Touchscreen Tables
Communal Garden Eateries
The Erba Brusca Restaurant Boasts Organic Ingredients & Communal Dining
Contemporary Chinese Eateries
The 'Imperial Treasure' is Inspired by a Modern Chinese Architecture
National Gallery Restaurants
This Elegant Restaurant is Inside the Singapore National Art Gallery
Energy-Measuring Clubs
Absolut's 'Electrik House' Will Use Biometric Bracelets to Track Energy
Twisted Concrete Galleries
This Contemporary Art Center Features Unusual Dimensions
Singles-Only Restaurant Promotions
This Cafe Prevents Single People from Dining Alone
Line-Free Coffee Shops
This Starbucks Store Eliminated Lines by Introducing Text Message Orders
Cordless Outdoor Ornaments
These Traditional Christmas Baubles Light Up Exteriors With No Wires
Online Mental Health Consultations
This Site Connects Users with Real Mental Health Professionals
Superfood Kale Pizzas
This Healthy Green Pizza Features Garlic Kale Topped with Chicken
Library Restaurant Hybrids
The Cinnamon Club is an Indian Eatery and Authentic English Library
Open-Kitchen Dining Experiences
This Restaurant Prepares Each Meal in Front of Diners
Contemplative Fashion Exhibits
Gucci's New Exhibit in China Explores the Meaning of "Contemporary"
Parisian-Inspired Dining Experiences
This Themed Dinner Party Involved an Immersive Atmosphere
Video-Based Beauty Services
This Company Provides Personal Beauty Coaching Via Video Chat
Wavy Wooden Sculptures
This Bamboo Sculpture in Shanghai is Used as a Playground by Kids
Milk Bottle Christmas Trees
Arla Foods UK is Celebrating the Holidays with a Dairy-Inspired Tree
Remote Patient Care Platforms
This Telehealth Service Visually Connects Patients with Physicians
Digital Christmas Countdowns
The Body Shop's Advent Calendar Countdown is Themed After Happiness
Cage-Like Store Interiors
This Flagship Store Features a Continuous Clothing Rail Throughout
Live Customer Support Tools
This Tool Allows Business to Speak Directly to Customers
Botanical Gin Workshops
This Bombay Sapphire Gin Workshop Features Custom Cocktails
Connected Candy Stores
Perch Interactive's Dylan's Candy Bar Installation Boasts Digital Elements
Pet Tele-Health Services
'Vet on Demand' is a 24-Hour Phone Service to Get Pet Health Information
Festive Sneaker Soirees
Jordan Brand's 30th Anniversary Was Commemorated at a Party to Remember
All-Female Eateries
This High-End Pop-Up Diner is Exclusively Operated by Women
App-Enabled Coffee Makers
The De'Longhi PrimaDonna Elite Professional Coffee Machine is Modern
Transformed Repair Shop Restaurants
The 'Meat West' Restaurant Used to Be a Tram Repair Depot
Illusory Grid Cafes
This Art Installation by Johnston Marklee is Placed in an Art Museum’s Cafe
Fashion-Punishing Christmas Ads
This Old Navy Ad Spot Puts Unfashionable Guests at the Kids' Table
Repurposed Pizzeria Photography
The Pizza Hunt Book Documents the New Lives of Vintage Pizza Huts
Luxury Hotel VR Tours
The Shangri-La Hotels Now Offer Immersive VR Tours to Attract Travelers
Video-Based Styling Services
This Company Connects Users with a Personal Stylist Via Video Chat
Savory Apple Flatbreads
This Seasonal Recipe Offers a Delicious Alternative to Traditional Pie
Informatively Local Apps
The Amazon Echo App Fills You In On Local Businesses and Services
Asian Fusion Snack Bars
Petersham's The White Cockatoo Pub Gets an Urban Branding Overhaul
Loyalty Donut-Ordering Apps
Dunkin' Donuts is Testing Out a Menu App for On-the-Go Ordering
Prisoner's Dilemma-Inspired Eateries
The 'Betrayers’ Banquet' is a Psychological Dining Experiment
Staff Food Hall Makeovers
Fortnum & Mason's Staff Restaurant Has Undergone an Overhaul
Virtual Design Consultation Platforms
This Company Connects Users with Designers Via Video Chat
Bespoke Burger Menus
The McDonald's 'Taste Crafted' Menu Offers Customized Meals
Healthy Mexican Pizzas
This Homemade Pizza From Kale & Caramel Features Mexican-Themed Toppings
Virtual Dining Companions
This Restaurant is Equipped with a Video Conferencing System
Cinematic Wizardly Dining
Harry Potter Film Fans Can Enjoy a Dinner in the Magical Great Hall
Opulent Ceramic Installations
This Stunning Glided Ceramic Installation Engulfs 30 Meters of Space
Video-Based Vet Consultations
This Service Connects Pet Owners with Licensed Veterinarians
Holiday Computer Protection Ads
This Norton Software Ad Shows the Naughty & Nice List Leaked
Savory Pizza Cupcakes
These Miniature Pizza Cakes Provide a New Way to Enjoy a Slice
Philanthropic Vegan Eateries
This Charity Business Donates 100% of Profits to Support Causes
Savory Pizza Biscuits
This Appetizer Recipe From DudeFoods is a Certain Crowd-Pleasing Snack
Urban Food Rescue Initiatives
This Organization is Using Restaurant Food Leftovers to Fight Hunger
Cartoon Christmas Stamps
These Charlie Brown Postage Stickers Celebrate the Classic Holiday Film