These restaurant design innovations range from interior design details to interactive menu tools. When it comes to impressive interior detailing, eateries to note include Jilin, China's Waka Haiku Setsugekka -- a restaurant serving handcrafted Japanese cuisine in a multisensory setting -- and Carmen, Mexico's Alux Restaurant and Lounge which is vibrant and neon-lit despite of being situated inside a naturally formed underground cavern.
When it comes to interactive ordering tools, restaurants to note include KFC and Robinsons' recent Wimbledon pop-up which featured an interactive fast food window, allowing those passing by to order a snack and play a two-person retro game of pong while waiting to receive their meal.
Other restaurant design innovations gaining attention include pop-culture themed restaurant activations including recent pop-ups inspired by hit series Riverdale and retro television classic Saved by the Bell.
50 Restaurant Design Innovations
From Interactive Menu Boards to Multi-Sensory Restaurant Spaces:
Jana Pijak — Feb 21, 2018 — Lifestyle
50
Fast Food Salad Shops
KFC's K Pro is a Healthy Remix on the Famous Fast Food Restaurant
49
All-Chocolate Pizzeria Pop-Ups
Cioccolato's Serves Chocolate Pizza in a Restaurant Made Out of It
48
Experiential Colombian Restaurants
ElCielo Restaurant Spotlights Molecular Gastronomy and Mixology
47
Naturally Decorated Japanese Restaurants
This yakinku Restaurant in Tokyo Has a Cave-Like Interior
46
Interactive Fast Food Windows
KFC and Robinsons are Celebrating Wimbledon with a Pong Game
45
Modernized QSR Restaurant Locations
This Chicago McDonald's Location is Airy and Futuristic
44
Artisan Churro Cafes
La Bodega del Barrio Mimics an Urban Convenience Store
43
Multi-Sensory Japanese Restaurants
Waka Haiku Setsugekka's Design is Reflective of Japan's Cuisine
42
Vegan Deli Restaurants
Montreal's Gusta Foods is a New Gourmet, Plant-Based Restaurant
41
VR Sampling Experiences
Président Cheese's 'Taste with A Pro' Pairs Food and Recipe Creation
40
Bamboo Forest-Inspired Interiors
Sybarite Designed 'Yen' to Look Like Tranquil Asian Woodlands
39
Modern Vintage Restaurant Decor
'Basic Projects' Revamped a Diner to Fit a Historic District
38
Nutritious Brewed Soup Bars
On The Umami Offers Drip Dashi Made from Tasty Ingredients
37
Hybrid Bakery-Restaurants
'189 by Dominique Ansel' is a New Restaurant at The Grove in LA
36
Vivid Tropical Eateries
The Madero Café Fuses Lush Greenery with Neon-Colored Beach Decor
35
Pop-Up Sitcom Diners
A Saved by the Bell-Themed Diner is Coming to Los Angeles
34
Bi-Cultural Australian Eateries
Papi Chulo Offers Authentic Latin Cuisine in the Heart of Sydney
33
Futuristic Spy-Themed Museums
David Adjaye's 'Spyscape' Invites Patrons to Be Undercover Agents
32
Buzzing Urban Taquerias
The Mission Taqueria Restaurant is Located in Philadelphia
31
Autonomous Bao Restaurants
'Wow Bao' is Opening a Staffless Restaurant in Chicago
30
Organic Big Box Eateries
Walmart Has Partnered with Grown Restaurant to Open a New Location
29
Interactive Restaurant Activities
Toronto's Richtree Market Offers Fun Farm and Pizza-Making Games
28
Mystery Series Pop-Up Restaurants
The Riverdale Popup Restaurant is Happening in Toronto
27
Cavernous Underground Bars
'Alux Restaurant and Lounge' is in a Naturally Extant Cavern
26
French-Themed Vodka Pop-Ups
This Grey Goose Event Combined Cocktails, Crepes, and Live Music
25
Italian Chalet-Inspired Eateries
The Baita Pop-Up Restaurant is Designed Like an Italian Chalet
24
Wood-Fired Vegan Pizzerias
Purezza is Expanding in the UK with a Second Plant-Based Pizza Parlor
23
VR Fast Food Restaurants
Guests Can Play KFC's 'The Hard Way' at One Remodeled Location
22
Self-Ordering Restaurant Kiosks
Titbit Kiosks Encourage Impulse Buys and Add-Ons
21
Quirky Contemporary Pita Shops
Studio Roselyn's Design Was Influenced by Bad Food Photography
20
Moody Restaurant Branding
Foreign Policy's One Night Only Branding References Americana
19
Modern Seafood Restaurants
Piedro Sal is a Gorgeous Restaurant That Celebrates Seafood and Design
18
Deli-Style QSR Takeout Shops
THE TABLE by KFC will Serve More Wholesome Food to Shoppers
17
Emoji Tasting Menus
Bangkok's Gaggan Uses Icons to Represent Its Food Items
16
Texan Restaurant-Focused Food Halls
The Fareground Food Hall Celebrates Local Austin Restaraunts
15
Sensory Cocktail Tastings
The Rivington Gin Garden Has Visitors Select Cocktails from Scents
14
Speckled Granite Pizza Bars
Lievito is an Elegantly Designed Pizza and Wine Bar
13
60s-Inspired Icelandic Bars
Mat Bar's Interior Takes Cues from the History of the Building
12
Interactive Touchscreen Dining Tables
Order Food and Play Games with Kodisoft's Tables
11
Curvy Wooden Restaurants
ATX Cocina is Decorated with Bright Blond Wood
10
Victorian-Inspired Bars
Wyers Restaurant Takes Inspiration From its History as a Textile Factory
9
Self-Ordering Dining Tech
The Lightspeed Self-Order Menu Reduces Wait Time and Improves Service
8
Anime Princess Menus
Universal Studios Japan is Launching a Special Sailor Moon Food Menu
7
Multi-Sensory Dining Installations
This teamLab Experience Makes Mealtime Highly Interactive
6
Smile-Activated Ordering Kiosks
CaliBurger's Facial Recognition Kiosks Quickly Recall Favorites
5
Living Meme-Created Restaurants
Salt Bae Opened the Nusr-Et Steakhouse to Cash in on His Fame
4
Whimsical Cereal Cafes
The Cereal Box, Inc. Serves More Than 50 Types of Cereal
3
Voice Assistant Restaurant Systems
TGI Fridays Now Accepts Amazon Pay Through Amazon Alexa
2
Tablet-Based Restaurant Trivia Games
Buzztime Encourages Customers to Stay Longer and Spend More
1
On-Table Ordering Tablets
PrestoPrime EMV Speeds Up the Ordering Process
Related Ideas
Playful Toy-Inspired Pop-Ups
The Jellycat Café Pops Up at Shanghai’s Plaza 66 to Revive Traffic
Playful Bar Interiors
The Funny Bar Redesign Reshapes a Compact New York Nightlife Space
Ai-Powered Recipe-Generating Appliance
The Kitchen Cosmo Reimagines Kitchen Design Through Utility
Pop-Up Recovery Shops
Nike’s Soup Shop in China Redefines Comfort Post-Run Experiences
Nature-Inspired Appliance Installations
Fisher & Paykel Unveils Nature—ritual at EuroCucina 2026
Theatrical Cocktail Experiences
The Theatre by ZLB23 Unfolds at a Seven-Seat Bar
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
Modern Fast-Casual Concepts
KFC Introduces Open House Prototype
Japanese-Themed Bodega Meals
The Bessou Snack Shop Prepares Japanese Classics Like a NYC Bodega
London Mexican Restaurants
The Fonda London Restaurant Brings Mexico’s Warmth to Mayfair Interiors
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
Workplace Design Showcases
Kettal Expands Workplace Design with New Products and Modular Systems
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
Cozy Tasting Room Interiors
Hawkins Interiors Emphasizes Warmth Contemporary Sensibilities
Art Lover-Inspired House Renovations
Picnic Design Presents House for an Art Lover
Dynamic Sculptural Tables
The Interactive Transformation Table Boasts Playful Unfolding Design
Swedish-Style Kitchen Pop-Ups
IKEA House Warming Showcases Cooking & Eating Essentials
Bread Service Counters
The Bread Club brings Parisian market cues to Dallas
Experiential Fast Food Collaborations
Popeyes Turned Chicken Tenders Into a Music Venue Experience
Design Food Exhibitions
IKEA's Food for Thought Exhibition in Milan Explores Cooking Rituals
Experiential Brand Stores
New Era Creates Interactive Retail Space With Custom Cap Design
Minty Modern Cafes
StudioAC Designs a Stunning Coffee Establishment in Toronto
Opulent Dining Venues
II BY IV DESIGN the Mood at Sammarco in Toronto, Canada
Canopy Restaurant Design
Millo Restaurant by AE02 and Anda Zota Reinvents Dining in Bucharest
Girl Dinner Experiences
Waverly Kitchen + Bar Curates Shareable Comfort Food Plates
Child-Focused Café Interiors
The Willow Play Cafe Combines Play Spaces and Dining in Toronto
Futuristic Train Cafes
The Future Train Kyoto Diner & Cafe is Housed Inside a Thunderbird Train
Ultra-Minimalist Coffee Shop Designs
Moyésoa and Rémy Aznar Design the KURA-GE Coffee Shop
Personalized Fast-Casual Branding
FUSIAN Rebrands Around Customization and Bold Visual Identity
Moody Cocktail Bar Interiors
Atelier Sun Designs the Luxe Suite 115 Cocktail Bar
Comprehensive Fast Food Reports
Yum! Brands, Inc. Explores Food Trends Influencing the Industry
Gastronomic Boutique Cafes
Blue Box Café by Natsuko Shoji Blends Heritage with Culinary Artistry
Immersive Built-In Appliance Showrooms
The SKS Technicurean Center is Open in Boston
Cinema Restaurant Interiors
Ceintuur Theatre by Studio Elèn Letort Reworks a 1920s Cinema
Intimate Modern Sushi Restaurants
MITANI New York Gears Up to Open Its Doors on May 15
Fully AI-Powered Research Canteens
The AI Cooking Research Restaurant is Future-Focused
Elegant Modern Japanese Restaurants
Akira Back Unveils a Fairmont Château Laurier Location
Ranch-Inspired Pop-Up Restaurants
The Hidden Valley Ranch Tiny Restaurant is Coming to NYC
Chic Avant-Garde Restaurant Interiors
Estereotomia Architects Designs Masahouse
Website-Based Restaurant Customizations
The 'Wix Restaurant Experiences' Enables Unique Dining
Italian-Inspired Restaurant Designs
il Bracco Has Modern Materials with Nod to Italian Hospitality
Warm Narrow Burger Bars
URBANJOBS Draws Inspiration from Geometry from AINEN
Stylishly Comfortable Restaurant Concepts
The Frederick Restaurant is Led by Chef Cory Vitiello
Immersive Queue Displays
Samsung Transforms Everland Wait Lines with Interactive 3D Safari Visuals
Painterly Dining Experiences
7 Paintings - The Art of Dining Blends Art, Culture and Cuisine
Film Festival-Inspired Tasting Menus
Khazana Toronto Debuts a Special Tasting Menu for TTIFF
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
Autonomous Menu Systems
Deliverect AI Optimizes Restaurant Menus in Real Time
Korean-Focused Multi-Sensory Brand Activations
House of CJ Hosted a Big Multi-Sensory Activation
Wellness Dining Experiences
CRISP & GREEN Combines Fitness Events With Healthy Meals
Apartment Design Installations
Italian Radical Design Group Stages NYCxDesign Townhouse Takeover
Reclaimed Interior Spaces
The Onyx Aether Restaurant Unveils a Layered Reclaimed-Material Concept
Playful Restaurant Elevations
The New Tom’s Pasta Has a Colorful Interior Designed by House of Dre
Anti-Inflammatory Restaurant Menus
The bellagreen Golden Glow-Inspired Winter Menu is Nourishing
Stealthy Circular Dining Interiors
Gourmega Restaurant by Mariam Issoufou Reworks Communal Seating
Elemental Retail Spaces
Goldwin Creates a Multi-Sensory Retail Environment in New York City
Conceptual Fine Dining Experiences
Levi Lu Taps the Japanese Aesthetic Principle of Mono No Aware
Customized Restaurant Campaign Platforms
OpenTable Has Launched OpenTable Media
Aesthetically Pleasing Bakery Interiors
URBANJOBS Completes the Design for ORIGAMI
Art-Led Cocktail Collaborations
MO BAR Singapore Introduced The City of Art Menu
Fine-Dining Pizza Events
The Pizza Hut Supper Club Let Quality Ingredients Speak for Themselves
Nutrition Ecosystem Restaurants
Fork to Fit Kitchen links meals, fitness, and wellness tracking
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
Refreshed Luxe Restaurant Branding
Il Mulino New York Completes a Interior and Menu Renovation
Urban Food Hubs
M&S Expands City Stores with Bakery, Coffee, Sushi, and Fresh Food
Boutique Grocery Designs
The Meadow Lane Store Introduces a Refined Retail Concept in Tribeca
Toronto Pizzeria Interior Design
MRDK Designs the North of Brooklyn Pizzeria Interiors
Menu Discovery Challenges
Original ChopShop's Feel Good Foodie Challenge Rewards Menu Exploration
Retail Design Landmarks
D14.2 Concept Store in Oslo Rethinks the Shopping Experience
Japanese-Influenced Beverage Menus
Secret Sandwich Shop Launches a Second Store at Harvey Nichols
Customer-Driven Food Innovation Centers
The Kerry Customer Co-Creation Centre is Now Open
Immersive Cultural Dining Experiences
HIRAKUZA Ginza Tokyo Combines Sumo Wrestling with Dining
Elegant Mediterranean Restaurants
Sid Lee Architecture Designs the Ambiance for Mare
Substantial Retail Environment Redesigns
BURDIFILEK Redesigns the Cosmetics and Beauty Department
Regional Discovery Dining
Wine Bar Highlights Lesser-Known Regions Through Monthly Tastings
Warm Italian Dining Interiors
Bar Di Bello by 22RE Centers Red Travertine Bar in Open Dining Hall
Gastronomic Coffee Experiences
illy Blends Coffee and Fine Dining in a Chef-Led Series
South Korean Monotone Shop-In-Shops
juun.j Debuted a Shop-In-Shop at The Hyundai Seoul
Curvaceous Restaurant Interiors
4SPACE Boasts an Extraordinary Cultural & Architectural Statement
Illusory Dining Concepts
A Taste Illusion Experience Plays with Diners' Perception on April 1st
Stunningly Artistic Spanish Restaurants
Rockwell Group Designs the Interior of Keli
Moody Indian Restaurant Interiors
Love of Light Completes an Ultra-Sophisticated Project
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
Digital Dining Platforms
Menu Restaurant Combines Online Ordering And Real Time Invoice Tracking
Interactive Fast-Casual Dining
Pepper Lunch Expands Its Sizzling DIY Dining Concept
Immersive Chinese Culinary Productions
Trip.com Group Debuts the Multi-Media Taste of China
Connected Restaurant Systems
Toshiba Debuts its TCx M11 Tablet For Resilient Foodservice Operation
Elegant Steakhouse Interior
La Tête D’or Restaurant Design by David Rockwell Fuses Cultural Styles
Retro Sandwich Diners
The Renzo Sandwich Shop Embraces Vintage Diner Aesthetics with Modern Craft
Japanese Minimalist-Inspired Restaurants
Ivy Huang of Vhouse Interior Design Designs Fifteen East
Local Restaurant Activations
Pepsi Hosts Community Events to Drive Restaurant Discovery
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
Fashionable Hospitality Aprons
JClark Designed Reimagines Aprons for Cafés and Restaurants
Design-Forward Italian Restaurant Interiors
Katie's Pizza & Pasta Expands to Crestwood
Renovated Food Court Designs
Bramalea City Centre Completed Its South Food Court Renovation
Industrial Izakaya Interiors
Mitsu Restaurant by Astet Studio Layers Drapery and LED Corridors
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
AI Kitchen Design Platforms
3D Cloud Introduces Conversational Tools for Custom Kitchen Planning
Dedicated Listening Cafés
Jaç Hi-Fi Café Channels Japan’s Jazz Kissa Tradition in Barcelona
Immersive Brutalist Dining
Menu Extra Stages Efflorescence Inside a Montreal Franciscan Chapel
Seasonal Discovery Dining
Kura Sushi launches summer menu items and seasonal sushi selections
Pet-Inclusive Dining
BarkHaven Expands Food and Entertainment for Dogs and Owners
Beach-Inspired Café Interiors
Billboards Unveiled Eventide Café In Chennai
Japanese Greek Dining
Onuki Restaurant Combines Japanese Dining Traditions with Greek Influence
Minimalist Warehouse Dining
Sōko Restaurant by CAAM Arquitectos Reinterprets Japanese Teppanyaki
Swipe Interface Restaurant Platforms
'Foodie Call' Helps Users Find Options for Meals
Graffiti-Driven Franchise Interiors
Pablito’s Tacos Unveiled a New Mindful Design Concept
Restaurant Menu Platforms
Create Menus Lets Restaurants Design And Host Digital Menus Quickly
Artistic Dining Destinations
Daniel’s Room Restaurant Blends Art, Design and Food in Dubai
Industrial Contrast Dining Spaces
SSOC Seoul Features Stainless Steel with a Contemporary Layout
Cultural Japa Pavilions
Japa Valley Tokyo Reimagines Napa Luxury Through Art and Sake
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
Custom Glass Popcorn Poppers
Smarin Designed the Interior Layout for Pathé Café
Korean Steakhouse Designs
Rockwell Group’s Cote Vegas Blends Korean Bbq with Theatrical Dining
Atmospheric Cantonese Dining
Cafe Kowloon by Daytrip Studio is a Restaurant Under Railway Arches
Bold Bright Burger Restaurants
Flip-N-Fry in Berlin Uses Vibrant Colour as Its Core Design Theme
London Restaurant Interiors
Nora Restaurant Canary Wharf Project Designed by Ola Jachymiak Studio
Modern Curved Dining Designs
Füm is an Italian Restaurant in Atlanta with Piazza-Inspired Interior
Red Interior Restaurants
TABRA by Andreea Cornila Uses Light and Color to Shape Dining Space
Office Lounge Designs
Studio Ha/Wa Transforms a Toronto Law Firm Break Room
Globally Inspired Chef-Developed Menus
INPARADISE & Chef Daniel Sanz Martin Debut Taste the World
Family Cafe Play Spaces
The Willow Cafe and Play Space Combines Adult Seating with Play Zones
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
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
Refreshed Cocktail Menu Variants
Be At One Introduced a Trial-Tested Menu Update
Adaptive Restaurant Interiors
The Motorino Restaurant Adapts a Chapel with Spatial Sequences