7 outdoor restaurant ideas

First of all, if you don't already have an outdoor area, you will need a restaurant permit. This is easily done at the city's regulatory or building authority. If your property does not have a terrace or similar, there are other options. For example, you can also use adjacent sidewalks or pedestrian areas with a special use permit for open spaces. Simply ask the city or municipality and submit an application and you'll be a little closer to your dream of outdoor use.

As it can sometimes get late on a warm summer evening with good friends and delicious drinks, you should look into possible noise protection options beforehand and, to avoid stress with neighboring residents, keep to the quiet times.

One option would be noise barriers, for example. You can find more information and tips on noise protection regulations and how to avoid them in this article: Noise levels in the hospitality industry. It is therefore best to clarify in advance which quiet times apply in your city and which noise protection measures make sense for your premises. Or maybe you don't have any neighbors and can make full use of your outdoor area? Lucky you!

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Another important piece of basic equipment that should not be dispensed with is protection against rain, sun and wind. More and more guests prefer the outdoors and are willing to put up with a little shower as long as they are protected. To ensure that not all guests want to move from the outdoor area to the indoor area at the first drops of rain, it is advisable to take appropriate precautions.

Be it with parasols to protect you from the hot summer sun or rain awnings to save your guests from the typical German showers. Other options are awnings or pergolas.

For the really hot days, there are also mist spray hoses that conjure up a pleasant cooling effect on the patio.

The best thing to do is to see which conditions suit you best.

Our tip: Tables can be arranged better under square parasols and save more space than under round ones.

Once all the conditions have been clarified, we can now turn our attention to the perfect furnishings. There are a few things to consider when buying furniture. It is important that the furniture is weatherproof. In the long term, it is always worth investing in high-quality equipment. Being in the open air means that tables and chairs are directly exposed to the weather. This can quickly become apparent on cheap furniture without appropriate impregnation or varnishing.

As the outdoor area is usually the first impression guests have of a restaurant or bar, this also affects the overall impression and can leave a bad impression from the outset. They want to feel comfortable and enjoy their stay as relaxed as possible. Uncomfortable, weathered chairs should not get in the way of this. A tip: Furniture made of wood and dark metal tones with soft upholstery is ideal for simple but elegant furnishings.

Nevertheless, the functionality of the furniture should also be taken into account when purchasing. Are the chairs easy to stack and can they be stowed away easily in winter or overnight? How much storage space do I have? Proper care and protection from the rain will extend the life of the furniture.

The light should also not be forgotten. What are the lighting conditions on the patio? Is it north-facing and needs more light or south-facing and needs more sunshades? The lighting conditions are particularly important for the dark evening hours. It should be cozy and not too bright, but still provide enough light to read the menu and enjoy a relaxed meal.

Our tip: incorporate various light sources, e.g. fairy lights and sun glasses. A lovely and cozy interior is inviting and brings appreciation and new customers become regulars.

The design of the outdoor area should be well planned, paying particular attention to the combination of cozy and functional. You should also consider all target groups and make it as barrier-free as possible. Ashtrays and regular cleaning should also be considered.

When designing the outdoor area, care should be taken to ensure that a color concept is adhered to. A tip here would be to keep furniture and umbrellas etc. in simple colors and to set appropriate color accents with the decoration. Here, too, care should be taken to ensure that the decorations are weatherproof.

A narrow vase is at risk of falling over and breaking after the first gust of wind. One option here would be to decorate with flower pots and plants. Herbs, for example, can make a great table decoration and provide a pleasant fragrance. In summer, care should also be taken to ensure that the selected flowers do not attract wasps or bees.

Now everything is ready for the outdoor area! A decisive factor for a repeat visit to your restaurant or bar is the service. Are there short routes to the inside or is this made more difficult by stairs, for example? Do you have a view of the outside area from inside so that you can easily see new customers? Or is it perhaps worth dividing the inside and outside into two areas? If these options are not available, an additional service station with a menu, chilled drinks, glasses, etc. can be useful. This saves time and makes service easier!

A greasy meal is often heavy on the stomach in summer and something light and refreshing is good in the heat. Adapt your menu a little and offer a refreshing lemonade or a light salad - most people are happy to receive suggestions and recommendations. Our plastic-free straws are the perfect accompaniment.