Creating a cosy atmosphere in the cold post-Christmas months

For many of us, winter feels synonymous with Christmas, the word evoking images of festive scenery and fond memories of time spent with our loved ones.

But December is only the first month of the season, and despite how long January might have felt, we still have another whole month left until spring — and if previous years are anything to go by, the UK’s cold weather could persist through to March.

It can be hard to persuade customers to leave the comfort of their homes in these chilly months, so your restaurant needs to provide an irresistibly welcoming experience (as well as some tempting special offers) to draw diners out of their hibernation.

How can you create a cosy winter wonderland in your restaurant now the Christmas decorations have come down? Read on to discover our tips.

Introduce inviting and bright decorations

There’s nothing like dining next to a merrily decorated Christmas tree to give you all the fuzzy feelings.

But just because your festive decorations have come down doesn’t mean your restaurant should feel any less snug and inviting.

For your table decorations, consider darker-coloured tablecloths, runners, or napkins, but opt for rich colours like navy or forest green rather than a classically festive red. Otherwise, placing a tall candle in the middle of every table is an easy way to make your diners feel cosy. You could also hang up twinkling fairy lights or add plush velvet cushions to your space for a simple but effective touch.

As for practical decor, put up coathooks or a coat stand for diners to hang up their warm but bulky layers, and don’t forget an umbrella stand for those inevitable drizzly days!

Keep the space warm and toasty

When a customer leaves the warmth of their home for a meal out, they want to know they’ll feel equally toasty in your restaurant.

If you’ve got a fireplace, lighting it is a no-brainer. There’s nothing cosier than a flickering open fire — just make sure none of your tables are too close to avoid your customers feeling too hot.

If you have an outdoor space, deck that out with soft blankets and outdoor heaters to create another snug area for customers to enjoy — and maximise your table capacity. Don’t forget to call out your heated outdoor area on your listing on TheFork.

Besides the actual temperature in your restaurant, there are other ways to make your space feel warm. Opt for warm lighting, or dim your main lights and light the space with cosy lamps. You can also use scented candles or reed diffusers to tap into diners’ sense of smell, but avoid overly festive scents like cinnamon. Instead, consider other winter scents like amber, sandalwood or bergamot to set the scene.  

Dish up wintery comfort foods

The time for roast turkey and mince pies is long behind us, but there are plenty of other dishes you can include on your menu to make customers feel cosy.

Focus on richly flavoured dishes like curries or stews, or prioritise hearty options like a seasonal vegetable soup or juicy burger. 

As for your drinks menu, sub out the mulled wine for seasonal cocktails like a berry fizz or spiced negroni. For a daytime alcohol-free option, consider adding immunity-boosting smoothies or juices featuring ingredients like celery, carrot or ginger to amp up the feel-good factor of your menu.

Once you’ve added your extra cosy touches to your restaurant, add some new photos — both of the food and the dining space — to your page on TheFork so customers know what they can expect.

Get more eyes on your cosy restaurant (and drive more bookings) by signing up for TheFork’s restaurant management platform. Contact our team to find out more.