How to find the best restaurant names

Choosing a good restaurant name that helps you stand out from the competition can be challenging. While it might be tempting to choose a name that you like personally and assume that it will work just like any other, there are some important marketing factors to take into consideration. To ensure restaurant names appeal to the people who matter the most—the diners—you’ll need to take a strategic approach and consider how the name you choose resonates with your audience. 

Why a good restaurant name matters

The best restaurant names play a vital role in the processes of branding, marketing and attracting customers to an establishment. It serves to provide potential customers with a first impression of your restaurant, so you must make the right choice and choose a name that resonates with your customers and conveys the essence of what you have to offer. Furthermore, a unique and memorable name can help differentiate your restaurant from your competitors, making it easier for customers to remember and recommend it to others. 

For instance, iconic restaurant names like “Shake Shack” or “Wagamama” are recognisable all over the world and have become powerful brands in their own right. Other restaurants like Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill attract customers simply because they are named after the famous chef who opened them—instant brownie points! But don’t worry, even if you don’t have a world-renowned chef working in the kitchen, there are plenty of ideas for restaurant names out there that can be just as successful. 

Common mistakes to avoid when naming your restaurant

When it comes to choosing the best restaurant names, there are some common mistakes to avoid to ensure your establishment stands out and resonates with your customers. 

One of the most frequent errors that business owners make when coming up with unique restaurant name ideas is selecting one that’s too complicated to pronounce. This can make it difficult for your customers to remember or recommend to others. When choosing the best restaurant names, simplicity is key. 

Another common mistake is choosing a restaurant name that is too similar to that of another. This can confuse and dilute your brand’s unique identity. Additionally, selecting a name that doesn’t reflect your restaurant’s theme, cuisine and overall ambience can mislead potential customers and fail to attract your desired audience. An effective restaurant name should be clear and memorable while reflecting the essence of the dining experience you offer. 

So, without further ado, here are some tips and strategies to help you when it comes to choosing the best restaurant names. 

How to choose a restaurant name: tips and strategies

Include the name of the product

If the restaurant offers a unique and themed product, it can be very strategic to include that product in the name. Doing so will serve as a constant reminder to customers of your restaurant’s competitive advantage. This is traditionally the case with common fast food restaurant names, such as pizza and hamburger joints that usually put their product in their name.

The truth of the matter is that to stand out from the competition, it is ideal to create some sort of wordplay that includes the name of the product along with something attention-grabbing that speaks to the restaurant's personality. This is the case with Miss Sushi in Barcelona, whose name and brand image are playful, feminine and modern, like the potential clientele it seeks to attract.

Use your name as a lure

Using your name in your restaurant’s name can be strategic, as this suggests that there is a real person behind the business. It is one way to positively humanise the restaurant and, of course, connect with potential clientele that seek a trustworthy, close and familiar atmosphere.

To make the name more original and distinctive, it’s a good idea to include other words that complement the name or surname that you wish to use. For example, "L'Enoteca di Mr. Brunello", a restaurant located in Copenhagen, effectively uses a restaurant name that conveys three key points: its specialization in wines, its Italian culinary roots, and its ownership by Mr Brunello. This name grabs our attention, provides information, and adds a playful element to the brand. 

Highlight the origin of your products

In today’s era of healthy eating, an increasing number of restaurants are embracing this trend. If your business focuses on healthy dining and sources products from “zero-mile” supplies, it’s important to choose a restaurant name that reflects this. 

For instance, the restaurant La Grange in Paris (whose name translates to “the farm”) in Paris lets customers know immediately that they can expect homemade recipes crafted from fresh, local ingredients. The name also hints at a natural ambience, featuring stone and wood elements, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to quality and authenticity. 

Evoke emotions through your name

To discover original restaurant names, consider incorporating words that evoke the emotional essence of your business concept. To do this, start by making a list of the sensations and experiences that your food and ambience aim to deliver to customers, then choose the words that best capture these qualities. 

For inspiration, look at the Amsterdam restaurant named Memories of India. This evocative name immediately implies that it seeks to transport diners to the flavours and experiences of India. 

Key characteristics of successful restaurant names

• Easy to remember, pronounce and spell.
• Reflects a positive tone.
• Authentic and original.
• Can easily be used as the restaurant's website domain name.
• Catchy.
• Unique—to avoid confusion with other restaurants!
   

Is your restaurant name truly appealing to your customers? We hope that these tips and strategies will help you make an informed choice when brainstorming restaurant name ideas that highlight the benefits of your business. 

Of course, there’s much more to running a successful restaurant than choosing the right name. To further boost your restaurant’s visibility, attract new customers and manage your operations, check out TheFork Manager today.