Summer is around the corner and more diners are going to be looking for restaurants with outdoor seating. If your restaurant has an outdoor dining area, it’s important that you take advantage of this feature. Below are just a few things you can do to improve your restaurant’s outdoor dining experience and attract more customers.
Invest in some decorative landscaping
Your outdoor dining area needs to look attractive. You should start by considering the ground surface. Surface materials like wooden decking and patio paving can help to provide a flat and easy-to-clean surface - consider hiring some patio pavers or some decking installers. You should then consider adding some plants and possibly some outdoor sculptures to spice up the space. Try to pick an outdoor decor theme that is relevant to your restaurant.
Choose comfortable outdoor furniture
Don’t settle for cheap uncomfortable wooden tables and benches. Instead opt for cozy booths and outdoor lounge suites that will encourage diners to relax and enjoy their time at the restaurant.
Use ambient lighting
When the sun starts to set, it could be important to have some outdoor lighting to help illuminate your outdoor space. While lighting needs to be bright enough for people to see, it could be worth adding some ambient lighting to your outdoor dining area - candles and low-level LED lighting can help to create a more calming atmosphere.
Provide shade to tables
If your restaurant is open during the middle of the day, it could be important to provide diners with some shade so that they can stay cool as they eat. A lack of shady tables may lead to a loss in customers. Consider temporary shade options such as table umbrellas or canopies that can be retracted.
Consider some outdoor heating
After the sun sets, it may start to get quite cool outside. If diners get too chilly, they do not stick around as long and may order less drinks/food. Consider keeping your diners cozy by providing some outdoor heating. Electric patio heaters are the most common option.
Put in place measures to deter pests
Wasps, mosquitoes, flies and other pests can ruin the outdoor dining experience for customers. Consider ways of warding off these pests. You could set up traps such as wasp traps and bug zappers around your premises. You could also try growing plants with strong scents that are known to deter bugs such as mint and citronella. It could also be worth looking into pest control services if you think there is a nest in the area.
Consider adding a kids’ play area
If you run a family-friendly restaurant, consider whether your outdoor space could benefit from the addition of a kids’ play area. More families are likely to choose to dine here knowing that their kids will be entertained. That said, make sure that customers without kids aren’t put off - outdoor play areas are better for restaurants with large outdoor areas, as you can then provide an area for families and an area for non-families.