How to choose a restaurant name (+100 creative ideas)

From The Dairy Godmother to The Notorious P.I.G., a great name can definitely make your restaurant stand out.
But thinking of something that strikes just the right balance of catchy, descriptive, and unique is easier said than done. And unfortunately, coming up with a great restaurant name is something you’ll have to do pretty early on in the planning stages, since you’ll need it to apply for loans, create signage, and start advertising.
Hm. Good thing we’ve put together this restaurant naming guide to help you choose a name that you’ll love. We’ll break down what makes a good restaurant name, what makes one not-so-great, and more than 100 ideas that’ll have you saying, “That’s the one!” before you know it.
Why restaurant names matter.
Sure, your food might be what brings people back to your restaurant. But your name’s what gets them in the door in the first place. 
While choosing a name for your restaurant can be tricky, it’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make when opening your restaurant . Not only is it likely the legal name for your restaurant operations, but it’s also what your current and future customers will refer to you as. The right name will help you build a brand for your restaurant, attract the right customers and employees , and grow your business. 
With major cities like New York City being home to over 35,000 restaurants , standing out from the crowd is pretty important.  So coming up with a name that packs a punch will go a long way in setting your restaurant up for success. 
What makes a good restaurant name?
There are millions of restaurant name combinations you can choose from. We all come across dozens of restaurants every day on social media or as we walk down the street. But which ones stand out to you?  Here’s a hint: they probably meet the criteria on this list. Consider this your checklist of all things that make for a good restaurant name.



Easy to remember. You want your name to come up when people are deciding where they want to eat. If your name easily comes to mind, customers are more likely to visit your restaurant. 
Clearly communicates your offering. Customers should know what to expect before they even step foot in the door. Imagine the disappointment of walking into a restaurant named The Sub Shop only to discover—gasp—nary a sub to be seen.
Unique. Every restaurant has something different to offer. While you might find a restaurant somewhere in the world with the same name, it’s best to choose a name that’s as distinct as possible. This will help you stand out locally and on search engines .
Simple to brand. Your restaurant name isn’t just a name. It’ll need to seamlessly translate into a logo that can go on marketing materials, building signage, and menus. Simple names often make this easier, but a designer can always give you tips on what names work best with the design you have in mind.
It’s one that you love. As a small business owner, your restaurant is an extension of you. So it’s important that you love the name of your restaurant as much as your customers do.







Restaurant name vs. brand: what’s the difference?
Your brand and restaurant names are closely tied together. But they aren’t the same thing.
Your name is what people will call your restaurant. Your brand is the identity of your restaurant and how your restaurant is perceived. So to attract the right customers, you’ll want a name that reflects your brand.
Here’s an example.
Let’s say you own a bakery that primarily sells wedding cakes and refined French-style pastries. To attract the audience that’s the right fit for your menu, your brand is likely upscale and sophisticated. 
This means a restaurant name like Le Petit Patisserie could be a good fit for your brand.
But names like Caketastic or F**ing Sweet Slices, while fun, probably aren’t the right fit for your particular bakery.



What makes restaurant names bad?
We don’t like to judge. But unfortunately, there are ways to come up with a bad restaurant name.
Because we don’t want you to avoid an expensive mistake when naming your restaurant, here are some red flags to avoid when naming your restaurant.

Typos. Check your spelling and grammar. Then double-check it again. The last thing you want is to have spelled something wrong and have to deal with reprinting 1,000 napkins packed with typos.
Names that are off-brand. Before coming up with a name, think about the values and vision of your restaurant. If your name doesn’t match your brand, it’ll be more difficult to attract the right customers. 
Hard to pronounce or spell. If a name is too long or too difficult to pronounce, it can deter restaurant goers from going to your restaurant. This can—unfortunately—be particularly true for restaurants with diverse cultural backgrounds. So while you want to shine a spotlight on your unique cuisine, try to keep it simple.
Is offensive. There’s a fine line between funny and offensive. Depending on your brand, you might dare to walk this line. But as a general rule, it’s best to err on the side of caution. You probably don’t want to start your grand opening with some less-than-ideal press, like this restaurant in Vancouver.

How to future proof your name.
When it comes to the name of your restaurant, you can always change your mind. But it might cost you.
Not only will you end up spending valuable time and resources changing your signage, website, and other marketing materials, you’ll also have to contend with customer confusion during that period of transition. Depending on your business structure, it might have legal implications as well. So ideally, you should choose something that sticks with you as your business grows. Some future-forward things to think about when it comes to your restaurant name include:

Your long-term restaurant goals, such as your products, locations, and expansion plans.
Legal considerations, like the potential to trademark.
Avoid option that are too trendy and might feel outdated in a couple of years.

How do you choose a restaurant name? 7 tips to get started
If you’re finding yourself a bit overwhelmed by the name-selection process, we get it. While choosing a name feels simple in theory, there’s a lot to think about. And let’s face it, not all of us are wordsmiths extraordinaire. 
So, here are some of our top tips for navigating the process of choosing a restaurant moniker.

Start with building a vision for your brand. Round up details about your restaurant, your target customers, and pricing to inform the type of name you’re looking for. You might already have this information in your business plan .
Take the time to brainstorm relevant words and phrases that might fit your restaurant. Think about everything from the type of cuisine you offer to your menu and even your location. 
Use AI tools like Chat GPT and other free business word generators—or our list below—for inspiration.
Come up with a large list of names and start to cross off the ones that don’t fit the bill.
Once you have your top picks, check to see if any of the names have been taken. Use Google, local restaurant guides, and your local business registries to check for existing businesses with the same name. 
Check to see if the website domain and social media handles are available for your top name choices, so you can manage your restaurant with ease . 
Sleep on it. Choosing a restaurant name is a big decision and doesn’t have to happen overnight. It’s often helpful to give yourself some time to mull it over before you finalize your choice. 

35 name ideas by restaurant vibe.
Need some inspo for your food and beverage business name? We’ve got you covered.
And because the right vibes are key, we’ve rounded up some of our faves and kept them organized to help you get brainstorming.
Fancy restaurant names.
Fancy, full-service restaurants often choose elegant and simple names that reflect the quality of the meals and experience.

Armonía
The Lakehouse
Parlor
Kaiser 
Le Bistro
Marcello’s

Cute restaurant names.
A cute name for your restaurant is a great way to give off a fun and friendly vibe. They’re often playful and quirky and have a positive connotation—and might even be fun to say. 

Sundae Dreams
Flowerpot Coffee Shop
Toasty Teapot Cafe
Little Garden Grill
The Bunny Bistro
Honeycomb Cottage

Romantic restaurant names.
From first dates to anniversaries, some spots are perfect for celebrating those special moments of love. If that’s your restaurant, try sticking to themes of love or nostalgic references that’ll make guests fall in love all over again.

Cafe Amour
Garden of Eve
Marjorie’s
Lover’s Bistro
Bisou, Bisou
Romeo and Juliet

Funny restaurant names.
Naming your restaurant is serious business, but that doesn’t mean the result has to be, too. Sometimes a little humor is just what you need to get the right customers through the door. 

We Don’t Have Salads
Fork My Life
Pho-king Soups
A Cluckin’ Good Time
French Fry Me A River
A Waffle Lot Of Waffles

Clever restaurant names.
Similarly, you can use puns, wordplay, and even pop culture references to keep your grub hub fun and maybe even a little cheesy.

Ready to Wok
The Codfather
Eggtastic Breakfasts
Let’s Taco Bout It
Burger Meister
The Fresh and the Furious

Catchy restaurant names.
Most restaurant names should be easy to say and remember, but keeping your name extra catchy can help you catch some more guests. Our top picks? Names with rhymes and alliterations that roll right off the tongue.

Frankie’s French Fry House
Rolls and Bowls
Delilah’s Diner
Barbara’s Rhubarb Bar
A Fork of Pork
Hungry Hippo Hamburgers

Cool restaurant names.
We know that cool can be pretty subjective, but names with a bit of edge and mystery will definitely help get your restaurant in with the in crowd. Are the cool kids still saying that?

The Urban
Juniper Eatery
Social Supperclub
It’s Called Surf
Bill’s Daughter

65 name ideas by cuisine.
Sometimes customers are just looking for a meal that captures their cravings. And whether they’re looking for Indian or Italian, the restaurant name ideas on this list might just help you make it to the top of your customers’ must-eats list. 
Breakfast restaurant names.
There are few things as cozy as kicking off the day with a restaurant breakfast. So if you’re dishing out the bacon, don’t be afraid to lean into the breakfast theme.

Basket of Bacon
Breakfast Nook
The Egg of it All
Little Croissant Cafe
Sunrise Stacks

Brunch restaurant names.
Brunch and breakfast are peas in a pod. But try one of these options for your restaurant to give off that classic ‘‘lineup down the street for brunch’ vibes.

Early Bird Cafe
Crepes & Coffee
Sunny Side Up
The Brunch Company
Too Late For Breakfast

Fast food restaurant names.
When looking for fast food, customers want to get in and out as quickly as they can. Whether you own a food truck business or a drive-through, pick a name that balances convenience with delicious eats. 

Speedy Spuds
Burgs and Stuff
Pita Pit Stop
Hannah’s Hoagie Hut
Southern Fried Chicken 

BBQ restaurant names.
We all know that BBQ is an experience. Here are a few ideas that lean into the hearty—and smoky—vibes of BBQ dining.

Creekside BBQ
Fresh Off The Grill
Mike’s Craft BBQ
Racks
The Smoke Shack

Mexican restaurant names.
Every Mexican restaurant is unique, but they all have something in common—the food is bright, vibrant, and flavorful. Which means your name should be too.

La Cantina
The Burrito Bar
Cocina Mexicana
La Mesa Mexicana
Fiesta 

Italian restaurant names.
There’s something oh-so-classic about dining at an Italian restaurant. An Italian moniker can help communicate authenticity while setting you apart from other restaurants in the area. 

Pisa Pizza
Enoteca Riviera
Antonio’s Pizzeria
Osteria Sociale
Nonna’s Kitchen & Bar

Chinese restaurant names.
With a country as large as China, there are so many types of cuisine. So when making your choice, choose one that highlights the regional flavors of your restaurant and ties in traditional Chinese symbols or landmarks.

Golden Dynasty
New Age Kitchen
Xing’s Shanghai Classics
Great Wall Bistro
Lucky Wong’s Noodle House

Indian restaurant names.
Showcase the authentic Indian dining experience that highlights the spices and flavors of Indian cuisine. Don’t be afraid to reference well-known dishes and regions so diners know what to expect. 

Curry on Cob Street
Better Biryani
Spice of Life
Plates of Punjabi
Delhi Delights

Seafood restaurant names.
When it comes to a seafood restaurant you can’t go wrong with a nautical theme. Choose one that feels fresh—like your seafood—while paying tribute to the seven seas. 

The Seafood Spot
Salt and Surf
The Atlantic 
Wave
Fresh Catch Kitchen

Greek restaurant names.
Dive into the rich culture of Greek food with a restaurant name that ties into well-known Greek dishes or mythology. If you’re feeling extra clever, feel free to toss some pop culture references in there too.

Great Gyro’s
Colossus Cafe
Niko’s Taverna
Three Dads’ 
House of Greek

Burger restaurant names.
Finding a really excellent burger joint is like finding a $20 bill on the ground. Rare, but possible. Here are some options that’ll help your burger joint stay top of mind. 

Between the Buns
Bob’s Burger Bar
Smash Burg
That Burger Joint
Henry’s Charbroiled

Bakery names.
Whether they’re looking for an afternoon pick-me-up or a special occasion, these ones might just turn you into the local go-to for sweet treats. 

Little Bakery on the Corner
Sam’s Bakeshop
Croissant Culture
Broad Street Bakery
The Pastry Pantry

Sushi restaurant names.
Get new customers rolling in the door with a restaurant name that ties into Japanese tradition and cuisine, while highlighting the star of the show: sushi.

Rice and Soy
Roll’d
Maki Mayhem
The Sushi Spot
Hoshi (Star) Sushi

Ready, set, get naming. 
The good news about good? There are millions of combinations to choose from. The world is truly your oyster —literally, for those of you with seafood restaurants.
So don’t be afraid to get creative. And with 100 names for inspiration, your new restaurant name is just a few bites away. 




Ready to take your restaurant beyond just a name?
Ready your crew with the all-in-one employee management software made for restaurants: Homebase . While we can’t help you name your restaurant (though we’d love to try), we  can help you manage your hourly team, schedule shifts, manage payroll, and more.  Get started today for free.










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