Looking for the perfect restaurant name for your new culinary venture? Explore hundreds of restaurant name ideas below or use our free restaurant name generator.
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by Michelle Nati
Michelle is a business, home, and legal writer living in Los Angeles. Her credits include USA Today, Legal Beagle, Co...
Updated on: December 2, 2024 · 14 min read
The restaurant industry is booming—it's more dynamic than ever, but the competition is fierce and consumer preferences are always changing. If you're starting a new restaurant, it needs to stand out to succeed. A compelling restaurant name is a vital part of your brand identity. It not only sets the proper tone, but also creates a lasting impression that attracts customers.
To help you cook up the perfect name, we’ve curated a list of over 450 restaurant name ideas categorized by type and tone. There’s something on the menu for all restaurant owners, whether you own a fine dining establishment or fast food joint. Once you find the perfect name, don’t wait—register it quickly to secure it before someone else claims it!
We've included over 450 restaurant name ideas below for you to use, but if you still can't find one that matches your unique tone and business idea, our AI-powered restaurant name generator will give you even more ideas to inspire! Using it is easy:
Our restaurant name generator is free to use. You can change the prompts to get different answers and use it as much as you like. When you find a name you do like, secure it as quickly as possible to ensure it's yours.
Italian restaurants offer dishes like pasta, pizza, and risotto, featuring fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and traditional recipes.
Steakhouses specialize in premium cuts of beef typically paired with hearty sides like potatoes, rice, and vegetables.
Seafood restaurants feature fresh fish, shellfish, and other ocean-inspired dishes that often highlight regional flavors and seasonal catches.
Tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and fajitas are just some of the dishes you'll find at Mexican restaurants. They are made with bold spices, fresh ingredients, and traditional flavors from all regions of Mexico.
The main dishes in Japanese restaurants include sushi, ramen, and tempura. Japanese cuisine emphasizes fresh ingredients, thoughtful presentation, and meticulous preparation.
Elegant dishes like coq au vin, ratatouille, soufflés, and rich desserts make up the menu at most French restaurants.
Pizza restaurants serve cheesy, saucy goodness with a variety of toppings and in a variety of styles. Pizza menus are often beefed up by chicken wings, salads, and pasta dishes.
Mediterranean dishes feature fresh vegetables, olive oil, grilled meats, and staples like hummus, falafel, and gyros—making for the most healthy cuisine on the planet.
Indian restaurants feature curries, naan, and tandoori specialties with spices and flavors that dazzle the palate.
Thai cuisine served in restaurants mainly features popular noodle dishes like pad Thai, stir-fries, curries, and soups featuring the tropical ingredients Thailand is famous for.
Plant-based dishes made from vegetables, grains, legumes, and meat alternatives are on the menu at vegan restaurants, while vegetarian restaurants also allow for the use of dairy.
BBQ restaurants serve slow-cooked, smoky meats like ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and chicken. BBQ is often paired with traditional Southern sides like beans, mac and cheese, and cornbread, and flavorful sauces that may be regional.
Burgers, fries and shakes are the main menu items at burger and fast food restaurants.
Pancakes, waffles, and egg dishes are typical fare for breakfast and brunch restaurants and diners.
Tapas are appetizer dishes and small plates of snacks and sharables like marinated olives, cured meats, and seafood originating from Spain. They are typically shared between patrons and enjoyed with wine.
Picking the right name for your restaurant is a key factor in its success. Your restaurant name will reflect your brand identity. Once you've researched restaurant name ideas and decided on a name, remember that it will be on everything having to do with your business, from promotional materials to social media channels. Your name should have a positive connotation with your target audience to ensure you’ll attract the people looking for your type of cuisine.
Whether you're opening a coffee shop, a fine dining establishment, or a fast food restaurant, the name you choose should allow you to build customer engagement and be easy for them to remember.
The name should reflect your business's unique selling points—the restaurant's concept, the specific cuisine and dining experience offered, and the values embodied through your restaurant's mission statement, such as sustainability, authenticity, or innovation.
Catchy restaurant name ideas can come from anywhere, from random combinations of words to something more personal. The restaurant industry is highly competitive, so whatever name you choose to go with should be unique so that your business stands out. Make the name specific enough that customers will know what it is and what you serve, but not so specific to a single idea that it limits you from possible future expansion.
You will need to pick a unique business name that’s not in use by any other business in your state. In fact, there may also be limitations on using business names that are too similar to those of other businesses. Every state has its own laws, so be sure to check with your state business authority (often the Secretary of State) to find the guidelines you’ll need to follow.
Before choosing a name from our restaurant name ideas list or using our name generator, you'll need to do a trademark database search with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to make sure the name hasn't been trademarked.
You’ll also want to run a thorough business name search with your state government to make sure the name hasn’t been registered by another business. Domain availability search tools like Bluehost or GoDaddy can also help you verify if a matching website domain name is available.
Once you’ve found a good restaurant name that you feel best represents your business, make sure to reserve it as soon as possible before another business can claim it. Most states allow you to reserve your business name for 30-120 days before officially forming your business. If you’re ready to go right away, you can claim your business name when you file your formation documents.
As a restaurant, you can choose from a few different business entity structures, like an LLC or a corporation. You may also wish to file a DBA. A business attorney or business formation service like LegalZoom can help you determine the best business structure for your needs.
Once you've reserved your name and completed all the necessary legal requirements, reserve your social media handles with that name to build consistency across your desired platforms.
LegalZoom’s business name generator is just one way you can brainstorm names for your business—there are a number of ways you can find inspiration for creative restaurant names. Start by trading ideas with family and friends. You can use Google Trends to help you find popular terms related to your restaurant business or consult an online dictionary or thesaurus for specific verbiage. Browsing social media platforms can also help you find ideas to inspire you.
Testing name ideas with family, friends, and potential customers is a great way to know if the name you chose will resonate with your target audience. Through sharing name ideas, you can gather feedback to gauge if the name works or not before you lock it in.
Avoid restaurant names that are too vague or niche. They should be easy to pronounce and remember. Don't use overly long phrases when naming your restaurant. Also, while trendy names can be fun, depending on the trend, they can become dated quickly.
Formally registering your business with your state will protect your name and prevent anyone else in the state from using it. Trademarking the name with the USTPO will protect it on a federal level, but this can be a lengthy process and take up to a year. The sooner you begin the registration process, the sooner you can ensure your name is protected.
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