Creative Restaurant Names: Examples, Ideas, & Inspiration

Most Unique, Funny, or Just Plain Memorable Restaurant Names

There are a number of ways to go when it comes to naming your restaurant — from a reference to your style of food or location to creating something that will stand out in customers’ minds. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best restaurant name ideas.

One of the best ways to get a cult following — in addition to serving great food — is by incorporating a reference to pop culture in your name. The name can then carry through with a theme within your restaurants. For fans of that particular bit of culture, your restaurant may become a destination spot — and be a huge boon to business. If nothing else, people will be more likely to remember your restaurant’s name because it relates to something that they already know.

Examples of restaurants that did cultural references include:

• • 16 Handles (from the movie 16 Candles)
  • Tequila Mockingbird (from the book To Kill a Mockingbird)
  • Of Rice & Men (from the book Of Mice & Men)
  • Planet of the Crepes (from the book + movie Planet of the Apes)
  • The Codfather (from the Godfather movies)
  • The Breakfast Club (from the movie The Breakfast Club)
  • Custard’s Last Stand (historical reference)
  • Happy Grillmore (from the movie Happy Gilmore)
  • Lord of the Fried (from the book Lord of the Flies)
  • Café Jack (named after Jack Dawson in Titanic)
  • Life of Pie (from the book Life of Pi)
  • The Hot and the Furious (from the movie Fast & Furious)
  • Filled of Dreams (from the movie Field of Dreams)
  • Lord of the Wings (from the book and movie Lord of the Wings)
  • Eat Pray Love (from the book Eat Pray Love)
  • Frying Nemo (from the movie Finding Nemo)
  • Grillenium Falcon (from the Star Wars movies)
  • Pita Pan (from the story Peter Pan)
  • Earth, Wind and Flour (from the band Earth, Wind, and Fire)
  • Wok This Way (from the song Walk This Way by Aerosmith)
  • The Notorious P.I.G. (reference to the late rapper Christopher Wallace, aka the Notorious B.I.G.)
  • Planet of the Grapes (from the movie Planet of the Apes)
  • License To Grill (from the song Licensed to Ill by the Beastie Boys)
  • Men At Wok (from the band Men at Work)
  • Teabaggers (a reference from videogame culture)
  • Good as Cluck
  • Mario Carte (a reference to Mario Kart)
  • Rage Against the Cuisine (reference to the band Rage Against The Machines)
  • Waluigi’s (from the Mario games)
  • Obi Wan Cannoli (from the Star Wars movies)
  • The Flying Spaghetti Monster
  • Maximum Spaghetius
  • The Garden of Olives
  • The Italian Stallion
  • Fat Clemenza’s
  • Pasta Duchi
  • Fattonio’s
  • Another One Bites the Crust (reference to a Queen song) 
  • Hansel & Griddle’s (from the story Hansel and Gretel)
  • Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice (reference to the Powerpuff Girls)
  • Fowl Ball
  • Smokin’ Bowls
  • Kim Jong Grillin’ (reference to the North Korean leader) 
  • Lord of the Fries (from the book Lord of the Flies)
  • The Mad Batter (from the book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland)
  • The Leaping Lizard Cafe
  • Seoul Food
  • Hog Wild
  • Bread Zeppelin (reference to the band Led Zeppelin)
  • Thyme Square
  • Pawnbroker
  • Baguettaboutit
  • Cookie Monstah (reference to the Sesame Street character)
  • Guac ‘n Roll
  • Okra Winfrey (reference to the talk show host Oprah Winfrey)
  • Turnip the Beet
  • Bean Me Up, Scotty (reference to Star Trek)
  • Of Rice & Men (from the book Of Mice & Men)
  • The Slaw Dogs
  • The Hot and the Furious (reference to the Fast & The Furious series)
  • Killer Pizza from Mars

References to pop culture may not be your thing, but how about puns? A witty play on words can make your restaurant stand out, especially if the name ties back to the food that you serve. Here are a few great examples:

• • Franktuary (hot dog shop located in a former church)
  • Lettuce Eat (salad restaurant)
  • Like No Udder (vegan ice cream truck)
  • Cheesy Does It (grilled cheese food truck)
  • 9021PHO (pho restaurant)
  • Turnip The Beat (restaurant with tons of fresh options)
  • Lattetude (cafe in the UK)
  • Sea You Soon
  • Burgatory (burger restaurant with a religious theme)
  • Unphogettable
  • Dairy Godmother (frozen custard shop)
  • Meat U There (filipino restaurant)
  • Eats Meets West
  • Egglectic Café (breakfast joint)
  • Sun of a Bun
  • Basic Kneads Pizza
  • 21 & Cup
  • Moon Wok
  • Fry the Coop (Chicago fried chicken restaurant)
  • Drink and Dive
  • Garden of Eat’n  (farm to table restaurant)
  • Eat Your Heart Out
  • Holy Mole (Mexican restaurant)
  • Kale Me Crazy (healthy food restaurant)
  • Thai & Mighty
  • Brewed Awakening (coffee shop in Michigan)
  • Lets Ketchup
  • Nacho Daddy (gourmet nacho spot)
  • The Brewseum
  • Award Wieners (hot dog shop)
  • Jamaica Mi Krazy
  • Party Fowl (fried chicken joint)
  •  
  • Penne for Your Thoughts
  • Send Noods
  • Take It Cheesy
  • Kale Me Crazy
  • Cluck Yeah
  • The Odd Duck
  • How Ya Dough’n
  • Shuck Me Seafood
  • Miso Harney
  • Hot Chix
  • Pour Decisions
  • Elbow Room
  • Taco the Town
  • Pasta La Vista
  • Prawn Stars
  • Eat’s Funny
  • Mother Shuckers
  • The Low Calzone
  • Dead Mobster
  • The Nosh Pit
  • Legalize Marinara
  • Sir Loin’s Court
  • Indepasta Day
  • The Chick Inn
  • Bread Pitt
  • The Bizzy B
  • Noodling Around
  • Nothing Bundt Cakes
  • Bun Intended
  • License to Grill
  • Wrap-ture
  • Naan Sense
  • Mercedes Beans
  • Miso Hungry
  • Just for the Halibut
  • Chewsy Lovers
  • Kale Me Maybe
  • Steak a Claim
  • Gourmet a Go-Go
  • “I Don’t Know”
  • Hare Today
  • Rice to Meet You
  • Lettuce Feast
  • Pastabilities

Beyond puns and cultural references, you can give your restaurant a name that stands out due to its unusual nature. 

• • No Name Restaurant 
  • Killer Pizza from Mars
  • The French Laundry
  • Starbelly
  • Egg Slut
  • Goosefoot
  • Garage Kitchen + Bar
  • Mr. & Mrs. Bun
  • Six Seven
  • Gochew Grill
  • Zero Zero
  • Girl and the Goat
  • Odd Duck
  • Toro Toro
  • The Purple Pig
  • Bite Me Sandwiches
  • The Pink Door
  • Blue Mermaid
  • The Munch Box
  • Bocca Felice
  • Il Lauro
  • Limone
  • Bestaurant
  • Provisions Kitchen
  • Bakeology
  • Sedona TapHouse
  • Firebird Cafe
  • The Purple Onion
  • Dirty Frank’s
  • Lionheart Dining
  • The Dew Drop Inn
  • Fat Boy’s BBQ
  • The Jaded Butcher
  • Nomad Kitchen
  • Harvest Cafe
  • Holy Cow Diner
  • Cabin Cafe
  • Wingman’s Pub
  • The Red Stiletto
  • The Cellar Door Restaurant 
  • Nourish Cafe
  • Alchemy
  • Tres Gatos Cafe
  • High Street Cafe
  • Mermaid Bistro
  • Urban Bites
  • The Midnight Morsel
  • Fireside Cafe
  • Flavortron
  • Prime Provisions
  • Crème de la Crème
  • Uncommon Eats
  • Supper Club
  • Umami
  • The Olive Orchard
  • Corinthian Café
  • Spirit of the Sea
  • Crusted Craft 
  • The Lunch Box

Another factor to consider with your restaurant name is how easy it is to say and remember. If you’re hoping to bring in word of mouth business, it helps if customers can remember your name. Restaurant names that rhyme or contain alliteration are fun to say and typically easy to remember. 

• Pies N’ Thighs
• Backyard Bowls
• Mellow Mushroom
• Wicked Wok
• Pie In the Sky
• Chops and Hops
• Yummy In The Tummy
• Slice of Spice
• Pig’N Pancake
• Late Night Dine Right
• Chops & Hops
• Blazing Bean Roasters
• Conviction Chicken
• Flub a Dub Chub’s
• Diner’s Den
• Sage & Salt
• Clamshell Cafe
• Flavor Fiesta
• The Posh Plate
• Munch a Bunch
• Spice & Slice
• Daily Delights
• Epicurean Eatery
• Lucky Ducky’s
• Blue Ribbon Bistro
• Prime Pantry
• Farmhouse Feast
• Pelican Pier
• Donut Delight
• Basic B Burgers
• Garden Grill
• The Hot Hen
• Bacon B*tch
• Cupcake Cafe
• The Hot Hen
• Gourmet Grotto
• The Supper Society
• Buttered Bites
• Snack Shack
• Cafe Caprice
• Bistro Bellissimo
• The Grateful Gourmet
• Flavor Frenzy
• Risotto’s Revenge
• Chicken Parm Farm
• The Pawned Prawn
• The Pasta Pot
• The Grubbing’ Gringo
• The Silver Spoon
• Pancake Parlor
• Frosty Fare
• Pizzeria Perfetto
• Fin & Fork
• Chlorophyll Cafe

• Overflowing Soy
• Rockin’ and Ramen
• Wen Do We Eat
• Good Luck and Peking Duck
• Lost in China Buffet
• Year of Delicious
• Yin and Yummy
• The Zen Garden
• Sesame World
• The Efficient Panda
• Chop Chop Restaurant
• Pow Pow
• Seaweed and Soy
• Chinese Culinary Graduate
• Pho Real 
• Sizzling Pot King
• Pho Mama
• Pho Sho
• Wasabi Kitchen
• East Meets West
• Wok, Don’t Run
• The Royal Dragon
• The Golden Pagoda
• K-Town Kitchen
• Bulgogi Bistro

You can view our full list of over 200 Chinese restaurant names by clicking the link below.
Best Chinese Restaurant Names

• Poke Toki
• Ichigo Ichie
• Wasabi
• Bamboo House
• Dreamcatcher
• Simple Fish
• Seaside Sushi

View the full list of over 200 creative Japanese restaurant names by clicking the button below.

Best Japanese Restaurant Names

• Thai Tanic
• Nom Nom Wok
• Thai the Knot
• Bangkok Belly
• Thai Me Up
• Weera Thai Restaurant
• En Thai Sing
• Coconut Garden
• Thai Riffic

• Mamma In Cucina (translate to mom in the kitchen)
• Tommy Guns Garage
• L’ultima Cena (translates to the last supper)
• Bella Bella Mozzarella
• Sapori D’Italia (translates to tastes of Italy)
• Pane e Vino
• P’sghetti’s
• The Saucy Meatball
• L’unico (translate to one of a kind)
• The Tasty Tortellini
• Classico Italiano
• Piece of Italy
• Ceasar’s Salads
• Pasta Mama
• Spaghetti Wonderland
• Jimmy Pesto’s

You can view our full list of over 200 Italian restaurant names by clicking the link below.
Best Italian Restaurant Names

• Juan in a Million
• Taco ‘Bout It
• Uno Mas Taquiza
• One Taco Dos Tequilas
• Guacamole Brothers
• Burrito Bandidos
• Local Lime
• The Little Chihuahuha
• Burrito Boyz
• Taco Town
• El Speedy Gonzalez
• Sal y Lima
• Jalapeño Junction
• Olé All Day

You can view our full list of over 200 Mexican restaurant names by clicking the link below.
Best Mexican Restaurant Names

• Tikkaway
• Curry Kingdom
• Tikka ‘n’ Talk
• The Spice Factory
• The Paneer Bar
• Curry Leaves
• The Naan House
• Mr. Tandoor
• The Flying Carpet
• Once Upon a Flame
• Curry Kitchen
• Punjab Paradise
• The Silk Road

You can view our full list of over 200 Indian restaurant names by clicking the link below.
Best Indian Restaurant Names

• Taste of Bavaria
• Alter Haferkasten (translates to old oat box)
• Bavarian Inn Restaurant
• Frühsammers (translates to early summer)
• Lebkuchen Star (translates to gingerbread star)
• Wunderbar
• Jägerhaus (translates to hunter’s house)
• World of Wurst

• Rasta Pasta
• Irie Kitchen
• Yamon Jerk Grill
• Jamaican Jerk King
• Jamaican Me Hungry
• Just Jerks
• Caribbean Cove
• Island Vibez
• Big Jerk
• Jerk City

• Just Falafs
• Pegasus Taverna
• Mr Greek Gyros
• Zeus Restaurant
• Pita Heaven
• Hummus Grill
• Shawarma Garden
• Ocean Breeze Restaurant
• Neptune’s Oasis
• Poseidon’s Cafe

View the full list of over 200 Greek restaurant names by clicking the link below.
Best Greek Restaurant Names

• Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant
• Nando’s Peri-Peri
• Kiza
• Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant

• Nefertiti Restaurant
• Arabian Nights
• Hummus Genie
• The Palm Oven
• Hummus House
• The Lion of the Nile
• Saffron Palace
• Olives & Figs
• Bazaar Falafel

• Pot Au Feu
• The Aviary
• Brass Tacks
• Cibo Matto
• Catch 35
• Parallel 37
• Eleven Madison Park
• Carv’d Steakhouse

• Au Revoir Bistro
• The Crepe Company
• Oh La La Cafe
• Remy’s Ratatouille Bistro
• Be Our Guest Cafe
• Hemingway’s Paris Bistro
• Cafe Brioche
• The French Onion
• Cuisine D’Amour
• Baguette Bistro

You can view our list of over 200 French restaurant names by clicking the link below.
Best French Restaurant Names

• Whataburger
• Fry Nation
• Burgerlords
• Project Pollo
• Pizza Pit
• Plant Power Fast Food
• The Burger Lab
• Arctic Circle
• Wok to Walk
• Steak ‘n Shake
• Hot Diggity Dog
• Relish the Moment
• Haute Dog’s

You can view our full list of over 200 fast food restaurant names by clicking the link below.
Best Fast Food Restaurant Names

• Just After Breakfast
• The City Of Brunch
• Toast Conference
• The Brunch Daddy
• Eggstravaganza
• Pass The Brunch
• The Brunch Branch
• Mister Toasty
• Brunch Munch
• The Early Lunch
• Hungry Brunch
• Hash Brown Camp
• Quiche Carnival
• Cereal Killer Café
• Before Lunch
• The A.M. Chow
• Mystery Brunch
• Hungry Brunch Bunny
• Rise n’ Dine
• Brunch Bowl
• Brunch Babes
• Morning Crumbs
• Eggcellent Eats
• The Coop
• The Early Bird
• Haus of Hashbrowns
• Sunny Side Up Cafe
• Eggstacy
• Egghead Cafe
• Daybreak Cafe

You can view our full list of over 200 breakfast restaurant names by clicking the link below.
Best Breakfast Restaurant Names

• Latte Me Live
• Steamy Beans Coffee
• HuggaMug Cafe
• Jacked Up Coffee
• Lava Java
• Yo Jo Coffee Shop
• Brilliant Beanz
• Coffee Maniac
• The Bean Counter
• Mucha Mocca
• Mr. Bean
• Wake Me Up
• Java Junkie Café & Roastery
• The Bean Machine
• Nuts about Coffee
• Espresso Yourself
• Creativity and Caffeine
• Wonder Fuel

• The Boba Dragon
• The Sweet Pop
• The Sugar Bubble
• Brim Full of Boba
• Infinitea
• Big Bubble Milk Tea
• Berry Blooms
• Totally Tapioca
• Bubbly Dreams
• Boba Bliss
• Milk the Moment
• Milk Tea Kingdom
• Bobo By The Bay
• Double Bubble
• Bubble Tea Ninja
• Dr. Bubble
• Grape Escape
• Tapioca Treats

• The Burning Brownie
• Dreamery Creamery
• Banana Splitz
• Ice Cream Fundae
• Sundae Funday
• Utterly Ice Cream
• The Cheery Cherry
• What’s the scoop?
• Cherry on Top
• Cone City
• 32 Below
• Dairy Goddess
• Swirl Station
• Backyard Bakery
• Apple Of My Pie
• Sweet Dreams
• The Sugar Cloud
• Treats ‘N Eats
• Sugar And Honey
• Confection Perfection
• Sugar Cube
• Sprinkle Street
• Cake Break
• The Secret Ingredient
• Take The Cake Bakery
• Fun With Frosting
• Sweet Cheats
• The Candy Jar
• Baby Cakes
•  

• Lettuce Entertain You!
• Sprout House
• Sustainable Grains
• Slutty Vegan
• Green Bean Cafe and Bakery
• Eat Your Greens
• Buddha-full Burgers
• Quinoa Dude
• PLNT Burger
• Kale Me Crazy
• The Radical Radish
• Barely Vegan
• Quirky Quinoa
• Tofu Kitchen
• The Chopped Leaf
• The Veggie Vault

If reviewing the above restaurant names hasn’t sparked any ideas for your own restaurant, you can use our free restaurant name generator to do the heavy lifting for you. Our generator asks for a few simple inputs such as your city, the type of food you plan to serve and a signature dish you want your restaurant to be known for. The generator will then create a restaurant name for you. You can continue to generate new names until you find the one you like. Click the button below to give our restaurant name generator a try.

Try The Restaurant Name Generator

After reading these lists of fun and interesting restaurant name ideas, you may be wondering how you can possibly compete. While many restaurant owners have come up with memorable names, that doesn’t mean that there are none left for your own place. You’ll just need a strategy that helps you figure out a name that will not only get attention — but will become an essential part of your brand.

First, think about what makes your restaurant different from others in your community. This may include:

• • The cuisine that you will serve
  • Special menu items
  • The type of drinks that you will serve
  • Important ingredients or style of preparation (such as farm to table)
  • Your decor, including color scheme
  • Your location
  • The vibe that you hope to achieve
  • Any names that may be important

Based on these factors, brainstorm some keywords that may be the basis of your restaurant name. For example, if you will be opening a restaurant in an area that has historical or cultural significance, think about incorporating it into your name. Be creative — and include as many ideas as you can so that you’ll have more to work with when picking a name.

Second, use a restaurant name generator. These online tools allow you to input keywords to help you figure out a name — or may just generate completely random combinations of words. Even if you don’t use any of the suggested names, one might spark an idea. Online restaurant name generators include:

• • Budget Branders Restaurant Name Generator
  • Fantasy Name Generators
  • Business Name Generator
  • Buzztime
  • Kopywriting Kourse
  • Namelix

Third, if you still haven’t decided on a name — or if you’re stuck between a few ideas — ask people in your life for their input. A brainstorming session can be a fun way to get options for your restaurant name. Perhaps more importantly, your friends and family can critique potential choices, letting you know that the name doesn’t make sense, isn’t as creative or funny as you thought it was, or that it would be confusing to potential customers.

Fourth, once you have landed on a name, check to make sure that it hasn’t been taken. While it probably won’t matter if a restaurant in another part of the country has the same name, it can make marketing difficult. Even without brand confusion, you may not be able to get your preferred website name, social media channels, and other forms of branding. If your name is taken, choose another one on your list — or start the process over to come up with some new ideas.

How to Brand Your Restaurant – Consistently!

When many people think of branding, their minds go to a fancy advertising agency like in the tv show Mad Men. While it is true that you can hire professionals to help you develop a brand, it isn’t always necessary. With a little hard work and creativity, you can create a cohesive brand for your restaurant.

A brand is arguably a business’ most important asset. It is essentially your identity. If you can create brand loyalty – that is, get customers who come back again and again – you can increase profits – and the likelihood of success. 

For example, think of coffee chains like Starbucks. They might not have the best coffee – yet customers are still loyal to them. They might even drive out of their way to stop at Starbucks, passing up Dunkin’, Tim Hortons, or other places with coffee along the way. 

Building that kind of brand loyalty may seem impossible for an independently-owned restaurant, but you can still develop a following that wants to visit your establishment time and time again. The process starts with developing a concept, such as a casual restaurant that caters to families with children. Choosing a name is the next step – as these will be integral parts of your brand.

Your name is a central part of your brand. It is part of your “voice” as a brand. For example, if you want to develop a family-friendly restaurant, then you probably don’t want to choose an edgier name. You want a more welcoming (and appropriate!) name – and language that is more casual.

A brand should also have a consistent look and “feel.” Your brand’s aesthetic is about more than logo, name, and letterhead. It should be identifiable in all aspects of your business, from your signs to menus to decor. 

Making a mood board is a great way to ensure that your branding is cohesive. This board can include your logo, color, the design of your restaurant, and any other elements that you like. You can then combine your mood board with your vision for your restaurant – which can help you create a brand that is consistent.

Once you have a brand in mind, the next step is to create a brand book. This book helps to maintain consistency across all platforms, from social media to traditional advertising to menus and other physical items in your restaurant. It should include:

• Brand colors (ideally with color codes so that the right colors can easily be chosen)
• Brand fonts and typefaces
• Photo and design style that should be used in promotional materials. For example, if you typically use a moodier photo style, then having a bright picture on your social media may look out of place.
• Brand voice, or how you want to be positioned in the media and to the general public.

This brand book can be used in a number of ways. If you are ordering custom plastic cups or custom paper bags, for example, you can give the company your logo, brand colors, and brand font and typeface. This will ensure that your promotional items are consistent with all of the other branded items in your restaurant – and reduce the risk of looking a bit chaotic or unprofessional.

Your branding may evolve over time, and that is perfectly fine. Rebranding is fairly common among big companies. If your business changes, then it makes sense that the physical manifestation of that change along with it. Just be sure to maintain a cohesive vision to support your ultimate goal of having a successful restaurant with loyal customers.

Branding is an integral part of the success of your restaurant. If customers — or potential customers — aren’t familiar with your name, then they probably won’t consider it when they want to eat out. Once you have picked the name of your restaurant, you’ll need to make it known. One way you can do that is through custom-printed disposables. In an era of shut down orders and social distancing measures, options like custom take out bags have become even more important.

At Budget Branders, we offer a range of disposable products that are designed with your needs in mind. We can put your logo on custom paper cups, custom coffee cups, custom coffee sleeves, custom dessert bowls, custom deli bowls, custom sandwich bags, custom wax deli paper, custom stadium cups, custom napkins, and more.  We know that the average small business doesn’t have hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend on custom branded items, so we offer both prices and quantities that work for you. If you’d like to know more about how we can help your restaurant with your branding, contact us today or submit a quote request for one or more of our products.