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Creative Restaurant Names: Examples, Ideas, & Inspiration

Creative Restaurant Names

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What’s in a name? For businesses — including restaurants — a name can be everything. If people don’t remember the name of your restaurant, they’re less likely to throw it out as a suggestion for dinner — let alone visit your establishment. Of course, that doesn’t make it easy to come up with a name. There are so many factors to consider — something that is easy to remember, a name that reflects your cuisine or mission, and making sure that your name isn’t similar to another restaurant in the area. 

We’ve compiled a list of some of the most creative restaurant name ideas that we could find, both here in the United States and around the world. We’re also giving you some tips on how to come up with a name that works for your restaurant — a name that you can then put on your own custom plastic cups, custom paper bags, custom paper bowls, and more. 

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.

Cultural References

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    • Custard’s Last Stand (historical reference)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)

Puns

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)

Simply Unique Names

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

Rhyming & Alliteration Names

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

Restaurant Names By Restaurant Category

Best Chinese Restaurant Names

  • 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

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

Best Japanese Restaurant Names

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

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

Best Thai Restaurant Names

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

Best Italian Restaurant Names

  • 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

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

Best Mexican 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

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

Best Indian 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

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

Best German 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

Best Jamaican Restaurant Names

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

Best Mediterranean Restaurant Names

  • Just Falafs
  • Pegasus Taverna
  • Mr Greek Gyros
  • Zeus Restaurant
  • Pita Heaven
  • Hummus Grill
  • Shawarma Garden
  • Ocean Breeze Restaurant

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

Best African Restaurant Names

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

Best Egyptian Restaurant Names

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

Best Fine Dining Restaurant Names

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

Best French Restaurant Names

  • 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 Fast Food 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

You can view our full list of over 200 fast food restaurant names by clicking the link below.

Best Brunch 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

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

Best Coffee Shop 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

Best Bubble Tea Shop Names

  • 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

Best Dessert & Ice Cream Shop Names

  • 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
  •  

Best Vegan Restaurant Names

  • 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

Need Help Brainstorming? Use Our Free Restaurant Name Generator

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.

How Can You Come Up with a Great Name for Your Restaurant?

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:

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.

Got a Great Restaurant Name? We’ll Help You Show It Off.

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.

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