For many aspiring restauranteurs, dreaming up the perfect name for your new business was probably one of the first things you did. After all, once you’ve established a concept for your new restaurant idea, picking out a name should come easy. Right? RIGHT?

But what if you’ve headed down the path toward opening day, secured some investment capital, roughed out a viable business plan that seems to hold together, and maybe even secured licensing, insurance, and a few vendors to get your started, and you STILL don’t have a name for your restaurant? What if you’re marching toward opening day, and you just can’t come up with a catchy name that will encompass all of your hard work and fresh ideas?

Outside my restaurant Ancho Honey in Maine.

I’m here to help. I own a restaurant of my own and have gone through this process myself. I landed on the name Ancho Honey for my concept since it was a little bit vague and would give me the opportunity to experiment with menu ideas. This may or may not be the right approach for your situation.

Here’s the best name ideas I could come up with for a restaurant. Some of these were pulled from a notepad with ideas for my own joint. Let’s get to it.

My Favorite Restaurant Name Ideas

These are all cool ideas I came up with that you can modify for your own future restaurant. Without further ado here we go.

  1. The Spaghetti Pantry
  2. Shambles
  3. Brimstone
  4. Purity
  5. Embers
  6. The Hive
  7. The Lamb and Whistle
  8. The Honey Comb
  9. Harvest
  10. The Streetwise Morning
  11. The Fable Table
  12. Big City Catch
  13. Hand & Fork
  14. Bread
  15. Pulpo
  16. Good
  17. Town Hall Grill
  18. Sycamore House
  19. Fresco
  20. The Stone Cup
  21. City Bites
  22. Knead & Feed
  23. Plate
  24. Old Bay Steamer
  25. Crow Creek
  26. Breakers
  27. Viking Grill
  28. Zocalo
  29. The Crack Pot
  30. Dan’s Dumpling Dowry
  31. Falafel Therapy
  32. Early Girl
  33. Cake Walk
  34. The Frayed Knot
  35. Gusto
  36. Heart in Hand
  37. Salty’s
  38. Soggy’s
  39. Sassy’s
  40. Hold the Anchovies
  41. Tandoor
  42. The Kiln
  43. Bushwhacker’s
  44. Roaring Rock Restaurant
  45. Take It Away
  46. The Wolf
  47. Trattoria Bella
  48. Trattoria Bellisima
  49. Sweet Basil
  50. Butler
  51. Mucho Gusto
  52. Taste
  53. The Feasting Fox
  54. Aftertizer
  55. Banana Cabana
  56. Kettle Pop
  57. Panache
  58. Pan Ash
  59. Peerless
  60. Pesto Quest
  61. Rippers
  62. South Mouth
  63. The Straight and Narrow
  64. Big Juicy
  65. Chew
  66. Chevre
  67. The Bloated Tick
  68. Curb Appeal
  69. Flying Horse
  70. Flying Noodle
  71. Thai Tanic
  72. Royal Crest
  73. Florante
  74. The Eatery
  75. The Golden Spoon
  76. The Tined Fork
  77. Tiffany’s
  78. The Burnt Biscuit
  79. Wallflower
  80. Allium
  81. Comfort
  82. Clementine
  83. Pie Hole
  84. Home
  85. Southern Skillet
  86. Frankly, My Dear
  87. The Foyer
  88. The Porch
  89. The Mud Room
  90. Easy Now
  91. Easy Does It
  92. EZ Duz It
  93. Okra
  94. Azalea
  95. Heirloom
  96. Magnolia
  97. The Red Clover
  98. Mandoline
  99. Sweet Home
  100. The Riverboat
  101. Roderigo “Salty” Sanchez’s Terrific Taco Take-Out Emporium and While-U-Wait Auto Detailing (Just kidding. That’s a little long, but had to include it for comic relief.)

Remember, no one but you can name your restaurant. Soliciting ideas from others may help get the creative juices flowing, but ultimately, it will be up to you to find the name and concept that works.

You’ve worked hard to get to this point, and taking the time to find the name that fits your dream perfectly is an important step, with no shortcuts. Be creative, speak from the heart, and let the ideas flow.

vintage drive thru

Vintage drive-thru restaurant.

Spanish Restaurant Name Ideas

  • Dineda
  • SpanishX
  • Restauration
  • Quiesta
  • Golosinas
  • Guiness Subs
  • Inspiraza
  • Chefzilla
  • Comodo
  • Combinar
  • Spanish Cherry
  • Manos Dish
  • Quarante
  • Dishery
  • Spaniards
  • Sixth Floor
  • Hambre
  • Hungry Vulture

You Might Also Like: Small Restaurant Startup Costs Breakdown and Spreadsheet

  • Spanish Cuisine HQ
  • Seacian
  • Platesta Fork
  • Vento
  • Chuvu
  • Bonrica
  • Amigo Amiga
  • Bella Food Cart
  • Quiero
  • Barrio Golosinas
  • Me Gusta
  • Gordo’s Cocina
  • Guillermo’s
  • Restaurante En La Playa
  • Chido Cocina
  • Vale Comida
  • La Cocina De Mi Mamá
  • Corazón De La Cocina
  • De Rechupete
  • Te Extraño
  • Plato Caliente
  • Comida Para Mi Compa
  • Comida Hermosa
  • Dulce Éxtasis
  • Abeja Alegre

Mexican Restaurant Name Ideas

Planning to open a Mexican restaurant?

  • Plato Chexican
  • Cocinado Por Jose
  • Comida De Tipo
  • Pruébame
  • Fiesta Del Barrio
  • The Gas Station
  • Mild to Hot
  • Fema!
  • Bean Speak
  • Chido Comida
  • Messican
  • Horchata
  • Comida Para Cada Juan
  • Alejandro’s
  • Yessica
  • Osvaldo
  • Mimi Chica

Related Reading: 150+ Loco Mexican Restaurant Name Ideas You Can Use

  • Chuntee
  • Heriberto
  • Maguel
  • Cocina De Hennifer
  • Filipsican
  • The Wild Burrito
  • Mexipino
  • Bajito Cocinero
  • Ortiz
  • Crossing the Border of Taste
  • BMFF
  • Mexido
  • Delicia
  • Beans and Rice go to Heaven
  • Cuisinier
  • Cantinero
  • Gastronomica
  • Chicken Taco Express
  • Pasticcerie
  • Culinario
  • Mexish
  • Banqueta
  • Mostrador
  • Panadera
  • Cucinando
  • Limonada
  • Mesera
  • The Taco House
  • Mexicata
  • Desayuno
  • Gran Comida

French Restaurant Name Ideas

  • Posh Patisserie
  • Confiserie
  • Deguste
  • Roulette
  • Caffé
  • Guinguette
  • Palais Exquis
  • Chef De Cuisine
  • Testeur De Goût
  • Cuisines Du Monde
  • Déjeuné
  • Étals
  • Frencha
  • Aliment-Polis
  • Boulangerie
  • Échoppes
  • Super Endroit Pour Manger
  • SavourFare
  • Les Serveurs
  • Des Endroits
  • Cuisine Française
  • Lieu Social
  • Meilleur Petit Déjeuner
  • Batilde Vauters
  • Arlet Bruni
  • Voncile Mollet
  • Latrice & Vidal
  • Pompei & Penney
  • Huguenot
  • Gourmands
  • Rousette
  • Francaises
  • Beauvois
  • Crémieux
  • French Vibe
  • Le Français
  • Coffee CAFé
  • Chefesque
  • French Ranch
  • Parisian
  • Francique
  • Le Restaurant

Seafood Restaurant Name Ideas

  • The Seafood Spot
  • Fiesta Islands Seafood Hub
  • Line and Sinker
  • Salted Crab
  • Something Fishy
  • Billy’s Bobber
  • Sea Harvest
  • Bountiful Sea
  • Sea You Later
  • Fisheye
  • Off the Boat
  • Beach Lobster
  • Grill Queen
  • Flavor Fish
  • Mackerel
  • The Seafood House
  • Fish Diner
  • Fish Food

Related Reading: 37 (Good and Bad) Seafood Restaurant Name Ideas You Can Use

  • Lobster Men
  • Fishable
  • Better Bait
  • Sub Menu
  • Sea Avenue
  • Joe Seafood
  • Guest Room
  • Seafood Plate
  • Beer Battered Fish Palace
  • Health Christine
  • Fish and Beer
  • Sea Lover
  • Off The Boat
  • Market Fresh
  • Fish Fresh
  • Fish Puppets
  • Fresh Catch
  • Seafood Culture
  • Fisherman’s Friends
  • Butterfish
  • Fish Dish
  • Salted Fish
  • Sea Creatures
  • Aqua Dish
  • The Catfish Collective
  • Bagel Mussels
  • Sawfish Dish
  • Seafood Galore
  • Seafood Soul
  • Seafood Depot
  • Crazy Delicious Seafood
  • Seafood Cove
  • The Taste of Tuna

Restaurant Name Ideas for a Project

Burger Restaurants offer a wider choice of burgers and other items

Inside a burger restaurant.

Did you get assigned a project to make-up a restaurant name for a school project? Here are some grade A name suggestions.

  • Chavs & Tavern
  • Swivel Table
  • Solid Palate
  • Dining Place
  • Goodish Dish
  • Menu Venue
  • Fancy Dining Room
  • Roaming Beef
  • Cosmopolitan Cafe
  • Palace Dishes
  • Earthly Chef
  • Snack Shack
  • Office Dishes

Related Reading: 101 Brilliant Filipino Restaurant Name Ideas That Aren’t Taken

  • Dishery
  • Free-Range Burgers
  • Lunch Lover
  • Chef Avenue
  • Kitchen Syndicate
  • Amusing Cuisine
  • Diner Craft
  • Belle Chef
  • Pastry Town
  • Brunch Lunch
  • Gourmand Kitchen
  • Steak Cake
  • Chef Takeout
  • Dinner Seaters
  • Pasta Salon
  • Crepe Kitchen
  • Belly Bottom
  • Pink Bistro
  • Grill Hut
  • Lunchsy
  • Food Oracle
  • Breakfast Star
  • Roast & Grill
  • Pastas Tapas
  • Michelin Oven
  • Farmhouse Chef
  • Bread Emporium
  • Crabby Shabby
  • Gourmet Glee
  • Vegan Kitchen
  • Upmarket Hut
  • Fine Fooding

Japanese Restaurant Name Ideas

  • Sumo Food
  • Japanita
  • Jaizu
  • Kyōsuke
  • Prajin
  • Japadi
  • Tokimeki
  • Bushido
  • Sixth Samurai
  • Acobu
  • Shiki Chic
  • Kyoya
  • Hobiko
  • Sushi Zoo
  • Kimuto
  • Toyokuni
  • Kiruto
  • Chokichi
  • Gaijin
  • Javanese
  • American Sushi Co.
  • Taru
  • Kimozo
  • Shinigami
  • Hotazi
  • Kunoichi
  • Dojoro
  • Yumient
  • Wokino
  • Stone Samurai
  • Toku
  • Shikigami
  • Shirobi
  • Moshiro
  • Panasian
  • Japami
  • Fusuki
  • Sonawane
  • Yumato
  • Tannuki
  • Suushi
  • Bigimo
  • Mikudo
  • Sacuro

Arabian Restaurant Name Ideas

Outdoor restaurants and dining.

  • Dahab
  • Salalah
  • Saudia
  • Dhofar
  • Rahji
  • Dammam
  • Mukalla
  • Foodavi
  • Agap
  • Khaleej
  • Dakhil
  • Taqora
  • Bahrani
  • Najran
  • Saladan
  • Yamani
  • Hudaydah
  • Aswan
  • Niche Cuisine
  • Arabized
  • Nimr
  • Wahhab
  • Jazirah
  • Maghrebi
  • Gastroly
  • Barmara
  • Marwah
  • Basra
  • Kahleej
  • Arabi
  • Khalaf
  • Andalus
  • Desert Dining Car
  • Hadhrami
  • Arabia
  • Muharraq
  • Hussam
  • Hejazi
  • Arabian Days
  • Solide
  • ‘Afdal Tabaq
  • Arabian Eatery
  • Madinat Alluhum
  • Eushaaq Altaeam
  • Karim

Quick Serve Restaurant Name Ideas

  • PrepQuick
  • Swift Dish
  • Interserve
  • Slick
  • Rest Quick
  • Dropside
  • Easiest Eats
  • Quick Hustle
  • Réserve
  • Run Bite
  • Swift Front
  • KindaQuick
  • 3 Mins.
  • Stunningly Quick Cinch
  • Brisk Belly
  • Zois
  • Quick To Go
  • Quick Refresher
  • Servezy
  • UseFull
  • Quick Vantage
  • Quickoid
  • PickUp Dish
  • HangOn
  • Serval
  • Ready Chow
  • Switchboard
  • Frantic
  • Servzo
  • Forge Fast
  • Quickero
  • Whizz
  • Up Dine
  • Ready Guest
  • Continual
  • Incisive
  • Prompt Meal
  • Seamless
  • Helix Drive
  • Grove Fast
  • Sneaky Quick
  • Quickville

African Restaurant Name Ideas

  • Kwazulu
  • Hot Nights in Haiti
  • Nwaa Anyi
  • Onye Isi Ụlọ
  • Nri Ville
  • Zagat
  • Imi Ihe
  • Wlọ Ezumike
  • Gọọmet Kichin
  • Gambian
  • Senegalese
  • Ụlọ Nri
  • Nkuru N’onwe
  • Guinean
  • Baraka Za Mpishi
  • Afrique
  • Kwela
  • Kunaswa
  • Chakula Cha Baharini Cha Joe
  • Keki Town
  • Pack the Pantry
  • South African Lounge
  • Mkahawa Wa Mji
  • Dagaa Bistro
  • Chumba Cha Chakula Cha Mchana
  • Kuingia
  • Mambazo
  • AFR
  • Mpishi Heshima
  • Voodoo Ya Chakula
  • Kuonja
  • Karamu
  • Onye Isi Nri Royale
  • Msafiri
  • Chakula Cha Jioni
  • Gastro Ya Mjini
  • Mboga Burger
  • Mapendekezo
  • Foodaga
  • Vyakula
  • Hazzan
  • Primera
  • Hasbara
  • Tavern

Outdoor Restaurant Name Ideas

Get creative when naming your French bistro or restaurant

Get creative when naming your French bistro or restaurant

  • Backyard Oven
  • Patio Deli
  • Omelet Putt
  • Wanton Parken
  • Patio Palace
  • The Dining Tent
  • Grill Chain
  • Casual Boardwalk
  • Wet Rinks
  • Park Benches
  • Vibrant Brunch
  • Water Park Food Stand
  • Frying Yard
  • Cannery
  • Bandstand Brewers
  • Outdoorsman
  • Beefeater
  • Outdoor Machines
  • Dining Out
  • Grand Outdoor
  • Outdoor Break
  • Outdoor Arena
  • Outdoor Off
  • Foodie Studio
  • Barbecued & Tried
  • Outdoor Study
  • Outdoor Oasis
  • Cookout Collective
  • Outdoor Fire
  • Steak N Golf
  • Exterior Menu
  • Food Plaza
  • Burger Out
  • Local Outdoors
  • Homey View
  • Prep Outdoors
  • Sky Dining
  • Mary’s Kitchen
  • Munchin’ Out
  • Hiking Chef
  • Outdoor Trays
  • Exterior Treats
  • Food Station

One Word Restaurant Name Ideas

restaurant sign

The Ancho Honey sign being painted.

  • Storefront
  • Cookin
  • Roasters
  • Tandoori
  • Auberge
  • Delicatessen
  • Cuisines
  • Panera
  • Ristorante
  • Concierge
  • Culinary
  • Patio
  • Breads
  • Lodging
  • Burgeroo
  • Gourmet
  • Restauration
  • Garage
  • Grilled
  • Jessie’s
  • Jake’s
  • Trattoria
  • Bistrona
  • Krispy
  • Appetizers
  • Sherry
  • Foodine
  • Upmarket
  • Clientele
  • Canteen
  • Mornings
  • Galley
  • Manos
  • Paul’s
  • Cafester
  • Anchos
  • Menu
  • Whizz
  • Combiner
  • Feast
  • Brenda
  • Pauper
  • Bananas

Dog Restaurant Name Ideas

  • Wof, Wof!
  • Puppy Meal
  • Roaring Dog
  • Dog Dorm
  • Schnauzer
  • Loops
  • Dog Abode
  • Pup Gourmet
  • Dank
  • Greeter
  • Dog Eat Dog
  • Doggy Swag
  • Puppy Treats
  • Dog Dean
  • Pup Resto
  • Canine Pamperoo
  • Dog Bakes
  • Canine Clan
  • Doger
  • Canine Pack
  • Lucky Dogs
  • Pooch Friendly
  • Alpha Dogs
  • Woofberry
  • Treats On A Leash
  • Puppy Gum
  • Charming Dog
  • Dogfood
  • Wag Tails
  • Sandy Dog
  • Hot Dogs
  • Pup Station
  • Pup Wagon
  • Food Hound
  • Treat Yard
  • Wouff
  • Dogs Place
  • Tarty
  • Dogship
  • Puppy Deluxe
  • Dogvocate
  • Pups
  • Canine Gastropub

Dessert Restaurant Name Ideas

  • Confectionery
  • Fruitcake
  • Amazing Crepes
  • Fondant
  • Flavor Bakery
  • Frittery
  • Spiced
  • Baking
  • Flavorings
  • Sugary Sweet
  • Sweetened
  • Candied
  • Next Dessert
  • Cakely
  • Syrups
  • Toppings
  • Milks
  • Appetizr
  • Sugared
  • Chocolat
  • Flavors
  • Milkshakes
  • Tangy
  • Go Yogurt
  • Tapioca
  • Caramelized
  • Cherries
  • Tarts
  • Chocolate River
  • Butter Foods
  • Yum Dessert
  • Pudding
  • Mockups
  • Sugar Craft
  • Sweet Art
  • Sweet Style
  • Sweet Life
  • Sweet Concoction
  • Sugar Suggestions
  • Blueberry Cream
  • Honey Dish
  • Sugar Caterer
  • Caramel Comfort

Delivery Restaurant Name Ideas

  • Food Agents
  • Door Step Delivery
  • Mobile Servicing
  • Drip Delivery
  • Takeaways
  • Delivery Date
  • Hungry Customer
  • Takeout Spot
  • Wait Rose
  • PickUp Takeout
  • Gastronomique
  • Dispatching
  • Takeout IQ
  • Deliverer
  • Deal Delivery
  • Kitchen Tycoon
  • Catered
  • Suppliers
  • Food Deck
  • Takeout Master
  • Chef Takeout
  • Luncheons
  • Squad Food
  • Delivery Fly
  • Deliverables
  • Delivery Cog
  • Shift Cart
  • Cook Line
  • Flash Deliver
  • Devour
  • Handover
  • Menu Cart
  • Delivery Drone
  • Service Delivery
  • Food Tour
  • Dispatching
  • Ready, Set, Cooked!
  • Mobile Cuisine
  • Redelivery
  • Delivery Smith
  • Taste Fast
  • Rollout
  • Vroom
  • Traffic Free

How to Generate Your Own Restaurant Name

Picking out a name for your new restaurant can be incredibly difficult. After all, how do you communicate all of the things you need to for your new restaurant, in just one or two words that will sum up your months (or years!) of sweat and toil?

The type of food. The atmosphere of your restaurant. The types of customers you’re hoping to attract. Your background, the style of cooking, the vibe of the dining room…these are all things that you must try to capture perfectly, when naming your restaurant. How can you possibly get started?

That’s me. Stressing out over a restaurant name idea.

Make a list. Then throw that list away, and make another list. That’s right. Begin by scribbling down every single restaurant name idea that comes into your head, without being too harsh or judgmental about what could work, and what absolutely couldn’t work. Write everything down. Even the less-than-savory ideas may help jog your brain, and lead to other, more viable names for your business.

After you’ve got 30 or 40 ideas down, run through them with a marker and cross half of them out. Copy the remaining names to a new list, and use those names to spin off new ideas. Keep going. Something should present itself.

Related Reading: 149 Profitable Indian Restaurant Name Ideas by Menu Theme 

Keep it short and sweet. Alternately, make it long and weird. Shorter names are likelier to stay fresh in the minds of your customers, though it may be challenging to find a one or two word domain name for your restaurant’s website. If short and sweet isn’t your style, make it so long and weird that it stands out that way.

For example, if you’re going to launch a restaurant specializing in chili (don’t do that, that’s my idea), you could call it either “Chili Bowl,” if you’re into the whole “brevity” thing, or alternately, “Mac’s Royal Chili Emporium and Medieval Toastery.” Both names are memorable, for their own reasons.

Don’t get too specific. Look, the needs of your business may change. You want the name of your business to be able to grow and change, as your concept grows and changes. If you name your restaurant, “Strictly Burgers,” what’s going to happen if nobody likes your burgers, and you need to change the focus of your menu to primarily vegan chilled soups? Pick a name that has room to change with you. Also, please don’t start a vegan chilled soup restaurant.

Similarly, while it may be tempting to incorporate the name of your geographic location into your restaurant name, remember: Things change in this business. You may find yourself having to find a new location when the popularity of your restaurant triples your rent, or you may find yourself opening additional locations in different towns or cities.

I started out on a food trailer.

Do some market research. Don’t bother trying out your new name on your friends and family; they’re going to be so supportive of you and your new venture (bless them), that they’re likely to be super encouraging of any name you come up with. Instead, ask potential customers for their opinion on your new name. This group is likelier to be more forthcoming with criticism.

Related Reading: 147 Clever to Hilarious Chinese Restaurant Name Ideas

Crowdsource your new restaurant name. What if I told you that there was an interconnected network of networks, where millions of people with strong opinions and an underdeveloped sense of the rules of polite society, were just WAITING to help you with your restaurant idea?

Try out a restaurant name generator. Sure, you may not get something usable magically handed to you, but these generators can help get your brain working in new directions and coming up with new ideas. Sign up for a few restaurant industry forums, as well…you’ll find plenty of people who are happy to brainstorm name ideas with you.

When all else fails, use one of my favorite restaurant names. Okay, fair warning: These ideas aren’t all winners. But our hope is that even if you don’t use one of the following ideas off-the-shelf, one may still get you thinking in a different direction and help you come up with a new idea you hadn’t previously considered.

Want to start your own food business?

Hey! 👋I’m Brett Lindenberg, the founder of Food Truck Empire.

We interview successful founders and share the stories behind their food trucks, restaurants, food and beverage brands. By sharing these stories, I want to help others get started.

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