Restaurants | How To

How to Design a Restaurant Floor Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide

Published March 9, 2023

Published Mar 9, 2023

Mary King

WRITTEN BY: Mary King

This article is part of a larger series on Restaurant .

  • 1.Assess Your Needs
  • 2. Consider the Space
  • 3. Design your Kitchen Layout
  • 4. Design Your Restaurant Dining Room Layout
  • 5.Add Restrooms, Entryways & Waiting Areas
  • 6. Add Bars, Service Counters & Delivery Areas
  • 7. Add Staff Areas & Back Office

Bottom Line

A restaurant floor plan is a sketch of your restaurant space that includes your dining area, kitchen, storage, bathrooms, and entrances. The best restaurant floor plans support operational workflow and communicate your brand to customers. Depending on your restaurant type, your specific restaurant layout will vary—but a 40/60 split between the kitchen and dining room is industry standard.

When designing your restaurant floor plan, the most important thing to remember is that your layout must enable the flow of several elements throughout your restaurant. Your ultimate restaurant layout should take all of these elements into consideration:

  • The flow of people: Your staff, customers, and vendors
  • The flow of product: Food and beverage deliveries and food and beverage sales
  • The flow of utilities and information : Electricity, water, air, order information, and payment data

Here’s how to design a restaurant floor plan in seven steps:

Step 1: Assess Your Needs

There are several operational restaurant spaces that every restaurant needs. The size of each will vary based on your restaurant’s style and whether customers eat on-site or take food to go.

The primary operational areas of the restaurant floor plan include:

Entry and waiting area

Your entry is the billboard for your restaurant. It should communicate your concept and entice passersby to enter. Once inside, the greeting and waiting areas depend on the type of establishment. This area needs serious consideration for fine and casual dining with wait times. On the other hand, it can be minimal for quick service and cafe concepts, especially if you have a bar for counter service. The entryways of all restaurants should comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations .

Dining areas

Restaurant dining areas typically need 60% of the restaurant space to provide adequate seating and traffic flow. Delivery-only restaurants or quick-service spots may not need this much room, however. If you use a point-of-sale (POS) system , you’ll need to consider where to place terminals throughout your dining room as well (See our general guide to restaurant POS systems and niche POS guides, such as for cafes and quick service restaurants ).

In most restaurant floor plans, the kitchen takes up about 40% of your space. This might seem like a lot for a space that patrons never see, but it’s the heart of your business. Kitchens also need gas lines, water lines, electrical wiring, floor drains, and ventilation hoods.

If you can place restrooms near your kitchen area, you can save money by tying into nearby plumbing and water lines. Depending on your space’s size, it’s a good idea to add a staff-only restroom, too. Keep in mind that your restrooms need to be ADA-compliant as well.

Delivery entrances and loading docks

In most locations, you don’t receive supplies through the same entrances that customers use. Large commercial buildings will already have loading docks or back entrances for vendor deliveries. If your building does not have one, adding a delivery entrance to your restaurant is a good idea. You don’t want customers walking around vegetable crates to get to a table!

Staff areas and back office

Most restaurants need a back office to hold sensitive business information like personnel files, tax documents, computing equipment, and cash reserves. Some cities also require employers to provide break areas for staff as well. If you have the space, a staff locker room is an excellent addition so that your team can change from street clothes into work clothes and securely stow their belongings while working.

Providing an area for your team to change clothes and put on uniforms helps prevent foodborne illnesses and outside allergens from entering your restaurant in the first place.

There are also optional areas that you’ll need to add, depending on your restaurant concept. These include:

Bar and service counters

A bar area is essential for restaurants with robust cocktail, coffee, or juice programs. If you allow customer seating at your bar, you’ll need to ensure that a portion of it is ADA-compliant. Delis, sushi shops, and other quick-service restaurants also need counters or bar areas. The availability of floor drains, electrical lines, and water lines will usually determine where you can place your bar or service counter.

Takeout and delivery areas

If you do a lot of takeout and delivery business, you should set aside space to hold completed orders and enable efficient pickup. Full-service restaurants with dine-in guests alongside delivery services should separate the two guest types to keep business flowing.

Outdoor spaces

Don’t forget your outdoor spaces. For some restaurants, the only outdoor space is the front entrance. But, in temperate climates, you’ll want to expand your dining space with outdoor patios or sidewalk seating.

Make a list of all the functional spaces your restaurant needs. Consider how many people need to work or dine in each area simultaneously and how long they will occupy the space. You should allocate the most space in your floor plan for areas where the most people will congregate for the longest time. In full-service restaurants where customers spend two hours per meal, dining rooms will naturally be larger than in a burger joint where most customers take food to go.

The industry standard allocates 60% of the restaurant’s square footage to the dining room and 40% to the kitchen. But in counter service restaurants, those ratios will be flipped—60% kitchen and 40% dining room—especially in restaurants with drive-thrus.

Step 2: Consider the Space You Have

Before you fall in love with a particular restaurant layout, you’ll want to locate electrical lines, water lines, load-bearing walls, and areas where you can place floor drains. Get a copy of your restaurant location’s blueprints, or consult with a contractor to determine the most sensible places for your kitchen equipment, restrooms, and bar equipment. You should also contact your landlord and local zoning board to learn about any restrictions impacting your choices.

Before you begin sketching your restaurant layout, you need to know these things:

  • Location of utilities The availability of gas lines, electricity, ethernet cables, phone lines, and water lines will influence how you layout your restaurant space.
  • Permanent interior elements You may be unable to move some walls or columns in your restaurant space. It is better to know what you can and cannot change before you draw your plans.
  • Landlord restrictions Most commercial buildings have rules about where you can receive deliveries and where entrances and exits can face.
  • Zoning restrictions This is primarily a concern for exterior signage and concepts that want to add drive-thru service. Local ordinances may not permit drive-thrus, or you may need special permits for sidewalk seating and outdoor patios. Zoning ordinances also determine where you can vent kitchen fumes and smoke.

Reconfiguring an old restaurant to meet your needs costs much less than starting with a raw commercial space . Find a commercial real estate pro with restaurant experience to help you find the ideal restaurant location to rework. They can usually advise you on loans and financing options too.

Step 3: Design your Kitchen Layout

The kitchen has the most significant technical needs of any part of your restaurant. That’s why you start with the kitchen. Most restaurants allocate 40% to 60% of their total space to the kitchen to allow adequate food prep, cooking, and server pickup space. Your kitchen will be larger if you have catering, drive-thru, or large-scale production cooking to accomplish. But there is more than just food to consider.

A restaurant kitchen must allow for adequate flow of:

  • Food : Raw ingredients need to flow into the kitchen, and prepared food needs to flow out of the kitchen.
  • Staff: Cooking and cleaning staff need an efficient workspace, and service staff need an efficient pickup space.
  • Information : Cooks need to quickly see orders as they arrive in and leave the kitchen.
  • Waste : Cooking fumes, steam, and smoke must exit the building. Wastewater and cooking grease also must be safely disposed of.

To remain safe and sanitary, a restaurant kitchen needs:

Most restaurant kitchens operate with gas stoves. Though, due to the rising popularity of induction, the high cost of gas and gas lines and potential bans in new construction , this might change in the next five years. Currently, most restaurant kitchens require gas lines to power cooking equipment.

Electrical lines

Every kitchen needs grounded electricity to power cooking and ventilation equipment, refrigerators, freezers, and POS equipment like printers and kitchen display system (KDS) screens.

Water lines

To supply dishwashers and sinks, specialty beverage equipment (like soft drink dispensers and espresso machines), and sprinkler systems or fire suppression equipment, you’ll need water lines and drain lines.

Floor drains

In most locations, all your freezers, ice bins, ice machines, refrigerators, and sinks need floor drains to be up to building code. Typically, these are required to route to a grease interceptor to prevent cooking oils from gumming up public sewers. But they also help prevent the spread of bacteria and other contaminants.

Grease trap

The grease trap is a major item that separates a commercial kitchen from a residential one. Grease traps prevent cooking fats from wastewater and cooking equipment from entering public sewer systems. Most locations require restaurants to have a grease trap.

Once you’ve chosen the best spot in your restaurant to support your kitchen equipment, you’re ready to think about the layout of the kitchen itself. There are three primary commercial kitchen designs that restaurants use: Assembly Line, Island, and Zone.

Assembly Line Kitchen Layout

This floor plan includes three distinct areas for food production, from prep to cooking, then plating and pick-up. An assembly line keeps staff in defined workspaces, so there is little movement between stations. An assembly line kitchen is best for high-volume full-service, pizza, and institutional kitchens.

Island Kitchen Layout

The circular layout of an island kitchen floor plan allows more cook movement and supervision between stations. The cooking equipment—like ovens, grills, and fryers—is centralized, with other stations for storage, food prep, and washing placed around the perimeter. It is easy for a head chef to see all the kitchen stations at once in an island kitchen, making this format a great choice for restaurants with a chef-owner, and kitchens with flexible staff.

Zone Kitchen Layout

A Zone layout breaks your kitchen into squares of about equal size for each kitchen task, from food storage to cooking. Defining zones for each kitchen task allows easier staff movement, giving front-of-house staff easy access to prep and cooking zones. This setup is excellent for small spaces and foodservice operations like coffee shops, where the same staff prepares food and rings in orders. Because the cooking area is small, it works well for restaurants that serve a lot of cold dishes, like salads and desserts, or other food items that don’t require cooking.

Ghost Kitchens & Cloud Kitchens

Ghost Kitchens and Cloud Kitchens

Ghost kitchens are delivery-only restaurants that rely on third-party online ordering apps. Sometimes they are also called “cloud kitchens.” These restaurant types don’t need publicly available amenities like a dining room or public bathrooms. They operate like stationary food trucks. Since ghost kitchens rely on delivery services, adding a drive-thru window is an excellent idea if your location permits one. Depending on your business volume, any of the three kitchen layouts mentioned above can work for a ghost kitchen or cloud kitchen.

Whichever kitchen layout fits your needs, testing your plan before installing any permanent equipment is a good idea. Have staff walk through workflows to ensure there are no traffic jams or rubbed elbows—then, you can lock the equipment in place.

Have designated entrance and exit doors in your kitchen to establish traffic patterns and reduce accidents. If you cannot install two separate doorways, install a double door with clearly marked “in” and “out” on both sides.

Step 4: Design Your Restaurant Dining Room Layout

Restaurant dining areas generally use around 60% of your total restaurant space. What you put in this space depends on your restaurant type. The first step in this equation is checking with your local building permit office for occupancy guidelines for your space. You’ll also want to read the ADA guidelines for accessibility carefully. Having all of this information upfront ensures that your dining area layout and floor plan meet applicable regulatory guidelines.

Most restaurant POS systems and reservation systems have customizable table layout tools and can act as a basic restaurant floor plan maker. If you have a POS or reservation system, tinker with the built-in floor plan tools to help you find your ideal table configuration.

These industry-standard measurements should help you plan your seating space and traffic flows:

  • Suggested Area Per Diner
  • Table & Chair Spacing

The following space allocation allows staff and customers to co-exist easily and provides room for most wheelchairs to pass.

Of course, much of your space allocation for tables and chairs depends on your restaurant concept and the types of seating you use. Mixing table styles optimizes dining space by making clever use of wall space and supporting efficient traffic flow. You can move freestanding tables to accommodate large parties or change your space’s look and flow. Booths maximize wall space, and mixing them in with tables gives patrons their choice of seating. Many dining concepts add countertop-height tables to the mix to add visual variety.

Restaurant Dining Room Layout Examples

Full-service bar and restaurant layout.

A bar and restaurant needs two distinct seating areas, usually separated by a visible barrier to clearly mark bar seating. These casual spots can also make efficient use of booths and freestanding tables to expand seating and give customers options. In this layout, the kitchen is completely closed off from the dining room, which is a great idea if your kitchen is busy, hot, or relies heavily on fryers.

Quick Service Restaurant Layout

A quick service restaurant (QSR) needs direct access to the kitchen, since many QSR staff have both food preparation and customer service duties. This layout also gives the team good sightlines of the entire dining room (so they can stay on top of cleaning duties) and the main entrance (so they can greet customers). This restaurant design works best for cafeterias, burger joints, barbecue, and build-your-own concepts (burritos, salads, combos, etc.).

Open Kitchen Layout

In an open kitchen floor plan, the kitchen walls are open to the dining room, allowing customers to see the cooks and the cooks to see the customers. This is a popular configuration for pizza shops and delivery-heavy restaurants since you can show off dramatic cooking skills like tossing dough in the air, while also building in ample space for line forming. Open kitchens are also popular with celebrity chef concepts or high-end restaurants where customers expect a show.

You don’t have to build a lounge for delivery drivers like Chick-fil-a (in the news: Chick Fil -A opens a lounge for delivery drivers ), but if you do a lot of delivery sales, remember to leave space for drivers on your floor plan.

Outdoor Dining Floor Plan

Outdoor Dining Floor Plan

(Source: EaterNY.com, via Rockwell Group)

Just like your indoor spaces, you need to leave enough room in main outdoor thoroughfares to allow wheelchairs to pass. Plan for adequate walking space between tables and umbrellas (if you use them). And, if you plan to accept tableside orders and payments, you’ll likely need a Wi-Fi signal booster.

Lighting, POS hardware, and some outdoor heating equipment may also need electricity, so plan for that too. And, while it’s tempting to place a patio on any available strip of outdoor space, remember not to place your patio near exhaust outlets or your dumpsters; that’s not a pleasant experience for customers.

The New York City design firm Rockwell Group created some great guides for DineOut NYC , to help restaurants expand their outdoor dining during COVID-19. These recommendations for everything from modular sidewalk patios to outdoor heating elements are useful for restaurants all over the country.

In the news:

Many cities that paused zoning restrictions for outdoor dining during COVID-19 are reinstating their existing laws . Restaurants in New York, Los Angeles, and other major cities are now required to apply for zoning permits before their COVID-19-influenced outdoor dining areas can become permanent.

Remember Your Restaurant Tech

Beyond supporting the efficient flow of your staff and customers, your restaurant dining room has another critical component—information flow. Whether you use a register or a POS system, you need to send order information from customers to your kitchen and payment information from your customers to your payment processor . So, don’t forget to include POS stations in your dining room layout. Remember, of course, to place these tools near electrical outlets.

If you use a cloud POS or iPad POS , you’ll need to think a lot about your walls. The more walls between your POS terminals and your Wi-Fi router, the weaker your signal will be. Open floor plans are great for cloud POS users—but you can still have a dining room full of partitions and cozy nooks; just remember to add Wi-Fi signal boosters to your design plan.

Step 5: Lay Out Restrooms, Entryways & Waiting Areas

All guest-facing areas of your restaurant must be ADA-compliant, so it’s a good idea to design them all together. Doorways must be wheelchair accessible, and you must have at least one restroom stall in each bathroom that is also wheelchair accessible.

  • Waiting Areas

Placing your restrooms near your kitchen can save you money on your plumbing by tying into nearby water and drain lines. Though placing your restrooms away from the kitchen can reduce crowding in a high-traffic area. So place your restrooms carefully. This isn’t an element that’s easily moved about the space.

Restrooms are also a spot that require careful consideration for ADA compliance. The ADA generally requires at least 60 inches of turning space between fixtures for wheelchair accessibility. Small restaurants may only have room for single-occupancy restrooms to stay within ADA guidelines.

Your restaurant entrance should clearly communicate your restaurant concept and brand. This is the first visual and tactile experience your patrons have when entering your establishment, so carry any design choices you make in your dining room design choices forward to your entry. Or simply customize your door to compliment your signage and brand concept.

If your entryway includes stairs or a step up or down from ground level, you’ll need to think about ADA adjustments. Having a ramp alongside any stairs is usually the simplest solution. You might also consider a separate, wheelchair-accessible entrance or a wheelchair lift.

For cafe, bistro, and diner concepts, your entrance can be minimal, especially if you have a bar or countertop where patrons can wait. If you need a defined wait space in front, plan this area to allow traffic flow in and out and accommodate seating if at all possible. A few comfortable chairs work, but bench seating against the wall can better use a tight space. And, if it works in your location and climate, adding outdoor seating to your wait space can be a good idea. A few patio-type chairs or benches can do the job with style.

Remember your curbside. If you offer curbside pick-up for orders, you’ll need to add signage outdoors, and possibly set aside an indoor area for organizing curbside orders.

Step 6: Add Bars, Service Counters & Delivery Areas

Bar or countertop dining areas can be a great addition to your restaurant floor plan. If you haven’t considered one, you should if space allows. It’s a more profitable use of space than a large waiting area since patrons can order drinks while waiting. Plus, it creates a small-footprint dining space since diners expect less elbow room at a bar than they do at a table.

For placement, a bar or countertop that shares its back wall with the kitchen works very well, especially in small spaces. That lets you tie into your existing plumbing for bar sinks or add a pass-through window to the kitchen for a diner, cafe-style coffee house , or bistro restaurant concept.

Most bars and service counters need 14 feet of width on your floor plan. This allows plenty of room for customers to gather on one side, width for the counter itself, room for your staff to work, and room for a backbar for additional workspace.

  • Order Counters
  • Service Counters
  • Delivery & Takeout Areas

Quick service restaurants like pizza shops and burger joints ring in customer orders at a central counter, equipped with registers or POS terminals. This counter is usually the only separation between the kitchen and the dining area. Order counters typically only need electrical outlets and an internet connection to process payments. Many restaurants also use this real estate to store dry goods and paper supplies under the counter.

Delis, bakeries, and slice shops perform most of their business from a counter. Depending on the food you serve, this counter may need to support refrigerated or heated displays. These service counters are like mini-kitchens and need access to electric and water lines as well as drainage and ventilation.

If you provide takeout and delivery with your in-house staff or rely on third-party delivery services, you should set aside an area specifically for drivers and customers to pick up delivery and takeout orders. If your delivery program is especially robust, it makes sense for the pickup area to be near—or in—your kitchen.

Depending on your business level, this area can be a series of shelves inside your front entrance or a drive-thru window. If you are a ghost kitchen, you’ll want to invest in warming cabinets or countertops with heat lamps to keep your food at optimum temperature until it is picked up.

Any counter that allows seating should have an ADA-compliant section that is no higher than 36 inches above the floor, with at least a 12-inch overhang to allow for wheelchair users to enjoy the bar comfortably.

Step 7: Add Staff Areas & Back Office

Last but not least, you want to include space for your managers and staff. These areas don’t need to be large—since they don’t generate revenue, and ideally, your team isn’t spending long hours in them—but they should be thoughtfully designed.

Staff Entrance & Locker Room

A separate staff entrance prevents traffic jams between your staff and your customers. A staff entrance can also double as a delivery entrance. Locker rooms keep employee belongings out of work areas during their shifts, which can help your team focus. Since anything that travels from outside your restaurant is a potential source of food-borne illness, many health inspectors will dock points on your health department rating if they see employee belongings like backpacks and cell phones in food service areas.

Back Office

Your restaurant’s back office doesn’t need to be large, but it does need to be secure. Your back office holds sensitive information like hiring documents, tax information, and business licenses. It also holds valuable items like your back office computer, security system hub , and safe. There should always be at least two lockable doors between your safe and the outside world, so your office door should be solid, and it should lock from the inside.

Restaurant Floor Plan Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why do i need a restaurant floor plan.

Most cities require a copy of your restaurant floor plan when you apply for business permits. If you are seeking investors, it’s also a good idea to include your floorplan in your restaurant’s business plan, too.

How big is a 100-seat restaurant?

The minimum space required for a 100-seat restaurant is about 2,500 square feet. Most restaurant types allow 15 square feet per seated customer. So to accommodate 100 seats, you’ll need a dining room that is 1,500 square feet. In most cases, the dining room accounts for 60% of the total restaurant space, so to serve 100 customers at a time, you’ll need a space that is at least 2,500 square feet.

How do I create a restaurant floor plan?

To create a restaurant floor plan, you must know all the service areas your restaurant needs, and allow space for people, products, and information to flow safely. You can draw a floorplan using simple pen and paper or use your POS or reservations system to test dining room layouts. For a more polished look, try a floor plan drawing app, like Smartdraw or ConceptDraw.

Your restaurant floor plan dictates your entire operation’s workflow, from kitchen and dining areas to customer amenities like waiting areas and restrooms. Allocating about 40% of your total area to the kitchen is the industry standard, with 60% for your customer-facing areas. The best layout for your restaurant will depend on your restaurant type and sales volume. The best restaurant floor plans support the smooth flow of employees, customers, food, and information through the restaurant space.

About the Author

Mary King

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Mary King is an expert restaurant and small business contributor at Fit Small Business. With more than a decade of small business experience, Mary has worked with some of the best restaurants in the world, and some of the most forward-thinking hospitality programs in the country. Mary’s firsthand operational experience ranges from independent food trucks to the grand scale of Michelin-starred restaurants, from small trades-based businesses to cutting-edge co-working spaces.

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Burger Shop Layout

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INOX KITCHEN DESIGN

Equipment For A Burger Shop Explained With Floor Plan

burger shop floor plan

Having adequate machinery in your burger shop or your establishment to have commercial success, this will influence the preparation times of the hamburger and the quality of the product offered, these are two essential aspects in every fast food establishment.

When you start your burger shop and choose the machinery, maybe you want to start small to progress, you must take into account from the beginning the possible growth of your business, both in physical and personal space.

This can also influence the equipment you are going to buy at the beginning, here I expose a list of equipment needed for your hamburger shop and some additional tips.

burger shop floor plan

Burger press

It is important that you distinguish yourself from the rest by making your own burger, you can buy and make different combinations of meats until you find the one that defines your business (and if you want you can buy the meat without chopping it and chop it yourself with a Meat Grinder).

Volcanic stone barbecue

This could be the star product to make your burgers, as it gives a unique and natural flavor, The texture of the meat is very different from that of a frying pan or a griddle. Softer and juicier.

There are two types of gas barbecues, volcanic stone (cheaper) and ceramic briquettes (better distribution of heat).

Otherwise, you can have a gas char-broilers, 24″ or 36″ is enough depending on the volume of demand of your burger shop.

It is best to choose a sheet of rolled steel (not hard chrome) as thick as possible 12-15 mm and as wide as possible as this is the main tool. If possible, it is better to use both, otherwise, the plate is sufficient.

They have more power and reach a higher temperature with less consumption than electrical ones. Gas griddles are available in sizes ranging from 24″ to 72″, the most common being 24″ and 36″.

A good burger is always accompanied by some fries. To make them you need at least a double fryer; better gas than electric (because of the consumption) although gas ones cost twice as much.

Meat Slicer

For sausage portions, it is better to choose a powerful one to be able to cut hard slices and a minimum disc size of 250 mm (If you intend to cut a lot of ham it would be better to acquire a geared slicer).

Stainless Steel Prep Table

You will need a support surface in your burger shop, the preparation tables are indispensable, as a support surface and also as a working surface, for more space efficiency you can get a table with galvanized under-shelf.

Refrigerated preparation table

The speed in the preparation of burgers is a fundamental aspect, a refrigerated work table allows you the versatility of having refrigerated elements in your hot preparation area, such as vegetables, ready to be used immediately.

Some popular burger kitchens use bain-marie trays to keep food, dressings and sauces warm and soft.

Bain-marie is essential for making preserves since in this way the heat manages to eliminate the microorganisms contained in the food in addition to keeping the preparation elements at an ideal temperature for the time of service.

Commercial Fridge

Initially, you will need a refrigerator to store the meat, it all depends on the volume of your kitchen, but to start with something moderate, a 30″ refrigerator might be enough.

Commercial Dishwasher or sinks

Depending on your budget and possibilities you have two cleaning options in your burger shop, the commercial dishwasher is fairly versatile equipment that will give you more speed and automation.

You could also do the sanitation of your dishes and utensils in a triple sink manually, you can choose the one that suits your preferences.

Commercial kitchen hood

If you are going to have a hotline in your burger shop, it is indispensable to have an extractor, the equipment like the fryers, grills, and grills give off fumes, grease, heat, and other elements that you will need to remove from your preparation area.

The dimension of the exhaust will depend on the length of your hotline, as far as the depth a 42″ kitchen hood could be enough.

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Architect, 3D artist, designer and construction cost analyst, I have several years as a designer of industrial kitchens, it has been a great experience, I am not a "guru", I learn constantly and I like to share and help with what I have learned.

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15+ Restaurant Floor Plan Layout Design Ideas

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Good food is the most important thing about any restaurant. Yet, more and more customers tend to care if the place looks, smells, and sounds good.

  • "A restaurant ought to present a portrait where the service and the design and the food are all coming from the same point of view. It’s not just about creating a beautiful space, it’s about creating a memorable experience for guests," says David Rockwell , architect, and designer.

Studies show that the restaurant's atmosphere greatly impacts the potential for customers to revisit . Moreover, in the same study, service employees' reliability and attentiveness have the highest role in forming an opinion about a dining place.

The restaurant floor plan plays a vital role in designing a pleasant customer experience, ensuring the ambiance is cozy and the staff can move around quickly to accommodate every guest.

It is the backbone of solid restaurant management and a winning strategy for turning tables during rush hours, thus maximizing efficiency and ultimately increasing revenue.

Further reading

  • How to write a restaurant business plan
  • How to find your restaurant's target market
  • Restaurant forecasting 101

Creating a restaurant floor plan means considering a kitchen plan, dining room plan, garden, and bar seating and how it all fits together. 

In our comprehensive guide, you will find over 15 floor plan examples plus the tips for creating the perfect restaurant vibe .

burger shop floor plan

What to consider when creating a floor plan

Many restaurants use floor plan software without thinking twice about how it fits with their business plan, how much foot traffic they expect, and how to use the floor plan to ensure top-notch service.

Here is a checklist of things you need to consider when creating a floor plan for your new restaurant:

1. Lifestyle of your target audience 

Your clientele is what determines the essentials of your floor plan design. For example, if digital nomads use your restaurant for work, you should have electrical outlets positioned across the dining areas so that the guests can charge their laptops while working.

2. The space at your disposal

The key to an optimal floor plan is the effective use of space. Based on the available functional space, interior designers can decide how many seats you can fit in.

3. Accessibility

One of the important components of a floor plan is making sure it is accessible to all customers. This implies obliging to the Disabilities Act, enabling wheelchair access, but also making the restaurant accessible to families with children, etc.

4. Building codes

Building codes are laws that set the standards for essential systems such as plumbing, heating, and air conditioning, and they need to be considered in the floor plan scheme.

Maximize Revenue From Your Floor Plan Learn how you can make the most out of your dining space with this guide Download Our Free Ebook Now

5. Utilizing the use of light

Exploring how to use natural light as much as possible during the day and improving light fixtures for the evenings can make a difference to the restaurant's ambiance.

6. Achieving maximum efficiency

Finally, the game of the good floor plan is to improve restaurant efficiency . The service counters should be placed at the very entrance of the restaurant, the bar areas should be separated from the dining area, and extra space should be left for the servers to move with ease.

How to create the perfect restaurant floor plan

Restaurant floor planning is the pillar of starting a successful business in the restaurant industry. Many restaurant owners go for the option that they fancy the most aesthetically. 

However, among many various restaurant layouts, you need to make a selection of features to accommodate the needs of your target group and create a memorable customer experience.

1. Identify your clientele

Before creating a restaurant floor plan, get to understand your target clientele. Answer the following questions: 

  • To whom are you looking to cater? 
  • Do you serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner?
  • When is the rush hour in your area?

The floor plan should be adjusted to the needs of your guests - an upscale dining restaurant with built-in booths requires different floor planning than a fast food diner with a wide service counter. Moreover, the needs of the clientele will help you decide on additional features that take place in the space planning.

For example , if you are hosting urban and busy guests who don't like to wait around for the waiter, perhaps you should consider installing POS stations (payment stations) on the service counter and speed up the process.

2. Maximize space and revenue

Once you've identified who you are most likely to cater to, what time of day you expect to be busiest, and what kind of service you want to provide, you can pick a restaurant floor plan. 

A general rule is mixing your tables to include a diverse mix of seating availability. Two-tops, three-tops, four-tops, and five-tops should all be included.

Try not to squeeze as many customers in - make sure that everyone has elbow room at their tables. The space also dictates the table size and the maximum number of covers per table . After all, your mission is to provide a top dining experience and comfort.

Families and large groups are leaning toward four and five-tops, with the flexibility to mix and match. This is especially important if you plan to accommodate large parties. 

If you are a family-style restaurant, you can maximize the use of space in the floor plan in a creative way. For example, new restaurants are often using community-style dining and this trend has really taken off! 

On the other hand, for business clientele you should use two and three-top tables, creating a minimalistic aesthetic with the restaurant floor plan and simple interior design.

>>> Want to know more about how you can customize your restaurant floor plan to match your exact layout? Request a demo today! 

3. Prioritize flow in the floor plan

The most vital component to a restaurant floor layout, once you've identified who will be dining at your restaurant, is to subtly move things along to maximize profit. 

While creating a flow helps maximize your revenue, be sure not to rush your diners!  With that being said, flow is a necessary and vital component of any business and needs to be properly thought out. 

Flow is the direction of traffic in a restaurant and is truly the art of finding the balance between quality and quantity. There are so many different aspects to take into account when discovering flow, and all vary with the type of restaurant and service you are offering. 

Fine dining will not focus as much on flow, as many higher-end restaurants are booked well in advance and have a waiting list and waiting area . Flow is a component of the restaurant floor plan and it lets your personnel know how to move smoothly through the space and cover all guests attentively.

For example , if you offer both the buffet and a la carte menu, the positions of the buffet and dining area can influence customer behavior and cater to a bigger number of guests. Aside from efficient management of the waitlist , pacing a buffet is another way of avoiding lines. 

Prioritize flow in the restaurant flow plan

Flow also applies to your servers. If your servers have space to operate, they can provide timelier service and can help facilitate turning tables quicker without creating the impression of rushing the guest. 

Regardless of restaurant type, be sure to have enough space from the service stations to the dining area, and between tables to allow servers to operate freely.

Moreover, make sure that all your staff is well introduced to the restaurant floor plan and ready to optimize the flow and swipe the guests off their feet. 

It is a good practice to hold pre-shift meetings to get your team members on the same page and refine the dine-in experience you are providing.

15+ examples of restaurant floor plans

If you feel uninspired, here are different restaurant floor plan examples to kick-start your creative ideas.

Floral restaurant floor

Floral restaurant floor

Bringing new life into your restaurant can be challenging, but Pigmento Experimenta did an excellent job with Pan Plano. By refreshing the space with trees both indoors and outdoors, they achieved a natural look and ensured a pleasant guest experience.

Elegant wood design

Elegant wood design

Mesmerized by the Moroccan style and use of natural wood, Amy designed a dining area that combines efficiently used round tables, counter space, and a functional kitchen. 

Island coffee shop concept

Island coffee shop concept

When creating the Ocean Coffee floor plan, Ihor Skrypnyk made the coffee the center of the space, where everything is happening. He designed a functional space with plenty of seating to accommodate singles, couples, and large groups equally.

Bar and restaurant design

Bar and restaurant design

This restaurant layout is created with FloorPlanner.com and it is designed for restaurants with more extensive square footage. It presents a dining area with a kitchen and a big bar with a walk-in cooler that can serve as the waiting area for new guests.

Socialize, cook, eat

Socialize, cook, eat

Architect Ralph Tullie created this restaurant floor plan to serve as the neighborhood's go-to place. The wide restaurant kitchen floor plan is divided in two separate areas, enabling the quick orders and appetizers to be prepared independently from the space where the main courses are being cooked.

The Jean-Georges Kitchen

The Jean-Georges Kitchen

When creating his own restaurant kitchen floor plan, Jean-Georges was led by the concept that “you cook against the wall, turn around, plate it and it goes out.” The chefs cook using the elements on the wall as well as three islands while the servers approach the counters and maximize efficiency.

Sophisticated restaurant design

Sophisticated restaurant design

Here is an example of a fine dining restaurant floor plan , with many square footage left free for the guests and servers to move around. The central piece of the dining room is the piano, making the music the soul of this restaurant.

Cozy and friendly outdoor sitting

Cozy and friendly outdoor sitting

Inspired by the cozy Venetian-style living room, Bacaro Doppio Italian Cafe & Deli created the outdoor sitting area as comfortable as it gets. With careful space planning, they ensured that the large couches didn’t present an obstacle to accommodating many guests.

Bright and luxurious dining area

burger shop floor plan

The designers of this dining room floor plan wanted to create a space with as much natural light as possible and ample space for seated guests. The open dining room also contains the entrance and waiting room where the guests can enjoy an aperitif before they get a table.

Outside dining space

Outside dining space

A well-depicted garden of the Standard 69 contributes to the enjoyable atmosphere this restaurant is known for, aside from providing an authentic gastronomic experience, making it a vital part of this restaurant layout.

Pure and minimalistic

Pure and minimalistic

The interior design of this HIKKI restaurant in Osaka is based on pure white simplicity, allowing the guests to completely surrender to the rich flavors their cuisine offers. 

The entire dining room floor, as well as the kitchen and toilets, are plain, with a touch of geometrically perfect decorations.

Spacious dining room floor plan

Spacious dining room floor plan

This restaurant floor plan is made with ConceptDraw , illustrating how much space you can dedicate to the kitchen/bar/restaurant/patio to achieve well-balanced square footage. 

The example contains a separate bar floor plan, a lounge zone, as well as a large storage space that every busy restaurant needs.

Restaurant layout for cozy outdoor lounge

Restaurant layout for cozy outdoor lounge

This snug restaurant floor plan is an example of a dining area that prioritizes comfort over the number of guests it can serve at any time. 

Floor plans like this are designed for laid-back customers that visit the restaurant for relaxation and get-togethers.

Bumble urban design

Bumble urban design

Neighbourgoods beer bar designed its bar floor plan inspired by the honeycomb octagon. Their interior designers used the high-sealing industrial physical space to create a sweet environment for people to catch up and grab a drink after work. 

It is prepared for larger foot traffic and quick change of guest pairs.

Brunch and mirrors

Brunch and mirrors

Brunch cafe PUR*PUR created its floor plan to use every corner of the space. They set up bar stools against the large windows and filled in the central area with round tables and matching round mirrors on the sealing.

Multifunctional restaurant floor plan

Multifunctional restaurant floor plan

Chameleon is a floor plan designed by two award-winning architects - Arina Ageeva and Dmitry Zhuikov. It is created in a way to support multiple events - lunch, brunch, conferences, and fancy dinners.

It is a multi-functional dining space that can be easily transformed using light and tablecloths.

Urban farmer concept

Urban Farmer concept

Sometimes the type of space you have implies the restaurant layout that would be suiting. This is the case with Urban Farmer , a spacious outdoor restaurant that combines urban lifestyle with rural aesthetics.

Creating a restaurant floor plan

In 2023, the restaurant floor plans were created digitally rather than sketched by hand as it used to be the case. There are different restaurant floor plan creator tools available for architects and designers, such as FloorPlanner.com, ConceptDraw, and RoomSketcher, to name a few.

Furthermore, digital restaurant floor plans offer a handy benefit when it comes to table management . By having a digital version of the restaurant layouts available for the waiters, you can optimize turning tables and increase the restaurant's efficiency.

With the right software you too not only manage the booking but also track the time your guests are spending in the entrance and waiting area, and manage the capacity of the restaurant, especially when you are dealing with a limited space.

You can also explore online table booking and so much more with Eat App. Moreover, you can create and redesign your floor plan to match your restaurant’s exact rooms and table layout, such as resizing tables or deleting tables to create more free space.

Setting up an ace floor layout is the first step to achieving a 5-star customer experience. It can determine the efficiency of the kitchen, speed of service, and flow of the table-turning,

Ultimately, it can make a difference in the number of guests you can serve and the overall customer satisfaction. You can easily maximize revenue from the floor plan by improving the functionality of each room and the way they are integrated with the restaurant.

Eat App has user-friendly software that can help you bring your restaurant floor management game to the next level, exploring different layouts and learning from the best practices our experts share with you regularly.

Frequently Ask Questions

A restaurant floor plan maps out all the areas of your restaurant - kitchen, dining area, storage space, toilet, waiting room, and how they fit together.

Restaurant architecture is planned according to the restaurant's physical space available, and allocating it to dining space, bar area, storage spaces, and kitchen.

The restaurant layout is a scheme of a restaurant space that includes the dining room, waiting area, bathroom layout, seating capacity, etc. It is also called a restaurant floor plan.

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Ryan Andrews

For the past 7+ years Ryan has been focused on helping restaurants succeed with digital marketing and front-of-house operations. He is Director Marketing at Eat App.

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How to Design a Commercial Kitchen Layout for Your Restaurant

By Katherine Pendrill

How to Design a Commercial Kitchen Layout for Your Restaurant

Whether you’re opening a new restaurant or renovating your current one, there’s a lot of thought that needs to go into your commercial kitchen layout. While it might not get as much attention as your dining room floor plan , a safe and efficient restaurant kitchen layout is just as essential to a great guest experience.

A well-thought-out commercial kitchen layout not only allows your back-of-house (BOH) team to produce high-quality meals, but it also improves your entire team’s speed and efficiency – something that translates into a better experience for all your guests.

Of course, no two restaurant kitchens are the same, which means you’ll need to design a commercial kitchen layout that complements your restaurant’s (and your team’s) unique needs.

To help you go from blank slate to your dream commercial kitchen floor plan, this article will cover:

  • The basics of designing a commercial kitchen layout for your restaurant
  • 7 key elements of a great restaurant kitchen layout
  • 6 common commercial kitchen layout examples
  • Key considerations for your own commercial kitchen floor plan

As mentioned, no two commercial kitchen layouts are exactly the same, which is why it’s important to understand some key elements of your restaurant before diving headfirst into design.

Consider Your Menu

Unsurprisingly, the first thing you need to consider is your menu. After all, your kitchen is where everything on your menu is stored, prepared, and cooked, so your kitchen design will be entirely dependent on what kind of food you’re serving.

And while there are certain elements you’ll find in most commercial kitchens, the equipment you use and the way your space is arranged will be dictated by what’s on the menu.

Before you move forward with any commercial kitchen designs, speak to your chef about their needs. Your chef knows your menu best and can help you determine what kind of storage is required, your restaurant equipment list , how big the kitchen needs to be, and what the best flow is for the space. Your chef can also provide input on what you don’t need so you don’t end up with pricey kitchen technologies that never get used.

Understand the Space

As a general rule of thumb, the standard ratio for dining room to kitchen space is 60 to 40 , with the smaller portion reserved for the kitchen. Of course, this can vary dramatically based on the type of venue you’re running and the space available. If you’re working with a small restaurant kitchen layout, you may have to make some compromises. 

Take measurements of the kitchen space you have available before you begin drawing up designs. And keep in mind it’s not just a matter of square footage. You also need to account for things like windows, electrical outlets, fire escape doors, and more.

A team of cooks working in a commercial restaurant kitchen.

Know Your Local Health Codes and Safety Regulations

Lastly, you need to understand your local health and safety codes inside and out. Check with organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and your state’s Department of Public Health to find out the current standards for food storage, safety, preparation, disposal, etc.

You’ll also need to secure all the proper restaurant licenses and permits for your commercial kitchen. This can include everything from your certificate of occupancy, to things like a wastewater permit or dumpster placement permit.

You should also keep in mind that these standards and the licenses will differ depending on where your restaurant is located. Before moving ahead with your commercial kitchen layout design, speak with a local inspector to ensure you’re fully compliant with the laws in your area.

Illustration of certified license documents related to restaurants

Know exactly how to get each license and how much it’s going to cost.

7 Key Elements of a Restaurant Kitchen Layout

Now that you have a better idea of what you need and the kind of space you’re working with, you can begin thinking about the distinct elements that will make up your restaurant kitchen layout.

When planning out your commercial kitchen layout, you have to make sure your design fulfills your restaurant’s basic needs and the flow between those spaces. Generally, there are seven basic functions that your kitchen should fulfill:

1. Delivery

Every kitchen needs a delivery space where products can be received from vendors. Make sure your kitchen has a clear loading area for shipping and receiving (ideally with ample parking space). While this area should be close to your storage spaces to reduce spoilage during offloading,, the delivery point should not be within the main working space of the kitchen.

Your restaurant’s kitchen will need to store a variety of items, including cooking tools, place settings, and your actual ingredients.

Make sure your kitchen has appropriate storage space for all of these items, including pantries for dry goods, and commercial fridges and freezers for perishable foods. You’ll also need cupboards for tools and place settings such as glasses, plates, utensils, and linens.

3. Food Prep

Depending on the kind of food your restaurant is preparing, you’ll likely need several different food preparation areas – this is especially important if you cater to guests with food allergies or strict dietary requirements.

When designing your food prep areas, ensure each has appropriate counter space, cutting tools, and storage for any additional tools. You will likely also want separate washing areas for food so your ingredients never come in contact with your dirty dishes.

Keep in mind that food prep areas should be placed close to a refrigerator so BOH staff can quickly and safely store perishable ingredients until they are ready to be used. 

This is where the action happens. After food is prepped, it will be moved to your cooking stations. These areas should be equipped with the appropriate equipment for the volume and type of food you serve. Most restaurants have gas range-oven combinations in their cooking stations, as well as commercial fryers. However, your restaurant might also have additional cooking equipment for special dishes.

Each cooking station should also be equipped with a digital kitchen order system (also known as a kitchen display system or KDS). This is a tablet or screen that displays digital order tickets sent directly from your restaurant POS system . This piece of technology is essential to provide a seamless line of communication between your front-of-house (FOH) and BOH teams, ultimately helping to decrease ticket times and eliminate errors.

Once your dishes have been cooked, they need to be properly plated and garnished before they are handed off to servers who will deliver them to your guests. This area should be as close to the dining room as possible so there is less distance for staff to travel from the kitchen to the dining area. It’s also a good idea to equip your service area with heat lamps that will keep food warm until it is picked up by servers.

6. Dish Return

All the dishes that leave your kitchen will eventually have to come back. Your commercial kitchen should have a dedicated dish return space for FOH staff to drop off dirty plates, utensils, and other items. This area should not only have enough room for staff to stack dirty dishes ready to be washed, but there should also be adequate waste disposal for any leftover food.

7. Cleaning

From dirty plates to the kitchen equipment itself, there’s a lot of cleaning that goes on in a commercial kitchen. Make sure your kitchen has a distinct cleaning area equipped with three-compartment sinks, commercial dishwashers, and drying racks.

Dish washer working in a commercial restaurant kitchen.

6 Commercial Kitchen Layout Examples

Your next challenge is actually arranging these seven elements.

Though every commercial kitchen floor plan is unique, there are a few restaurant kitchen layout designs that can serve as a good starting point. Below are six commercial kitchen layout examples you’ll find in most restaurants:

1. Assembly Line Layout

Assembly Line Commercial Kitchen Layout.

Just as the name suggests, the assembly line kitchen layout focuses on the assembly of each dish. 

In this layout, there is a central row or island organized in a single line. This allows ingredients to move seamlessly from a food prep station, through to cooking, and finally, a service area where the completed items are picked up and delivered to customers.

The benefits of the assembly line layout include:

  • Accommodates multiple workers at once, each focusing on an individual task
  • Ideal for high-volume, quick service restaurants with limited menus and systematic preparation
  • Seamless flow of ingredients from one station to the next creates kitchen efficiencies that allow for faster service 

The assembly line layout is best for fast food and fast casual restaurants with systematic preparation, like Chipotle or Sweetgreen.

2. Island Layout

Island Commercial Kitchen Layout

Another popular commercial kitchen layout is the island layout. In this configuration, the meal is at the center of the action. This means that all the kitchen equipment dedicated to cooking, such as ovens, ranges, and fryers, are all centered in the middle of the kitchen in an island-like setup.

In an island layout, all the non-cooking stations, such as the dishwashing station and food preparation areas, are pushed up against the perimeter of the kitchen. 

The benefits of the island layout include:

  • The meal becomes the visual and functional heart of the kitchen
  • The circular flow of the kitchen allows chefs to congregate in the same area, thus improving communication and supervision of staff
  • An island layout can make for easier cleaning

The island design is the best restaurant kitchen layout for venues with ample kitchen space for staff to move around.

3. Zoning Layout

Zoning Commercial Kitchen Layout.

If you opt for a zone-style layout, it means your kitchen will be divided into separate zones for each activity (e.g. food prep vs dishwashing). Or, these zones will be based on each kind of dish that’s being prepared (e.g. a salad station vs the pastry station). In this kind of setup, you might need a dedicated KDS for each zone.

The benefits of a zoning layout include:

  • Allows BOH staff to divide and conquer so each person can focus on their area of expertise
  • Allows many different types of dishes to be prepared at the same time
  • Leaves a wider open space in the center of the kitchen that can promote better flow

The zoning layout is best for restaurants with diverse menus and a wide variety of items that need to be prepared, such as hotel restaurants, catering kitchens, event space kitchens, and sometimes even ghost kitchens . However, this restaurant kitchen layout is not a good option for small kitchens because it doesn’t allow for much multi-tasking. 

4. Galley Layout

Galley Commercial Kitchen Layout

In a galley commercial kitchen layout, all the different stations and kitchen equipment are positioned along the perimeter of the kitchen. If the kitchen is very tight, this might mean everything sits along just two parallel walls.

The benefits of a galley layout include:

  • In a larger kitchen, the ring layout leaves an empty space in the center that allows staff to easily rotate from one area to the next
  • In smaller kitchens, the galley layout makes the most of the limited space available

The galley layout is best for a venue with a small restaurant kitchen layout and few staff, such as a food truck.

5. Open Layout

Open Commercial Kitchen Layout

Of all the commercial kitchen layout examples, perhaps the most unique option is the open kitchen design.

An open kitchen layout means that the commercial kitchen is open to the dining room so customers can see all the action that takes place behind the scenes. Diners are big fans of this setup with one Harvard study finding that customer satisfaction went up 17.3% and service was 13.2% faster when customers and cooks could see one another.

If you opt for an open kitchen layout, hot cooking equipment should be kept as far away from customers as possible. In some cases, it might make sense to add a glass partition between the service area and the dining room. 

The benefits of an open layout include:

  • Customers can watch as their meal is cooked, which provides entertainment and can improve the perception of quality
  • Creates a larger and more open dining space
  • Can speed up service because there is less distance between the kitchen and customers

Open kitchen layouts are common in high-end restaurants where watching the chefs work is part of the experience. 

6. Ergonomic Layout

Ergonomic Commercial Kitchen Layout

One last commercial kitchen layout to consider is the ergonomic layout. In this case, ergonomics are top of mind, which means making sure staff are comfortable and need to move as little as possible to complete their tasks.

In an ergonomic restaurant kitchen layout, cooking equipment and supplies are placed within close proximity to one another. This ensures that employees don’t need to be reaching, crouching, bending, stretching, or walking around to get what they need. 

The benefits of an ergonomic layout include:

  • More comfortable physical working conditions for BOH staff
  • Reducing movement in the kitchen improves speed and efficiency
  • Separate workstations and dedicated traffic aisles reduce accidents

The ergonomic commercial kitchen layout is ideal for restaurants with unorthodox kitchen layouts where conditions might be more strenuous for staff. 

Key Considerations for Your Restaurant Kitchen Layout

Once you’ve decided on a floor plan based on the commercial kitchen layout examples listed above, you’re ready to start planning the actual design details. 

No matter which commercial kitchen layout you choose, you should take the following into consideration as you draw up your designs.

Space Efficiency

First and foremost, you should be thinking about how to make the most out of the space you have available. This means knowing exactly what you do need, and understanding what nice-to-haves you don’t need. Even if your kitchen only takes up a quarter of your whole restaurant, look for creative ways to make the most of the space you do have.

Every commercial kitchen layout should be designed with workflow in mind. This means arranging the space in a way that accommodates the movements taking place inside the kitchen on a day-to-day basis. When the flow of all the stations in your kitchen move in a logical direction, it not only reduces confusion, but it can also prevent accidents.

Even if you’re working with a small restaurant kitchen layout, your design should account for the flow from delivery and storage all the way through to cooking and cleaning.

Flexibility & Modularity

While your restaurant kitchen layout should be designed with your existing needs in mind, remember that your menu will change. Your kitchen should have some elements of flexible design that can accommodate future menu changes. This might include shelving units, racks, and prep tables with wheels, so you can rearrange your space as needed.

Sanitation & Safety

Proper sanitation and safety measures are essential to protecting your customers and your staff. And in the wake of COVID-19, it’s become even more clear that proper restaurant cleaning is non-negotiable.

When designing your space, keep sanitation top of mind by consulting your local health codes and food safety regulations. You’ll likely find strict standards that will dictate your commercial kitchen layout, such as how far food prep areas must be from waste disposal stations, where handwashing stations should be placed, and more.

And don’t just focus on food safety and sanitation. Your commercial kitchen layout should also be designed with the safety of your staff in mind as well. This means ensuring you have proper fire exits, floor drains, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and more. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may also have to take additional precautions such as adding floor marking to promote social distancing, or adding screens to separate workstations.

Supervision & Training

Your kitchen design should also take into account how your BOH team will supervise and train new employees.

This is especially important for restaurants with a large kitchen staff where there might be a need for someone like an executive chef to oversee the work being done. If this is the case in your restaurant, consider using fewer walls or partitions, so supervision is easier and staff can easily communicate with one another.

Though some restaurant kitchens might be more tech-forward than others, just about any venue can benefit from a kitchen display system (KDS) or kitchen printer . With a KDS in place, your entire BOH team can see every ticket generated, providing all the information they need to quickly and accurately confirm order details – a system that’s much more efficient than using just paper tickets or chits.

Energy Efficiency

It’s no secret that commercial kitchens use a lot of energy, and the bulk of that energy consumption can be broken down into two main categories: HVAC and cooking. Cooking consumes approximately 35% of the energy a restaurant uses, while heating and cooling use up approximately 28% of energy costs.

To keep the bulk of your energy costs down, equip your kitchen with energy-efficient kitchen appliances. You should also consider the arrangement of this equipment in your space to improve efficiency. For instance, place your cold storage equipment far away from your cooking stations so your fridges don’t need to work harder to compensate for extra heat.

Air Ventilation

As noted, your restaurant HVAC system is also a major source of energy consumption in your restaurant. If your restaurant already has an HVAC system installed, make sure this system is inspected by a professional to ensure everything is in working order. In some cases, upgrading your outdated HVAC can make a huge difference in your overall energy consumption (and costs).

Not to mention, your HVAC system is also essential to maintaining a safe commercial kitchen space. When planning your commercial kitchen layout, take into account all the different aspects of your HVAC system, including the makeup air units that replace air exhausted by kitchen hoods and the ductwork that circulates hot and cold air.

Maintenance

One of the biggest mistakes you can make in planning your commercial kitchen layout is not accounting for maintenance. At some point, all of your kitchen equipment will need to be repaired or replaced, and you need to ensure there’s room for that maintenance to be done. 

Wherever possible, make your kitchen modular so you can move certain pieces around and access any equipment that might break down, such as refrigerators, ranges, etc.

Finally, but perhaps most importantly, design your restaurant kitchen layout with simplicity in mind. The key to a successful restaurant is an efficient kitchen, so don’t hinder your staff’s work by making your kitchen difficult to navigate. Keep things simple by designing a commercial kitchen floor plan that prioritizes function above all else.

Remember, just because your guests won’t see your kitchen, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it the same care and attention as your dining room and interior design . The key is not to think of your restaurant as front of house vs back of house , as both are equally important to consider. A well thought out commercial kitchen layout not only makes it easier for your BOH staff to do their work, but it also leads to a more efficient restaurant overall – something that’s good for your guests and for your bottom line.

Photo of Katherine Pendrill

Katherine is the Content Marketing Manager at TouchBistro, where she writes about trending topics in food and restaurants. The opposite of a picky eater, she’ll try (almost) anything at least once. Whether it’s chowing down on camel burgers in Morocco or snacking on octopus dumplings in Japan, she’s always up for new food experiences.

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How to Start Your Own Burger Joint (The Cheap Way)

Want to open a burger joint on a budget? I’m here to help you take a bite out of this $100 billion dollar industry . In the US, there are nearly 50,000 burger joints nationwide.

If you want to start a burger joint without risking your entire life savings, continue reading as I explain the steps you’ll need to open.

Page Contents

Write Your Burger Business Plan

How much can you make with a burger joint, how much will it cost to open a burger joint, burger menu: what type of burgers work best, get your ingredients, supplies, and equipment, find a restaurant location, burger truck or restaurant, the dining area and drive-thru, raising money, set up shop and grand opening, marketing your burger shop.

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Want to sell burgers?

A business plan is the most important thing you need to work on before proceeding with the rest. Remember, a business plan is the heart of your business, and all your decisions should be backed data gathered in the plan. Do your research and be as detailed as possible.

Prepare an executive summary of what your business will be about. This part is where you introduce your business to potential investors so you need to include some basic information about the business. Next is your marketing plan. Let your investors know how you plan to market the business and compete with the already established brands. Aside from your marketing plan, you need to give an overview of your operating plan – how you plan to work with your staff to ensure that the burger joint will be up and running and that you are meeting the needs and wants of your customers.

Any business will need financial analysis. This is extremely important because in this part, you will explain how you will go about financing all the expenses to keep your business running. Explain in detail all the materials and products that need to be bought and taken care of, as well as how much you will be allotting for staff’s salary, and how much you need to sell to get back your profit.

Write a SWOT analysis so you know what to expect in terms of your business’ weaknesses, threats, and how you can maximize the strengths and opportunities to ensure it will turn out to be a success.  

You can expect to make $1,000 – $10,000 per day in gross sales operating a burger joint. The typical burger joint will bring in anywhere from $200,000 – $1.5 million in gross revenues. The gross revenue numbers will be determined by the number of customers you can bring in and how fast you can crank out patties. The establishments that hit the upper range of sales are usually franchise burger joints that have optimized their cooking and serving process.

Before you open a burger joint, I recommend working backwards and figuring out how many sales you’d need per day to make the venture worth the investment. I also want you to consider whether or not that number is feasible. Sure… I’d love to sell 10,000 burgers in a day, but the reality is that volume isn’t going to be possible in a small business.

Take a look at how much my friends burger joint Ancho Honey makes per unit: 

  • Burger patty: $1.30
  • Seeded Brioche Bun: $0.68
  • 2 Slices of American Cheese: $0.22
  • Caramelized onion, lettuce, tomato, burger sauce: $0.50 (approx.)

Total Cost Per Burger: $2.70

Menu Price:  $8.00

As you can see, if you were able to sell 200 burgers per day, you could generate $1,600 in gross sales and $1,060 in gross profit before expenses like labor, insurance, and rent. Keep in mind that most burger joints will boost their profits further by offering a side of French fries or a soft drink with every burger you sell. Adding a few appetizers or desserts like milkshakes is another smart option to boost average order values.

burger in a box

Burger to go.

The success of a burger joint isn’t solely dependent on good cooking. It’s a combination of different factors such as great location, quality service, outstanding marketing, and creativity.  

Like any other business, opening a burger joint will cost you big bucks. Renting a space, purchasing furniture and kitchen needs, stocking burger ingredients, and putting your plans to life are just some of the things that are included in your list of total expenses when opening your burger joint.

Commercial space – If you don’t have your own space, you’re most likely to rent or buy one in order to open your business. Depending on the location and its proximity to the bus stop, train station, schools, and other important points, it can go up, or way higher. For example in Los Angeles, the average rent is $2.95 per square foot. So, for 2,000-square foot space, expect to pay up to $5,900 every month. Don’t forget that if you’re renting, you most likely have to pay a deposit the value of a three to six months lease. Keep in mind that lease payments vary significantly depending on region.

Related Reading: 201 Burger Slogans and Caption Ideas Perfect for Social Media Marketing 

Renovations and décor – Beautifying your place is going to cost you a lot but you can save by choosing less expensive materials. Depending on your burger joint’s concept, you can also save on décor by going for a minimalist design with less extravagant design pieces to fill up your space. Redoing the wall paint, tiles, and windows can go from $5,000 to more than $50,000.

Another way to save money on renovations is going for essentials only. Maybe you want to add a TV in your burger joint, but that can wait. Focus on what’s important and do the rest when there’s extra money. You can also save money by looking for a property that is already built for a food business. This way, having features like a customized kitchen can save you dollars instead of buying one that can cost as much as $250,000.

burger photo

Hey ma! Look what I made.

Obtaining license and permits – Before you can get your business going, you must obtain legal permits and licenses. The costs of permits and licenses differ depending on what state you’re in but usually, it is between $50 to $100.

Ordering and payment technology (POS systems) – Keep track of orders, inventory, and payment by getting a Point-of-Sale (POS) system or something similar that costs about $20,000.

Signage and advertising – Once your burger joint is up, you’d want to make a splash and have signage and advertising materials to let everyone know your business is open. These things usually cost around $20,000 to $30,000.

Utilities – To keep your business open, you have to pay for utilities such as electricity, water, phone, and internet connection. You would be looking to pay $2,500 a month for these.

Food and beverage supply – The cost for food and beverage would depend on what you would be selling to your customers. Finding a local supplier that sells fresh ingredients can save you money since you will be going back and forth, buying from them almost every month, or depending on how often you need to restock your supply.

Whether you’re opting for a big, fatty burger or looking to offer vegan burgers, it all depends on your target market. Who do you want to attract? Do you want to go with the average target market of people who love big, fatty burgers, or do you want a more exclusive audience of healthy eating people who watch what they eat?

Both the big, fatty burgers and vegan burgers have their own target market. It’s up to you to decide what market you’re willing to go for. If you want to compete with McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s, then you have to make sure you are offering more than the usual big, juicy burgers they are already offering the market.

Related Reading: 250+ Creative Burger Shop Business Names

What’s great about vegan burgers is that there aren’t a lot of burger joints that offer them. This can be a good selling point especially since you also have an exclusive market to sell to. Either way, researching the types of burgers you will offer starts with knowing what your competitors are selling. What can you improve and what else is missing?

Start from there and work towards creating different burger types that you know will suit your market, whether it’s for the average people who love greasy, juicy burgers or the health-conscious, vegan lovers who are looking for better options for their lifestyle choice.

Sourcing for ingredients, supplies, and equipment means doing a lot of research on good and efficient suppliers in the market. Allot time to go around and check out suppliers that can give you a good deal instead of rushing to purchase everything you need last minute.

hungry customers

Outside the Krush Burger truck.

Work in a timeline so you have a better idea of when everything must be set and final. Ask other business owners for tips or recommendations for markets and suppliers where you can save money without sacrificing quality and service. It’s okay to go back and forth and spend time meeting with distributors so know you’re paying for quality and won’t have any regrets in the future.

Because you are opening a restaurant, your main priority should be ensuring you are using quality ingredients not just for your customers but for your reputation as well. It is always best to buy ingredients in bulk to save money but avoid overbuying things and have ingredients spoiling by having an organized list of things you need for a specific time frame.

When it comes to equipment, purchase first those that are essential to keep your restaurant going. Anything extra can be bought later on. Invest in good equipment to avoid repairs or replacements in the future.

Location is key to the success of your business. You need to find one where there is good foot traffic, at the same time, it should not be buried in a sea of competitors that are already serving the market. What you don’t want to happen is squeezing your burger joint in a busy business street where there are four to five other burger joints in place.

Depending on your location, some places cost more than others but you have to remember that you can always adjust your budget on some other things. A location for your business should be under the list of non-negotiables.

Franchise or Independent Restaurant? If you can’t decide whether to open a franchise or independent restaurant, know that the different risks and potential rewards vary. Although one is not proven to be more successful than the other, it all depends on how much control and freedom you want to have while running your restaurant business.

It boils down to the type of owner you are, what sacrifices you are willing to take and how much work you’re willing to fork out to make your business a success. Keep in mind that the possibility of failure whether it’s a franchise or independent restaurant is prevalent either way. But deciding which type of ownership you choose can give you better chances of success along the way.

Independent Ownership As an independent restaurant owner, all responsibilities fall on you. Your decision on all things about the restaurant can make or break your business. You may consider being an independent restaurant owner if you have researched everything you need about the concept of your business, you don’t want to undergo the tedious approval process, and you want to grow a brand of your own starting from scratch.

Franchise Ownership If you are buying a franchise restaurant, you are handed over a business that’s already proven to work. From branding to marketing, most of these franchise businesses have everything set and planned for you. Consider a franchise restaurant if you don’t mind waiting for franchise approval, corporate scandals that involve big franchise businesses, and want the branding, marketing, and reputation of the business to be set beforehand.  

Opting to open a burger truck will obviously cost you less than opening a restaurant, given that renting a bigger space is equivalent to spending more money. Obviously, there are pros and cons in choosing a truck over a restaurant and if you originally wanted to open a restaurant, downsizing to a burger truck can be difficult to accept. However, there are some good benefits to opting for a burger truck!

bernie's burger bus

Ever consider a burger bus?

Operating a burger truck means you will need less staff to work for you because there will be limited space in your work area. This also means you have to pay fewer people, too! Some of the usual restaurant materials such as tables and chairs will also be out of the list as customers will only be getting their orders for take-out.

If you really want to open a burger joint but are not willing to spend too much money, I say go for the burger truck because either way, you will still be selling burgers! With a truck, you can also stay at a certain location for days, and drive out to a different one. All you have to do is ensure that your marketing plan will highlight the pros of having a burger truck where you can park and go anytime, anywhere!    

Pre-pandemic, we are all about dining in and enjoying food outside of our homes. As the world adjusts to the pandemic, we realized the convenience of drive-thru and how it became the new norm not just in the fast-food industry, but independent restaurants have started setting up drive-thru areas as well. A report by Bluedot stated that three in four Americans are visiting drive-thrus more often than before the pandemic started.

If you can’t decide whether to have a drive-thru area for your burger joint, you might want to consider the following things:

Convenience – Drive-thrus are very convenient for the customers. They order, pay, and get their food without having to leave their cars, all completed within a span of a few minutes.

Increase capacity – Dining areas have limited capacity and although you can have a waiting area for customers, not everyone is willing to wait long lines just to dine in. Having a drive-thru area allows for customers to continuously line up, get served their food immediately.

Revenue stream – A drive-thru system is an added revenue stream for your business no matter how you look at it. As a business owner, you are always looking for ways to make more money, and with a drive-thru system in place, it will always be a good choice.  

Deciding to start or continue a business requires a chunk of money whether it’s a franchise or independent restaurant. If you think your budget is still lacking, here are some ways you can raise money to keep your restaurant growing.

Crowdfunding – GoFundMe is a popular crowdfunding website that is used by entrepreneurs, investors, and the general public. It is easy to operate and adding a nice description of what your business idea is or how the money can help grow your business, you can reach out to people worldwide and help raise money. You can also ask friends and family to help raise awareness of your crowdfunding efforts.

Related Reading: 57 Critical Fast Food Industry Statistics and Trends

Venture Capitalists – Venture capitalists are professionals who provide financial support to start-ups and emerging companies that show high potential for growth. Just keep in mind that venture capitalists provide financial help with high rates of return instead of taking a share of your company or business.

Angel Investors – Here’s a favorable option to raise money for your burger joint. Angel investors, those who helped in funding Google and Yahoo, provide capital for start-ups in exchange for ownership equity or convertible debt.

Microloans – Loans are some of the most common ways business owners can raise money for growing or expanding their businesses because they have medium to low interest rates, have shorter payment periods and come with fewer strings attached.  

Burger Restaurants offer a wider choice of burgers and other items

Inside a burger shop.

Setting up your shop involves working with professionals. If you want to make sure your shop looks great, opt to have an architect and interior designer to help you design how it will look from the inside out. Once everything is done, prepare your marketing materials and start advertising the grand opening. Social media is a good way to start making noise about your shop.

Post about the grand opening, your menu, what the shop looks like, opening hours, and more. Give a teaser on the burger menu so the people will know what to expect when they order. Some businesses offer discounts on opening day to attract more people too.

Make a digital and traditional advertising plan to get the word out about your burger joint. If you operate a burger business, you’re serving a small market within only 2 – 4 miles of a location. How can you get in front of local consumers like this? You could accomplish this through targeted promotion on social like Facebook or YouTube. You could also get the word out through mailers, coupons, and special promotions that attract new diners.

Like I mentioned earlier, the success of your burger shop isn’t solely dependent on how good your burger tastes. How you market your business will affect how people see your brand and will help them decide whether it’s a good decision to make an effort to visit your shop or not.

Doing any type of business is always a risk and with how much money is needed to open one, you would want to make sure everything is well thought of and all your efforts will not go to waste.

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.

If you liked this story, sign up for our newsletter that includes our food business startup kit and most popular interviews sent straight to your inbox.

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Home » Europe » Moscow

EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024)

Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit!

Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city each year! Although the warmer months make exploring Moscow’s attractions more favorable, there’s just something about a fresh snowfall that only enhances the appearance of the city’s iconic sites!

If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or simply wanting to see as much of the city as possible, this Moscow itinerary will help you do just that!

burger shop floor plan

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Best Time To Visit Moscow

Where to stay in moscow, moscow itinerary, day 1 itinerary in moscow, day 2 itinerary in moscow, day 3 and beyond, staying safe in moscow, day trips from moscow, faq on moscow itinerary.

Here is a quick look at the seasons so you can decide when to visit Moscow!

The summer months (June-August) are a great time to travel to Moscow to take advantage of the enjoyable mild temperatures. This is considered peak travel season. Bear in mind that hotel prices rise along with the temperatures!

when to visit moscow

If you’re planning a trip to Moscow during fall (September-November) try to plan for early fall. This way the temperatures will still be pleasant and winter won’t be threatening.

Russian winters (December-February) are not for the faint of heart as Napoleon learned to his peril. Some days the sun will be out for less than an hour, and snow is guaranteed. Although winters are exceptionally cold, this is when you’ll get a true glimpse of the Moscow experience!

The best time to visit Moscow is during spring  (March-May). The temperatures will begin to creep up and the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day. Hotel rates will also have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges!

burger shop floor plan

With a Moscow City Pass , you can experience the best of Moscow at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

Moscow is a large city with many accommodation options to choose from. Staying in a location that fits with your travel plans will only enhance your Moscow itinerary. Here is a brief introduction to a few great areas of the city we recommend checking out!

The best place to stay in Moscow to be close to all the action is Kitay-Gorod. This charming neighborhood will put you within walking distance to Moscow’s famous Red Square, thus cutting down on travel time. This will allow you to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time!

where to stay in moscow

It’s surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or just planning a quick weekend in Moscow, then this area is perfect for you!

Another great area to consider is the Zamoskvorechye district. This area of the city offers a blend of new and old Moscow. It has an artsy vibe and there are plenty of fun sites you can explore outside of the main touristy areas of Moscow.

Of course, as in all areas of Moscow, it’s close to public transportation that will quickly connect you with the rest of the city and make your Moscow itinerary super accessible!

Best Airbnb in Moscow – Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow

Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow

Modern and cozy, this apartment is in the heart of Old Moscow. Bordering the Basmanny and Kitay-Gorod districts, this two-bedroom flat is walking distance to the Kremlin and Red Square. Safe, quiet, and comfortable, this is the best Airbnb in Moscow, no question!

Best Budget Hotel in Moscow – Izmailovo Alfa Hotel

moscow itinerary

The Izmailovo Alfa Hotel is a very highly rated accommodation that provides all the components necessary for a comfortable trip to Moscow. There is an on-site restaurant, bar, fitness center, and an airport shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious and are equipped with a TV, heating/air conditioning, minibar, and more!

Best Luxury Hotel in Moscow – Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre

moscow itinerary

If you’re touring Moscow in luxury, the Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre is the hotel for you! Elegantly furnished rooms are equipped with a minibar, flat-screen TV,  in-room safes, as well as tea and coffee making facilities! Bathrooms come with bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries. There is also an onsite restaurant, bar, and fitness center.

Best Hostel in Moscow – Godzillas Hostel

moscow itinerary

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station. Guests will enjoy all the usual hostel perks such as self-catering facilities, 24-hour reception, Free Wi-Fi, and security lockers. This is one of the best hostels in Moscow and its wonderful social atmosphere and will make your vacation in Moscow extra special!

Godzillas Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

An important aspect of planning any trip is figuring out the transportation situation. You’re probably wondering how you’re going to get to all of your Moscow points of interest right? Luckily, this sprawling city has an excellent network of public transportation that will make traveling a breeze!

The underground metro system is the quickest and most efficient way to travel around Moscow. Most visitors rely exclusively on this super-efficient transportation system, which allows you to get to pretty much anywhere in the city! It’s also a great option if you’re planning a Moscow itinerary during the colder months, as you’ll be sheltered from the snow and freezing temperatures!

moscow itinerary

If you prefer above-ground transportation, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, run throughout the city and provide a rather comfortable alternative to the metro.

Moscow’s metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses are all accessible with a ‘Troika’ card. This card can be topped up with any sum of money at a metro cash desk. The ticket is simple, convenient, and even refundable upon return to a cashier!

No matter which method you choose, you’ll never find yourself without an easy means of getting from point A to point B!

Red Square | Moscow Kremlin | Lenin’s Mausoleum | St. Basil’s Cathedral  | GUM Department Store

Spend the first day of your itinerary taking your own self guided Moscow walking tour around the historic Red Square! This is Moscow’s compact city center and every stop on this list is within easy walking distance to the next! Get ready to see all of the top Moscow landmarks!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – The Red Square

  • Why it’s awesome: The Red Square is the most recognizable area in Moscow, it has mesmerizing architecture and centuries worth of history attached to its name.
  • Cost: Free to walk around, individual attractions in the square have separate fees. 
  • Food nearby: Check out Bar BQ Cafe for friendly service and good food in a great location! The atmosphere is upbeat and they’re open 24/7!

The Red Square is Moscow’s historic fortress and the center of the Russian government. The origins of the square date back to the late 15th century, when Ivan the Great decided to expand the Kremlin to reflect Moscow’s growing power and prestige!

During the 20th century, the square became famous as the site for demonstrations designed to showcase Soviet strength. Visiting the Red Square today, you’ll find it teeming with tourists, who come to witness its magical architecture up close!

The Red Square

The square is the picture postcard of Russian tourism, so make sure to bring your camera when you visit! No matter the season, or the time of day, it’s delightfully photogenic! 

It’s also home to some of Russia’s most distinguishing and important landmarks, which we’ve made sure to include further down in this itinerary. It’s an important center of Russia’s cultural life and one of the top places to visit in Moscow!

In 1990, UNESCO designated Russia’s Red Square as a World Heritage site. Visiting this historic site is a true bucket-list event and essential addition to your itinerary for Moscow!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – The Moscow Kremlin

  • Why it’s awesome: The Moscow Kremlin complex includes several palaces and cathedrals and is surrounded by the Kremlin wall. It also houses the principal museum of Russia (the Kremlin Armory).
  • Cost: USD $15.00
  • Food nearby: Bosco Cafe is a charming place to grat a casual bite to eat. They have excellent coffee and wonderful views of the Red Square and the Moscow Kremlin!

The iconic Moscow Kremlin , also known as the Kremlin museum complex, sits on Borovitsky Hill, rising above the Moscow River. It is a fortified complex in the center of the city, overlooking several iconic buildings in the Red Square!

It’s the best known of the Russian Kremlins – citadels or fortress’ protecting and dominating a city. During the early decades of the Soviet era, the Kremlin was a private enclave where the state’s governing elite lived and worked.

The Kremlin is outlined by an irregularly shaped triangular wall that encloses an area of 68 acres! The existing walls and towers were built from 1485 to 1495. Inside the Kremlin museum complex, there are five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers.

The Armoury Chamber is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex and is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1851. It showcases Russian history and displays many cherished relics. Definitely make sure to check out this museum while you’re here!

The Moscow Kremlin

The churches inside the Moscow Kremlin are the Cathedral of the Dormition, Church of the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation, and the bell tower of Ivan Veliki (a church tower).

The five-domed Cathedral of the Dormition is considered the most famous. It was built from 1475–1479 by an Italian architect and has served as a wedding and coronation place for great princes, tsars, and emperors of Russia. Church services are given in the Kremlin’s numerous cathedrals on a regular basis.

The Grand Kremlin Palace was the former Tsar’s Moscow residence and today it serves as the official workplace of the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir Putin seems to have bagged that title for life) .

Insider Tip: The Kremlin is closed every Thursday! Make sure to plan this stop on your Moscow itinerary for any other day of the week!

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Lenin’s Mausoleum

  • Why it’s awesome: The mausoleum displays the preserved body of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin .
  • Cost: Free!
  • Food nearby: Khinkal’naya is a charming Georgian restaurant with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick. It’s a popular place with locals and right next to the Red Square!

Lenin’s Mausoleum, also known as Lenin’s Tomb, is the modernist mausoleum for the revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. It’s located within the Red Square and serves as the resting place for the Soviet leader! His preserved body has been on public display since shortly after his death in 1924.

It’s located just a few steps away from the Kremlin Wall and is one of the most controversial yet popular Moscow attractions!

Admission is free for everyone, you’ll only need to pay if you need to check a bag. Before visitors are allowed to enter the mausoleum, they have to go through a metal detector first. No metal objects, liquids, or large bags are allowed in the mausoleum!

Lenins Mausoleum

Expect a line to enter the building, and while you’re inside the building, you’ll be constantly moving in line with other visitors. This means you won’t be able to spend as long as you’d like viewing the mausoleum, but you’ll still be able to get a good look. Pictures and filming while inside the building are strictly prohibited, and security guards will stop you if they see you breaking this rule.

The mausoleum is only open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday – unless it’s a public holiday or a day scheduled for maintenance. The hours it’s open for each day are limited, make sure to check online before you visit to make sure you can fit this into your Moscow itinerary for that day!

Insider Tip: The Lenin’s Museum is there for people to pay their respect; remember to keep silent and move along quickly, it’s not intended for people to congregate around. Also, men are not allowed to wear hats and everyone must take their hands out of their pockets when inside the building.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – St. Basil’s Cathedral

  • Why it’s awesome: A dazzling designed cathedral that showcases Russia’s unique architecture. This cathedral is one of the most recognizable symbols of the country!
  • Cost: USD $8.00
  • Food nearby: Moskovskiy Chaynyy Klub is a cozy cafe serving food items and pipping hot tea; it’s the perfect place to go if you’re visiting Moscow during the winter months!

Located in the Red Square, the ornate 16th-century St. Basil’s Cathedral is probably the building you picture when you think of Moscow’s unique architecture. Its colorful onion-shaped domes tower over the Moscow skyline!

The cathedral was built from 1555-1561 by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. It was designed with an iconic onion dome facade and enchanting colors that captivate all who see it. Fun fact: If you’re wondering why Russian churches have onion domes, they are popularly believed to symbolize burning candles!

This iconic cathedral has become a symbol of Russia due to its distinguishing architecture and prominent position inside the Red Square. It’s one of the most beautiful, wonderful, and mesmerizing historical cathedrals in the world!

St. Basils Cathedral

The interior of the church surprises most people when they visit. In contrast to the large exterior, the inside is not so much one large area, but rather a collection of smaller areas, with many corridors and small rooms. There are 9 small chapels and one mausoleum grouped around a central tower.

Visiting the inside is like walking through a maze, there are even small signs all around the cathedral tracing where to walk, and pointing you in the right direction! The walls are meticulously decorated and painted with intricate floral designs and religious themes.

The church rarely holds service and is instead a museum open for the public to visit.

Insider Tip: During the summer months the line to go inside the cathedral can get quite long! Make sure to arrive early or reserve your tickets online to guarantee quick access into the cathedral!

Day 1 / Stop 5 – GUM Department Store

  • Why it’s awesome: This is Russia’s most famous shopping mall! It’s designed with elegant and opulent architecture and provides a real sense of nostalgia!
  • Cost: Free to enter
  • Food nearby: Stolovaya 57 is a cafeteria-style restaurant with a variety of inexpensive Russian cuisine menu items including soups, salads, meat dishes, and desserts. It’s also located inside the GUM department store, making it very easily accessible when you’re shopping!

The enormous GUM Department Store is located within the historic Red Square. It has a whimsical enchantment to it that sets it apart from your typical department store.

A massive domed glass ceiling lines the top of the building and fills the interior with natural sunlight. There are live plants and flowers placed throughout the mall that give the shopping complex a lively and cheerful feel! A playful fountain sits in the center, further adding to the malls inviting a sense of wonder and amusement!

The GUM department store opened on December 2, 1893. Today, it includes local and luxury stores, including Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and many more! There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and even a movie theater inside!

GUM Department Store

For a special treat, head into Gastronom 1. This 1950s-style shop sells gourmet food items, like wine, freshly-baked pastries, cheese, Russian chocolate, and of course, vodka! Also, be on the lookout for a bicycle pedaling ice cream truck with an employing selling ice cream!

The ambiance is simply amazing, a trip to this idyllic shopping mall is an absolute must on any Moscow itinerary!

Insider Tip: Make sure to carry some small change on you in case you need to use the restroom, you’ll need to pay 50 rubles – or about USD $0.80 to use the bathroom in GUM.

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Novodevichy Convent | Gorky Park | State Tretyakov Gallery | All-Russian Exhibition Center | Bolshoi Theater

On your 2 day itinerary in Moscow, you’ll have a chance to use the city’s excellent public transportation service! You’ll explore a few more of Moscow’s historic highlight as well as some modern attractions. These sites are a little more spread out, but still very easily accessible thanks to the metro!

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Novodevichy Convent

  • Why it’s awesome: The Novodevichy Convent is rich in imperial Russian history and contains some of Russia’s best examples of classical architecture!
  • Cost: USD $5.00
  • Food nearby: Culinary Shop Karavaevs Brothers is a cozy and simple place to have a quick bite, they also have vegetarian options!

The Novodevichy Convent is the best-known and most popular cloister of Moscow. The convent complex is contained within high walls, and there are many attractions this site is known for! 

The six-pillared five-domed Smolensk Cathedral is the main attraction. It was built to resemble the Kremlin’s Assumption Cathedral and its facade boasts beautiful snowy white walls and a pristine golden onion dome as its centerpiece. It’s the oldest structure in the convent, built from 1524 -1525, and is situated in the center of the complex between the two entrance gates.

There are other churches inside the convent as well, all dating back from many centuries past. The convent is filled with an abundance of 16th and 17th-century religious artworks, including numerous large and extravagant frescos!

Novodevichy Convent

Just outside the convent’s grounds lies the Novodevichy Cemetery. Here, you can visit the graves of famous Russians, including esteemed authors, composers, and politicians. Probably the most intriguing gravestone belongs to Russian politician Nikita Khruschev!

The Novodevichy Convent is located near the Moscow River and offers a peaceful retreat from the busy city. In 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The convent remains remarkably well-preserved and is an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque architecture! 

Insider Tip: To enter the cathedrals inside the complex, women are advised to cover their heads and shoulders, while men should wear long pants.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

  • Why it’s awesome: A large amusement area in the heart of the city offering many attractions!
  • Cost: Free! 
  • Food nearby: Check out Mepkato, located inside Gorky Central Park for a casual meal in a cozy setting. There are indoor and outdoor seating options and the restaurant is child-friendly!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is a large green space in the heart of Moscow. The park opened in 1928, and it stretches along the scenic embankment of the Moskva River. It covers an area of 300-acres and offers a lovely contrast from the compact city center.

You’ll find all sorts of wonderful attractions, from boat rides to bike rentals to tennis courts and ping-pong tables, and much more! there are an open-air cinema and festive events and concerts scheduled in the summer months.  A wide selection of free fitness classes is also offered on a regular basis, including jogging, roller skating, and dancing!

Although many of the options you’ll find here are more suited for outdoor leisure during the summer, you’ll also a selection of winter attractions, including one of Europe’s largest ice rinks for ice-skating!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

If you’re trying to decide what to do in Moscow with kids, the park also offers several venues designed specifically for kids. Check out the year-round Green School which offers hands-on classes in gardening and art! You can also feed the squirrels and birds at the Golitsinsky Ponds!

The park is very well maintained and kept clean and the entrance is free of charge, although most individual attractions cost money. There is also Wi-Fi available throughout the park.

With so many attractions, you could easily spend all day here! If you’re only planning a 2 day itinerary in Moscow, make sure to plan your time accordingly and map out all the areas you want to see beforehand!

Day 2 / Stop 3 – The State Tretyakov Gallery

  • Why it’s awesome: The gallery’s collection consists entirely of Russian art made by Russian artists!
  • Food nearby : Brothers Tretyakovs is located right across the street from the gallery. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant serving top quality food and drinks!

The State Tretyakov Gallery was founded in 1856 by influential merchant and collector Pavel Tretyakov.  The gallery is a national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the most important museums in Russia!

It houses the world’s best collection of Russian art and contains more than 130, 000 paintings, sculptures, and graphics! These works have been created throughout the centuries by generations of Russia’s most talented artists!

The State Tretyakov Gallery

The exhibits range from mysterious 12th-century images to politically charged canvases. The collection is rich and revealing and offers great insight into the history and attitudes of this long-suffering yet inspired people!

All pictures are also labeled in English. If you plan to take your time and see everything inside the museum it will take a good 3-4 hours, so make sure to plan your Moscow trip itinerary accordingly! This gallery is a must-see stop for art lovers, or anyone wanting to explore the local culture and history of Russia in a creative and insightful manner! 

Insider Tip: When planning your 2 days in Moscow itinerary, keep in mind that most museums in Moscow are closed on Mondays, this includes The State Tretyakov Gallery!

Day 2 / Stop 4 – All-Russian Exhibition Center

  • Why it’s awesome: This large exhibition center showcases the achievements of the Soviet Union in several different spheres. 
  • Food nearby: Varenichnaya No. 1 serves authentic and homestyle Russian cuisine in an intimate and casual setting.

The All-Russian Exhibition Center is a massive park that presents the glory of the Soviet era! It pays homage to the achievements of Soviet Russia with its many different sites found on the property.

The center was officially opened in 1939 to exhibit the achievements of the Soviet Union. It’s a huge complex of buildings and the largest exhibition center in Moscow. There are several exhibition halls dedicated to different achievements and every year there are more than one hundred and fifty specialized exhibitions!

All Russian Exhibition Center

The Peoples Friendship Fountain was constructed in 1954 and is a highlight of the park. The stunning gold fountain features 16 gilded statues of girls, each representing the former Soviet Union republics. 

The Stone Flower Fountain was also built in 1954 and is worth checking out. The centerpiece of this large fountain is a flower carved from stones from the Ural Mountains! Along the side of the fountain are various bronze sculptures.

You will find many people zipping around on rollerblades and bicycles across the large area that the venue covers. It’s also home to amusement rides and carousels, making it the perfect place to stop with kids on your Moscow itinerary! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and allow a few hours to explore all the areas that interest you!

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Bolshoi Theater

  • Why it’s awesome: The Bolshoi Theater is a historic venue that hosts world-class ballet and opera performances!
  • Cost: Prices vary largely between USD $2.00 –  USD $228.00 based on seat location.
  • Food nearby: Head to the Russian restaurant, Bolshoi for high-quality food and drinks and excellent service!

The Bolshoi Theater is among the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world! It also boasts the world’s biggest ballet company, with more than 200 dancers!

The theater has been rebuilt and renovated several times during its long history. In 2011 it finished its most recent renovation after an extensive six-year restoration that started in 2005. The renovation included an improvement in acoustics and the restoration of the original Imperial decor.

The Bolshoi Theater has put on many of the world’s most famous ballet acts! Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered at the theater in 1877 and other notable performances of the Bolshoi repertoire include Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker!

Bolshoi Theater

Today, when you visit the theater, you can expect a magical performance from skilled singers, dancers, and musicians with the highest level of technique!

If you don’t have time to see a show, the theater also provides guided tours on select days of the week. Tours are given in both Russian and English and will provide visitors with a more intimate look at the different areas of the theater!

The stage of this iconic Russian theater has seen many outstanding performances. If you’re a fan of the performing arts, the Bolshoi Theater is one of the greatest and oldest ballet and opera companies in the world, making it a must-see attraction on your Moscow itinerary!

moscow itinerary

Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station.

  • Towels Included

Cosmonautics Museum | Alexander Garden | Ostankino Tower | Izmaylovo District | Soviet Arcade Museum

Now that we’ve covered what to do in Moscow in 2 days, if you’re able to spend more time in the city you’re going to need more attractions to fill your time. Here are a few more really cool things to do in Moscow we recommend!

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

  • Hear the timeline of the ‘space race’ from the Russian perspective
  • This museum is fun for both adults and children!
  • Admission is USD $4.00

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a museum dedicated to space exploration! The museum explores the history of flight, astronomy, space exploration, space technology, and space in the arts. It houses a large assortment of Soviet and Russian space-related exhibits, and the museum’s collection holds approximately 85,000 different items!

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

The museum does an excellent job of telling the full story of the exciting space race between the USSR and the US! It highlights the brightest moments in Russian history and humanity and is very interesting and fun for all ages!

If you’re a fan of space or just curious about gaining insight into Russia’s fascinating history of space exploration, make sure to add this to your 3 day itinerary in Moscow!

The Alexander Garden

  • A tranquil place to relax near the Red Square
  • Green lawns dotted with sculptures and lovely water features
  • The park is open every day and has no entrance fee

The Alexander Garden was one of the first urban public parks in Moscow! The garden premiered in 1821 and was built to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s forces in 1812!

The park is beautiful and well maintained with paths to walk on and benches to rest on. The park contains three separate gardens: the upper garden, middle garden, and lower garden.

The Alexander Garden

Located in the upper garden, towards the main entrance to the park is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. This monument was created in 1967 and contains the body of a soldier who fell during the Great Patriotic War!

The park stretches along all the length of the western Kremlin wall for about half a mile. Due to its central location in the city, it’ll be easily accessible when you’re out exploring The Red Square.

It provides a bit of relief from the city’s high-energy city streets. Bring a picnic lunch, go for a walk, or just sit and people watch, this is one of the best Moscow sites to wind-down and relax!

Ostankino Television Tower

  • Television and radio tower in Moscow
  • Currently the tallest free-standing structure in Europe
  • Make sure you bring your passport when you visit, you can’t go up without it!

For spectacular views of the city, make sure to add the Ostankino Television Tower to your itinerary for Moscow! This impressive free-standing structure provides stunning views of the city in every direction. The glass floor at the top also provides great alternative views of the city!

Ostankino Television Tower

It takes just 58 seconds for visitors to reach the Tower’s observation deck by super fast elevator. The tower is open every day for long hours and is a great site in Moscow to check out! There is even a restaurant at the top where you can enjoy rotating views of the city while you dine on traditional Russian cuisine or European cuisine!

The tower is somewhat of an architectural surprise in a city that is not known for skyscrapers! To see the city from a new perspective, make sure to add this stop to your Moscow itinerary!

Izmaylovo District

  • The most popular attractions in this district are the kremlin and the flea market
  • Outside of the city center and easy to reach via metro
  • Most popular during the summer and on weekends

Travel outside the city center and discover a unique area of the city! The Izmaylovo District is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and one of the coolest places to see in Moscow! The two main attractions we recommend checking out are the Kremlin and the flea market.

The Izmailovo Kremlin was established as a cultural center and molded after traditional Russian architecture. This colorful complex is home to several single-subject museums, including a Russian folk art museum and a vodka museum!

Izmaylovo District

Next to the Kremlin is the Izmailovo open-air market, which dates back to the 17th century! The market is connected to the Izmailovo Kremlin by a wooden bridge. Pick up all your Russian souvenirs here, including traditional handicrafts, paintings, books, retro toys, and Soviet memorabilia!

You will find many hand-made and hand-painted options available at higher prices, as well as mass-produced souvenir options at lower prices!

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

  • Closed on Mondays
  • Filled with old arcade games that visitors get to try out!
  • The museum also includes a small cafe and burger shop

For something a little different, check out the Museum of Soviet Arcade Games! The museum features roughly 60 machines from the Soviet era, including video games, pinball machines, and collaborative hockey foosball! The machines inside the museum were produced in the USSR in the mid-1970s.

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

The best part is, most of the games are still playable! Purchase tickets and try the games out for yourself! The museum also has a neat little screening room that plays old Soviet cartoons and an area with Soviet magazines! This unique attraction is a fun addition to a 3 day itinerary in Moscow, and an attraction that all ages will enjoy! 

Whether you’re spending one day in Moscow, or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind when traveling to a big city! Overall, Moscow is a very safe place to visit. However, it is always recommended that tourists take certain precautions when traveling to a new destination!

The police in Moscow is extremely effective at making the city a safe place to visit and do their best to patrol all of the top Moscow, Russia tourist attractions. However, tourists can still be a target for pickpockets and scammers.

Moscow has a huge flow of tourists, therefore there is a risk for pickpocketing. Simple precautions will help eliminate your chances of being robbed. Stay vigilant, keep your items close to you at all times, and don’t flash your valuables!

If you’re planning a solo Moscow itinerary, you should have no need to worry, as the city is also considered safe for solo travelers, even women. Stay in the populated areas, try and not travel alone late at night, and never accept rides from strangers or taxis without a meter and correct signage.

The threat of natural disasters in Moscow is low, with the exception of severe winters when the temperature can dip below freezing! Bring a good, warm jacket if you visit in Winter.

However, please note that Russian views on homsexuality are far less accepting than those in Western Europe. Likewise, Non-Caucasian travellers may sadly encounter racism in Russia .

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Moscow

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Now that we’ve covered all the top things to see in Moscow, we thought we’d include some exciting day trips to other areas of the country!

Sergiev Posad (Golden Ring)

Sergiev Posad Golden Ring

On this 7-hour guided tour, you’ll visit several scenic and historic areas of Russia. Start your day with hotel pick-up as you’re transferred by a comfortable car or minivan to Sergiev Posad. Admire the charming Russian countryside on your drive and enjoy a quick stop to visit the Russian village, Rudonezh!

You’ll see the majestic Saint Spring and the Church of Sergiev Radonezh. You’ll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of the most famous Orthodox sites in Russia!

Lastly, you’ll swing by the local Matreshka market and enjoy a break in a nice Russian restaurant before returning to Moscow!

Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

On this 13-hour trip, you’ll discover old Russia, with its picturesque landscapes and white-stoned beautiful churches! You’ll visit the main towns of the famous Golden Ring of Russia – the name for several cities and smaller towns north-east of Moscow.

Your first stop will be in the town of Vladimir, the ancient capital of all Russian principalities. The city dates back to the 11th century and is one of the oldest and the most important towns along the Ring! Next, you’ll visit Suzdal, a calm ancient Russian town north of Vladimir with only 13,000 inhabitants!

The old-style architecture and buildings of Suzdal are kept wonderfully intact. If you’re spending three days in Moscow, or more, this is a great option for exploring the charming areas outside the city!

Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside

Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside

On this 9-hour private tour, you’ll explore the ancient town of Zvenigorod, one of the oldest towns in the Moscow region! As you leave Moscow you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery along the Moscow River, and make a few stops at old churches along the way to Zvenigorod.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore the medieval center, including the 14th-century Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. Next, you’ll take a break for lunch (own expense) where you’ll have the chance to try out the Russian cuisine! Next, you’ll visit the Museum of Russian Dessert and sip on tea at a Russian tea ceremony.

The final stop of the day is at the Ershovo Estate, a gorgeous place to walk around and enjoy nature!

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage & Faberge

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage and Faberge

On this full-day tour, you’ll enjoy a a full round trip to St Petersburg where you’ll spend an exciting day exploring another popular Russian city! You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moscow and be transferred to the train station where you’ll ride the high-speed train ‘Sapsan’ to St Petersburg.

Upon arrival, you’ll start the day by touring the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. Next, you’ll visit the Faberge Museum, where you’ll explore the impressive collection of rare Faberge Eggs! In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing boat ride and a traditional 3-course Russian lunch.

If you’re spending 3 days in Moscow, or more, this is an excellent trip to take!

Trip to Kolomna – Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow

Trip to Kolomna - Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow

On this 10-hour tour, you’ll escape the city and travel to the historic town of Kolomna! First, you’ll visit the 14th-century Kolomna Kremlin, home to the Assumption Cathedral and an abundance of museums!

Next, enjoy lunch at a local cafe (own expense) before embarking on a tour of the Marshmallow Museum – of course, a marshmallow tasting is provided!  Your final stop is the Museum of Forging Settlements, where displays include armor and accessories for fishing and hunting.

Discover this beautiful Russian fairytale city on a private trip, where all of the planning is taken care of for you!

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Find out what people want to know when planning their Moscow itinerary.

How many days you need in Moscow?

We recommend that you spend at least two or three days in Moscow to take it all in.

What’s the best month to visit Moscow?

The best time to visit Moscow is over the spring, from March to May as temperatures are mild, crowds are thin and prices are reasonable.

What are some unusual things to do in Moscow?

I mean, queuing up to see an almost 100 year old corpse is pretty unsual! Check out Lenin’s Mausoleum if you fancy it!

What are some fun things to do in Moscow?

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a fun place to explore the famous space race from the perspective of the ‘other side’!

We hope you enjoyed our Moscow itinerary! We’ve made sure to cover all the Moscow must-sees as well as some unique attractions in the city! Our addition of insider tips, favorite food stops, and day trips from Moscow is an added bonus and will guarantee you make the most out of your exciting Russian vacation!

Immerse yourself in the modern and traditional Russian lifestyle! Get lost in museums, witness awe-inspiring architecture, and indulge in Russian cuisine! Spend the day strolling through all of the charming sites of Moscow, admiring the beautiful scenery and discovering the city’s fairytale-like enchantment!

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And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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Runway store by CLS Architetti, Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam

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Ralph Lauren store by Michael Neumann Architecture, Moscow

Posted by retail design blog on 2011-11-19.

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A new Flagship store for a luxury Retail brand- the First American brand in Russia. First floor – Accessories ; Second floor- Women’s Apparel; Third Floor- Men’s Apparel; Fit Rooms, and cash wraps. Polo Ralph Lauren’s brand is about life-style and aspiration.

The store design is meant to provide the stage set for that life-style, looking more like been granted access to a private mansion-with its attendant public and private rooms -than a store. For this first Flagship in Moscow, the interior was to evoke the luxurious interiors of turn-of-the-century Russia as the setting for an iconic American brand: Anna Karenina meets Ralph Lauren.

This three-level store for Polo Ralph Lauren’s first flagship store in Russia is located in an historic commercial building dating from the 1870’s. Located in Moscow’s city center, it is a short distance from Red Square. Known as ‘Tretyakovsky Passage,’ the building has a sculpted brick fade that is typical of turn of the century Russian buildings, including the red brick fortified walls of the nearby KremlinPalace.

The store fronts on a main thoroughfare, with its primary entrance on one side of an enormous arched portal that leads to an interior passage of additional luxury shops. Half dome awnings over arched display windows and main entry distinguish the Polo brand on the facade. Within the store, architectural details evoke “classic” Russian style, reminiscent of the turn of the century. The ground floor has 14′ high vaulted ceilings adorned with decorative plaster moldings of ropes, wreaths and festoons.

Arched doorways with custom antique silver frames reflect the arched window openings on the fade. The floors are made honed French limestone tiles with black marble insets. Custom display fixtures are detailed with in antique silver. Guests can travel to the two upper floors via a custom wrought iron and glass elevator or a French limestone staircase that wraps around the glass elevator shaft.

The stair has a custom wrought iron and antique silver railing that features motifs of vines and balls. The second floor is devoted to Women’s Collection with millwork of hand-painted white lacquer continuing the lighter, more feminine palette of limestone floors and white ceilings detailed with beams and crystal chandeliers. The third floor, which carries the Men’s Collection, evokes a more masculine feel created by the use of rich millwork of stained and ebonized. Accents of antique silver and leather accent the spaces throughout the store enhancing the exclusive ambience.

What were the principal design problems? Although intended as a commercial building, the existing foot print of this section of the Passage was anything but regular. Years of additions and renovations made for a highly irregular floor plan, with each floor a different footprint. The ground floor was a double height space with an existing storage room mezzanine. The top floor especially was a jumble of additive parts at odd angles, with a very low ceiling.

An additional challenge was that the plan on each floor was split in two by a massive structural wall that ran longitudinally through the space. The wall was punctured with several arched openings of varying widths in different locations on each floor. The client also stipulated that no supply air grilles be visible in the sales spaces.

How were these problems addressed? Ralph Lauren stores done in the traditional style are all about rooms; rooms that look like studies, boudoirs, parlors and great halls. The additive nature of the plan lent itself well to the creation of distinct rooms. Similarly, the longitudinal structural wall became an organizing element in the plan of each floor. Schemes using the arches of the openings were tried and rejected, but the location of the openings determined entrances and exits into rooms. Supply air was delivered in a continuous slot incorporated into the crown moldings of each room.

Designed by Michael Neumann Architecture

http://www.architizer.com/en_us/projects/view/ralph-lauren-tretyakovsky-passage/2354/

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  1. Equipment For A Burger Shop Explained With Floor Plan

    burger shop floor plan

  2. Burger King Fast Food Restaurant on Behance

    burger shop floor plan

  3. Burger King Floor Plan

    burger shop floor plan

  4. BURGER SHOP FLOOR PLAN

    burger shop floor plan

  5. Gallery of Ricco Burger Restaurant / BLOCO Arquitetos

    burger shop floor plan

  6. New Burger King, Greggs and Costa plans look set to be given go ahead

    burger shop floor plan

COMMENTS

  1. How to Design a Restaurant Floor Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide

    Step 1: Assess Your Needs There are several operational restaurant spaces that every restaurant needs. The size of each will vary based on your restaurant's style and whether customers eat on-site or take food to go. The primary operational areas of the restaurant floor plan include: Entry and waiting area Dining areas Kitchen Restrooms

  2. 15 Restaurant Floor Plan Examples & Layout Design Ideas

    A well-designed floor plan will include: Walls and hallways Closets and storage spaces Restrooms Windows and doors Set fixtures and appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, water heaters, etc. The purpose of each room / space Interior features such as fixed shelving, counter space, bars, etc. Other important items in your restaurant's space

  3. How to Start a Burger Restaurant: Requirements and Equipment

    Idea in a Nutshell Thinking of starting a hamburger business? Need some tips on opening your burger shop with the right equipment list? There's so much more to master than burger supplies - find out with turnkey specialists Raqtan how to set up shop right and make the most of your burger business ideas. Key Questions 1.

  4. Burger Shop Layout

    Here is a floor plan designed for a burger shop. It displays the arrangement of the physical space within a restaurant, including the placement of tables, chairs, bars, as well as the area for storage, working and dining.

  5. Equipment For A Burger Shop Explained With Floor Plan

    Gas griddles are available in sizes ranging from 24″ to 72″, the most common being 24″ and 36″. Fryers A good burger is always accompanied by some fries. To make them you need at least a double fryer; better gas than electric (because of the consumption) although gas ones cost twice as much. Meat Slicer

  6. 15+ Restaurant Floor Plan Layout Design Ideas

    Restaurant forecasting 101 Creating a restaurant floor plan means considering a kitchen plan, dining room plan, garden, and bar seating and how it all fits together. In our comprehensive guide, you will find over 15 floor plan examples plus the tips for creating the perfect restaurant vibe. >>Learn how to drive maximum revenue from your floor plan

  7. How to Design a Restaurant Floor Plan, Layout and Blueprint

    RESOURCE Restaurant Business Plan Template No matter where you're at in your restaurant ownership journey, a business plan will be your north star. Organize your vision and ensure that nothing is overlooked with this free template. Get free download What is a restaurant floor plan? Why do you need one?

  8. How to Design a Restaurant Floor Plan (w/ Examples)

    A restaurant's kitchen should take up 40% of total square footage. The dining area, bar, restrooms, entrance and waiting area should be taken out of the 60% of space allocated to dining. If space is too limited to fit seating in your entrance, consider directing guests to wait for their table at the bar. 5. Bar.

  9. So You Want to Start a Burger Joint

    Starting a Burger Joint. The hamburger is a classic part of Americana - the quintessential American meal. Perhaps more importantly than that, it represents a $127 billion industry in the United States, 1 so it's no surprise restaurant operators want in. Opening a burger restaurant can be challenging, but it's also profitable if executed properly. This guide will walk you through the basics ...

  10. Restaurant Floor Plan Maker

    SmartDraw includes restaurant floor plans and layout templates to help you get started. Build your plan easily and drag-and-drop symbols. You don't need to be a designer to create great-looking results. SmartDraw helps you align and arrange everything perfectly. Plus, it includes beautiful textures for flooring, countertops, furniture and more.

  11. burger shop design

    burger shop design - Interior small burger shophi, welcome to my channel, this video discusses the interior of a burger shop, where the exterior was discusse...

  12. Restaurant Floor Plan Templates

    Diagramming Build diagrams of all kinds from flowcharts to floor plans with intuitive tools and templates. Whiteboarding Collaborate with your team on a seamless workspace no matter where they are. Data Generate diagrams from data and add data to shapes to enhance your existing visuals. Enterprise Friendly Easy to administer and license your entire organization.

  13. burger shop design ideas & pictures (30 sqm)-Homestyler

    burger shop 3D Interior Design Project is designed by the designer burger shop, ... Support importing multi-floor DWG files and floors alignment . ... tile flooring and other functions. Added arc wall drawing, wall alignment and etc. in the floor plan. Added the function of quickly replacing the same models ,and more 4. 6. 5. Community & Learn ...

  14. 6 Commercial Kitchen Layout Examples & Ideas for Restaurants

    6 common commercial kitchen layout examples Key considerations for your own commercial kitchen floor plan How to Design a Commercial Kitchen Layout for Your Restaurant

  15. How to Start Your Own Burger Joint (The Cheap Way)

    (Real Numbers) Watch on You can expect to make $1,000 - $10,000 per day in gross sales operating a burger joint. The typical burger joint will bring in anywhere from $200,000 - $1.5 million in gross revenues.

  16. How to Design a Retail Shop Floor Plan

    What are shop floor plans and why are they important? This is where shop floor plans can help. They're layouts that guide your customers on a route through your retail space. A good plan will consider your typical footfall, product placement, and 'traffic' flow. We hinted at the importance of floor plans to successful retail businesses earlier.

  17. Food Truck Design

    Customize a Food Truck. Concession Nation has experts that can carefully and creatively layout appropriate floor plans for your food truck design. See examples of food truck designs by food truck size. Food Trucks Layouts Custom Food Trailers Explore our custom food trucks for sale with pictures, videos and layouts, click here.

  18. 480 Burger shop design ideas

    Dec 7, 2019 - Explore Mohamed Zoheir's board "Burger shop design" on Pinterest. See more ideas about restaurant design, shop design, cafe design.

  19. 290 Burger shop ideas

    Nov 7, 2021 - Explore Mazh Cafe's board "Burger shop" on Pinterest. See more ideas about restaurant design, cafe design, cafe interior.

  20. EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024 Guide)

    EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024) Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit! Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city ...

  21. » Ralph Lauren store by Michael Neumann Architecture, Moscow

    For this first Flagship in Moscow, the interior was to evoke the luxurious interiors of turn-of-the-century Russia as the setting for an iconic American brand: Anna Karenina meets Ralph Lauren. This three-level store for Polo Ralph Lauren's first flagship store in Russia is located in an historic commercial building dating from the 1870's.

  22. yb_rhee

    Mar 13, 2018 - Explore young bae's board "Shopping Mall Floor Plan" on Pinterest. See more ideas about mall design, shopping mall, how to plan.

  23. Burrata is the most popular dish in Moscow this summer

    In 2010, the gourmet burger arrived in Moscow and the restaurants began serving meticulously prepared burgers. Cafe Yunost', for example, serves a gourmet burger made with beef bacon, bacon jam, homemade Japanese-style mayo, and passata. By 2015, you could find proper burgers in almost any restaurant, from Georgian to Italian.