Set up your own restaurant

Start with the planning

Coffee and cakes at the docks, treats from the trunk of a van, a six-course dinner in your living room – what does your own ideal restaurant look and taste like? The more fun the concept, the more happy customers it will attract. Just try to think of a restaurant that you personally would love.

Location is key. In the summertime, favorite spots have included parks, courtyards and street corners. In the winter, Restaurant Day lovers have gathered in homes, offices and other indoor spaces.

Reach your customers

When you have picked a place and planned the menu, come up with a snappy name that sums up your concept, decide on opening hours, and register your pop-up on the Restaurant Day map with the hashtag #RestaurantDay.

Remember also to tell your friends and network about your upcoming restaurant. You can use your social media channels to spread the word further. Please create also a Facebook event for your pop-up and send it to us on the Restaurant Day Facebook page at www.facebook.com/restaurantday and your local Restaurant Day Facebook page or group.

Be prepared for action

Ask your friends to help out, you will most likely need a hand. Running a pop-up restaurant is hard work. Working with a team is more efficient, and also more fun.

Reserve enough time for preparing your food, have sufficient cold or hot storage space where needed, and plan in advance for possible surprises. Are you able to keep the food hot for enough time? Try to be realistic with the amount of people you are able to serve. It is also good to have a weather plan. The easiest way to start is to host a pop-up restaurant at your home where you have everything needed readily at hand.

Please remember to take everything you brought with you and leave no trash behind.

Share your experience

Restaurant Day is run by volunteers and based on autonomous action. If you have questions regarding running a restaurant or want to share your experiences with likeminded people from all over the world, we suggest you strike up a conversation on the Restaurant Day Ambassadors Group, which is followed by other restaurateurs.

Please note that this website serves solely to gather and share information on listed restaurants. As a restaurateurs, you are personally responsible for all actions related to running your restaurant.

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