Lots of cafes and restaurants are choosing to adopt a certain theme to brand themselves and stand out in a crowded market. It can be a great way to attract customers, build awareness of your company, and generally make your eatery a more fun place for people to dine at.
Choosing a theme that suits you and your business can be tricky, as there are so many interesting possibilities out there. However, one perennially popular option is to go for laidback Hawaiian beach vibes. So, how exactly do achieve a relaxed island feel in your city-based restaurant? Keep reading for some top ideas to get you inspired.
Decor
For a restaurant theme to work effectively, it should be immediately obvious to customers as soon as they step through the door (if not before). One way to do this is by making your interior decor Hawaiian-themed. For example, this could be by using tropical flower motifs such as hibiscus, images of ocean waves and surfers, or a vibrant color scheme. To ensure the theme is fully immersive, try to incorporate it everywhere from the restrooms to the kitchen, not just in the space where people eat. You might also like to consider having some real or artificial plants dotted around the restaurant floor as a low-maintenance way to achieve the right look.
Uniforms
Extending your theme to the uniforms that your staff wear ensures that employees don’t look out of place in your restaurant. This is most important for your front-of-house staff, such as bartenders and those who wait tables, but it’s a nice touch to include your kitchen staff as well. To ensure that you find the right blend of look and functionality for their uniforms, visit ChefWorks.com official site and browse the aprons, hats, and other items they have available. You should always put safety and hygiene first, rather than picking something purely on aesthetics.
Menu
For your Hawaiian restaurant idea to work, the menu you offer must fit the theme. Otherwise, customers will likely be left confused and disappointed. Aim to showcase delicious tropical ingredients like coconut, pineapple, mango, taro, and sweet potatoes, plus plenty of fresh fish. Some of the dishes you might want to serve include poke, fish tacos, saimin noodles, malasada donuts, luau stew, and shave ice. Hiring a chef who specializes in Hawaiian cuisine is the best approach, or you can send your current chefs on a course to ensure they can cook these and other dishes authentically.
Music
Having background music in your restaurant is a wonderful way to help customers feel more relaxed, add some extra privacy to their conversations, and even boost staff morale. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to further immerse diners in the Hawaiian theme. Try to curate a playlist full of chilled-out tracks that transport people to the beach, or you could even have a live band playing if that suits your venue. Just make sure that you have a license if you want to play copyrighted music on your premises.