Outdoor food service : How to make the outdoor season a success

Tip 1: Open an outdoor food service area

If you want to use a terrace, beer garden and the like to attract guests, you should find out early on which permits are required in the respective municipality. For example, a permit for special use is usually required for public areas such as pavements and car parks, for which fees may apply. There are also various conditions , from noise protection to accessibility. It is also important to remember that shade providers such as awnings, sun sails and umbrellas are important, as is protection from rain, wind and cold . In many places, there are guidelines for the design of furniture, parasols etc. to create an attractive cityscape. Here, too, it is essential to find out about the regional rules in good time in order to get the summer season off to a good start.

Tip 2: Parasol, decorations and fairy lights - create an inviting atmosphere

"Guests want to feel like they're on a short holiday when they visit a restaurant and want to unwind," says interior designer Olaf Kitzig. It doesn't have to be a major redesign, even small tricks work wonders, such as skilfully placed accessories like vases, decorative cushions or summer flowers. Tablecloths, napkins and tableware in bright colours also create a summerly ambience. Or how about a little beach feeling with a beach chair, hammock and shells? In the evening, candles, fairy lights or LED lanterns create a cosy atmosphere. Many things are possible, but the key question is: what suits the style of the venue? The best basic rule is: be creative and experiment.

Tip 3: Gazpacho, watermelon and co. - optimise the culinary offer

Spring and summer are an ideal time to breathe fresh air into the menu. On hot days, light meals are particularly popular: salads, cold soups such as gazpacho and fresh local produce such as asparagus and strawberries. A barbecue station can also be worthwhile to provide guests with sausages, steaks and vegetable skewers. Ice cream, sorbets and liquid dispensers such as watermelon are suitable desserts. Cool and colourful drinks such as iced tea and coffee, milkshakes, smoothies, fruit juice spritzers, non-alcoholic cocktails and homemade lemonades round off the range. Edible flowers such as borage as decorations emphasise the summerly touch.

Tip 4: Offer events and special experiences

Whether live music, barbecues or wine tastings - socialising in the open air is twice as much fun. Public viewing at sporting events such as the European Football Championship is also a great way to attract guests. Planning is key here - from setting up and testing the screens and speakers to calculating food and drink quantities and personnel requirements. Depending on the food service concept, a variety of other event ideas are imaginable - from ice cream workshops and poetry slams with local artists to a mocktail brunch with the coolest drinks in the house. It is advisable to collect feedback in order to take guests' wishes into account and continuously improve.

Tip 5: Arouse curiosity

Restaurateurs should already start advertising in winter. The minimum is a dedicated website that reports on news - from the opening of the outdoor food service to open-air public viewing events. Additionally, every restaurateur can reach a large audience via various social media platforms such as Instagram, Tiktok and co. It is important to regularly post high-quality and original photos and videos and to communicate with guests, for example responding to praise and criticism. Traditional offline marketing should not be neglected either: from the good old chalkboard with the dish of the day to flyers, postcards and posters.