Booths vs. Banquettes: Which is Right for Your Restaurant?

By: Soft Touch Furniture

When you're furnishing a restaurant, the right seating does more than provide a place for diners to sit - it defines your atmosphere, affects your layout, can help your servers do their jobs better, and, of course, directly impacts the dining experience.

At Soft Touch Furniture, we often get an interesting question from restaurant owners and designers alike: What’s the difference between a booth and a banquette? While they’re often used interchangeably (and honestly, they can look quite similar), these two seating types offer distinct advantages depending on your goals, layout, and desired atmosphere. And yes, they are different. Let’s start with booths.

Booths: Comfortable, Classic, and Customer-Approved

Restaurant booths are self-contained seating units - typically a table flanked by two padded bench seats facing one another. They're usually arranged back-to-back in rows or set against walls to maximize space and create a cozy, semi-private environment.

Booths are a go-to choice for high-traffic restaurants, fast-casual eateries, and family dining spots because they help manage crowd flow while giving customers a sense of personal space. They're quite efficient, fitting more people in less floor area than individual tables and chairs (to contrast, a four-person booth typically requires 21 sq ft. of floor space, where a four-person table and chairs will typically require 35 sq ft.). In addition, booths are easier on servers, who can serve the entire party from one vantage point.

At Soft Touch Furniture, our booths are built for durability and comfort. We use solid wood framing, commercial-grade foam, and nearly limitless upholstery and color options so you can tailor your look to match your restaurant’s branding. Whether you need single, double (i.e., back-to-back), wall bench style, or L or U-shaped booths, we offer flexible configurations that work for any floor plan. We can also do some rather unique styles, like circular booths or whatever your imagination can dream up.

Booth Benefits:

· Semi-private, which many customers like.

· Space efficient.

· Ease of serving.

· Many styles available (single, double, L or U-shaped, etc.)

Banquettes: Versatile, Sleek, and Designed to Impress

Banquettes are upholstered benches that run along a wall or perimeter, often paired with individual tables and chairs on the opposite side. Unlike booths, banquettes can serve multiple parties and adjust easily to various group sizes by pushing tables together.

Banquettes shine in upscale bistros, cafes, hotel lounges, and modern restaurant designs where space optimization meets aesthetics. They help open up a dining room visually while still offering comfort and support. From straight lines to curved or custom-contoured styles, banquettes offer unmatched design flexibility.

The other visual advantage to banquettes is that they use both a bench and chairs, allowing you to really get creative with a look. Soft Touch can craft banquettes to your exact specifications, helping you turn awkward corners or underused walls into stylish, revenue-generating seating.

Banquette Benefits:

· Visually appealing.

· Can easily accommodate different party sizes.

· Are an upscale option for diners.

· Addition of chairs allows for excellent flexibility regarding design

Booths or Banquettes - Which Is Right for Your Restaurant?

Ultimately, the choice between booths and banquettes comes down to your space, concept, and service style:

· Choose booths if you want structured seating, defined guest zones, and a traditional dining layout.

· Choose banquettes if you're aiming for an open-concept feel, greater party-size flexibility, or want to highlight your restaurant’s design aesthetic.

· Or choose both! Many restaurants will use both booths and banquettes, placing booths more towards the middle of the dining room and lining the walls with banquettes for a clean, functional mix.

Built to Last. Made to Fit. Crafted in the USA.

At Soft Touch Furniture, we specialize in American-made restaurant seating that’s as durable as it is stylish. Whether you need elegant booths, innovative banquettes, or a combination of both, we’ll help you design the perfect solution!

Let us create a layout that elevates your space and enhances your guests’ experience.

Contact Soft Touch Furniture today to get started.

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