Restaurants serve as places where people go to enjoy prepared food and beverages in a comfortable setting. They offer a wide range of cuisines and dining experiences, from casual to formal.
For many, restaurants provide a break from cooking at home, offering a chance to savour different flavours and dishes. They also serve as social hubs, allowing friends and family to gather, celebrate special occasions, or simply enjoy each other’s company over a meal. Restaurants can also be venues for business meetings, dates, or solo dining for those seeking some time alone.
While every restaurant is different, they do have some things in common:
- Customer service focus – ensuring visitors have an enjoyable experience is important for any worker in a restaurant.
- Communication is key – whether taking orders from customers or relaying information to other staff.
- A fast-paced environment – restaurants are often busy, so being adaptable and energetic can help.
Impress patrons with delicious food
Restaurants play a crucial role in our communities by providing spaces for people to gather, enjoy delicious meals, and celebrate special occasions.
Key tasks
- Greet and seat guests
- Take and relay food and drink orders
- Prepare and serve dishes
- Maintain cleanliness in dining and kitchen areas
- Handle payments and provide excellent customer service
- Assist in restocking supplies and ingredients
- Collaborate with kitchen staff for smooth operations
- Address customer concerns or special requests
- Follow health and safety regulations
- Work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
You can find restaurants in the accommodation and food services industry
Restaurants are usually found in the accommodation and food services industry. From cosy family diners to elegant fine-dining establishments, there are a diverse array of restaurant experiences.
You can expect shift work and on-site work
Shift work | Work on-site | Jobs more common in metro areas | Strong job growth
Opening hours can vary widely depending on the type and location of the restaurant. Some may open earlier for breakfast service, while others may stay open later into the evening. Many of the employees in a restaurant work in shifts.
In the restaurant industry, on-site work is the standard. Most restaurant roles, such as servers, chefs, and kitchen staff, require physical presence at the establishment to carry out their duties effectively.
However, there are some remote work opportunities in the industry, particularly in administrative roles like restaurant management, marketing, or accounting, where tasks can be performed off-site. Additionally, some restaurants may incorporate technology for online ordering and reservations, which can be managed remotely.
Restaurants are generally more common in metropolitan or urban areas. This is because cities and towns with higher population offer a larger customer base and greater foot traffic, making them more attractive locations for restaurants.
The Career Clusters you’ll find in a restaurant
People from all Clusters are needed for a restaurant to run successfully, but Makers and Linkers are typically the most common Clusters. In many roles, you might find yourself performing tasks across multiple Clusters.