Restaurant Boths Regain Popularity in Culinary Scene

The return of restaurant booths has been making waves in the culinary world, and for good reason. Anna Albury, a designer and writer, is one such enthusiast who swears by her favorite red-and-white striped booth at a certain eatery in the city.

Booths have long been considered a coveted spot in any dining establishment, but now they're experiencing a resurgence of sorts. Gone are the days when private dining rooms and communal tables were the preferred choice for business and social gatherings alike. Restaurants, hotels, and members' clubs are now clamoring to install booths and banquettes.

Interior designers catering to hospitality venues have witnessed this shift in demand firsthand. Design-forward diners like Supernova in London are leading the charge, while fine dining institutions such as Marcel and swanky cocktail lounges like Bar Leone are also jumping on the bandwagon.

Booths of all shapes and sizes are being installed, from charming two-top booths at Trudie's in Carroll Gardens to cherry-red banquettes at Le Veau d'Or on the Upper East Side. The likes of Long Island Bar in Cobble Hill boast coat-rack-clad booths that have become a favorite among regulars.

The shift in dining habits has led clients to include booths as a priority in their design briefs from the outset. This is according to Sarita Posada, a New York City-based designer who has worked on several high-profile projects in Paris and London.

Posada attributes the renewed interest in booths to a desire for personal space and exclusivity in crowded restaurants. She notes that people are increasingly looking for ways to carve out their own territory in public spaces, whether it's digitally or in person.

The communal table trend, which peaked around 2009-2016, has given way to private dining as the preferred option. This change is largely attributed to the pandemic, which forced people to reevaluate how they socialize and dine together.

Private dining became the norm during this period, with people seeking a sense of seclusion and isolation in restaurants.

The trend towards private dining has led to a renewed interest in restaurant booths, which are being designed to offer a unique blend of intimacy and social interaction.

According to Prior, this shift can be seen as an "alone-together moment, where individuals seek to balance their desire for seclusion with the need to feel connected to others. Booths provide a contained space that allows diners to enjoy their meals in private while still being part of a larger group or community.

Posada notes that communal tables, often found at bars and canteens, may not be as appealing to diners seeking privacy during dinner, especially when celebrating special occasions. This has led to a growing demand for spaces that offer both open social energy and comfortable, private areas.

As the design firm Meyer Davis continues to incorporate booths into its projects, Gray Davis highlights the importance of creating spaces that cater to diverse preferences. The Crossing at The Cooper Hotel in Charleston and Bar Primi Penn District in New York are just two examples of recent ventures where booths take center stage.

The design of restaurant booths has evolved significantly in recent years, offering a unique blend of intimacy and modernity that appeals to both couples and business diners.

Booths provide a sense of seclusion without isolating patrons from the rest of the dining room, allowing them to engage with others while still enjoying some level of privacy. This is particularly appealing for power lunches and long business dinners where conversation and connection are essential.

The Twenty Two members' club in Union Square features Cafe Zaffri, a stylish Mediterranean restaurant that caters to the power lunch crowd with its luxurious horseshoe booths. These sumptuous settings offer an ideal space for professionals to conduct meetings or simply enjoy a meal in comfort.

According to Leigh Salem, partner at Post Company, which designed the space, people still crave the energy of a bustling dining room but also desire areas where genuine conversations can take place. Salem's firm aimed to strike this balance when creating Cafe Zaffri's layout.

Today's booths often incorporate nostalgic elements while introducing modern twists. For instance, Posada, who has installed booths in her recent projects, drew inspiration from 1970s American diners at Supernova but used restraint with color choices, opting for a sleek aesthetic that incorporates chrome, black, and butter yellow accents.

The design of booths has become increasingly sophisticated, requiring careful consideration of various factors.

Material durability is one key aspect to consider, as well as placement and seat height when installing a booth.

At Demo, a West Village institution, co-owner Jacob Nass credits booths with providing an efficient use of space in the narrow pathway.

This functional aspect of booths is often overlooked, but it plays a crucial role in creating a seamless dining experience.

The bespoke round booths at Hotel Corazon's revamped restaurant are a prime example of how booths can be tailored to suit any design concept.

The design concept at Hotel Corazon's revamped restaurant is centered around creating an intimate atmosphere while maintaining a sense of playfulness. This balance is achieved through circular booths crafted from powder-coated metal and made in Portugal, featuring the hotel's sun motif. The use of this distinctive material adds a unique touch to the space.

At The Flower Shop, another establishment owned by the same group, the owners have reserved one corner booth for special guests, marking it with a brass plaque as Captain's Quarters". This exclusive seating arrangement is a testament to the high demand for these coveted spaces. Securing a spot in such a sought-after venue requires careful consideration from its owners.

In an interview, Flynn explained that booths offer a sense of comfort and commitment, making them ideal for those who plan to stay awhile. According to him, getting a booth means being invested in the experience, whether it's waiting for others to join or simply settling in for the night.