According to the National Restaurant Association, nearly seven in 10 customers say they like having an outdoor dining option when they eat away-from-home, and adding an outdoor patio can potentially increase restaurant gross profits by as much as 65 per cent, according to research by international restaurant and hospitality consulting firm VSAG (Vucurevich Simons Advisory Group). The emergence of al fresco dining as a popular trend extends to the hospitality industry, introducing a seasonal vibe, offering diners a connection with nature, and capturing the essence of casual elegance. Opportunities to dine outdoors not only enhance diners’ culinary experiences but also leverage the appeal of fresh air and scenic views and can help create memorable moments that set a hotel apart.
Leveraging Unique Locations
Location can greatly influence the appeal of a hotel’s outdoor dining offerings. Rooftop terraces, beachfront patios, and garden courtyards each offer distinct experiences that can enhance a guest’s stay. In addition, these specialty offerings can attract local diners who don’t need accommodations, increasing the foodservice operation’s traffic and revenue.
Taking full advantage of these unique locations by offering signature cocktails, local specialties, and exclusive events can turn al fresco dining into a major highlight of the guest experience and build your local reputation.
Creating an Inviting Atmosphere
The charm of al fresco dining lies in its ability to provide a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. Hospitality can capitalize on this by designing outdoor dining spaces that are both comfortable and visually appealing. Elements such as comfortable seating, ambient lighting, and tasteful decor can create an appealing and memorable atmosphere. Thoughtfully arranged greenery, water features, and fire pits can add to the ambiance, creating a serene environment where guests will want to linger.
Thoughtful design also adds to the versatility of outdoor dining spaces. Sun exposure, trees and other shade plants, and natural elements will influence how useful and comfortable a space feels during different dayparts. A deck with a beautiful sunrise view for breakfast service may need additional shades or umbrellas to be pleasant during lunchtime or added warming features like a firepit during the evening. The right foresight and some trial and error can help optimize your space for guests’ outdoor enjoyment, while maximizing its uses.
Maximizing Seasonal Appeal
Al fresco dining is inherently tied to the seasons, offering a unique opportunity to tailor the dining experience to the time of year. In spring and summer, light and fresh menu options featuring seasonal ingredients can reflect the vibrancy of the environment. As temperatures drop, incorporating heaters, cozy blankets, and warm, hearty dishes can extend the al fresco dining season into fall and even winter.
As hotel foodservice becomes a hub for everything from breakfast meetings to after-hours cocktails, seasonal decorations and themed events can attract the local community and both business and leisure travellers. Unique, al fresco experiences during three or more seasons of the year can differentiate a hotel bar or restaurant from the competition.
Enhancing the Culinary Experience
Outdoor dining offers a versatile canvas for chefs to experiment with flavours and presentation. The natural surroundings can inspire dishes that highlight fresh, locally sourced ingredients, providing a farm-to-table experience that resonates with guests. Live outdoor cooking stations, serving guests straight from barbecue grills or wood-fired pizza ovens, for instance, can add an interactive element. Guests can engage with the culinary process and enjoy their chef-made meals hot off the grill.
We eat first with our eyes, and the right presentation enhances flavour and enjoyment before the first bite. Meeting the demand for outdoor dining requires new solutions for the tabletop, and elevated tableware can help bring the premium service you provide indoors into outdoor settings, without compromise.
Dinnerware made with durable materials such as melamine, particularly those developed especially for hospitality, eatertainment and outdoor environments, can move the elevated dining experience outside with no downgrade. Trend-forward designs, plus innovative adaptations such as compartments for sauces and dips, help create a confident, striking presentation for outdoor dining.
Premium plastic glassware that duplicates sophisticated, well-established shapes and patterns in durable materials such as copolysters can replace paper and single-use plastic cups with a more refined, glass-like clarity, without sacrificing safety. Impact- and shatter-resistant glasses that echo those used in your dining room can ensure a uniform experience indoors and outdoors.
Emphasizing Safety and Comfort
In a post-pandemic world, al fresco dining naturally allows for better ventilation and more space between tables. Hotels can further emphasize safety by practicing the same policies outside that have become common indoors — rigorous cleaning protocols, hand sanitizing stations, and contactless payment options.
Comfortable seating and shelter from the elements, such as umbrellas or pergolas, ensure that guests can enjoy their meals regardless of the weather.
Promoting Sustainability
Sustainability is increasingly important to modern travellers, and al fresco dining provides an excellent opportunity to showcase eco-friendly practices.
Hotels can incorporate sustainable materials in their outdoor furniture, use energy-efficient lighting, and implement waste reduction strategies. Replacing single-use dinnerware, flatware and glassware with tableware made from durable materials suitable for outdoor use sends the message today’s ecologically aware diners want to hear.
Sourcing ingredients from local farms and reducing food miles not only supports the local economy but also appeals to environmentally-conscious guests.
Al fresco dining in hospitality settings is more than just a trend — it’s an opportunity to create unforgettable experiences that connect guests with their surroundings and set your foodservice operation and hotel apart. By focusing on comfort, culinary excellence, safety, and sustainability, hotels can transform their outdoor spaces into desirable dining destinations. In a competitive market, these inviting and innovative outdoor dining experiences can differentiate a hotel, fostering guest loyalty and attracting new visitors eager to enjoy the charm and elegance of al fresco dining.
Kevin Oglesby is the senior vice president of marketing at Libbey. Since 1818, Libbey has been the vanguard of artistry and innovation in glassmaking. Libbey empowers chefs, mixologists, restaurants, event operators, and home entertainers to craft moments that matter with beautiful and durable tabletop products. More U.S. foodservice operators’ tabletop investment dollars are trusted to Libbey than to any other brand. Visit libbeyfoodservice.com and follow @libbeypro on social media to learn more.
