Here are five unique restaurant concepts that you should try the next time you want to eat out. Check to see if any of these options are available where you live, or check them out the next time you go on vacation.

Food Halls

Are you in the mood for a good steak, but your friend is more interested in pizza? Instead of arguing about where to eat, visit a local food hall.

This concept is similar to the food courts you probably grew up with when you went shopping at the mall as a youngster, but food halls take things a little more seriously. Food hall curation is important, which means these locations contain higher quality food and more memorable experiences. The setting is livelier than traditional food courts, they are often located in trendier locations, and they are much more likely to feature local chefs and cuisines.

In some cases, traditional restaurants will open up a smaller location in a food hall, giving you the chance to try their menu items before you head to their regular location.

Pop-Up Restaurants

Keeping things new and fresh is one thing many restaurants struggle with. It’s something diners struggle with too. It’s much more exciting to go somewhere new and try a new menu item than it is to go to the same place and eat the same things over and over again.

That’s what makes pop-up restaurants so much fun!

Things to know about pop-up restaurants include:

• They can open up almost anywhere
• They may be open for a day, a week, or a month, but the location is temporary
• Most serve items from a very limited menu
• Some offer multiple courses, but no choices are allowed
• They are often promoted on social media
• They are a great way to try exciting new foods

Self-Serve Beverages

Going out to grab a few drinks and appetizers with friends can be a lot of fun. That is until everyone at your table is out of their favorite beverage and the server is nowhere to be found. That’s where restaurants and bars with self-serve taps come in!

Self-serve taps that feature touch screens enable you to get up and get another drink whenever you want. Your preferred form of payment is linked to your account through the tap system, automatically billing you for every drink you pour. It’s a great way to keep the bubbly flowing, but it’s also a fun way to taste new beers that you otherwise might not have been willing to try.

Pet-Friendly Cafés

Cat cafés began in Taiwan in the late 90’s, but it didn’t take long for the concept to spread, first to Japan, and then to the rest of the world. Today, you can find cat cafés on every continent, but it’s not just cats you’ll find when you’re ready to enjoy a cup of coffee or a small appetizer. Some cafés and restaurants feature other animals, like rabbits, while others are simply pet-friendly, which means you can bring your dog with you.

Cat cafés and other animal-friendly restaurants are a great solution for animal lovers who can’t have pets, but they are also just a lot of fun! Everyone should visit a pet-friendly café at least once!

Dinner Party Dining

Most restaurants encourage dinner party dining by offering large tables and private rooms, but some restaurants are taking this to a new level. Many farm-to-table events only allow a certain number of guests, while some restaurant locations are built for small groups only.

This experience is often a bit more expensive, but it’s more intimate, and it usually involves higher quality food. In many cases, the menu is fixed, and in nearly every case, every item is prepared by a highly qualified and talented chef.

Whether you’re an animal lover, you enjoy trying new things, or you want to experience a meal prepared by a world-renowned chef, these restaurant ideas will take you outside of your comfort zone and provide you with an experience you won’t soon forget.