Running a restaurant is about more than food and service. The atmosphere you create has just as much impact on whether customers return or recommend your venue. One of the biggest factors affecting ambience is restaurant noise. When background noise from chatter, kitchen sounds, and music combine, the result can be a noisy restaurant that drives patrons away instead of keeping them comfortable.
Understanding Restaurant Noise
Noise in restaurants comes from many sources. Chatter from other patrons, chair legs scraping on hard floors, clinking silverware, and open kitchens all add to the overall sound. High ceilings, bare walls, and open-plan layouts can make the problem worse by reflecting noise throughout the entire space.
In recent years, the number of complaints about restaurant noise has risen sharply. Diners now say excessive noise is the second most common complaint, right behind poor service.
The Lombard effect explains why this happens. In noisy environments, people automatically raise their voices, which increases overall sound levels even more. Before long, the restaurant feels chaotic, and conversation becomes a struggle.
Noise is not just an irritation. Research shows that once ambient noise in restaurants rises above 51.6 dBA, patrons perceive a dramatic increase in disturbance. Many restaurants regularly exceed 80 dB, which is classed as extremely loud and disruptive to speech. For customers with hearing aids or mild hearing loss, noisy environments are especially uncomfortable.
Only about 30% of restaurants maintain sound levels below 76 dBA, which means they are considered a quiet restaurant where conversation can be comfortably held. The rest, around 70% of restaurants and 90% of bars, fall into the “loud” or “very loud” categories.
Assessing Acceptable Noise Levels in Restaurants
To control sound, you first need to know what is acceptable. Normal conversation is around 60 dB. Many restaurants operate above that, particularly during dinner service when the room is filled with talking, music, and clattering dishes.
Monitoring your sound levels is a practical starting point. Free apps such as SoundPrint allow diners and owners to measure background noise. The app also helps customers search for quieter venues nearby, giving them the chance to choose a restaurant where they can actually hear their friends.
If you are not sure where the problem lies, hiring an acoustics consultant can be the best solution. They can measure your space, review the design, and recommend targeted acoustic solutions to reduce sound without sacrificing atmosphere.
How to Reduce Noise in a Restaurant
There are many ways to reduce noise in a restaurant and strike the right balance between lively and comfortable.
- Soft furnishings: Upholstered chairs, rugs, and curtains help absorb sound instead of bouncing it around the room. Even tablecloths can reduce sound by muffling the clatter of silverware and glassware.
- Acoustic panels and barriers: Wall and ceiling panels absorb background noise, while freestanding panels can reduce sound between sections of the dining room. Adding soundproofing doors or panels near the kitchen helps mask kitchen sounds.
- Table layout: Strategic placement of tables can prevent one noisy section from overwhelming the entire space. Avoid clustering too many groups in one area.
- Small details: Fitting rubber caps under chair legs reduces scraping noises. Choosing absorbent flooring materials instead of bare tiles also makes a big difference.
- Background music: Keep music subtle. Jazz music or light cafe sounds played through speakers can create ambience without disrupting conversation. Increasing the volume too high only adds to the loud noise problem.
These acoustic solutions are flexible, allowing you to tailor them to your venue’s design. Many restaurants also experiment with subtle background noises such as rain or birdsong, which can help mask distractions while maintaining a calm vibe.
Minimising Disruptions in a Noisy Restaurant
Reducing excessive noise improves customer satisfaction, but it also makes life easier for staff. Clear communication between servers and patrons improves service, reduces mistakes, and creates a calmer working environment.
Some ways to minimise disruptions include:
- Designing quieter zones for diners who prefer a more relaxed space
- Using ceiling panels to absorb reverberation across the entire room
- Separating noisy areas, such as bars and open kitchen’s from dining areas
- Playing subtle music to cover background chatter without overpowering speech
- Introducing soundproofing to block disturbances from street traffic or adjacent bars
By taking these steps, you create a quiet restaurant environment where customers can comfortably hold conversations, focus on their food, and enjoy the atmosphere. Studies also show that noise reduction can increase customer spending, since diners are more likely to linger and order another drink or dessert in a relaxed venue.
Why Controlling Restaurant Noise Matters
Noise levels directly influence customer satisfaction, spending, and whether patrons recommend your restaurant to others. Too much ambient noise discourages repeat visits and makes guests feel rushed or uncomfortable. For those with hearing aids, even moderate levels of noise can make eating out frustrating instead of enjoyable.
There is no single fix for noise management. The best solution is often a combination of design changes, soft furnishings, and acoustic panels that together reduce sound across the entire space. The goal is not to eliminate noise altogether but to find the right balance. Restaurants should feel lively without being overwhelming, allowing diners to comfortably talk, eat, and enjoy themselves.
If you are planning a renovation or new restaurant fitout, remember that restaurant acoustics are just as important as your menu and décor. A thoughtfully designed, quiet restaurant is more inviting, earns better reviews, and keeps customers coming back.
If you need help designing or fitting out a restaurant that minimises noise while maintaining style, contact Perth Citi Fitout. We specialise in creating restaurant spaces where sound, ambience, and design work together to deliver the best possible experience for your customers.
