11 Types of Restaurant Kitchens (With Examples)

If you’re thinking about owning a restaurant, your kitchen layout can make or break your business. It’s not just about putting equipment in the right spots. The layout and function of your kitchen, or even the overall restaurant kitchen floor plan, can shape how your team works, how much you spend, and how quickly your business can grow.

In this article, we’ll be discussing the most common types of restaurant kitchens used across the U.S. We’ll talk about what makes each one work, who it’s best for, where it thrives, and even share real-world examples with links so you can start envisioning what might be best for your own business.

1. Commercial restaurant kitchen

If you’re planning to run a full-service restaurant with a dine-in setup, chances are you’re already envisioning a commercial kitchen layout and have a restaurant concept in mind. This is the backbone of traditional restaurant service—fully stocked with grills, ovens, prep tables, refrigeration units, fryers, and everything else you need to serve up variety and volume day in and day out. It’s the kind of kitchen design that gives you full creative and operational control.

With this type of kitchen, every dish that goes out is a reflection of your standards, your flavor, and your commitment to the customer. But with that control comes responsibility. Building a commercial kitchen means serious investment not just in equipment but in staff, utilities, permits, and maintenance. It can add up quickly, but it also sets the foundation for a long-term, stable operation that customers can come back to again and again.

If you’re operating in an area with a strong dine-in culture, like downtown districts, bustling suburban centers, or shopping hubs, this setup lets you maximize on-site traffic. Guests come for the ambiance, the service, and of course, the food. And a well-run commercial kitchen helps you deliver on all three.

One great example is The Cheesecake Factory. They run one of the largest and most complex menus in the casual dining space, and their commercial kitchen setup allows them to do it consistently, efficiently, and at scale. If your dream is to offer a wide selection and create a memorable dine-in experience, a commercial kitchen can give you the infrastructure you need to make that vision a reality.

2. Commissary kitchen

Think of a commissary kitchen as a coworking space but for your culinary ambitions. You rent a professional-grade kitchen by the hour or day, walk in with your ingredients, cook your meals using top-tier equipment, and leave with your finished products, ready to serve or deliver. The beauty here is that you get all the things you need in a commercial kitchen without the long-term lease, construction, or daily upkeep that comes with building your own.

This setup is especially ideal if you’re just starting your food business, experimenting with a new concept or production, or operating a mobile venture like a food truck or catering service. You’ll find a lot of flexibility in how you use the space, and many commissary kitchens even throw in extra perks such as cold storage, cleaning services, support with health inspections, and sometimes even business coaching. It’s an accessible way to test the waters without draining your bank account.

That said, you’re sharing space with other food entrepreneurs, so the layouts are not as customizable as a private kitchen. You’ll need to be mindful of scheduling and space usage. But if you’re organized and know what you need, the affordability and convenience more than make up for it.

A great example is PREP Atlanta. They offer 24/7 access, dedicated storage, and even event space rentals for local food entrepreneurs looking to grow. So, if you’re baking for a farmers market, prepping for a food truck festival, or scaling your meal-prep brand, a commissary kitchen can give you the foundation to build without the burden of a full-scale kitchen investment.

3. Ghost kitchen (a.k.a. cloud or virtual kitchen)

If you’re looking to launch or grow a delivery-based restaurant operation without the burden of front-of-house logistics, a ghost kitchen might be exactly what you need. These kitchens are built entirely for preparing food that will be picked up or delivered. No dining room, no storefront–-just a clean production space. It’s a smart move if you’re focused on scaling through online orders, maximizing kitchen efficiency, or running multiple virtual brands from a single location.

Ghost kitchens have seen explosive growth in recent years. According to Virtue Market Research, the U.S. ghost kitchen market was valued at $21 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $38.03 billion by 2030. That kind of growth isn’t just a trend, but it’s a sign of where consumer habits are headed, with more people ordering meals via apps than ever before.

For you as a restaurant owner, this means a serious opportunity. 

Ghost kitchens cut out the cost of front-of-house staff, decor, and high-rent retail spaces. You get to focus purely on food quality, delivery efficiency, and creative branding. Want to launch a pizza brand and a wings concept from the same space? You can. Need to test a new menu without redesigning your entire restaurant? No problem.

The trade-off, of course, is that you won’t have the walk-in traffic or in-person branding that a traditional restaurant offers. That means your marketing game needs to be strong, especially on delivery platforms where visibility is everything. The good news is that companies like CloudKitchens make it easier by offering ready-to-use kitchen spaces and even helping with fulfillment and logistics.

So, if you’re planning to operate digitally, reduce startup costs, and stay nimble in a fast-moving industry, a ghost kitchen might be the key to growing your business on your own terms.

4. Food truck kitchen

Want to take your restaurant directly to your customers? A food truck might be the way to go. These mobile kitchens are essentially rolling restaurants, packing a full operation into a compact space that goes wherever the action is. If you’re parked outside a concert venue, serving festivalgoers, or catching the lunch rush downtown, you’re not waiting for guests to come to you, but you’re going to them.

For many owners, food trucks offer a more affordable entry point compared to a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant. With lower startup costs, fewer staff, and a smaller footprint, you can focus on nailing your fun food truck ideas and concepts without taking on overwhelming overhead. 

It’s also a great way to test different neighborhoods or markets before committing to a permanent location. That said, you’ll want to plan your menu with mobility in mind—it needs to be quick to prep, easy to serve, and ideally, made for handheld eating.

Of course, like any business, it comes with its own challenges. You’ll need to stay on top of vehicle maintenance, license requirements, local health and parking regulations, and find ways to stand out in a busy street food scene. But if you’re adaptable, community-minded, and love the idea of bringing your brand straight to the people, food trucks can be incredibly rewarding.

Just take a look at Kogi BBQ in Los Angeles. What started as a Korean-Mexican fusion truck turned into a culinary phenomenon thanks to creative flavor, a loyal following, and savvy use of social media. If you’ve got a bold concept or design and the drive to hit the road, this could be your ticket to building something unforgettable.

5. Open kitchen restaurants

Open kitchens put your cooking on full display and invite guests to be part of the process. Rather than hiding your kitchen behind closed doors, you’re bringing it out front, turning your team’s hustle into a key part of the dining experience. Diners get to hear the sizzle of the skillet, smell the garlic hitting the pan, and watch as dishes are carefully plated. It’s engaging, immersive, and makes the food feel even fresher.

This layout is especially powerful if your brand values transparency, craftsmanship, or connection. It gives customers confidence in your workflow, items, ingredients and your crew. Plus, it builds anticipation, the show becomes part of the meal. 

That said, open kitchens raise the bar when it comes to cleanliness and professionalism. You need a team that not only works efficiently but does so with calm, polish, and poise in full view of your guests.

If you’re running a cafe, upscale diner, or a modern bistro, this kind of setup and type of restaurant can elevate your guest experience in a big way. It’s not just about food. It’s about trust and entertainment. A great example is Eataly, where shoppers and diners can stroll past chefs tossing pizza dough or crafting handmade pasta. It turns a meal into something people remember and come back for.

6. Island kitchen

The island kitchen layout is all about boosting efficiency and building a collaborative flow in your back-of-house operations. The layout is usually that of a central island surrounded by defined cooking and prep stations, where your chefs can move freely, see each other, and communicate quickly during service. This setup naturally supports better teamwork, smoother execution, and faster turnaround times when things get busy, which, let’s face it, is most nights.

This kind of layout isn’t just practical. It looks sharp, feels modern, and works especially well if you’re already running an open kitchen or planning to show off your kitchen as part of the dining experience. Guests love seeing chefs work in harmony, and the island layout makes that visual coordination possible. It does, however, require some space, preparation, and planning. 

You’ll need enough square footage to allow for the island and the surrounding traffic flow, plus proper ventilation and equipment layout. Yes, the construction budget may be higher, but if you’re investing in a premium concept that demands both performance and polish, it can really pay off. Just look at Alinea in Chicago. Their team uses an island kitchen to execute one of the most celebrated multi-course menus in the country, flawlessly and in full view of their guests.

7. Assembly line kitchen

An assembly line kitchen is all about making things flow like clockwork. You break down the cooking process into clear, repeatable steps; one person handles ingredient prep, another assembles the dish, and someone else packages it for serving or delivery. If you’re running a fast-casual restaurant or any operation where speed and volume matter, this setup can be a game-changer. 

For you as a restaurant owner, this means faster service, shorter training times, and more consistency across your menu. When every team member knows exactly where they fit in the process, it keeps service flowing smoothly even during those high-pressure lunch and dinner rushes. It also reduces the chance of bottlenecks or missed steps in the back-of-house. 

That said, an assembly line kitchen works best when your menu is simplified. It’s not built for lots of customizations or made-to-order dishes with dozens of variables. Instead, it thrives with clear offerings that can be prepped and built quickly. A great real-world example is Sweetgreen, where the build-your-own salad format fits perfectly with this type of layout. Customers move through the line, ingredients are added on the spot, and everything moves fast while staying fresh and consistent.

So if your goal is to deliver great food, fast, and do it in a way that’s scalable and easy to replicate, this kitchen model might be exactly what you need.

8. Prep kitchen

A prep kitchen is your kitchen’s best-kept secret. It’s the space that keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes. It’s where your team can chop, marinate, portion, and store ingredients well before the rush begins. With this setup, your main kitchen stays cleaner, less crowded, and more focused on what it’s supposed to do: finish and serve great food.

If you’re running a high-volume restaurant, dealing with fresh ingredients, or offering catering services, a dedicated prep kitchen can make your life a whole lot easier. It reduces stress during peak hours because your ingredients are ready to go. Your chefs can work faster, your stations stay cleaner, and you cut down on cross-contamination or mix-ups. 

This layout also gives you more control over food safety and storage. With clearly defined zones and tasks, you’re less likely to run into health code violations and more likely to impress inspectors and your customers. If you’re batching sauces, organizing proteins by portion size, or just trying to keep your service kitchen from feeling like a war zone, a prep kitchen can give your staff the breathing room they need.

Major brands like Panera Bread have long leaned on prep kitchens as part of their success model. They handle bulk ingredient prep at centralized facilities and ship everything out, fresh and ready to use, to each store. But even if you’re a smaller restaurant, there’s a big upside in creating a system that preps ahead. It keeps your team on task, your dishes consistent, and your kitchen running like a machine.

9. Display kitchen

A display kitchen is similar to an open kitchen but goes a step further. It’s intentionally designed to entertain and showcase the cooking process. The kitchen becomes part of the atmosphere from the moment diners sit down. Chefs might cook right at the table, toss ingredients with flair, or engage guests in conversation as they plate dishes with artistic precision. Everything is intentional, from the lighting to the layout, and is designed to leave an impression.

This kind of setup is perfect if you’re building a high-end or experience-first concept. It adds theater to the meal and gives your guests something to talk about, photograph, and remember. More than just a functional kitchen, it’s a stage that reinforces your brand, showcases your team’s talent, and adds serious value to the dining experience.

Now, it does take some planning. You’ll want a staff that’s not only skilled but also comfortable engaging with customers. Your kitchen also needs to be camera-ready at all times. But if you’re going after a market that appreciates culinary artistry and hospitality with personality, this could be your sweet spot.

A standout example is Benihana, where chefs do more than just cook; they flip, slice, and serve with flair right in front of the guests. It’s fun, high-energy, and keeps people coming back for more. If you’re looking to build more than a restaurant, something people talk about and revisit, you might want to explore a display kitchen.

10. Central kitchen

Central kitchens are the powerhouse behind smooth, consistent operations when you’re managing multiple restaurants and locations. Instead of prepping ingredients in every single restaurant or kitchen you operate, you handle it all in one centralized hub. From sauces and proteins to fresh veggies and baked goods, food is prepared in bulk, quality-checked, portioned, and then shipped out to your satellite locations. This saves you a ton of time and helps make sure every plate you serve—from one branch to another—tastes exactly how you intended.

If you’re growing a restaurant group, running a catering company, or building out a meal delivery service, a central kitchen may be exactly what you need. It keeps your recipes standardized, helps you reduce waste, and lets you take advantage of bulk purchasing. 

It also allows your individual kitchens to focus on final prep and presentation, rather than juggling everything from scratch. That means faster service, happier staff, and better consistency for your customers. 

One of the best-known examples of this in action is Chipotle. They use central hubs to prep key ingredients like beans and meats in large batches. From there, everything is distributed fresh to their locations across the country, helping them keep quality high while keeping operations lean.

If you’re thinking big with your brand, setting up a central kitchen could be the move that supports your expansion without sacrificing control.

11. Kitchen pod or modular kitchen

Modular kitchens, also called kitchen pods, are one of the most flexible solutions you can explore as a restaurant owner. This emerging restaurant concept consists of fully equipped, pre-built kitchen units that you can drop into place and start using with minimal setup. They come with ventilation, plumbing, commercial appliances, and everything you need to start cooking without building from the ground up. It’s essentially a professional kitchen in a box, ready to roll.

If you’ve ever thought about opening a pop-up, testing a new market, expanding to an event, or even supporting your ghost kitchen operations, a modular kitchen could be your best friend. What makes them so appealing is how fast and low-risk they are. You don’t need to spend months and thousands of dollars on permits and construction and you can be up and running quickly, adapting to demand in real-time.

They’re also great if you want to scale fast. If you’re planning to serve food at a festival, support delivery operations near a high-traffic zone, or temporarily expand during peak seasons, modular kitchens give you the freedom to move where the business is. Just be sure to double-check your local requirements. Permits, zoning, and hookups can vary depending on the location.

One well-known provider in this space is Kitchen Podular, which offers mobile and modular kitchen units for restaurants, franchises, and events all over the U.S. If you’re looking for a fast, modern way to grow your food business, this setup is definitely worth exploring.

Choose your kitchen type, fuel your cooking vision

Your kitchen isn’t just where you cook, but it’s where your entire concept takes shape. Before thinking of restaurant kitchen costs, start with how you want to serve your customers. Are you trying to create a visual experience? Do you want the flexibility to experiment with brands? Or are you looking to build a solid sit-down space that becomes a neighborhood favorite? With the right kitchen setup, you can turn those goals into reality. 

Plus, don’t forget about tools that can help you stay organized and efficient once your kitchen is up and running! Platforms like 7shifts can effectively handle team scheduling, team management, and communication so you can focus on what really matters: great food and happy customers.

As Birmingham, Ala.-based chef Chris Dupont told Forbes, “Ultimately, you’ll be graded on the food. Diners do not come back because you put in a $600,000 kitchen — they’re coming to eat the food.”

Keep researching, ask questions, and connect with others who’ve built something similar. Your food deserves a kitchen that works as hard as you do, and with the right systems in place, you’ll be ready to build something truly lasting.