5 Examples of Excellent Restaurant Signs In NYC

Most people don’t give a lot of thought to restaurant signs . But if you own an eatery of some type, especially if it’s here in New York City, you should be aware that your sign is far more than a nameplate. It can bring you business, or put people off. That’s because it reflects your restaurant’s personality. And it tells people what to expect inside.

Here are five examples of excellent restaurant signs right here in NYC:

Dunkin Donuts
In a city noted for stone, masonry and concrete as high as the eye can see, Dunkin Donuts’ cheerful orange and pink stripes are an exuberant and welcome sight. There’s no doubt that a tasty snack and hot cup of coffee are near at hand. And in case you didn’t know Dunkin Donuts serves coffee, that larger-than-life cup over the entrance says it all.

Note the snappy matching banners that create portable walls for the outdoor café area. Umbrellas, too. You can enjoy your favorite chocolate-with-sprinkles and the nice summer weather at the same time.

The Lake Club
Talk about refreshing! We’re referring to that great outdoor eating area, of course, not just the lake and lush surroundings. This place has class. It’s understated and sophisticated, with a permanent awning that shades and protects that expansive bow of windows. The awning’s subtle dark green fabric reflects the environment, yet it recedes into the surroundings so your eye focuses on the handsome stonework.

When the weather’s lovely and the crowd expands, the awning extends outward. And when the weather’s not-so-lovely, walls can enclose the patio without restricting the view. There’s even a little matching “anteroom” just outside another entrance. Notice how the domed top fits the arched stonework over the door.

Moe’s Southwest Grill
This place is small, and their building is boring. Restaurant signs – and good design — to the rescue! The narrow awning adds badly-needed definition to the restaurant’s frontage. And repeating the eye-catching yellow of the little chili as background for that great round “callout” over the entrance provides an interesting contrast of shapes. The awning projects outward over the entrance, too, so it’s easy to find the little restaurant from either direction.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Signs as chic as the restaurant itself. Black is the color of elegance – an ideal background to showcase the simple orange and white logo. Awnings in series define the entire restaurant’s street frontage but don’t interfere with the building’s lovely arched windows. One awning subtly repeats that curve to mark the entrance.

And did you notice the pretty filigree wrought iron valance on the awning sections? Understated yet dressy, just like Ruth’s Chris.

Cafe Capriccio Ristorante
This place is obviously a neighborhood gem. With that broad run of mullioned windows and doors, and the crisp black-and-white design theme, this restaurant definitely beckons. It’s proof that you don’t need a riot of color to make an impressive statement.

The awning itself is distinctive, too – tall, but shallow compared to its height. Plenty of room for the pretty script name. And that shape draws your eye right down to the “business” part of the restaurant. The panels underneath the awning can be lit at night, lighting the sidewalk for safety and adding to the café’s cozy ambiance.

So what’s the bottom line here? Different as they are, all these establishments use their awnings as restaurant signs. It makes sense. Custom-designed awnings are uniquely yours. They can add architectural interest, and in many cases they protect patrons from the elements. They provide an infinitely broader canvas on which to paint a welcoming picture of your restaurant.

It gives you a whole new perspective on restaurant signs, doesn’t it?

Photo Credit: lrumiha via Flickr

Restaurant Awnings