Being too loud, rude or uncommunicative? We asked gastronomy professionals and clarified which restaurant faux pas they find really annoying and which ones completely unproblematic.
Dining out should be fun—for guests and gastronomy professionals alike. But is there anything restaurant guests should definitely not do? We spoke to four industry experts, and their answers make one thing clear: Restaurant etiquette is less about rigid rules and far more about respect, communication, and basic courtesy.
“You can’t really do anything majorly wrong as a guest—but you can behave badly,” says Michelin-starred chef Alexander Herrmann. He notes that great service always strives to create an exceptional experience, and how guests respond to that effort makes a world of difference. Warmth and politeness toward staff and chefs are almost always mirrored back.
True faux pas are rare, Herrmann adds, but they do exist: being excessively loud, disturbing other tables, or behaving rudely. Everything else—whether guests order a small or large menu or have special requests—is completely acceptable. “A good gastronomy professional wants guests to feel free. That’s the essence of hospitality,” he says.
For small establishments, poor communication can quickly turn into a real challenge. Taubenkobel's Barbara Eselböck and Alain Weissgerber emphasize that even small gestures can go a long way: “A quick update in case of delays, changes, or uncertainties makes our work much easier. Last-minute cancellations or no-shows are especially hard to deal with for a small restaurant.” Informing the team in good time not only shows respect, but ensures a smooth, enjoyable evening for everyone.
Another crucial point: the way guests treat the staff. Just because you’re a paying customer, doesn't give you the right to look down on a restaurant's employees. Komu's Christoph Kunz explains: “Being rude to the employees working at the restaurant or assuming you’re automatically right simply because you’re the guest—that’s unacceptable behavior.” Respect, he stresses, is the foundation of every great dining experience. A smile, a sincere thank you, or a polite question is always helpful.
Courtesy extends beyond staff to other diners. Loud conversations, being constantly on your phone, or not reading the room can easily disrupt other guests' experience. These types of behavior, professionals agree, go against restaurant etiquette. Personal preferences—what you order, the way you eat, what you drink—are rarely an issue.
Ultimately, “doing something wrong” as a guest is seldom the problem. As long as you respect the ground rules—communication, kindness, consideration, and respect—you have nothing to worry about and can enjoy your meal to the fullest. After all, restaurants thrive on human connection, and that connection works best when everyone is considerate and feels at ease.
