Essential Equipment Guide for Starting Your Restaurant

Choosing the right tools for your restaurant's success
Dreaming of opening a restaurant or upgrading your existing venue? Whether you're setting up a small café, food truck, or upscale dining space, selecting appropriate equipment is vital. From cooking appliances to storage units, having the right gear ensures efficient operations. This guide covers essential restaurant equipment, including ovens, refrigeration, and preparation tools, to help you create a functional and attractive kitchen for your culinary venture.

What exactly qualifies as restaurant equipment?

Any devices used in a restaurant environment for prepping, cooking, heating, serving, displaying, or storing food are considered restaurant equipment.

These tools enable restaurateurs to outfit all areas of their foodservice spaces, from kitchens to storage. Proper design ensures they are not only functional but also durable and visually appealing. Many online stores offer a wide range of restaurant supplies to simplify your setup. Key items include:

Cooking appliances like fryers and ovens.

Refrigeration units such as display fridges and slushy machines.

Combination ovens and microwaves streamline food prep.

Cold storage like ice machines and refrigerators are essential.

Shelves, carts, and work tables provide necessary storage and workspace.

Food warming and holding units including steam tables and warmer drawers keep dishes at serving temperature.

Plumbing fixtures and equipment are also indispensable.

Kitchen tools and containers help organize ingredients and utensils.

Top kitchen equipment for a commercial restaurant setup

Commercial ranges, fryers, grills, steamers, toasters, rice cookers, and sushi rice warmers are fundamental for busy kitchens.

Refrigeration gear to preserve ingredients

Reach-in refrigerators and freezers

Prep table refrigerators

Bar refrigeration units

Undercounter refrigerators and freezers

Worktop refrigerators for easy access

Choosing the right commercial oven

Options include convection ovens, conveyor types, impinge ovens, microwaves, and combo ovens, suited for pizzerias, bakeries, food trucks, and more.

Convection ovens

Conveyor ovens

Impinge ovens

Microwaves

Combination ovens

Food storage and warming devices

Holding cabinets and proofing units

Countertop warmers and steam tables

Cold food display tables

Food prep tools to create culinary delights

Blenders (including immersion models)

French fry cutters

Meat slicers

Commercial food processors

MIXERS

Types of work tables for kitchen efficiency

Utility stands and filler tables

Work tables with under-shelf storage

Open-based work tables

Steel folding tables

Beverage equipment options

Coffee brewers and dispensers

Beer taps and dispensers

Granita or slushy machines

Underbar equipment for drinks