The importance of good acoustics in restaurants

You probably know it well: you're dining with friends in a cosy restaurant, the atmosphere is good and the food is delicious. But the acoustics are poor: conversations are hard to follow and you have to strain to hear anything. People are talking louder to be heard, which increases the noise level. You tune out halfway through the conversation and fatigue sets in. As a result, the evening becomes less enjoyable and you decide to skip this restaurant next time. 

Benefits of good acoustics in restaurants

Increased speech intelligibility

In a restaurant, it is essential that guests can clearly understand each other without having to raise their voices. Good acoustics is an optimal balance between sound absorption and sound reflection, which makes conversations easily understandable. 

Lower sound levels

With optimal acoustics, guests do not need to speak above the background noise, which lowers the overall sound level. This reduces the Lombard effect, also known as the cocktail party effect. In this situation, everyone speaks increasingly louder to be heard, often resulting in a vicious circle of rising noise.

Less fatigue

Poor acoustics can lead to fatigue, both mental and physical, as guests constantly have to make an effort to understand each other. This can negatively affect the dining experience. 

Impact of acoustics on online reviews and customer satisfaction

Better reviews

Guests are nowadays quick to share their experiences online. Poor acoustics are a commonly heard complaint in restaurant reviews. A study conducted in the USA involving 13,000 restaurant visits found that 24% complain about acoustics, making it the number one complaint, followed by service and crowding. Restaurants with good acoustics, on the other hand, often receive positive feedback, which contributes to a better image. Moreover, this also attracts more new customers. 

Increased customer satisfaction

A calm, comfortable environment where guests can enjoy their meal and conversations without disruptive background noise enhances overall customer satisfaction. This leads to repeat visits and word-of-mouth promotion, which is important for the success of a restaurant.  

Consequences of poor acoustics

Poor acoustics in the hospitality industry cause headaches and fatigue among visitors and increase stress for staff, negatively impacting their health. Visitors who are disturbed by the noise level in restaurants often stay for a shorter time and are less likely to return. This has a direct negative effect on customer satisfaction and the restaurant's reputation, which can result in lower revenue. 

Moreover, a high noise level above 75 dB can influence the perception of smell and taste, causing sweetness to be perceived as less intense and dishes to be experienced as less pleasant. 

Projects

An example is the Grand café-restaurant In den Boekenkast, where the installation of acoustic ceiling panels reduced the echo. By improving the acoustics, both the staff and the guests now benefit from a comfortable acoustic environment.  

Not every entrepreneur is aware of the negative consequences of poor acoustics. Fortunately, they at restaurant De Branding knew that they needed to take action. They implemented measures to improve the comfort of their guests and the health of the staff. They achieved this by reducing the echo in the room through acoustic solutions. 

Investing in acoustics

Good acoustics are essential for the optimal dining experience in a restaurant. It improves speech intelligibility, reduces noise levels, and decreases fatigue. This results in satisfied guests and positive online reviews. Investing in acoustic solutions can therefore not only enhance the atmosphere in your restaurant but also contribute to its success and reputation. 

Do you have questions or would you like tailored advice for your restaurant? Feel free to contact us. Our acoustic specialists are happy to assist you!