Food and Beverage Restaurants A restaurant is a retail establishment that serves prepared food to customers. Food is generally for eating on the premises, although restaurant' can also describe take-out establishments and food delivery services. The term covers many types of venue and a diversity of styles of cuisine and service. Restaurants can range from modest lunching or dining. places catering to people working nearby, with simple food served in simple settings at low rices, to expensive establishments serving refined food and wines in a formal setting.