Everything You Need to Know About the Front of House (Restaurant)
When you walk into a restaurant and someone greets you with a warm smile and shows you to your table — that’s the front of house in action! But what exactly is the front of house (restaurant), and what do these amazing staff do every day?
Let’s explore the fun and fast-paced world of front of house work in a restaurant.
What does Front of House mean?
The front of house, or FOH, is the part of the restaurant where guests eat, drink, and relax. It’s the space customers see, and where most of the service takes place.
It includes:
- 🚪 The entrance and waiting area
- 🍽️ The dining area
- 🪑 Outdoor tables (if there are any)
- 🍸 The bar
- 🚻 Toilets and washrooms (yes, they need attention too!)
The opposite is the back of house (BOH) — the kitchen, storage, and staff-only areas.
Who works in the Front of House?
Let’s meet the stars of the show!
1. Host / Hostess
🟢 What they do: Greet customers, manage the booking list, and walk guests to their tables.
🟢 Example: “Good evening! Welcome to The Olive Tree. Your table for two is ready — right this way!”
Running a smooth and welcoming front of house (restaurant) isn’t always easy — especially during busy times. That’s where resOS comes in! We’ve built tools to make your team’s job easier and your guests happier.
Easy-to-use visual table plan
With our visual table plan, your team can see which tables are free, which are booked, and which are ready to be cleaned — all at a glance.
👉 Example: Your host sees on the screen that Table 4 is clear. They seat the next guests without delay!
Take control with a visual table planner
No more guessing who sits where. Our drag-and-drop table plan helps your team seat guests faster and stay in control.
2. Waiter / Waitress
🟡 What they do: Take food and drink orders, serve meals, and check in with guests during their meal.
🟡 Example: “Would you like to hear the specials today?”
Tasks include:
- Taking orders using a notepad or tablet
- Serving food and drinks
- Refilling water glasses
- Bringing the bill and handling payments
3. Bartender
🔵 What they do: Mix and serve drinks, chat with guests at the bar, and clean glasses.
🔵 Example: “One mojito coming right up!”
Common tasks:
- Preparing cocktails
- Checking ID for age restrictions
- Keeping the bar clean and stocked
4. Front of House Manager / Supervisor
🔴 What they do: Oversee the whole FOH team, deal with tricky customers, and keep everything running smoothly.
🔴 Example: “Let me check with the kitchen and get back to you right away.”
Duties:
- Assigning tables
- Supporting junior staff
- Solving customer complaints
- Communicating with the kitchen team
Stay on top of bookings without the chaos
Online, phone, or in-person — resOS keeps all your reservations in one place, so nothing slips through the cracks.
Front of house daily tasks (with examples)
Here are the key daily duties in a front of house role:
| Task | Example |
|---|---|
| Greet customers | “Welcome in! Do you have a booking?” |
| Take bookings | Using phone, email, or booking system like resOS |
| Set and clear tables | Wipe down, replace cutlery, reset menus |
| Recommend dishes | “The chicken pie is very popular today!” |
| Serve food and drinks | Carry trays carefully and with a smile |
| Handle complaints | “I’m sorry about that — let me fix it for you.” |
| Keep areas tidy | Sweep floors, wipe counters, refill napkins |
| Close down | Turn off lights, count tills, lock up |
Top skills for Front of House staff
- 🗣️ Good Communication – Speak clearly and listen to customers
- 😊 Friendly Attitude – Be polite and helpful
- 🚀 Quick Thinking – Handle busy times calmly
- 🧠 Memory – Remember table numbers and orders
- 👟 Stamina – Be ready to stand and move for hours!
Why the Front of House matters?
The front of house (restaurant) is all about creating a great experience. A lovely smile and helpful service can turn a regular meal into something special.
Restaurants with a strong FOH team often get:
- ⭐ Better reviews
- 💬 Word-of-mouth praise
- 📈 More repeat bookings
- 🫶 Happier customers
Final thought
The front of house is the heart of a restaurant. From taking bookings to serving dessert, the FOH team keeps things running smoothly and makes guests feel welcome.
If you’re friendly, fast, and love meeting new people, a job in the front of house (restaurant) could be perfect for you!
🧠 Fun quiz: are you FOH-ready?
What should you do if a customer is unhappy with their food?
Stay calm, apologise politely, and offer a solution like replacing the dish. Let a manager or the kitchen know right away.
How would you greet someone with a reservation?
Smile and say something like:
“Good evening! Do you have a reservation?”
Then check the list and show them to their table.
Name two places included in the front of house.
The dining area and the entrance/waiting area. These are spaces where guests sit, eat, and are welcomed.
