5 changes in restaurants that are here to stay, even after vaccinations

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: A Grubhub tablet displays orders ready for pick up at Claro on April 25, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Claro, a one star restaurant in the Michelin Guide, is serving food as a take-out and delivery only operation amid mandatory restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Gary He/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: A Grubhub tablet displays orders ready for pick up at Claro on April 25, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Claro, a one star restaurant in the Michelin Guide, is serving food as a take-out and delivery only operation amid mandatory restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Gary He/Getty Images)

We may be reaching the beginning of the end of the pandemic, but there are some rules that are here to stay at restaurants. Here are five big changes to keep in mind.

The fast food and restaurant industry may never be the same after the pandemic, but it can get closed! One way you can help is, of course, by getting vaccinated. But even those who are fully vaccinated will forever need to be mindful of safety protocols.

Food and Wine recently shared a list of 10 rules to keep in mind while dining at a restaurant. Below, we share our favorite, as well as tips and bonus changes you may have not thought about already.

MORE: Wendy’s breakfast: The best (and worst) breakfast menu item

Read on, and be sure to share any other tips with us!

5 changes in restaurants

1. Be patient

This one is coming from the source and it’s one I have noticed but didn’t pay much attention to. We need to be more patient as slower service is to be expected. The kitchen and serving staff have more steps to follow, which will take longer. This means our food will take longer to arrive at the table.

2. Generous tips

We’re all going through it, really. However, with fewer customers, servers need tips now more than ever! If you had a good experience and enjoy your meal and felt safe, tip more than you would pre-pandemic.

3. Don’t touch the staff

Even if you are a regular at your favorite restaurant, be mindful. It’s important now more than ever to  give everyone their personal space. So even if you know your server and have for years, skip the hugs and high fives. They’ll appreciate it.

4. No large parties

Vaccinated or not, it’s not a good idea to invite a large number of family and friends at a restaurant. At the moment, most places have a 8-10 person limit. If you have more over, you may be turned away.

5. Condiments

Ketchup bottles, salt, and others are no longer (and likely never will) be available at your table. These you’ll have to request as you need them, and they’ll likely give you a small portion of it instead of the full-size bottle of ketchup, for example.

Which restaurant rules have you noticed that you believe are here to stay?