Top tips for creating your new restaurant in Happy Home Paradise

One of the facilities that you'll be able to build in the new Happy Home Paradise DLC for Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a fully working restaurant. You'll have to create the dining area for your clients to grab the latest dish of the day, and the kitchen in the back where they actually make the meals. With that in mind, here are five top tips for creating your new restaurant in Happy Home Paradise. 

Decide what type of restaurant you want to create

Making an asian restaurant in Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Before you start creating, you'll want to have a think about the kind of restaurant you want to provide for the folks on the archipelago. With all the items available in the game, you have quite a few options to choose from. You could make an American diner, with the classic 50s-inspired decor or opt for an Asian seafood restaurant with live fish walls to bring your vision to life. You could also do something akin to a French bistro too, or opt for a definitely 100% original fast-food chain with the help of custom content. 

Think about your seating and tables first

Building a bistro in Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Once you've decided on the theme for your restaurant, you'll then want to start by placing your tables and chairs. This is a space where your diners and serving staff will be moving around in, so make sure to leave plenty of space between the furniture for them to navigate successfully to their table. Placing the seating areas first will also help you define your space, and realise just how much room you'll need for the other elements. Don't forget, in order for your restaurant to tick all the boxes for Lottie, you'll need at least four chairs, two tables, and a cash register - so think about that when you're designing too. 

Have fun with the extras

Building a diner in Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Regardless of how much time you spend picking out your furniture and other items, your restaurant will only be brought to life when you start adding extras. Getting the wallpaper right is key, like diner walls or exquisite walls, as that can make or break your space. And don't forget you can add an accent wall if needed too. 

Then it's time for adding all those details like paintings, accessories, and ceiling lights that really finish off your space. After all, what restaurant is really worth going to if the walls aren't adorned with conversation starters. 

Don't forget the kitchen

Building a kitchen in Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise

(Image credit: Nintendo)

While it's tempting to just focus on the area your diners will see, take some time to add a kitchen to your restaurant too. It's here that your chef and their apprentice will be making the meals, so they'll need a space to get prepping. Add stoves, counters, and other culinary equipment to really make this feel like a working kitchen. Because, after all, it is!

Keep coming back for visits

Getting a recipe from the restaurant in Happy Home Paradise

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Now that you've made your restaurant, what's quite unique about this space is that it benefits you to keep coming back to check in on your creation. Not only will you find new potential clients sitting at the tables enjoying their meal, but if you head on back into the kitchen and speak to the chef, you'll get a daily present - one of the brand new cooking DIY recipes! It's a great way to complete your cookbook and ensure you get access to another recipe every day, guaranteed. 

Sam Loveridge
Brand Director, 12DOVE

Sam Loveridge is the Brand Director and former Global Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar. She joined the team in August 2017. Sam came to GamesRadar after working at TrustedReviews, Digital Spy, and Fandom, following the completion of an MA in Journalism. In her time, she's also had appearances on The Guardian, BBC, and more. Her experience has seen her cover console and PC games, along with gaming hardware, for a decade, and for GamesRadar, she's in charge of the site's overall direction, managing the team, and making sure it's the best it can be. Her gaming passions lie with weird simulation games, big open-world RPGs, and beautifully crafted indies. She plays across all platforms, and specializes in titles like Pokemon, Assassin's Creed, The Sims, and more. Basically, she loves all games that aren't sports or fighting titles! In her spare time, Sam likes to live like Stardew Valley by cooking and baking, growing vegetables, and enjoying life in the countryside.

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