Why Every Restaurant Needs an Outlandish Menu Item
Why Every Restaurant Needs an Outlandish Menu Item
A menu should do more than offer food. It should tell a story. It should pull guests in, make them curious, and keep them talking. Strange, unexpected items do this best. Velveeta cheese ice cream. A liquorice martini. A black garlic mojito. These aren’t just gimmicks. They are sales drivers, conversation starters, and social media gold.
People crave new experiences. They want surprises. A dish they’ve never seen before makes them stop. It makes them wonder. Curiosity is powerful. When diners feel like they’ve discovered something unique, they want to be part of the moment. They ordered it. They talk about it. They take pictures.
Restaurants that embrace this strategy see results. Salt & Straw built a loyal following with flavors like blue cheese and pear ice cream. Guests keep coming back, eager to see what’s next. The Aviary crafts cocktails with wild ingredients, turning each drink into an experiment. The unusual becomes a signature.
The Science Behind Bold Choices
Psychologists call it the novelty effect. The human brain rewards new experiences. A unique dish makes dining feel fresh, exciting. Studies show that when people try something different, they feel more engaged. They remember the meal. They tell friends. They return for more.
Social media amplifies this. If a dish looks strange enough to grab attention, it spreads. Guests post pictures. Friends react. Suddenly, a restaurant has free marketing. The more outrageous the item, the more likely it is to trend. Scarcity adds fuel. Limited-time items create urgency. Guests rush in before it’s gone.
More Than a Gimmick—A Smart Business Move
An outlandish menu item does more than attract attention. It raises the average check. Diners come for the experience but stay for a full meal. A Velveeta cheese ice cream may pull them in, but they also order appetizers, drinks, and dessert.
Good placement matters. Menu engineers know that high-visibility items draw eyes first. A bizarre drink or dish should sit where people notice it. Pair it with familiar flavors. A black garlic mojito beside a classic mojito makes the leap feel safer.
Restaurants That Got It Right
Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant blends wild food and spectacle. The show itself is bizarre. The food matches. Guests don’t come for a quiet meal. They come for an experience. The outlandish dishes fit the theme, boosting guest engagement.
At Supper Club in Amsterdam, diners never know what to expect. Unpredictability drives their success. Odd, unexpected dishes keep people curious. They come back, eager to see what’s next.
Should You Try It?
If your restaurant needs buzz, consider something bold. The key is balance. Strange, but not off-putting. Wild, but not random. Make sure it fits the brand. Give guests something to talk about.
What’s the boldest dish you’d add to a menu?
#RestaurantMarketing #MenuPsychology #GuestEngagement