Restaurant bathrooms embrace bold design as 'TikTokkable' loos become part of the experience

Restaurant bathrooms are increasingly being designed as a deliberate part of the dining experience, with venues opting for bold, "TikTokkable" styles ranging from plush and flatteringly lit to full-on disco camp.

The trend reflects a shift in how hospitality businesses think about spaces once treated purely as functional necessities. Where bathroom design was once an afterthought, operators are now investing in distinctive looks intended to be noticed, photographed and shared on social media platforms such as TikTok.

The late chef and writer Anthony Bourdain was known for being forthright about his expectations of restaurant toilet facilities, once writing that he would not eat in a restaurant with filthy bathrooms. That basic standard of cleanliness has, in many venues, evolved into a much higher bar, with design now treated as an extension of a restaurant's overall identity and atmosphere.

For some restaurants, an eye-catching bathroom has become a talking point in its own right, generating attention and social media coverage independent of the food on offer. The approach varies widely, from softly lit, spa-like spaces to more maximalist, statement-making interiors.

The growing attention paid to bathroom design underscores how hospitality businesses are looking for new ways to shape a memorable overall experience for diners, extending well beyond the dining room itself.