Guide
Updated 13 November 2026
Restaurant name ideas for the UK: patterns, checks and mistakes to avoid
By Arslan Munir
Updated 13 Nov 2026.
In short: a good restaurant name is short, easy to say and spell, tells people what you sell, and is free to use. Pick a naming pattern, make a shortlist, say each name aloud, then check it three ways before you commit: the Companies House name checker, the UK trade marks register and a .co.uk domain. The patterns below are formulas to adapt, not names to copy, because any name you pick has to be checked as yours.
Naming patterns that work
| Pattern | How it works | Examples to adapt |
|---|---|---|
| Place + food | Says where you are and what you sell | "[Street or town] Kebab House", "[Area] Pizza Co" |
| Owner or family | Personal and memorable | "[Surname]'s Kitchen", "[First name]'s Grill" |
| Cuisine word | A word from the cuisine people recognise | "Bombay [word]", "[Word] Tandoor", "Istanbul [word]" |
| Plain description | Search-friendly and clear | "The Chicken Shop", "[Town] Curry House" |
| Short and invented | Easy to remember and brand | "[Two-syllable word] Eats" |
| Menu hero | Named after your best seller | "[Dish] & Co", "The [Dish] Place" |
How to choose, in five steps
- List 10 to 20 names from two or three patterns above.
- Say each aloud on the phone. If people have to ask you to spell it, drop it.
- Check it is readable on a bag, a sign and a phone screen. Long names with symbols shrink badly.
- Check that it tells people what you sell. A customer scrolling a delivery app should know in a second.
- Run the checks below on your shortlist of three.
What to check in the UK
- Companies House: if you will trade as a limited company, the name cannot be the same as another registered company's, and punctuation, similar-looking words and common company words can still make it "the same as" (GOV.UK, read 13 November 2026). Use the company name availability checker.
- Trade marks: if your name is too similar to another company's trade mark you may have to change it if someone complains (GOV.UK). Search the UK Intellectual Property Office register before you print a sign.
- Trading names: you can trade under a different name to your registered name, but it must not include "limited" or "Ltd" and must not use a sensitive word without permission (GOV.UK).
- Domain: see how to choose a takeaway domain name. A .co.uk that matches your name helps customers find your ordering site.
- Food business registration: register the business with your council at least 28 days before trading. See how to start a takeaway business in the UK.
- Google: search the name in your town. If another restaurant already owns the results, choose another.
Common mistakes
- Names that are too like a bigger brand, which risks a complaint.
- Names you cannot get as a domain or on social media.
- Names that limit you, such as "Pizza" in the name when you plan to add other food.
- Hard-to-spell names that nobody can search for.
After you have a name
Your name is the start of your online presence. Chefzi builds an ordering website from your menu, in your name, with your own domain on every plan, 0% commission and plans from £9 a month billed annually (£12 monthly), ex VAT. See restaurant website design and how to get your takeaway online.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Set up a private limited company: Choose a company name: https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/choose-company-name (read 13 Nov 2026)
- Companies House blog, Choosing a company name (11 October 2019): https://companieshouse.blog.gov.uk/2019/10/11/choosing-a-company-name/ (read 13 Nov 2026)
- Company name availability checker: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company-name-availability/ (read 13 Nov 2026)
- Chefzi facts: https://chefzi.co.uk/chefzi-facts (read 13 Nov 2026)
Questions
How do I choose a name for my restaurant?
Choose a short name that is easy to say and spell, tells people what you sell, and is free to use. Make a shortlist from a few naming patterns, say each aloud, then check Companies House, the trade marks register and a .co.uk domain.
Can I use any restaurant name I like in the UK?
No. A limited company's name cannot be the same as another registered company's, and a name too like someone's trade mark may have to change if they complain. Check Companies House and the UK trade marks register first.
How do I check if a restaurant name is taken?
Use the Companies House name availability checker, search the UK Intellectual Property Office trade marks register, check for a matching .co.uk domain, and search the name on Google in your area.
Do I need to register my restaurant name?
If you form a limited company, the name is registered with Companies House. A trading name does not have to be registered but must follow the rules. Either way, register the food business with your council at least 28 days before trading.
Should my takeaway name include the food I sell?
It helps customers and search engines understand you quickly. But a name tied to one dish can limit you if you add other food. A place name plus a general word, such as "Kitchen" or "House", gives more room.
Can Chefzi build a website in my restaurant's name?
Yes. Chefzi builds an ordering website from your menu, with your own domain included on every plan, 0% commission and a free first month with no card.