Restaurant
Restaurants exist in The Sims: Hot Date, several of The Sims 2 expansions, and in The Sims 3.
The Sims
The Hot Date expansion pack introduced restaurants to the world of The Sims, but only allowed them to be placed Downtown.
A restaurant needs these objects:
- At least one podium
- An expensive podium will spawn a maitre d', who will stand at the podium and seat diners, as well as a waiter or waitress.
- Dining booths and/or dining tables and chair
- These must be in the same room as the podium, or Sims will not be seated.
- At least one stove
- There should be as many stoves as podiums. Any type of stove can be used, and they don't all have to be the same.
- A refrigerator
- Any type of refrigerator can be used.
- Counter space
- The chef(s) will need someplace to prepare food, and places to put finished meals so the waiter(s) can pick them up.
- A sink and/or dishwasher
- A trash can and/or trash compactor
When using one of the Maxis podiums, it's best to use Maxis appliances and seating as well.
The Sims 2
Restaurants are a feature in The Sims 2: Nightlife and The Sims 2: Open for Business that allows community lots to have a real dining service. Eating at a restaurant is an alternative way to fulfill the hunger motive while on community lots.
Restaurants can only operate on community lots. Downtown has many premade restaurants. If Open for Business is installed, Bluewater Village also has one.
In order to have a working restaurant, a lot requires certain objects:
- A "Gastronomique" Restaurant Podium[TS2:NL] or Podium of Bonappitizon[TS2:OFB] host podium.
- A Tempest Cooktop from Cuas chef's stove.
On unowned lots, this will spawn one of the NPC chefs. On an owned lot, it will allow a Sim to be assigned to be the chef.
- At least a table with chair or a bar with bar stool.
Sims can eat at the restaurant by clicking the host or the podium. Player can choose "Be Seated" if a set of table is present or "Be Seated at Counter" if a set of bar is present. The host will notify player if there isn't any available seats, or there is not enough table to hold a large group. Sims who are on a date or outing will eat at the same table. If a Sim does not have a group, he/she will eat alone. A group can be split in 2 if there isn't a table large enough to hold all members of the group. Sims cannot choose which table they want to eat at. Instead, the host will seat Sims to the nearest available table.
After Sims are seated, they will autonomously read the menu and a food will appear in the thought bubble. The food in the thought bubble indicates which food that Sim would like to eat. Sims can order the food from the server. The player can choose which Sims eat what while ordering, or simply choose "Chef's Choice" to automatically order every Sim's preferred food. When on a date or outing, if the player can choose the favorite food of each Sim, it will add a bonus score to the date or outing meter. Choosing "Chef's Choice" will not add any additional score.
If the restaurant was currently occupied by many other customers, servers will be likely to be busy. A server works 7 tables. So, if the restaurant contains 8 tables, the game will spawn 2 servers. Additional servers will also be spawned for a second host podium.
After Sims are done eating, they can simply pay the bills from the podium or the host. Sims can also skip out on bill, but they must avoid the host's sight. If the Sims are caught, they will be scolded and have to pay the bill. The host can detect runaway Sims in 3-tile distance; meaning, they can spot Sims even if they're hiding in a restroom which is close to the door. Additionally, Sims can use a Coupon for a Free Meal from any of the group member. Sims will automatically pay the bills if they leave without paying. If they don't have enough money, the bill will be added to the Sims' household bill the next time it arrives.
Sims can have some benefits if they befriend the host or server. If Sims are friends with the host, he/she will be likely to comp their bill, partially or wholly. Servers, on the other hand, has no benefit to be friends with. However, if Sims have low relationship with the servers, they'll be more likely to drop the food tray.
In The Sims 2: Bon Voyage, there are several lots and hotels that contain restaurant objects for dining service while on vacation. This includes Three Lakes Plaza and Twikkii Beach Hotel. There are few differences in restaurants in hotel. Sims cannot skip out on bill, and only tables that are on the same room with the podium is used for dining. Bon Voyage doesn't carry forward the restaurant feature. Hence, if Nightlife isn't installed, the room will be just empty with tables.
Business
This section describes features that are only available in The Sims 2: Open for Business.
In Open for Business, players can own a restaurant. The restaurant will not spawn any host, server, or cook. They will all have to be employed first. Customers will order while standing near the podium instead of while sitting. They will also have buy bar while ordering. The owner has to set the price and plan the menu before the restaurant is open first. Also, a cook with high Cooking skill is required to cook the meal well. A burnt food will damage the Customer Loyalty. However, running a restaurant is the least profitable of all business types.
The Sims 3
The Sims 3 contains restaurant rabbit holes.
The Sims 3: Late Night contains no proper restaurants, but each bar offers bar snacks.