The role of restaurant servers is vital in making a guest’s dining experience meaningful and pleasant. Servers are also often described as the face of the entire operation as they are often required to perform other duties besides taking orders or serving food in an establishment.
In many respects, servers are the ambassadors of the restaurant’s brand, style, and values. Their efficiency, demeanor, and service offerings can greatly affect customer expectations regarding satisfaction, repeat visits, and online reviews.
This article explains in detail what does a server do at a restaurant. If you are planning a food service career or just like to learn more about a restaurant’s working mechanics, then understanding server duties and skills is worth having.
Who is a Server in a Restaurant?
A Server is essentially a front-of-house employee in a restaurant whose job is patiently organizing and ensuring that guests have an enjoyable dining experience.
It provides for almost every aspect of the experience between the customer and kitchen contact-from greeting diners to taking orders to delivering the food to ensuring that everything is correct and handling payments.
Servers work in different places. There are casual diners or fast-casual restaurants, but there are also high-end fine-dining restaurants. Every location has similar responsibilities, but they are different degrees of complexity based on type and size.
What is the Difference Between a Waiter and a Server?
Usually, both terms are used interchangeably to refer to the one who serves in a restaurant. However, in some cases, there may be slight distinctions between the two:
- Server is gender-neutral and more modern. It becomes more appropriate in a professional context.
- Waiter or waitress is a traditional term and has gender connotations.
Therefore, both titles may refer to someone who does the same job, but “server” is the one most preferred in the industry owing to its inclusive nature.
Restaurant Server Job Skills
The skills that you need to acquire to be a server in a restaurant are,
- Communication Skills: The ability to communicate messages to clients and kitchen staff properly.
- Multitasking: Tending to multiple tables and requests simultaneously.
- Customer Service: The ability to make guests feel appreciated and attended to.
- Memory: To remember customers’ orders, specials, and particular likes.
- Attention to Detail: Making sure every aspect of service is done properly.
- Problem Solving: Cautiously handling complaints and special requests.
- Physical Stamina: Standing for quite some time.
What Does a Server Do at a Restaurant (Restaurant Server Responsibilities)
The duties of a restaurant server are quite diverse and vast, so here are the responsibilities that they need to carry out.
1. Table Arrangement
In the restaurant business, servers will normally be the ones to set the assigned sections and prepare them for service before anything starts:
- Setting chairs and tables properly.
- Cleaning and properly setting table settings (napkins, cutlery, plates, condiments).
- Making sure the dining area is clean and welcoming.
2. Attending and Greeting Customers
The first impression should be greeted with honor. One friendly, yet professional greeting can therefore save or ruin the entire dining experience:
- Greeting guests upon entry.
- Showing them to their respective tables.
- Offering water or drinks as the guests settle in.
3. Present Restaurant Menus
Upon being seated, introduce a menu with some guidance:
- Distributing menus and explaining about specials or seasonal items.
- Providing recommendations based on guests’ preferences or popular choices.
- Answer questions about ingredients, preparation, or dietary concerns.
4. Taking Orders
Taking orders would be deemed one of the main duties, as follows:
- Writing down or punching an order into a POS (Point of Sale) system.
- Verbalizing the order back to the customer to check for accuracy.
- Any clarifying questions on special instructions or allergies.
5. Keep Kitchen Staff Informed
Another communications line toward the kitchen is important:
- Relay special requests with clarity.
- Notify the kitchen of larger orders in a modified format, etc.
- Follow up on orders and ensure that they come out in time.
6. Table and Utensils Cleaning
It’s good to keep the dishes and tables clean before the restaurant opens or as soon as the guests leaves:
- Disinfecting tables between customers.
- Replacing stained napkins, silverware, and plates.
- Cleaning the dining area for the opening shift.
7. Serving Foods
Once the chef prepares the order:
- Taking the right dishes to the right customer.
- Serving hot food at a hot temperature and cold food at a cold temperature.
- Coming back soon after serving to check satisfaction.
8. Clearing the Leftover Food
Once the guests finish:
- Clearing plates and utensils quickly in a polite manner.
- Offering to pack any leftovers if the guests so desire.
- Resetting tables for the next guest.
9. Collect Payments from Tables
At the end of the table service:
- Politely presenting the bill.
- Receiving payment (cash, credit card, or mobile app).
- Providing change or receipt.
10. Helping Food Preparation Staff in Case of Emergency
Though not mandatory, during rush hours, servers should provide assistance:
- Assisting in small prep jobs (water filling, garnishing).
- Restocking supplies.
- Passing on critical customer issues to kitchen management or the chef.
Things You Should Know as a Server
Along with ancient technical skills, excelling in this job requires an exemplary level of personal qualities. Below are some excellent server qualities.
1. Be Efficient
If you are looking to be a restaurant server then it is important that you need to be highly efficient and proactive on a daily basis.
- Work quickly but be sure the quality of service does not suffer.
- Prioritize tasks to allow for smooth flow during peak hours.
- Use positive downtime to set up tables or do light cleaning.
2. Be Observant
Other than being highly efficient at your job, it is important to be very observant at the same time. You need to be aware of what all the guests are doing and what they might require.
- Anticipate a guest’s needs without being asked.
- Recognize early spillages and discomfort.
- Keep track of happenings at each table to time the service well.
3. Be Diplomatic
When you are working as a restaurant server, you cannot be biased towards any guest, it is important to be diplomatic at the time of a disagreement.
- Address complaints with professionalism and empathy.
- Avoid confrontation; elevate the issue when needed.
- Offer solutions like meal replacement or discount discreetly.
4. Good Manners
One of the biggest requirements of being a restaurant server is that you have to have good manners and polite behavior while you are working.
- Using ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ at all times.
- Use polite language with respect.
- Keep to the positive approach and welcoming attitude, even when going is tough.
Wrapping Up!
If you are thinking what does a server do at a restaurant, then it is much more than delivering plates to a table. It requires interpersonal skills, organizational ability, and physical endurance.
A great server enhances the customer’s dining experience through professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail. Understanding what a server does helps highlight this role’s importance in a restaurant’s overall success.
For those entering the hospitality field, developing the necessary skills and mindset can lead to rewarding career opportunities, strong customer relationships, and personal satisfaction.
Whether you’re dining out or considering joining the industry, always remember that behind every great meal is a dedicated server working hard to make it memorable.
