in the restaurant vs at the restaurant

Both 'in the restaurant' and 'at the restaurant' are correct and commonly used phrases in English. The choice between them depends on the context and the level of specificity you want to convey.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 2785 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"in the restaurant"

Use 'in the restaurant' when you want to emphasize being physically inside the restaurant building or space.

Examples:

I saw my friend in the restaurant.
The waiter is busy in the restaurant.
There is a new decoration in the restaurant.

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I heard you in the restaurant.
And he wasn't seen in the restaurant either.
-Yes, in the restaurant of the Frenchman.
Just imagine a huge scoreboard in the restaurant.
It's probably some glitch in the restaurant's computer.
At least you work that squirrel program in the restaurant.
He's holding hostages in the restaurant.
I knew that day in the restaurant.
GPS shows him in the restaurant.
My whole family's here in the restaurant.
She was in the restaurant with Devereaux.
I got us a table in the restaurant.
Barbara's partner in the restaurant.
Well, the kitchen in the restaurant flooded again.
Wash up and meet me in the restaurant.
Kids, let your father in the restaurant, please.
There was an empty wheelchair in the restaurant.
All right, Woodruff's secretary said he should still be in the restaurant.
They were never in the restaurant.
There's a meeting in the restaurant.

Alternatives:

inside the restaurant
within the restaurant

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"at the restaurant"

Use 'at the restaurant' when referring to the location or general vicinity of the restaurant without specifying being inside the building.

Examples:

I will meet you at the restaurant.
She works at the restaurant.
He is waiting at the restaurant.

Show examples from the web [+]

I thought we were meeting at the restaurant.
No one at the restaurant knows where he is.
I felt those guys at the restaurant were following me.
He washes dishes at the restaurant I work at.
I met him at the restaurant where I'm a hostess.
Nicole was last seen at the restaurant with her boyfriend John Butler.
I was trying to explain at the restaurant.
He showed up at the restaurant the other night.
After what happened at the restaurant, it would've been easy.
Boss, we're almost at the restaurant.
Must've been those chairs at the restaurant.
I left it at the restaurant.
The police are downstairs at the restaurant.
I figured as much at the restaurant.
If Chan has a problem, let me know at the restaurant.
There's food at the restaurant with Wendy and Mark.
Know that new hostess at the restaurant...
Just heard back from our team at the restaurant.
You looked like a ghost in that picture at the restaurant.
I carry too many plates and drinks at the restaurant.

Alternatives:

near the restaurant
by the restaurant

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in the restaurant vs at the restaurant

"in the restaurant"

"at the restaurant"

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