How to Write an Effective Restaurant Complaint Letter Template

Do you ever feel frustrated after dining out at a restaurant because your dining experience was less than satisfactory? Perhaps you received the wrong order, the food was not cooked to your liking, or the service was subpar. Whatever the issue may be, it’s important to voice your concerns to the restaurant so they can improve their operations and prevent similar issues from happening in the future.

However, writing a complaint letter can be daunting for some people. That’s why we’ve created a restaurant complaint letter template that you can use as a guide to easily express your grievances. The template includes examples of common complaints, but you can edit them to fit your specific situation.

By using our restaurant complaint letter template, you can communicate your concerns clearly and effectively without confrontation or agitation. And as a bonus, providing feedback to the restaurant can also benefit you in the long run. In many cases, restaurants will offer a discount or complimentary meal as a gesture of goodwill to address your concerns.

So if you’ve had a negative dining experience recently, don’t hesitate to use our restaurant complaint letter template to voice your concerns and help improve the dining experience for yourself and others in the future.

The Best Structure for a Restaurant Complaint Letter Template

When it comes to making a complaint about your dining experience at a restaurant, it’s important to ensure that your complaint is clear, concise, and properly structured. The following is the best structure for a restaurant complaint letter template:

Opening paragraph: Start your complaint with a brief introduction that includes the date and time of your visit, the name and location of the restaurant, and a statement that you were disappointed with your experience.

Main body: The main body of your complaint should outline the specific issues you encountered during your visit. Be sure to describe each issue in detail and include any relevant information such as the names of servers or other employees who were involved. Make sure to avoid using emotionally charged language or making personal attacks, as this could detract from the overall effectiveness of your complaint.

Conclusion: Your conclusion should summarize your issues and request that the restaurant take action to address them. Be clear about what you want the restaurant to do to make things right, such as issuing a refund or providing a free meal. You should also include your contact information so that the restaurant can follow up with you after they have addressed your complaints.

Closing: End your letter with a polite and professional closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your signature.

Remember to proofread your complaint carefully before sending it to the restaurant to ensure that it is error-free and well-written. By following this structure, you’ll be sure to make a effective complaint that will help improve the restaurant’s service and prevent other diners from having a similarly unpleasant experience in the future.

Restaurant Complaint Letter Templates

Poor Food Quality Complaint

Dear Manager,

I am writing to express my disappointment with the food quality at your establishment. Yesterday, my family and I visited for dinner and unfortunately, the food we received was not up to the usual standard we have experienced during previous visits. The steak I ordered was overcooked and tough to cut, while my wife’s pasta was completely undercooked and unappetizing.

We understand that issues can arise, but we were extremely disappointed that the quality of the food was not up to the standard we have come to expect from your restaurant. We hope that you take this feedback seriously and take necessary measures to maintain a high standard of food quality.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Poor Service Complaint

Dear Manager,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the service provided by your staff during our visit to your establishment yesterday. Our waiter was extremely inattentive and forgetful, making our experience very unpleasant. He was slow to take our order and rarely checked on our table, despite the restaurant being relatively empty.

We expect to be attended to in a timely, professional manner and unfortunately, your staff did not meet our expectations. We hope that you take this feedback seriously and take necessary steps to improve your staff’s customer service skills.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Unsanitary Conditions Complaint

Dear Manager,

I am writing to bring to your attention, the unsanitary conditions I experienced at your restaurant. My family and I visited your establishment last weekend and were extremely disgusted to find a dead cockroach on the floor next to our table. Additionally, the restroom was not properly cleaned and smelled strongly of urine.

We feel that it is unacceptable for your establishment to have such unsanitary conditions and hope that you take necessary measures to prevent this from happening in the future.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Incorrect Order Complaint

Dear Manager,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the incorrect order we received at your establishment last night. My husband and I ordered the chicken dinner and requested that it be cooked well done, however, what we received was a completely different meal. We had received the steak dinner and it was cooked rare.

It was a huge inconvenience and disappointment to receive the wrong order, especially after we had specifically requested for the correct food choices. We hope that you take this feedback seriously and take necessary steps to improve your order accuracy.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Overpriced Menu Complaint

Dear Manager,

I am writing to bring to your attention my disappointment in the overpriced menu at your restaurant. I visited last night with my family and was quite shocked by the prices of the food on the menu. The portion sizes were small, the taste was average and the prices were excessively high.

We feel that it is unacceptable for your establishment to have such overpriced menu items and hope that you take necessary measures to address this issue.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Noisy Environment Complaint

Dear Manager,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the noisy environment at your restaurant. My husband and I visited last night for a quiet dinner, but unfortunately, the noise level was incredibly high. There were loud conversations and a group of patrons playing music that made it impossible to enjoy our dinner or even hear ourselves speak.

We feel that it is unacceptable for your establishment to have such a noisy environment and hope that you take necessary measures to address this issue.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Unprofessional Staff Complaint

Dear Manager,

I am writing to express my frustration with the unprofessional behavior of your staff during my visit to the restaurant. I was highly disappointed with the way the hostess and waitstaff handled the situation when I arrived. They were disinterested in their job and unresponsive to my needs.

We feel that it is unacceptable for your establishment to have such unprofessionalism behavior and hope that you take necessary measures to improve your staff’s conduct.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Tips for Writing an Effective Restaurant Complaint Letter Template

If you have had a negative experience at a restaurant and you want to express your concerns, writing a complaint letter is a great way to do it. The letter should clearly outline your concerns, express your disappointment, and offer suggestions for improvement. To help you get started, here are some tips for writing an effective restaurant complaint letter:

  • Be specific and detailed: In order for the restaurant to take your complaint seriously, it is important to provide specific details about your experience. Include the date and time of your visit, the name of your server, and details about the food and service that were unsatisfactory.

  • Stay calm and objective: While it is understandable that you may be upset, it is important to stay calm and objective in your letter. Avoid using aggressive or confrontational language, and instead, focus on expressing your concerns in a clear and concise manner.

  • Offer suggestions for improvement: While it is important to express your disappointment, offering suggestions for improvement can help the restaurant take positive action. Be specific about what you would like to see changed or improved, and offer constructive feedback that can be used to make changes in the future.

  • Use a professional tone and format: Your restaurant complaint letter should be written in a professional tone and format. Use proper grammar and spelling, and format your letter like a business letter, including a heading, salutation, body, and closing.

  • Be courteous and respectful: While you may be upset about your experience, it is important to remain courteous and respectful in your letter. Avoid making personal attacks or insults, and instead, stick to the facts and express your concerns in a constructive way.

  • Provide contact information: If you would like the restaurant to contact you to follow up on your complaint, be sure to provide your contact information, including your name, address, phone number, and email address.

  • Follow up: After you send your complaint letter, it is a good idea to follow up with the restaurant to ensure that your concerns have been addressed. If you do not receive a response within a reasonable amount of time, consider contacting the restaurant again to follow up.

By following these tips, you can create an effective restaurant complaint letter that expresses your concerns in a constructive and professional way.

Restaurant Complaint Letter Template FAQs


What is a restaurant complaint letter template?

A restaurant complaint letter template is a pre-designed format used to draft a formal complaint letter to a restaurant about a negative experience.

What should I include in a restaurant complaint letter?

You should include the date and time of your visit, the names of the staff you interacted with, the issues you faced during your visit, and any supporting evidence you may have.

Why should I use a restaurant complaint letter template?

A template provides a structure for your complaint letter and ensures that you include all the necessary information. It also helps to maintain a professional tone throughout the letter.

How do I address the restaurant in my complaint letter?

You should address the letter to the manager or owner of the restaurant using “Dear [Manager/Owner]”.

What should I do after submitting my complaint letter?

You should wait for a response from the restaurant. If you don’t receive a response within a reasonable amount of time, you can follow up with a phone call or another letter.

How long should my complaint letter be?

Your complaint letter should be concise and to the point, preferably no longer than one page.

Can I request compensation in my complaint letter?

Yes, you can request compensation in your complaint letter, but make sure you provide a valid reason and a reasonable amount.

Thanks for Stopping By

I hope this restaurant complaint letter template helps you the next time you have a less-than-stellar experience at your favorite eatery. Remember, communicating your dissatisfaction in a clear and respectful manner can lead to better outcomes for you and the restaurant. So, don’t shy away from letting your concerns be heard. Thanks again for reading, and I hope to see you back here soon for more helpful tips and tricks. Cheers!