10 Best Shoes for Restaurant Workers 2020 [Buying Guide]

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Heather
Patton

Jennifer
Trimbee

Samantha
Dewitt

How to Choose the Best Shoes for Restaurant Workers

If you work in the restaurant industry you know how important a comfortable pair of shoes is. You spend all day every day on your feet trekking through messes and spills, so it’s a necessity to find a pair of shoes that can withstand the tolls of the kitchen. Instead of going from store to store finding the best pair, we’ve done all the research you need to find your next pair of restaurant shoes. If you’re ready to step into the kitchen, take a look at our Top 10 Best Shoes for Restaurant Workers and get to stepping! Picking out your next pair of shoes for work in the restaurant biz isn’t as simple as finding comfortable shoes. Depending on where you work, in the kitchen or out in the dining room, you may need features that aren’t readily available in most shoes. Restaurant shoes need to protect you from spills and messes, but more importantly, they need to be durable enough to wear every day. Here are a few things you should consider before buying your new pair of shoes.

Upper Material: The material your shoes are made of will determine how long your shoes will last. Some materials are more durable than others and some are easier to clean. Find yourself a pair of shoes that will last you a while.

Gender: Gender is important to both the style of the shoe and also the sizing. Finding a shoe that looks good and fits your feet comfortably is the best thing you can do for yourself as you spend hours on your feet every day.

Slip Resistant: Most restaurant shoes were made with restaurant workers in mind. In the kitchen or dining room, messes and spills occur frequently but you don’t want to fall if you don’t see it. Slip-resistant shoes will help you stay upright!

Style: There are a few styles to choose from when choosing your new restaurant shoes. Slip-on shoes are easy to get on and off but have a heel in the back. Clog style shoes are like slip-on shoes but don’t have a full heel on the back.

Color: The darker the colors the better. In the restaurant industry, it’s hard to stay clean and it’s not different with your shoes. Finding a dark-colored shoe is your best bet for keeping them clean and presentable to all your guests.

Oil Resistant: If you work in the kitchen, oil resistant shoes are a must. Oil spills are hard to clean off and are often warm to the touch. You want a pair of shoes that are easy to clean and don’t stain easily if you’re working in the kitchen.

Top 10 Products

Now that you have a list of features to look for, we’re ready to get cooking! We’ve compiled a list of 10 of the best restaurant shoes to help you find your next pair. Our top pick and budget pick represent our all-time favorite shoes, but if you’re looking for something different or have a few extra minutes check out the rest of our list to find the best pair for you.

KEEN Utility Work Shoe

KEEN’s Utility Work Shoe is the perfect restaurant shoe. The slip-on style is ideal for getting in and out of your shoes quickly without getting the mess of the day on your hands. These shoes are made from recycled PU, cork and memory foam to give you ultimate comfort no matter how long you’re on your feet. Each shoe has a rubber sole to give you the durability that will last even if you work in the heat of the kitchen. They also slip resistant and oil resistant making them the perfect shoe for anyone who works with spills and messes on a regular basis. We love these shoes because they check off everything on our list, but more importantly, they are the best non-slip shoes for restaurant workers and we truly believe it. If you’re looking for comfort, durability, and resistance to messes, the KEEN Utility Work Shoe is the best pair around.

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Tanleewa Townforst Work Shoes

For all the ladies out there who want a cute pair of restaurant shoes, the Tanleewa Townforst Work Shoes are your best bet. These slip-on style shoes may look like an everyday pair at first, but if you look a little deeper you’ll see just how functional they are. Made from PU leather, these shoes are strong and sturdy enough to handle all of our daily activities. Not only are they slip resistant, but they are also shock-absorbing and friction free. You’ll love the way these shoes fit on your feet, even after a long day of work, because of the flexible midsole and cushioned insoles that give you support. The sole is also oil resistant so you won’t slip and fall coming to and from the kitchen. The Townforst Work Shoes give you quality, comfort, and resistance for a great price you won’t find anywhere else! The bottom line is: if you are looking for the best non-slip shoes for restaurant work these shoes are the best pair!

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SensFoot Chef Clog

The SensFoot Chef Clog is our first clog style restaurant shoe. These are the best shoes for work in a restaurant kitchen because they are easy to clean and quick to dry. These shoes are a lot like your standard slip-on shoes, but they have the option to have an open back or strap to keep your foot secure. This particular pair is made from environmentally friendly EVA materials and also have rubber soles to give you a long lasting shoe that withstands messes and spills. Although these shoes are not oil resistant, they are slip resistant and are at the highest rating for the restaurant, healthcare, and service industries. These shoes were also made to give you support for long days spent on your feet with a comforting and breathable insole. The SensFoot Chef Clog was made specifically for chefs all around the world, so why wouldn’t you grab yourself a pair?

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Emeril Lagasse Food Service Shoe

Emeril Lagasse has been a chef for over 30 years and knows just how important it is to wear a pair of comfortable, durable shoes in the kitchen. These imported leather shoes are easy on the eyes and easy on the feet with their active memory foam insole. The anti-fatigue midsoles give you an extra layer of comfort and support, too. This food service shoe was developed with compounds to keep liquids, spills, and messes out so you won’t ever have to worry about liquids getting inside your shoe during your shift. With slip and oil resistance, you’ll be able to move from kitchen to dining room without the fear of falling. With this Emeril Lagasse designed shoe, you’ll feel safe and comfortable at work no matter if you’re in the kitchen or serving tables in the dining room. These shoes were made to get the job done, so grab yourself a pair and see for yourself!

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Dickies Athletic Work Shoe

Dickies has been a brand well-known and trusted in the restaurant business for a very long time. Their Athletic Work Shoe holds true to the Dickies claim as it provides stability, comfort, and durability all in one pair. These faux leather shoes have a rubber sole to keep you upright when liquids are present. The moisture-wicking fabric inside the shoe is perfect to give you breathability when you’re on your feet for hours at a time. The entire inside of the shoe is padded for extra comfort, too. After a few weeks of wearing these shoes around, you’ll find that they fit like a glove. The elastic sides and chafe-resistant collar are ideal to easily remove your shoes after a long day’s work. These shoes are also completely waterproof and are functional in every meaning of the word. If you’re not concerned with how good your restaurant shoes look but are looking for functionality, the Dickies Athletic Work Shoe is the perfect pair for restaurant workers and servers.

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Fanture Chef Clog

The Fanture Chef Clog is another great restaurant shoe. These shoes are enclosed in the front and there’s one strap on the back. The shoe’s material is completely waterproof to keep liquids out. The toe cap gives you extra protection at the front of your shoe and the strap on the back keeps your foot secure and in place. The rubber sole is slip resistant and safe for any and all environments inside and outside of the kitchen. The insole is known for its breathability and its non-slip footbed. If oil resistance is a must have on your list, these shoes also have that feature. These shoes are also bendable to 90 degrees, giving you ultimate flexibility and maneuverability for long days at work. If you need a pair of soft, lightweight shoes, the Fanture Chef Clog is cheap restaurant work shoes that do the job you need when you need it.

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VANGELO Chef Shoe

The VANGELO Chef Shoe is a great shoe for both men and women in the restaurant industry. These clogs are made with non-slip material to keep you from falling due to unseen messes. The EVA foam material gives these shoes their lightweight and comfort. VANGELO’s patented design gives these shoes anti-microbial qualities while making them easy to clean and sanitize after a full day of dirty work. Since this shoe is made for both men and women, there are two ranges of sizes. The women’s sizes come in sizes 6 to 18, while the men’s sizes range from 4 to 16. These shoes are meant for medium to wide width feet. You should size up one size from your normal shoe size to find the perfect fit. Be sure to double check the size chart before purchasing to ensure you get the right fit. The VANGELO Chef Shoes are the perfect work shoes for restaurant workers who want comfort, breathability, and stability for long days at work in the kitchen.

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Skechers Galley Work Boot

The Skechers Galley Work Boot is just what you’d expect from a sneaker type work shoe. Made with synthetic leather, they are durable and easy to clean. With laces you can tie up, you can make these shoes as tight or as loose as you want depending on what your day at the restaurant has in store for you. The insoles are made out of PU material for extra comfort and are removable if you choose to add insoles of your own instead. These shoes are OSHA compliant when it comes to slip resistance so you’ll be safe and comfortable even in the most slippery environments. The Skechers Galley Work Boot is a sneaker style version of slip-resistant restaurant shoes that are ideal for workers who love their tennis shoes and want a similar pair for work. Lace them up and you’re ready to step into the heat of the kitchen.

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DREAM PAIRS Restaurant Work Shoes

DREAM PAIRS Restaurant Work Shoes are another pair of men's restaurant shoes that look as good as their functionality. These shoes are perfect for waiters who want to look presentable, but also want a shoe that’s durable enough to spend their days in the kitchen and dining room. These shoes come in two styles and two colors. Both black and dark brown are available, but the only difference between the two styles of shoes comes in the form of a tiny loop to help you take your shoes on and off. There is a slight heel on these shoes that are approximately 1.25 inches high to give you a little height. Made in the USA with genuine leather, these shoes are classy enough to wear to events and comfortable enough for restaurant work. What more can you ask for from a pair of restaurant shoes? The DREAM PAIRS Restaurant Work Shoe is a dream come true!

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EASTSURE Kitchen Work Shoes

Our last pair of restaurant shoes is the EASTSURE Kitchen Work Shoes. These shoes are true clogs with no securing strap in the back, but there is an option to buy a slip-on style with a high collar if you want more foot stability. Made from imported environmental PVC material, these shoes are lightweight and soft. Their material has waterproof, anti-skid, and oil resistant features. The insoles are made with breathable material to give you extra comfort when the day gets long. These slip-on shoes are also easy to clean after a messy day in the kitchen. These shoes were specifically designed for chefs and nurses who spend their days on their feet, so you can expect comfort for the entirety of your longest shifts. If you’re interested in shoes that are unaffected by any kind of liquid, hot or cold, and provide comfort for hard, dirty days of work the EASTSURE Kitchen Work Shoes should be your go-to pair!

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About the Author

Samantha Dewitt

Expert Researcher and Writer

Samantha Dewitt is a lead researcher and writer for GeekWrapped, writing under a pen name. She gets excited about pet, baby, and science products and has over 12 years of experience.

Best Shoes for Restaurant Workers

Top 10 Buying Guide

Our Recommendations

KEEN Utility Work Shoe

Tanleewa Townforst Work Shoes

How to Choose the Best Shoes for Restaurant Workers

Top 10 Products

KEEN Utility Work Shoe

Tanleewa Townforst Work Shoes

SensFoot Chef Clog

Emeril Lagasse Food Service Shoe

Dickies Athletic Work Shoe

Fanture Chef Clog

VANGELO Chef Shoe

Skechers Galley Work Boot

DREAM PAIRS Restaurant Work Shoes

EASTSURE Kitchen Work Shoes

About the Author

TOP PICK

KEEN Utility Work Shoe