Looking to create a vibe that keeps guests relaxed and coming back to your restaurant for more? The right background music can help. Check out top songs and sample playlists designed to enhance any restaurant experience. Pandora CloudCover makes it easy to stream music that fits your dining space just right.

Music in restaurants does much more than fill silence. It sets the tone for the entire dining experience, influencing how guests feel and how they interact with your space. The right music can welcome diners warmly, keep energy flowing during peak hours, and create a cozy, memorable atmosphere.

Research shows music can shape customer behavior — affecting everything from dining speed to overall satisfaction. Restaurants are moving beyond generic playlists and choosing carefully curated music that supports their brand and service. 

At Pandora CloudCover, our team of Musicologists blends their music expertise with hospitality insights. They design background music stations tailored to your restaurant’s personality, helping managers create an environment where guests feel at ease and eager to return again and again.

The Power of Background Music in Restaurants

Restaurants see some of the biggest benefits from playing the right background music. From happier customers to higher sales, places that stream thoughtfully chosen music often notice real, measurable business improvements. With the right music, restaurants could expect:

• 9.1% increase in sales when playing the right background music in your restaurant.
• 79% of customers notice the background music when dining out.
• 58% of customers will buy more food and drinks just to hear more of the music they enjoy. 
• 37% increase in sales when the music was a good brand fit instead of random.

Top Songs to Play at Your Restaurant

Our team of Musicologists knows that the right songs can turn an ordinary meal into a memorable experience. They’ve curated some of the most popular and effective tracks for restaurant settings — songs that create a welcoming mood without overpowering conversation. 

Whether you're aiming for upbeat and casual or smooth and refined, these picks are a great place to start.

Not All Songs Work for Every Type of Restaurant

The music that works in a trendy brunch café might feel out of place in a fine dining room. 

Your restaurant’s concept, pace, and clientele should all guide your music choices. Fast-casual spots may need energetic, feel-good hits, while upscale venues often benefit from subtle, sophisticated instrumentals. Music should match your space, not compete with it.

“We design music solutions for all types of restaurants. From cafes to coffee shops and steakhouses to sports bars, we consider different factors – the menu, the customer profile, the ambiance, and even the shape of the restaurant’s interior environment – before settling on songs.”

Top Songs & Playlists for Quick Serve Restaurants

Quick service restaurants (QSRs) thrive on energy and efficiency — and your music should reflect that. The right soundtrack can keep the line moving, lift customer moods, and create a lively, upbeat environment that supports fast-paced dining.

Music Characteristics to Consider:

• Genres: Pop, upbeat indie, modern R&B, hip-hop instrumentals, feel-good hits
• Tempo: Medium to fast — keeps energy high without overwhelming staff or guests
• Volume: Moderate — loud enough to create energy, soft enough to hear orders clearly

Top 10 QSR Songs:

1. "Levitating" – Dua Lipa
2. "Can’t Stop the Feeling!" – Justin Timberlake
3. "Blinding Lights" – The Weeknd
4. "You've Got The Love" – Florence + The Machine
5. Wings Of Time – Tame Impala
6. "Shut Up and Dance" – Walk the Moon
7. "Perfect Strangers" – Jonas Blue ft. JP Cooper
8. “Bigger Love” – John Legend
9. "Don’t Start Now" – Dua Lipa
10. “Back To Earth” – SG Lewis

Top Songs & Playlists for Fast Casual Restaurants

Fast casual dining strikes a balance between speed and comfort. Your music should reflect that same blend — polished and upbeat without feeling rushed. The right mix helps create a modern, approachable vibe that keeps guests relaxed while still moving through their meal at a steady pace.

Music Characteristics to Consider:

• Genres: Indie pop, acoustic, mellow electronic, soft rock, chill hip-hop
• Tempo: Mid-tempo — keeps energy steady without rushing the experience
• Volume: Low to moderate — enough to fill the space without competing with conversation

Top 10 Fast Casual Restaurant Songs:

1. "Budapest" – George Ezra
2. "Sunday Best" – Surfaces
3. "Lost in Japan" – Shawn Mendes
4. “Cloudy Day” – Tones and I
5. "Stuck in the Middle With You" – Stealers Wheel 
6. “Peter Pan” – Kelsea Ballerini
7. "Float On" – Modest Mouse
8. "Sedona" – Houndmouth
9. "Home" – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
10. "Mardy Bum" – Arctic Monkeys

Top Songs & Playlists for Fast Food Restaurants

Fast food is all about speed and convenience, and your music should help keep that momentum going. An energetic playlist can boost the mood, make wait times feel shorter, and keep foot traffic flowing — all while reinforcing a fun, familiar atmosphere.

Music Characteristics to Consider:

• Genres: Mainstream pop, upbeat hip-hop, dance, high-energy rock
• Tempo: Fast — encourages quick service and movement
• Volume: Moderate to high — enough to energize the space but not overwhelm it

Top 10 Fast Food Restaurant Songs:

1. "Azizam" – Ed Sheeran
2. “Party For One” – Carly Rae Jepsen
3. "Spectrum (Radio Mix)" – Zedd 
4. "Keep Your Head Up" – Andy Grammer
5. “Drive” – The Wild Frontiers
6. "Rather Be" – Clean Bandit 
7. "Pompeii" – Bastille
8. "Fireflies" – Owl City 
9. "On Top of the World" – Imagine Dragons
10. “Swing For The Fences” – Elton John & Brandi Carlile

Top Songs & Playlists for Fine Dining Restaurants

Fine dining is all about creating a refined, immersive experience. Background music plays a subtle but powerful role in setting that tone. A carefully chosen soundtrack can elevate the atmosphere, help guests relax, and support a slow, enjoyable pace of dining.

Music Characteristics to Consider:

• Genres: Classical, jazz, ambient, acoustic, instrumental film scores
• Tempo: Slow to mid-tempo — encourages lingering and conversation
• Volume: Low — soft enough to blend into the background without distraction

Top 10 Fine Dining Restaurant Songs:

1. "A Sunday Kind of Love" – Etta James
2. "River Flows in You" – Yiruma
3. "Take Five" – Dave Brubeck
4. "Norwegian Wood" (Instrumental) – The Beatles
5. "In My Place" (Acoustic) – Coldplay
6. "Café de Flore" – Doctor Rockit
7. "Fields of Gold" (Acoustic) – Eva Cassidy
8. "Blue in Green" – Miles Davis
9. "Misty" – Errol Garner
10. "Come Away with Me" – Norah Jones

Top Songs & Playlists for Sports Bars & Restaurants

In sports bars and grilles, the vibe is lively, social, and often centered around the game. Music should fuel the energy, fill in lulls during commercials or downtime, and help create a fun, welcoming environment for fans and casual diners alike.

Music Characteristics to Consider:

• Genres: Classic rock, modern rock, pop anthems, upbeat country, high-energy hip-hop
• Tempo: Medium to fast — matches the excitement and keeps the crowd engaged
• Volume: Moderate to high — enough to energize the space, but not overpower TVs or conversations

Top 10 Sports Bar & Restaurant Songs:

1. "Seven Nation Army" – The White Stripes
2. "Sweet Caroline" – Neil Diamond
3. "Don't Stop Believin’" – Journey
4. "We Will Rock You" – Queen
5. "All Star" – Smash Mouth
6. "Country Girl (Shake It for Me)" – Luke Bryan
7. "The Middle" – Jimmy Eat World
8. "Shut Up and Dance" – Walk the Moon
9. "Tubthumping" – Chumbawamba
10. "Raise Your Glass" – P!nk

Top Songs & Playlists for Casual Dining Restaurants

Casual dining calls for a warm, easygoing atmosphere where families, friends, and coworkers can relax and enjoy a meal together. Your music should feel approachable and familiar, helping to set the mood without stealing the spotlight.

Music Characteristics to Consider:

• Genres: Soft rock, adult contemporary, acoustic pop, singer-songwriter, mellow R&B
• Tempo: Mid-tempo — keeps the vibe relaxed but upbeat
• Volume: Low to moderate — supports conversation without becoming background noise

Top 10 Casual Dining Restaurant Songs:

1. "Put Your Records On" – Corinne Bailey Rae
2. "Your Body Is a Wonderland" – John Mayer
3. "I’m Yours" – Jason Mraz
4. "You've Got The Love" – Florence + the Machine 
5. "Dreams" – Fleetwood Mac
6. "Back to December" – Taylor Swift
7. "Gravity" – Sara Bareilles
8. "Ordinary People" – John Legend
9. "Bubbly" – Colbie Caillat
10. "Let Her Go" – Passenger

How Our Musicologists Curate the Right Sound for Restaurants

At Pandora CloudCover, our Musicologists bring deep musical knowledge and a sharp understanding of hospitality to every playlist they create. They craft the perfect backdrop for your guests, whether you're running a busy café, a cozy bistro, or a high-end steakhouse.

They handpick songs and shape the flow of each station to match the pace, style, and mood of your restaurant. And when needed, they build custom stations for specific brands. The result is more than just great music — it’s a thoughtful station that supports the dining experience and keeps guests coming back.

“When we design custom playlists, we get to know your brand and vision. We learn more about your brand identity, your core promises to customers, your brand’s goals, and your locations’ decor and ambience in order to best customize your music.”

Why You Need Licensed Music in Your Restaurant

Playing unlicensed music can put your restaurant at risk of copyright violations. Fines for playing music without proper licensing can run into the thousands, and lawsuits aren’t uncommon. 

Streaming from Spotify, YouTube, or personal Pandora accounts might seem like an easy way to play music — but in a business setting like a restaurant, it’s just not legal. It’s a risk that’s easy to avoid with a licensed music solution built for business.

Why Restaurants Trust Pandora CloudCover

Pandora CloudCover offers licensed background music designed specifically for business use — including restaurants of all sizes and styles. We make it easy to stream popular, legal music that fits your brand and enhances the dining experience.

Our Musicologists create stations that help set the mood, support your service, and make guests feel welcome from open to close. Best of all, you can try it risk free for 14 days with a free trial (no credit card required). Terms and conditions apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of music should I play in my restaurant?

It depends on your concept and crowd. Casual spots often do well with upbeat pop or acoustic tracks, while fine dining spaces lean toward jazz or classical. The key is to match the energy and style of your space so the music complements the overall experience.

Can I play music from my personal Spotify or Pandora account in my restaurant?

No. Personal streaming accounts like Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube aren't licensed for commercial use. Using them in your restaurant could lead to copyright violations and fines.

Do I need music licensing to play songs in my restaurant?

Yes. Any time you play music in a public or commercial setting, you need the proper licensing. Pandora CloudCover handles all of that for you, so you can focus on running your restaurant without legal worries.

Does Pandora CloudCover offer music for different areas of a restaurant?

Yes. You can stream different stations in different zones — like the dining room, bar, or restrooms — so each space has the right vibe. Our platform is flexible and built to scale with your needs.

Can Pandora CloudCover help build custom playlists for my restaurant?

Absolutely. Our Musicologists can create branded or mood-specific stations tailored to your restaurant’s concept, clientele, and service style.

How do I get started with licensed restaurant playlists from Pandora CloudCover?

It’s easy. Just sign up for our 14-day free trial — no credit card required. You’ll get instant access to curated stations built for restaurants, and full support to help you set up music the right way. Terms and conditions apply.

References

Value of Music Research. (July 2022). BMI.

Music Can Give the Restaurant Industry a Competitive Edge. (March 2023). Modern Restaurant Management. 

Study Shows ‘Brand Music Fit’ Lifts Sales by 9 percent. (December 2017). QSR Magazine.