If your restaurant has any kind of outdoor seating, such as a terrace, garden, pavement area or courtyard, a good parasol isn’t just a nice extra. It’s essential. Having proper shelter for your customers means you can keep your outside space open more often, bring in more covers, and make your dining area more inviting.
At Artistic Blinds & Awnings, you’ll find a wide range of high-quality commercial parasols made for restaurants, pubs, cafés and hotels. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best parasol types for hospitality spaces, explain what each one is good for, and help you decide which might suit your business best.
What a Good Parasol Can Do for Your Restaurant Business
Before we get into the options, here’s why a proper commercial parasol is worth investing in:
1. You can use your outdoor space more often
Let’s be honest, British weather is unpredictable. One minute it’s sunny, the next it’s drizzling. A sturdy parasol helps protect your customers from both sunshine and light rain, so you don’t have to shut down your outside seating every time the weather changes. That means you can keep those extra tables open more days of the year, not just during heat waves.
2. More seats means more income
If you’ve got a few extra tables outside, that’s more people you can serve and more orders coming through. Especially in spring and summer, people actively look for places where they can sit outdoors. Having a well-covered area can turn a quiet lunch service into a full house. Over time, those extra covers can add up to a serious boost in revenue.
3. Customers are more likely to stay longer
No one wants to rush through a meal, and when customers are comfortable, they tend to relax. They might order a second drink, stay for dessert, or come back next week because they liked the atmosphere. Parasols help you create a pleasant, welcoming environment that people remember and want to return to.
4. It helps tie your outdoor space into your brand
If you use branded parasols — with your colours, logo, or even just a matching style — it makes your space look more polished and professional. That’s especially useful if your restaurant is on a busy street where first impressions matter. It shows attention to detail and helps your business stand out in a simple but effective way.
The Best Types of Parasols for Restaurants
1. Big Ben Heavy Duty Parasol
If your restaurant is in a busy area or exposed to wind, like a high street, rooftop or coastal town, the Big Ben is a solid choice. It’s one of the most durable parasols Artistic Blinds offers, designed specifically for high-traffic commercial use.
Why it works:
- Built to handle windy conditions without wobbling.
- Available in large sizes, up to 7m across — great if you’ve got a wide patio or need to cover more than one table at once.
- Looks smart and professional, and you can customise it with your brand colours or logo.
Best for: Big outdoor spaces, pubs and restaurants in open or windy spots, or anyone who needs something heavy-duty and long-lasting.
2. Lightweight Primus Parasol
Not every restaurant needs a huge parasol. If you’ve only got a few tables out front or your outdoor area changes shape through the day, the Lightweight Primus is ideal. It’s easy to move and simple to use, but still gives solid protection from the sun and showers.
What’s good about it:
- Light enough to move without hassle.
- Easy for staff to set up and pack away.
- Doesn’t take up too much space, so it’s great for smaller terraces or tight pavement spots.
Best for: Cafés, bistros, and restaurants with smaller outdoor areas or flexible seating setups.
3. Belvedere Cantilever Parasol
The Belvedere is a cantilever parasol, which means the pole is to the side rather than in the middle. That gives you a clear, open space underneath with no central post getting in the way of tables, chairs, or customers.
Why it’s a smart option:
- Perfect if you want flexibility in how you arrange seating.
- Modern, clean design looks great in more contemporary venues.
- You can tilt or rotate it to follow the sun — handy for all-day use.
Best for: Restaurants, hotels, or venues that want a more open, uncluttered look.
4. Supremo Parasol
The Supremo is a well-balanced parasol — not too heavy, not too light. It’s built to last but doesn’t look bulky, making it a great fit for most restaurant types.
What you get:
- Reliable, weather-resistant design for daily use.
- Smart-looking frame and canopy, with plenty of colour options.
- Manual or motorised opening, depending on your preference.
Best for: Restaurants and pubs that want a mix of style, strength and value without overcomplicating things.
5. Amalfi Duo & Quadro Parasols
If you’ve got a big beer garden or need to cover a lot of tables without crowding the floor, take a look at the Amalfi Duo or Quadro parasols. These models use one base to hold two or four canopies, giving you loads of shade without multiple poles in the way.
Why they’re worth it:
- Huge coverage with minimal footprint.
- Great for keeping things neat — fewer posts and base weights.
- Ideal for big groups or long rows of seating.
Best for: Large terraces, hotel courtyards, beer gardens or event-style setups.
| All of the parasols above can be personalised with your restaurant’s name, logo or colours through Artistic Blinds’ branding and signwriting service. Whether you want something subtle or bold, adding your branding can make your outdoor space feel more professional and more memorable to customers walking by. |
How to Choose the Right Parasol for Your Restaurant
Here are a few things to consider before buying:
- Size of your space – Measure carefully and consider how many tables you want to cover.
- Wind exposure – If your site is breezy, go for something heavy-duty like the Big Ben.
- Layout – Do you need to move the parasols around or leave them fixed in place?
- Look and feel – Match the style to your brand. A rustic pub might want something different to a high-end wine bar.
- Setup – Do you want something staff can open quickly each morning, or that stays up all season?
If you’re not sure what suits your setup best, Artistic Blinds offers expert advice and site visits to help you make the right call. Contact our team at (UK +44) 0117 910 9888.
Final Thoughts
A good parasol can turn a patch of pavement or a back garden into one of the most profitable parts of your restaurant. It keeps customers happy, adds to your kerb appeal, and helps you make the most of every sunny — or drizzly—day.
The right parasol for your space depends on your size, layout, and how you plan to use it. But whether you need something lightweight and flexible or strong and permanent, Artistic Blinds & Awnings has solid options designed with the hospitality industry in mind.
Want help choosing the right parasol for your space? Get in touch to request a free quote or friendly advice.
