Ambient-Scenting for Restaurants: Does it Make Sense?

Good restaurants are already full of pleasing aromas—sizzling steaks, fresh-baked bread, an open bottle of merlot, one could go on—so how could ambient-scenting possibly play a role? Generally speaking, the natural ability of food and beverage items to produce pleasing smells means that, from an olfactory perspective, it’s a good idea to leave the main dining room and kitchen alone.

Many restaurants do include some areas that are separate from the restaurant and that could benefit from a subtle—and subtle is the operative word—enhancement.

Let’s say you operate a steakhouse with a separate bar decorated in dark wood and leather that has a classic ambience. Delivered via scent-diffusion technology, the light fragrance of whiskey and tobacco could set just the right tone. Likewise, for a space named “The Rose Room,” a subtle floral fragrance could work perfectly.

All of us prefer pleasant-smelling places, and research has proven that we tend to associate scents with…