The Best Shoes for Restaurant Managers [Updated Guide + 5 Reviews]

Last Updated on February 26, 2024 by Joe Strong

Finding best shoes for restaurant managers is a necessity for F&B industry executives and founders. Restaurant managers are used to dealing with many issues regarding their activities, such as:

• Working on their feet for 8-10 hours straight, with no rest, which puts great stress on their feet and joints
• Dealing with lots of food and liquids that can spill and ruin the look of their shoes
• Those shoes that have all the features to make the life of restaurant managers easy are not nearly as professional as they should be
• Restaurant managers frequently have to walk on slippery surfaces (especially in the kitchen) which could represent a huge risk of injury if not taken care of

It’s pretty difficult to find a pair of shoes that solve all these problems at once, to be honest. However, I did my best to do the proper research and find a selection of shoes that hit most of these issues while being fairly affordable.

I hope it helps you..

List Of The Best Shoes for Restaurant Managers

Given all the issues that restaurant managers have to deal with daily, which were already discussed, this is the list of the best shoes for restaurant managers I arrived to after extensively testing and researching:

• 1) Dansko Professional Restaurant Manager Shoes
• 2) Skechers Work Sure Track Trickel Restaurant Manager Shoes
• 3) KEEN Utility PTC Oxford Restaurant Manager Shoes
• 4) Dansko Walker Restaurant Manager Shoes
• 5) Dr. Scholl’s Harrington II Restaurant Manager Shoes

1) Dansko Professional Restaurant Manager Shoes

Comfort & Convenience

Restaurant managers have very demanding jobs in which they need to be running, walking and being on their feet all day. That’s why this Dansko professional shoe is a must-have for restaurant managers as it has Breathable PU Foam Footbed which offers temperature control avoiding blisters and bad smell, on top of providing great cushioning.

Also, it has shock-absorbent rubber outsoles with rocker bottoms which reduces fatigue protecting your feet from pain in each step regardless of the surface you’re walking on.

Additionally, these Dansko restaurant manager shoes have great arch support and slide-on clogs giving you the comfort and convenience you need, taking into consideration all the headaches restaurant managers have to deal with daily.

Working in a restaurant has essential tasks that carry the risks of spill food and liquids, but with these Dansko shoes and their easy-to-clean materials, it becomes very easy to clean them with a wet cloth or paper, which lets you look professional all day long for such a small effort.

Protection

Falling in restaurants is very common because floors are usually slippery as sauce or drinks usually get spilled. This situation makes it difficult to walk fast for restaurant managers which makes these Dansko shoes the best option to evade this problem as they come with rubber outsoles which provide a great pattern offering better grip and traction to avoid working in fear of getting hurt.

Durability

Spending serious cash on good shoes for restaurant managers (as the ones reviewed in this article) is always a great decision because you get comfortable and safe shoes designed with restaurant managers in mind.

On that account, these Dansko professional shoes are made with a leather that will last for years giving you the comfort and protection that your feet need to work long hours running and walking at the restaurant.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 243 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 3.8 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

2) Skechers Work Sure Track Trickel Restaurant Manager Shoes

Comfort & Convenience

Most lousy shoes for restaurant managers don’t have proper shock absorption features to help them in dealing with their 10 to 12-hour work shifts walking around hard surfaces at the restaurant.

This is why I loved these Skechers work shoes as they came with shock absorption midsoles and memory foam cushioned footbeds which gave me that cushioning most other shoes didn’t give me, making my life at the restaurant much easier.

Rather than disregarding the convenience features most restaurant managers need, the guys at Skechers added features such as a lace-up design which was responsible for providing me a custom fit, which was not only comfortable but great looking.

Additionally, these shoes came with a low cut and roomy design with pull tabs at the heels which let my feet rest comfortably in the inside of the shoes while also improved the experience when putting on and taking off the boots.

Protection

The protection features offered in these Skechers Work Sure Track Trickel work shoes are better than those of the competition.

They were so great that they came with slip-resistant outsoles which gave me the traction to walk on slippery surfaces where liquids or maybe sauce was spilled. The same traction I wasn’t able to find in most work shoes for restaurant managers out there!

Additionally, the shoes came with electrical hazard protection which might be a bit too much for restaurant managers but it is nice to know you have it.

Durability

Other work shoes for restaurant managers are usually made with low-quality materials that substantially reduce their lifespan.

Luckily, these Skechers work shoes came with great features, such as their supple leather uppers that not only gave the shoes a great and professional look (that most restaurant managers will appreciate) but also upped the quality of the whole shoe in itself.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 2309 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.4 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

3) Keen Utility Ptc Oxford Restaurant Manager Shoes

Comfort & Convenience

I can walk comfortably around the restaurant, even when I have 10 to 12-hour work shifts when I use these Keen Utility Oxford shoes as they came with EVA midsoles and the so-called “KEEN. Cush” that is a blend of recycled PU, cork, and memory foam which contours to the shape of the feet, giving the support they need for those situations most restaurant managers are exposed to.

Moreover, the shoes came with TPU shanks which substantially help with the feeling of stability I had around the restaurant.

Protection

With lots of food and liquids going around and, sometimes, spilling into the floor, walking might become a bit dangerous for restaurant managers if they don’t have the proper safety features.

Luckily, these Keen Utility Oxford shoes came with oil and slip-resistant outsoles which exceeded great quality standards, which gave me the traction needed to feel comfortable when tackling my tasks around the restaurant.

Additionally, the shoes came with the “Keen Patented Toe Protection” which is basically the outsole over-extending itself and covering the toe area for ultimate protection which comes in handy in a place where sharp and heavy stuff is falling around constantly.

Durability

Restaurant managers are all day walking around the restaurant, which puts great strain on their work shoes and their durability.

This is why I put a lot of my efforts in getting shoes like these Keen Utility Oxford shoes which came with water-resistant leather uppers that were durable enough to help the shoe in achieving a strong and sturdy structure that would last years for a restaurant manager.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 461 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 3.9 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

4) Dansko Walker Restaurant Manager Shoes

Comfort & Convenience

Issues based on feet pain are more than present among restaurant managers who are used to be 10 to 12 hours on their feet fairly frequently.

Luckily, these Dansko Walker shoes came with triple-density EVA footbeds and PU midsoles which created a great combination of features providing my feet the shock absorption and cushioning necessary to quiet down all the consequences of having to deal with those 12-hour restaurant manager work shifts.

Additionally, the work shoes came with 3/4 tuckboard with riveted shank for improved stability and support for those heavy work shifts that (sadly) all restaurant managers have to deal with, and Leather sock lining which kept my feet fresh in those humid and hot days at the restaurant.

Protection

I like to say that I take all the necessary precautions as to the shoes I use when working at the restaurant.

In that sense, these Dansko shoes respected all my protection standards as they came with slip-resistant outsoles which provided great traction for those times I would have to walk on some spilled liquid or sauce at the restaurant.

Durability

With great features such as rich leather uppers, these Dansko shoes assured me a great level of durability as this attribute made the whole construction of the shoe feel more sturdy and durable, but also lightweight and comfortable at the same time (yeah, I know, crazy).

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 147 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.1 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

5) Dr. Scholl’S Harrington Ii Restaurant Manager Shoes

Comfort & Convenience

The long hours restaurant managers stand on their feet can lead to a host of issues, such as swollen feet, knee and back pain.

This is why I loved these Dr. Scholl as they came with Lightweight SEBS midsoles and anti-compression insoles with memory foam which gave my feet great shock absorption and cushioning to stand for long hours while avoiding those issues that are so common for restaurant managers.

The right shoe for restaurant managers will also have features such as these Dr. Scholls’ Dri-Lex moisture-wicking linings and the aegis microbe shield control which will keep your feet fresh and dry when the atmosphere at the restaurant becomes a bit too hot.

Protection

It’s easy to pick up any pair of comfy shoes and use it for walking around the restaurant not really paying attention to risks, but the truth is that these places have slippery surfaces due to the spillage of food and liquids fairly frequently.

This is why I recommend getting shoes such as this Dr. Scholl’s Harrington II shoes which came with oil and slip-resistant not-marking rubber outsoles that gave me sufficient traction to walk around the restaurant with that same confidence but knowing that slips and injuries were out of the way.

Durability

In terms of durability, the shoes came with leather uppers which always help in terms of durability as it’s a material that’s expected to last a lot.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 395 reviews in Amazon.com about this product at the time of writing and they have given it a 4.2 out of 5 rating on average. These reviews are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

My Verdict: The Best Shoes For Restaurant Managers Are…

Would you like to know why I chose these Skechers shoes for restaurant managers? Click the button down below to know why!

Review

Quick Comparison Table

Must-Have Features For The Best Shoes for Restaurant Managers

In my opinion, there are certain features the best shoes for restaurant managers should have to solve most of the issues depicted at the beginning of this article.

The following section will discuss all of them:

Comfort Features

Cushioned Footbeds & Shock Absorbing Midsoles

If you want to bring the much-needed rest your feet need after being on them for 10 hours straight, getting a pair of restaurant work shoes with cushioned footbeds and shock-absorbing midsoles might be the best idea.

Why? Well, because if you get work shoes with these attributes the impact your feet receive from the hard surfaces will be properly managed and dissipated which will let your feet avoid most of the pressure.

Easy To Clean Materials

No restaurant manager wants to look unprofessional, which is why I always recommend getting work shoes with easy to clean materials as this is the best way to make sure your footwear will remain presentable even after getting them stained will some spilled sauce from the kitchen.

Perfect Balance

It’s pretty difficult for restaurant managers to get a proper pair of work shoes, right?

I mean, comfy shoes tend to look unprofessional and the most appropriate-looking ones are just a pain to use!

That’s why I recommend taking your time to find work shoes with the perfect balance of both looks and comfort as this is the only way to enjoy the ergonomic features of a proper pair of work shoes and not look too unprofessional at the same time.

Laser-Focus Features For Walking

Most recommended work shoes for restaurant managers out there are just running shoes or another variant of sports shoes.

The truth is that what you need are proper walking shoes, as these are engineered to give you all the comfort and ergonomic features needed for people that spend most of their day walking, which is exactly what a restaurant manager does.

Protective Features

Slip & Oil Resistant Outsoles

Most restaurant managers are just deemed to walking on spilled-liquids (like a sauce or something), slip and then fall. This presents a huge risk of injury and, well, of just looking bad. I mean, you’re a manager, you should be giving the proper image.

Therefore, getting work shoes with slip and oil resistant outsoles might be the best course of action for you as, in this way, you will be safe from slips and falls given the superior traction these shoes will provide you when walking on any kind of slippery surface.

Liquid Resistant Boots

Liquids not only spill onto the floor, but sometimes, they spill right into your work shoes, which not only ruins your image but also could ruin your work shoes entirely.

That’s why I always recommend getting work shoes with liquid-resistant materials as this is a great method to have the guarantee that your shoes will be protected from any liquids flying around the kitchen.

Durability Features

Good Quality Materials & Construction Methods

The issue nowadays is that most work shoes (hell… everything in the entire world to be honest) are made in countries where good-quality methods of manufacturing and materials are not the first priority for businesses.

This is why I always recommend looking for work shoes for restaurant managers that follow great manufacturing methods while using good-quality materials as this is the best way I know how to sleep well at night knowing that you made the proper investment on some quality our of work shoes.

How Did I Test The Best Shoes for Restaurant Managers

I guess that most restaurant managers reading this should be asking themselves: “How exactly did he choose these work shoes?”

Well, for those that have that nagging questions, this is the exact process I followed:

Comfort Test

First, I made sure to walk on hard surfaces for long hours without any rest, for 8 to 10 hours at a time to recreate the conditions in which a restaurant manager works in.

Then, I made sure to test how easy the shoes were to clean in case sauce or oil were to stain them.

Protection Test

In terms of protection, I made sure to repeatedly walk on slippery surfaces (which are commonly seen at a restaurant) to see if the shoes gave me a good traction.

Durability Test

And finally, of course, I made sure to stress test each pair of shoes for months to see if they remained in their original state, or if they perished quickly after only a few weeks of heavy use.

Pro Tips For Restaurant Managers

Over the years, I gathered a few tips that I think might help any restaurant manager reading this article in making their own lives easier:

Compression Socks Are A Game Changer

Pain is all about circulation.

When you are all day standing on hard surfaces, your muscles get strained which means that blood is getting sucked in your legs, especially in your feet, which in turn generates swelling and pain.

The perfect solution for this issue is getting compression socks as they are known for letting blood flow freely through your legs and feet, thus, reducing swelling and letting your muscles relax.

Gel Inserts Can Solve All Your Troubles

When standing or walking all day on hard surfaces (such as concrete floors), restaurant managers tend to end their days by suffering the pains of really swollen feet.

A great idea to aid with this problem is getting gel inserts which will be responsible for providing the shoes the absorption your feet desperately need when they have to take on the pressure that hard surfaces generate after being on them for 10 to 12-hour work shifts.

Benefits Of The Best Shoes for Restaurant Managers

There are clear benefits for restaurant managers as to choosing the best shoes for restaurant managers, and those are:

No More Swollen Feet

As we discussed many times in this article, restaurant managers tend to be all day on their feet walking or running all around the restaurant. This puts tremendous pressure on their feet and joints which, in turn, swells their feet pretty hard.

Luckily, the best shoes for restaurant managers will drastically solve this issue as they have the proper comfort and ergonomic features that will bring the rest and recovery your feet desperately need.

Give Out A More Professional Look

Many of what other websites call “the best shoes for restaurant managers” are just too sporty or unprofessional for a high-end restaurant for instance.

The good news is that by choosing any of the footwear reviewed in this article, you will get work shoes that will give you the proper comfort experience while giving you the proper image that a restaurant manager needs.

Never Slip And Fall Again

Slipping and falling is a huge issue for restaurant managers as restaurants tend to have liquids spilling all the time, especially in the kitchen area.

This is why I made sure to recommend work shoes with the proper features that will give you the traction to surpass these problems so you can walk comfortably in the kitchen knowing that it’s almost impossible to slip and fall.

Know You Spent Your Money Well

There is no worse feeling for a restaurant manager that seeing how their hard-earned money is wasted on a lousy pair of work shoes that only last a few months of heavy use.

Getting any of the work shoes for restaurant managers that I reviewed in this article will give you the guarantee that you will be getting a quality pair of shoes that will endure a restaurant manager’s heavy use for years with almost no signs of wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Restaurant managers will always have questions before getting their next pair of work shoes.

This is my attempt to solve most of them:

What Type Of Safety Toes Should A Restaurant Manager Use?

I don’t necessarily think that a restaurant manager should get shoes with safety toes as getting their toes crushed is not a huge risk they have to face frequently.

Thus, I’d recommend them to get soft toe boots, as they’re going to be cheaper and more comfortable.

However, if you’d like to be on the safe side, you have various options; composite, steel, or alloy toe. Any of these should do the job.

How Does A Restaurant Manager Take Care Of A Pair Of Boots?

The key to protecting your new pair of shoes is taking care of them frequently, by following this next process.

First, clean them with a damp cloth, being patient and careful is essential in this step.

After the shoes are clean, leave them drying in a dry and warm environment. This will let their materials recover after the stress of being rubbed down.

Pro Tip: If your shoes are made with some kind of leather, applying a light coat of leather conditioner is a great idea as it will re-nourish the leather!