15 Restaurant Magazines To Subscribe To (Or Just Peruse)

One common trait shared by highly successful people is that they love to learn. On a biological level, reading has been found to increase brain activity in the areas responsible for language, physical sensation, and movement.

That's why restaurant magazines, media sites, blogs, and newsletters are so important — they serve to inform, inspire, and help restaurateurs and their staff grow as restaurant professionals.

As all restaurant industry folk know, time is a precious commodity. So, the next time you're looking for industry trends inspo or just a light read consider skimming one (or more) of these restaurant magazines. 

The top 15 restaurant magazines to read in 2024:

QSR Magazine & FSR Magazine

QSR Magazine and FSR Magazine, two brands under the same masthead, are great resources for restaurant people working in or interested in staying up to date on the latest in the casual dining and full service restaurant worlds. Besides the print editions of each, users can sign up for each brand's respective newsletter; both of which send daily updates straight to your inbox about what's happening in the industry from tech, to operations, to food, and everything in between.

You can sign up for QSR's newsletter here and FSR's newsletter here. 

Fast Casual Magazine

Speaking to the, you guessed it, Fast Casual restaurant segment, Fast Casual Magazine reports on areas of interest and concern for fast casual owners, employees, partners, and the like. Besides their daily reporting, Fast Casual also regularly hosts insightful webinars and creates meaningful resources to help fast casual owners, operators, and employees find success.

You can subscribe to Fast Casual here.

Restaurant Business

Restaurant Business is definitely more geared toward the business side of restaurants and even more geared toward the multi-unit, larger establishments. Even if your restaurant doesn't fit that bill, you can still learn about other restaurant chains, new technology, and read valuable articles.

Subscribe to Restaurant Business here. 

Nation's Restaurant News

In print since 1967, Nation's Restaurant News reports on the latest in the food and beverage space, including full service restaurants, chains, and franchises. A more traditional restaurant news site, Nations Restaurant News (NRN) also hosts operations focused webinars, reports on consumer trends, and pilots annual "top 100" lists where they rank the leaders in food and beverage, menu items, and more. As far as newsletters go, NRN really takes the cake by offering 26 unique food and bev newsletters you can subscribe to, covering desserts, chef tips, breaking news, tech, news by segment, and much much more. 

You can subscribe to Nation's Restaurant News here.

Modern Restaurant Management

Modern Restaurant Management is a publication geared toward those who manage or aspire to manage restaurants, including owners, operators, managers, consultants, and franchisees. MRM covers all aspects of running a restaurant – from the guest experience, to the back office, to the line. 

You can subscribe to Modern Restaurant Management at the bottom of their home page here.

On The Line

On The Line empowers restaurant people to feel better and do better in a challenging industry during unprecedented times. What began as a restaurant management blog in 2015 has since evolved into a restaurant-centric publication that seeks to support, strengthen, and celebrate the diverse group that we call 'restaurant people': Those who work in, alongside, or partner with restaurant owners, operators, managers, and staff.

A 2018 honoree in the Webby Awards Food & Drink category for Best Websites in the World, On The Line engages readers with well-researched articles, guides, and technology trends covering all areas of restaurant life.

You can subscribe to On the Line here.

Grub Street

New York Magazine's food-focused publication, Grub Street is all about food, those who enjoy eating it, cooking it, serving it, and reading about it. With a dash of wit, Grub Street personifies the personality of the NYC food scene in their features. Though predominantly focused on New York, readers will have no trouble finding content that speaks to food lovers, restaurant goers, and restaurant people from any locale.

You can subscribe to Grub Street via the email icon under the logo on their homepage.

Eater

Covering areas of interest related to food and dining, Eater is a leading publication in the food and beverage space. Broken out into smaller, geo-focused publications– like Eater Boston, Eater Los Angeles, Eater Chicago, etc. – these hyper-local news sites keep readers up to date with the goings on in their local food scene, with a few nationally focused headlines mixed in. Eater's interactive city guides for just about every food type you could crave help restaurant goers expand their palates and discover new places to enjoy. While they speak predominantly to the restaurant consumer perspective, Eater does a great job of reporting out on issues related to FOH and BOH. 

You can subscribe to one or more of Eater's newsletters here.

Food & Wine Magazine

Food & Wine, as the name implies, is a food and beverage focused magazine – not necessarily a food and beverage industry focused magazine. If you're looking to spice up your menu, capitalize on the latest flavor trends, or improve your at-home chef skills, pick up the latest edition of Food & Wine for delicious insights.

You can subscribe to their newsletter or pay for a monthly subscription here.

Bon Appétit

Bon Appétit is a food magazine and then some. Though recipes are their bread and butter, the team at Bon Appétit has branched out in recent years to add a podcast, a youtube channel piloted by their test kitchen staff (which has amassed quite the cult following, I might add) restaurant insights, product and food reviews, and more to their food-centric content catalog.

You can subscribe to Bon Appétit here.

Food and Drink Technology

Food & Drink Technology is an editorially led, real-time publication (news source) featuring the best in technical and business news, analysis, comment, interviews, and product developments across Europe. In addition to free site membership and weekly e-newsletters, this resource offers a paid subscription service to the Food & Drink Technology magazine, which can be downloaded as a PDF.

Learn more here.

Entrepreneur Magazine

Entrepreneur is an American magazine and website that carries news stories about entrepreneurship and small businesses. This publication offers both articles on how to start your restaurant business and on how to grow it.

You can subscribe to Entrepreneur Magazine here.

Total Food Service

From exclusive interviews to the latest news on products, trends, associations, and events — Total Food Service covers all aspects of the national food service industry. This publication offers monthly print or digital issues and features their work on their website and social media channels.

Subscribe to Total Food Service here.

Restaurant Development + Design

Restaurant Development + Design (rd+d) is a reader-driven resource for restaurant professionals charged with building new locations and remodeling existing units. This resource covers trends and topics essential to restaurant development, design, and construction. rd+d is an award-winning publication that facilitates a conversation and an exchange of ideas among readers and the broader restaurant community. 

Subscribe to rd+d today here.

Cherry Bombe

Cherry Bombe is a media company celebrating women & cool creatives in the world of food & drink. Their mission from day one has been to support women in the industry by shining a spotlight on them, sharing their stories, and bringing them together in person and virtually. Their magazine remains print only and has featured women like Drew Barrymore and Claire Saffitz on the cover. Every issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine is a keepsake printed on beautiful paper stock at the family-owned Meridian Printing in Rhode Island.

Checkout their subscription options here.

Appetizing articles: food for thought

By incorporating the ideas, strategies, and latest trends featured in these top restaurant magazines, you'll not only stay informed but also position your business to thrive in an ever-evolving industry. Remember, in the dynamic world of restaurants, continuous learning and adaptation are key ingredients for long-term success.

Next up:

• The Best Food Blogs

• The Best Restaurant Consultants

• The Best Restaurant Industry Experts To Follow

• The Best Restaurant Podcasts You Don't Want to Miss