A restaurant’s appeal, and ultimate success, of course begins with the food. But that’s not the only factor that draws patrons in and keeps them coming back—the atmosphere and ambience are nearly as important. Good design creates a vibe that can make people feel welcome and sets the tone for the food and drink they are about to partake in.

Manufactured stone veneer offers a number of advantages that make it a go-to option for the interiors and exteriors of independent eateries and chain restaurants alike.

Advantages of Manufactured Stone Veneer for Restaurants

Architects designing restaurants will find both aesthetic and performance benefits with manufactured stone veneer.

Versatile design options

Because manufactured stone veneer comes in a range of profiles, textures, and colors, it can be used to enhance a variety of exterior and interior styles. Perhaps an organic-feeling rough-cut fieldstone profile in earth tones for a cozy comfort-food establishment, dark brown ledgestones for a steakhouse, dry-stacked white stones for a contemporary kitchen, or wood-look shiplap for a small bakery. The options to set a tone with MSV are endless.

With this versatility, the manufactured stone can be a focal point or a complement. Try accent walls, bar surrounds, fireplace surrounds, or half walls on the interior, and anything from an entryway to a full façade on the exterior.

Replicability

Though manufactured stone is molded from and accurately mimics natural materials, it avoids many of the geographic limitations that natural stone can have. Because it’s manufactured, MSV profiles can be made far from where the natural equivalent would need to be quarried.

This also means that profiles and stones are typically consistent and readily available, so they can be specified as part of a restaurant company’s brand palette, ensuring buildings are easily recognizable as part of the chain and bringing familiarity to patrons. In addition, this detail makes it easier to replace a stone in the rare event it is damaged.

Durable performance

Manufactured stone can be used in both interior and exterior applications, able to withstand high traffic areas as well as weather. Depending on the product, MSV often carries high fire and wind resistance.

Easy to maintain

Cleanliness is a top priority for restaurants, and manufactured stone is simple to maintain. On the interior, dusting and an occasional wipe-down with water will keep it looking new. On the exterior, debris and light dirt can be rinsed with water. If a deeper clean is required, it usually just needs a soft brush and a bio-safe cleaner recommended by the manufacturer.

Restaurant Projects Using Manufactured Stone Veneer

Thinking about manufactured stone for your next restaurant project? Here are a few examples to help you get inspired:

The exterior of this Wedny’s restaurant is easily recognizable and replicable. It features Chardonnay Country Ledgestone from Cultured Stone. The MSV has a rustic, striated surface and angle-cut edges.

With rustic charm and a warm color palette, Bucks County Southern Ledgestone from Cultured Stone offers a welcoming appeal for this Midwest restaurant.

Texas Stone Designs’ Ciloso Luxbrick, installed in a traditional pattern and a chevron pattern, has an aged look that brings the wall of this restaurant to beautiful life.

For Petro’s restaurant, the design team specified Horizon Stone’s Handcrafted manufactured stone in Smoky Mountain, which combines rugged symmetry with precise lines for an ageless appeal.

An aesthetic familiar to many, the exterior of this Starbucks franchise features Prestige Stone Products’ Weatherledge profile in Harvest.

Want to learn more about the possibilities of manufactured stone veneer? Visit our MSV page here.

When it comes to designing with stone veneer, most of the attention goes to the stone color, shape, and texture—but there’s another design element that can dramatically change the final look: the grout installation style. The way mortar is applied between your stones can shift the entire aesthetic of a wall from sleek and modern to rustic and old-world.

There are three main types of grout installations used in stone veneer projects: Tight Joint (Dry Stack), Standard (Raked Joint), and Over-Grout (Full Joint). Each creates a distinct appearance and adds its own personality to the design.

1.Tight Joint (Dry Stack) – Clean, Modern, and Minimalist

If your goal is a sleek, contemporary look, a tight joint or dry stack installation is the way to go. In this method, stones are set very close together—sometimes touching—with little to no visible mortar. The gaps are minimal, and the emphasis is entirely on the texture and profile of the stone itself.

This style works beautifully with sawn-edge or panelized veneer systems and pairs well with modern architecture, clean lines, and minimalist design palettes. The end result feels refined and architectural—perfect for fireplaces, feature walls, or exterior facades where you want the stone to stand out on its own.

Aesthetic impact:

• Ideal for modern or transitional designs
• Sleek and linear
• Highlights stone shapes and color variation

2. Standard (Raked Joint) – Balanced and Traditional

A standard joint, sometimes called a raked joint, is the classic look most people associate with traditional masonry. Here, stones are spaced slightly apart—typically about ⅜ to ½ inch—and the grout is applied between them, then raked back slightly from the stone face.

This technique creates a subtle shadow line that defines each individual stone, giving the wall a sense of structure and rhythm. It’s a versatile style that complements both natural and manufactured stone veneer, and it’s equally at home on the exterior of a Craftsman-style house or the fireplace of a traditional living room.

Aesthetic impact:

• Perfect for traditional, transitional, or balanced designs.
• Clean and timeless
• Emphasizes both the stone and the craftsmanship

3. Over-Grout (Full Joint) – Rustic and Old-World

For a rustic, hand-crafted look, the over-grout (or full joint) method is a favorite. In this approach, mortar is applied generously between the stones—often spilling slightly over their edges. The grout may be tooled smooth, brushed, or left irregular depending on the desired finish.

This technique creates a sense of age and authenticity, mimicking the appearance of old European farmhouses, Tuscan villas, or historic cottages. It’s especially striking when paired with irregular or rough-faced stone veneer, creating a warm, textured, and time-worn character.

Aesthetic impact:

• Best for farmhouse, lodge, or Mediterranean styles
• Hearty and rustic
• Adds depth and visual weight

Choosing the Right Grout Style for Your Design

The grout style you choose is more than a technical decision—it’s a design choice that shapes the entire feel of your project.

• Go tight joint for modern simplicity and strong lines.
• Choose a standard joint for a clean, timeless balance.
• Opt for an over-grout if you love rustic charm and old-world texture.

Whether you’re designing an outdoor feature wall, a cozy fireplace surround, or a full exterior facade, the grout installation style helps tell your story through stone.