Restaurants begin treating phones like cigarettes to prevent digital distraction

After years of restaurants welcoming photos of dishes for the free advertising they provide, some establishments in Europe and the United States are reconsidering the presence of phones at the table, amid a growing number of initiatives that restrict or outright ban their use to protect privacy and prevent digital distraction.

In some restaurants in England and Italy, a sticker is now placed over the phone camera lens upon entry—a symbolic measure aimed at protecting guests’ privacy and encouraging them to engage more fully in the dining experience. In American restaurants, guests are asked to store their phones in locked pouches or dedicated device lockers.

Other venues choose incentives over prohibition, offering complimentary services to customers who place their phones in locked boxes for the duration of the meal. These initiatives are not entirely new, but they are resurfacing amid a growing desire to temporarily step away from notifications and constant browsing. According to those behind them, the goal is not anti-technology, but rather to bring conversation, food, and privacy back to the heart of the experience.

However, enforcement of these rules remains optional and limited, and may prompt some customers to leave, while others view it as a welcome break from the screen.