Restaurant assistant jobs in the UK are entry-level roles in high demand across the hospitality industry. These include jobs like waiting staff, kitchen assistant, front-of-house helper, and general restaurant support. These roles are suitable for immigrants, non-degree holders, and job seekers from overseas, but visa eligibility depends on the UK’s immigration rules.
In this guide, you’ll learn what these jobs are, where to find them, how visas work, salary expectations, and how to apply — all in simple English.
1. What Are Restaurant Assistant Jobs?
Restaurant assistants help restaurants, cafés, and catering services run smoothly. These jobs are usually entry-level and involve a mix of customer service, food support, and cleaning duties.
Common roles include:
- Restaurant Assistant / Front-of-House Staff – welcoming guests, clearing tables
- Waiting Staff / Server – taking orders, serving food
- Kitchen Assistant – washing dishes, preparing ingredients
- Bar or Café Assistant – making drinks, helping at counters
- Food Runner – delivering dishes to tables
- Cleaning / Stewarding – keeping areas clean
These jobs require good attitude, teamwork, and customer service — not degrees.
2. Does the UK Sponsor Visas for Restaurant Jobs?
Key Point
❌ Most restaurant assistant jobs cannot directly sponsor a UK Skilled Worker Visa because they do not meet the required skill level (RQF Level 3+) for that visa route.
✔ However, **you can work legally in these roles if you have a UK visa that allows employment.
This means you need a visa before you apply for restaurant work — but the restaurant job itself usually does not sponsor your visa directly.
3. Visa Routes That Allow You to Work in Restaurant Jobs
To work legally in the UK as a restaurant assistant, you must have a visa that permits employment, even if one isn’t tied to the job itself.
A. Student Visa (Work Rights)
✔ Allows you to work part-time during term
✔ Full-time during holidays
✔ You can work as a restaurant assistant under allowed hours
B. Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
✔ For citizens of eligible countries (e.g., Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Monaco, South Korea)
✔ Work in any job (including restaurants)
✔ Valid usually for 2 years
C. Family / Dependant Visas
✔ If you accompany someone on a visa with work rights
✔ You can work in restaurants
D. Other Work Permits
Certain other visas (e.g., HMRC-related schemes, sector-specific visas) may allow work but aren’t solely for restaurant jobs.
4. Salary and Working Hours (2026)
Restaurant assistant jobs typically pay hourly wages set by UK employment standards.
Approximate pay:
- £10.50 – £14.00 per hour (varies by region)
- In London and South, pay tends to be higher
- Tips may be extra in casual or independent restaurants
Hours:
- Part-time or full-time shifts
- Evenings and weekends common
- Flexible schedules based on restaurant needs
5. What Employers Look For
Restaurants usually seek applicants with:
- Basic English communication
- Friendly, helpful attitude
- Ability to work under pressure
- Teamwork and punctuality
- Customer service experience (if any)
Training is usually provided on the job.
6. How to Find Restaurant Assistant Jobs in the UK
Popular Methods
Job boards
- Indeed UK
- Totaljobs
- Reed
- Caterer.com
- CV-Library
Walk-in applications
Visiting local restaurants with a CV
Recruitment agencies
- Hospitality and catering agencies place staff in temp and permanent jobs
Employer websites
Check big hospitality groups such as:
- Greene King
- Whitbread (Premier Inn / Brewers Fayre)
- Whitbread’s Beefeater
- Mitchells & Butlers
- Restaurant chains and hotel groups
7. How to Write a UK-Style CV for Restaurant Jobs
Tips for Your CV
- Contact information
- Profile statement – who you are
- Work experience – list any service, cleaning, hospitality
- Skills – customer service, multitasking, team support
- Availability – flexible hours appreciated
- References – if available
Example profile line:
“Reliable and enthusiastic hospitality worker with experience in customer service, food preparation, and team support.”
8. How to Apply Step-by-Step
Step 1: Prepare Your CV
- Clean and simple, focus on relevant skills.
Step 2: Search for Jobs
- Use the sites and methods above.
Step 3: Apply Online or In Person
- Send your CV or visit restaurants.
Step 4: Attend Interviews
- Usually phone or in-person.
Step 5: Confirm Work Eligibility
- Make sure your visa allows employment.
9. Important Tips for Foreign Applicants
✔ Always check your visa’s work conditions
✔ Improve basic English — it helps with customers
✔ Show flexibility with availability
✔ Highlight service or teamwork experience
✔ Avoid job ads that ask for upfront money
10. Final Words
Restaurant assistant jobs in the UK are great entry-level roles for immigrants, and they can lead to stable income and hospitality experience. However, the job itself rarely sponsors a visa on its own under the UK’s current immigration policies.
To work legally in these jobs, you must have a visa that already allows employment — such as a Student visa, Youth Mobility visa, or Family visa with work rights.
Once you are legally allowed to work, you can:
✔ Apply for restaurant assistant jobs
✔ Earn competitive wages
✔ Build experience in the UK job market
✔ Possibly advance to supervisory roles over time
Disclaimer
This job information is shared for educational and informational purposes only.
Any discussion of visa categories is based on general immigration laws and publicly available information.