Undoubtedly, the restaurant industry, and in particular, waitressing is not a job that you can call a walk in the park.
It involves a significant amount of walking and standing. If you’re not careful, you may develop foot and back pain. Well, we are not trying to discourage you from taking up the profession, but rather, highlighting what could occur to you if you don’t choose the right footwear for the industry.
There is some satisfaction in serving different customers day in day out. Specifically, interacting with different personalities is always fulfilling.
You meet various characters, some of which leave beautiful footprints on your heart. Somebody said that it is the little moments that take our breath away that make life worth living. Besides, serving other human beings can be quite satisfying.
Table could not be displayed.5 Best Shoes for a Waitress to Wear Reviews & Top Picks
The best shoes for a waitress to wear should have particular characteristics that make them comfortable the whole day.
Waitresses usually have a long day, and standing for a significant amount of time can be quite taxing.
But which are the best shoes for the restaurant industry?
In our research, we found a few good options for the waitresses based on a criterion that includes comfort, shock absorption, and durability. Our first choice is Dansko Women’s Professional Mule, followed by Crocs Men’s and Women’s Bistro Clog.
The two types of footwear are comfortable to wear for the whole day, durable and lightweight. As a waitress, you are going to need such a shoe to be quite useful in your duties.

1. Dansko Women’s Professional Mule
The professional Dansko mule is popular among nurses, and that means something. Dansko clog is comfortable and appropriate for use in the hotel industry. The similarity between the hotel industry and nursing is that the professions require a significant amount of walking and standing.
The other factors that make Dansko professional clog appropriate for waitresses are the 100% leather upper material. Leather is quite protective and comfortable compared to the other elements – a fact that various Dansko clogs reviews point out.
When we talk of protective, we mean that the material will protect your feet from various substances such as hot soup, and sharp knives that may be carrying to the customer. Anything can happen, especially when you get tired, and it is a good thing if the shoe is protective.
Furthermore, the leather material is breathable and flexible, and that makes it quite comfortable. That means your feet will not get moist inside, a situation that can make them slippery shoe and dangerous.
The polyurethane sole is good quality, and it provides a good grip on the floor so that you are productive when serving the customers. There’s no worry of slipping, and embarrassing yourself as a result. You have a good grip, and you can walk with confidence from one customer to the other.
Other factors that make it comfortable include a rocker bottom and a roomy toe box. The rocker bottom protects your feet from the shock of standing for a long time, and the roomy toe box makes it comfortable. There is some breathing space for the toes.
What We Like
- A professional shoe used by nurses and therefore appropriate for waitressing
- A 100% leather upper to provide protection and durability
- The footwear is comfortable to wear for the whole day
- It has a capable polyurethane sole
What We Don’t Like
- A good number of users complain about sizing
- The outsoles may be too hard
2. Crocs Men’s and Women’s Bistro Clog | Slip Resistant Comfort Slip-On Work Shoe
The comfortable and slip-resistant crocs restaurant shoes are other excellent options for waitresses. They are convenient and reliable to use for a significant amount of time until your shift ends.
For starters, the material is 100% Croslite to provide an adequate amount of protection from objects such as falling knives and forks.
It may not be like full-grain leather, but the material has its advantages such as water resistance.
But why would you need a slip on to be water-resistant?
Well, there are many cases that you will be walking on puddles of water, and having good slip-on is always a good idea. You will also need protection from certain types of liquids such as detergents that you may be used to clean the hotel or cafe.
The synthetic sole on the crocs clog has some traction to give you a good grip when walking on wet floors. We must also admit that the outsole is relatively flexible to support your natural gait when walking.
The slip-on design makes it stress-free to wear, and you can head on straight to serving the customers after checking in at your workplace. You only slip the nonslip crocs for chefs on effortlessly and start the work.
What We Like
- Comfortable and reliable slip-on work shoe
- The slip-on is water-resistant to protect your feet from liquids
- The outsole has good traction
- It is flexible and supports your natural gait
What We Don’t Like
- They may tend to run small
3. Skechers for Work Women’s Soft Stride-Softie Lace-Up
Some of us prefer a closed shoe as opposed to a slip-on. If you fit in that category, then this lace-up Skechers nonslip shoes are some of the best, and most appropriate for you. The Skechers shoes are 100% leather, and you can be sure of adequate protection and durability.
Sometimes all you need is a shoe that provides proper protection to your feet, especially when working in a busy restaurant. You never know when something might occur, such as falling utensils. The leather material on the Skechers women’s nonslip shoes is strong enough to keep your feet safe and sound.
Furthermore, the lace-up design makes the shoe more comfortable because of the snug fit. Mostly, you cannot get a Snug Fit with a slip-on, and that is why most people prefer this kind of shoe.
What We Like
- Lace-up design to make the shoe comfortable
- The shoe is durable and comfortable
- It is slip-resistant and most appropriate for the restaurant industry
What We Don’t Like
- It may not be comfortable in hot weather
4. Skechers Work Women’s Sure Track – Trickel
The closed Skechers soft shoes are a good option for the waitresses working in a busy establishment. It is lightweight and comfortable to use the whole day. And unlike the clogs, you can use the shoes Outdoors like when going home. They are versatile, and that saves you a few bucks in the long run.
The leather material is quite durable and protective to provide excellent protection when working. In terms of durability, it means that you are going to use the shoe for some time before you can start looking for another pair. in the hard economic times, a durable shoe is most appropriate, and that is what this work women’s footwear is all about.
It is also slip-resistant, and you can work comfortably and confidently without worrying about falling and causing a mess all over – something that several Skechers sure track Trickel reviews highlight. It can be quite embarrassing, and you can lose a few customers if you happen to lose your grip when serving them.
What We Like
- The shoes are lightweight and comfortable
- They are adaptable, and you can use them outside the restaurant
- The material is durable and protective to the feet
What We Don’t Like
- They may be uncomfortable in hot weather
- It may not hold up to heavy-duty use
5. Merrell Women’s Jungle Moc Pro Grip Slip-Resistant Work Shoe
The attractively designed Merrell work shoes is undoubtedly another excellent option for waitresses. As a closed shoe, you can be sure that your feet are comfortable and protected from the perils that come with being a waitress.
For example, falling objects will have a hard time finding your feet and doing some damage. The design of the Merrell jungle moc waterproof women is quite protective, and that is a good thing for a waitress.
The leather upper and rubber sole materials make Merrell jungle nonslip shoes quite durable, and comfortable to use. It is slip-resistant as well, and the risk of falling is minimal. You can work in confidence and serve the customers appropriately.
What We Like
- Closed shoe design to provide adequate protection
- It is lightweight and comfortable to use
- The work shoe is slip-resistant
What We Don’t Like
- The top of the shoe may be a little uncomfortable
- May not be the most appropriate for heavy-duty use
Factors Consider When Shopping For The Best Shoes for a Waitress to Wear
As mentioned above, waitressing is not an easy job, but it can be quite fulfilling. However, you cannot enjoy serving customers with hurting feet. You have to be comfortable to be efficient – no way around it.
Admittedly, there is a large number of shoes on the market, and choosing is not an easy task. There are just too many shoes that pretend to be the best. Well, saying it is easier than done, and the various claims do not mean that the brand is effective.

So what do you look out for when shopping?
- The brand: The reputation of a particular brand says a significant lot when it comes to quality. A brand committed to excellence always stands tall above the rest, and it is easy to identify it. For example, if you are looking for the best shoes for waitressing, you will notice that a particular product has many reviews and buyers than the others. Furthermore, they have a very supportive customer service.
But it is not the same case for every brand. Some of them are poor in dealing with customers, and their products are not consistently quality. To be on the sure, go with a reputable brand.
- The shape of the foot: one thing that you may not know is that your feet are not 100% symmetrical. They may have an odd shape, and that is alright. There’s nothing wrong with them, and it is just genetics, and quite reasonable. So don’t go running from one physician to the next in search of a solution to correct the anomaly.
Determine whether you need orthotics, and experiment with a few before deciding on the best working shoes for the restaurant. Ideally, you should always choose a size up if you’re going to use orthotics. But the idea is to have a shoe that accommodates the shape of the foot, sufficiently.
- The material: it is vital that you scrutinize the content of the shoe. What you may think to be full-grain leather may be PU leather. Well, we are not saying that PU leather is not an excellent material for the best shoes for servers women, but it is significantly different from the full-grain leather. The latter is quite durable, and the best quality material that you can have on footwear.
Still, on material, make sure that the outsole is rubber. Sometimes, cheap plastic can look like rubber, and it may be too late before you realize it. One thing about contemporary marketers is that they are effective at using first impressions to convince people to purchase their goods.
Don’t fall for the marketing tricks, and put every statement to the test. An excellent place to get real information is from customer reviews.
- Comfortable: as mentioned severally, the footwear for waitresses should be comfortable to prevent problems during the day. A comfortable shoe can help you be the best server in the restaurant or cafe.
You don’t feel the pinch in your feet, and you go home feeling better without the aches and foot pains that you used to feel when you didn’t have the best shoes for restaurant hostess.
Conclusion
The Best Shoes for a Waitress to Wear such as Dansko Women’s Professional Mule have particular characteristics that make them comfortable, lightweight, and durable. They are ideal for the hotel industry, and they help you be the best for the customers.
Excellent service always gets loyalty from the customers, and that is good for the business. Therefore, get the right footwear and help make the business successful. When you are in good health, and feeling better, you are most productive, and the customers notice and love it.