Checklist · 10 picks · 4 categories
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Your first restaurant job is basically cardio on a wet floor, so shoes come first. Chefs quoted by Shop TODAY put non-slip outsoles first, because kitchens get slippery.
NBC Select's orthopedic surgeon adds a rubber sole with strong tread and a low, wide heel, and its restaurant pick is a Crocs clog that wipes clean. RunRepeat's budget work shoe, a Shop TODAY slip-on and a sneaker from NBC's list round out the options. OutdoorGearLab's insoles add cushion, and Pack Hacker's compression socks are there for long doubles. If you're serving wine, a waiter's corkscrew lives in your apron: Food Network and America's Test Kitchen each picked one. Each card shows the drawback its outlet called out, like a roomy toe box or insoles that are hard to fit.
Who this is not for. Skip this if your first job is at a desk; the First Job list has the work bag, lunch bag and headphones.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Nov 1, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crocs Bistro Work Clog | budget | $50-100 | kitchens and anywhere the floor gets greasy | 1 outlet |
| New Balance 608 v5 | mid | $50-100 | front-of-house shifts that call for sneakers | 1 outlet |
| Timberland PRO Burbank Slip-On Soft Toe Work Shoe | mid | $50-100 | slipping on in a hurry before a shift | Limited evidence |
| Shoes for Crews Women's Slip-Resistant Work Sneakers | mid | $50-100 | servers who want a sneaker, not a clog | Limited evidence |
Best work shoesbudget pick · Pick by shoe size
Best for kitchens and anywhere the floor gets greasy
NBC Select's best non-slip shoes for restaurant workers: non-slip treads and cushioned foam that cleans up with soap and water.
Heads up. It's a clog style, which NBC Select flags as the thing to note
1 outlet. NBC Select best non-slip shoes for restaurant workers.
$50-100
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mid pick · 3 widths
Best for front-of-house shifts that call for sneakers
RunRepeat's best budget work shoes: comfortable, well-padded and grippy on dry and wet floors.
Heads up. On the heavier side, and it might rub on your heel, per RunRepeat
1 outlet. RunRepeat best budget work shoes.
$50-100
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mid pick · Pick by shoe size
Best for slipping on in a hurry before a shift
On Shop TODAY's list of shoes for servers: editors found it very grippy and easy to put on.
Heads up. The toe box is a bit too roomy, per Shop TODAY
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$50-100
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mid pick · Women's sizes
Best for servers who want a sneaker, not a clog
On NBC Select's non-slip shoe list: a lightweight sneaker with a super-padded insole, a thick rubber sole and a breathable, water-resistant mesh upper.
Heads up. They run narrow, per NBC Select
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$50-100
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Best insolessplurge pick · Pick by shoe size
Best for high arches and back-to-back doubles
OutdoorGearLab's favorite insoles for high arches, and it recommends them if you spend long hours on your feet working in a restaurant or hospital.
Heads up. The firm cushioning might not suit everyone, per OutdoorGearLab
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab top Pick insoles for high arches.
$50-100
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budget pick · Pick by shoe size
Best for adding cushion to shoes you already own
OutdoorGearLab's best bang for your buck insoles: thin, with forefoot and heel pads for shock absorption.
Heads up. The foam is less durable, and it's so flexible it can be hard to fit into shoes, per OutdoorGearLab
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best Bang for Your Buck insoles.
$25-50
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Best compression socksbudget pick · Pick by size
Best for legs that feel fine after a double
Pack Hacker's best budget compression socks: firm 20-30 mmHg, and its tester says they give your foot and leg a hug without constriction.
Heads up. Very long, especially for shorter wearers, per Pack Hacker
2 outlets agree. Pack Hacker best budget compression socks. Reviewed best Value compression socks.
$15-25
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budget pick · Pick by size
Best for a gentler sock for long shifts
Pack Hacker's best value compression socks: they help control swelling through travel and fit its tester nearly perfectly.
Heads up. Not a huge range of sizes, and it's hard to tell if the copper does anything for odor
1 outlet. Pack Hacker best value compression socks.
$15-25
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Best wine openermid pick · Pocket
Best for opening bottles tableside without breaking the cork
America's Test Kitchen's winning waiter's corkscrew, picked for the size of its worm, and its nonstick worm goes into the cork with zero friction.
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen winning waiter's corkscrew.
$15-25
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budget pick · Pocket
Best for an apron-pocket opener you won't mind losing
Food Network's best manual wine opener: a classic waiter's-style corkscrew with a foil cutter and a balanced weight, compact enough for a pocket.
Heads up. Can be challenging for beginners
1 outlet. Food Network best manual wine opener.
under $15
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
NBC Select's orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Brandon Haghverdian, says to look for a rubber outsole with a strong tread and a low, wide heel for stability. Chefs quoted by Shop TODAY also want water and stain resistance, and black shoes hide stains, so check your restaurant's dress code before you buy.
If your restaurant pours wine, usually yes, and a waiter's corkscrew fits in an apron pocket. America's Test Kitchen says to look for a smooth, nonstick worm at least 1.75 inches long so the cork doesn't break, and its winner is the Pulltap's Classic Evolution. Food Network's best manual pick, the Rabbit 2-Step, is the cheaper one to keep as a backup.
Pinky Cole, the Slutty Vegan CEO quoted by Shop TODAY, says to replace them when the support starts to wane or the soles wear down. On a tight budget, OutdoorGearLab's value pick, the Spenco Polysorb insole, adds cushion to shoes you already own.