- Run a Restaurant gnome locations: There are 15 secret gnomes hidden across the map.
- Permanent boosts: Green gnomes grant a permanent +1% cash earned bonus each.
- Special gnomes: Certain gnomes unlock speed increases and cook speed boosts.
- Where to look: Most gnomes cluster near the shop, the map edges, bushes, and under chairs.
- Why it matters: Collecting all gnomes stacks boosts that speed up early and mid-game progress.
All Run a Restaurant Gnome Locations
Hidden gnomes are one of the most valuable secrets in Run a Restaurant. Each gnome you click grants a permanent boost, and there are 15 in total scattered around the map. Most players walk past them without noticing, which means they leave free passive income and speed bonuses on the table.
Video Highlights:
- All 15 gnome locations shown in order with map references
- Green gnomes grant a permanent +1% cash bonus each
- Secret gnomes award speed increase and cook speed boosts
- Bonus tips on base layouts, recipe farming, and diamond spending
Simply walk up to a gnome and click on it. There is no puzzle or tool required — the challenge is purely finding where each one hides. Boosts apply permanently once collected.
Here is a breakdown of where to find each gnome, organized by map area:
| # | Area | Location Details | Reward Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spawn area | Right near where you start | Speed increase |
| 2 | Shop (back) | Behind the shop at the rear of the building | +1% cash |
| 3 | Shop (behind a gnome prop) | Near the shop, tucked behind scenery | +1% cash |
| 4 | Open ground near shop | A short walk from the previous gnome | Boost |
| 5 | Map edge | On the outer boundary of the map | Boost |
| 6 | Shop exterior | Close to the shop, easy to overlook | Boost |
| 7 | Near water | On the edge by the water — careful not to fall | Boost |
| 8 | Bush | Hiding inside a bush near the map center | Boost |
| 9 | Map center | Standing in the open at the center of the map | Boost |
| 10 | Under a chair | Tucked underneath a chair | Boost |
| 11 | Shop interior | Inside the shop, visible on entry | Boost |
| 12 | Shop exterior corner | Outside the shop, near the corner | Boost |
| 13 | Shop exterior | Another gnome clustered by the shop | Cash bonus |
| 14 | Shop interior | Inside the shop near the corner | Boost |
| 15 | Shop corner | Final gnome, in a corner of the shop | Cook speed boost |
The gnome near the water is the easiest to lose progress on — players frequently fall in while approaching it. Approach from the safest angle and click before repositioning.
Gnome Rewards Explained
Not all gnomes are equal. Green gnomes are the cash workhorses, while special gnomes boost movement and cooking speed — both of which compound over a long session.
| Gnome Type | Reward | Effect | Stacking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green gnome | +1% cash earned | Permanent income multiplier | Stacks per gnome |
| Secret speed gnome | Speed increase | Faster player movement | Permanent |
| Cook speed gnome | Cook speed boost | Faster dish preparation | Permanent |
Cash Gnomes
- +1% cash each, permanent
- Best long-term value
- Prioritize these early
Speed Gnome
- Movement speed increase
- Saves time running between stations
- Great for busy shifts
Cook Speed Gnome
- Faster cooking
- More dishes per minute
- Pairs well with golden stoves
Found in the first session, the stacked gnome boosts meaningfully accelerate every stage of progression — more cash per customer, faster cooking, and quicker movement all compound together.
Gnome Hunting Route: Step-by-Step
Follow this route to sweep all 15 gnomes in a single efficient lap around the map.
Start at Spawn
Grab the secret speed gnome at your starting area first — the movement boost helps with the rest of the route.
Sweep the Map Center
Check the center of the map, the bush, and under the chair. These three are close together.
Work the Map Edges
Move along the outer boundary, including the map-edge gnome and the risky one near the water.
Clear the Shop Exterior
Circle the outside of the shop. Multiple gnomes hide in corners and behind props here.
Finish Inside the Shop
Enter the shop and collect the interior gnomes, finishing with the cook speed gnome in the corner.
The shop area alone holds more than half of all gnomes. If you only have a few minutes, prioritize the shop interior and exterior for the fastest collection rate.
Boosts Beyond Gnomes
Gnomes are just one layer of optimization. Combine them with these systems for maximum income:
| System | What to Do | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture | Buy the best tables and chairs (golden tier) | Customers pay up to 50% more, stacks with chairs |
| Recipes | Disable cheap recipes, farm one high-value recipe | Focuses income on beef wellington, pumpkin pie, etc. |
| Diamonds | Log in daily for rewards | Save for golden stoves and tables, not small tip jars |
| Farm | Build a dedicated farm with a well | Supplies ingredients for your chosen recipe |
| Boosts | Use friend boosts when available | Extra multiplier on earnings |
Resist the temptation to spend diamonds on small items like a minor tip jar. Saving for a golden stove — which cooks twice as fast as your best standard stove — offers far better long-term value.
On base layout, the community is split: some players place walls so NPCs path directly, while others skip walls to avoid slowdowns. The widely used strong layout is roughly half to three-quarters tables and chairs, with the remaining quarter for cooking stoves and dishwashers. Test both approaches and keep whichever earns faster for you.
Pick one expensive recipe you can reliably produce — such as fancy breakfast or beef wellington — and build your entire farm around it. Disabling cheap recipes like bread and tomato soup stops your kitchen from wasting time on low-value dishes.
Gnome Hunter Checklist
Gnome Collection Goals:
- Collect the speed gnome at spawn
- Click all green gnomes for +1% cash each
- Grab the gnome under the chair at map center
- Survive the water-edge gnome without falling in
- Finish with the cook speed gnome in the shop corner
Completing the full set of 15 gnomes stacks permanent cash, movement, and cooking boosts — a serious head start before you even optimize your base layout.
FAQ
Q: How many gnomes are there in Run a Restaurant?
There are 15 secret gnomes in total. Most of them are clustered around the shop, with others at the map center, map edges, in a bush, and under a chair.
Q: What do gnomes give you in Run a Restaurant?
Green gnomes each give a permanent +1% cash earned bonus. Special gnomes grant a movement speed increase or a cook speed boost. All rewards are permanent and stack.
Q: How do you collect a gnome?
Walk up to the gnome and click on it. No tools or unlock conditions are needed — the only challenge is finding each hiding spot.
Q: Which Run a Restaurant gnome is easiest to miss?
The gnome under the chair at map center and the one hiding in the bush are the most commonly overlooked, along with the gnome near the water where players risk falling in.
Q: Are gnome rewards worth getting early?
Yes. The permanent cash and speed boosts compound with furniture bonuses and recipe optimization, so collecting all 15 gnomes early noticeably accelerates progress.