Restaurant website: menu, orders and table booking
Short answer
A restaurant website should answer four questions within seconds: what you serve, how much it costs, when you are open, and how to order or book. Publish the menu as a real web page, not only a PDF, keep prices and hours up to date, and make ordering or booking easy from a phone.
The menu comes first
- Publish the menu as text on the page, not only as a photo or PDF. Text is readable on phones and can be understood by search engines and AI answer engines.
- Show the price next to each dish.
- Mark allergens and dietary options (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free). In the European Union, allergen information must also be available for food that is not prepacked; check the rules in your country.
- Keep it current. An old menu with old prices leads to disappointed guests.
Opening hours, location and contact
Put opening hours, address, phone and a map link where people see them without scrolling far. Use exactly the same name, address and phone as on your Google Business Profile, and update holiday hours in both places.
Online orders
If you offer pickup or delivery, let guests order on your own site. Decide in advance:
- Pickup, delivery or both, and your delivery area.
- Order times and how much notice the kitchen needs.
- How guests pay: online or on pickup.
- Who sees new orders, and how.
Orders through your own site keep the relationship with the guest in your hands.
Table booking
Decide how many tables you release online, how long a seating lasts, the largest group you accept online, and your policy on late arrivals and no-shows. Large groups and private events are often better handled by phone or email.
Photos and atmosphere
Use real photos of your dishes, your room and your team. Good natural light matters more than an expensive camera. Avoid stock photos of dishes you do not serve.
Tourists and several languages
In tourist areas, a menu in the main languages of your guests is a real advantage. Each language should have its own page address, so search engines show the right version. More in our guide to a multilingual website done right.
With Mintinaj
Our Menu and orders package for restaurants, cafés and catering is $199 setup and $25 a month (USD, ex-VAT). Table reservations by party size are part of the online booking included free in every Mintinaj site. Choose your type of business to see a demo, or see all prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is a PDF menu enough?
It is better than nothing, but a text menu on the page is easier to read on phones, loads faster and is easier for search engines to understand. You can still offer the PDF as a download.
Should I use delivery platforms or my own ordering?
Many restaurants use both. Platforms bring new guests; your own ordering keeps the relationship and the guest’s details with you.
How often should I update the menu online?
Every time a dish or a price changes. Set a reminder to check it at least once a month.
Do I need my menu in several languages?
If many of your guests come from abroad, yes. Translate dish names carefully and keep the original name where it matters.