Key takeaways
- Diners want the menu, photos, location, timings and a way to book or order, fast.
- Use a readable menu on the page itself, not only a PDF.
- Google Business Profile, reviews and mobile speed drive most restaurant visits.
When people decide where to eat, they often search on their phones, look at photos and check the menu within a minute. A restaurant website that makes this easy wins more diners.
1. An easy to read menu
Put your menu directly on the page, organised by category, with dish names, short descriptions and dietary labels like vegetarian or Jain options. Avoid only uploading a PDF, which is slow and hard to read on phones.
2. Mouthwatering photos
Real photos of your food, interiors and ambience are essential. Invest in good photography. Optimise images so they load quickly.
3. Location, timings and contact
Show your address, map, opening hours, phone number and parking details clearly. Make phone numbers clickable.
4. Table booking
Offer table reservations through a simple form, WhatsApp or a booking system. Many diners prefer booking without calling.
5. Online ordering
If you deliver or offer takeaway, link to your ordering options or offer direct ordering. Direct orders can help you build your own customer relationships.
6. Reviews and social proof
Show great reviews, awards and features. Link to your Instagram to show daily specials and atmosphere.
7. Events and private dining
If you host parties, corporate events or catering, create a separate page with an enquiry form.
8. Mobile speed
Most restaurant searches happen on phones, often while people are already out. Speed is critical. See why mobile first design matters.
9. Local SEO and Google Business Profile
Restaurants depend heavily on Google Maps. Keep your profile updated with menu, photos, hours and replies to reviews. Read our Google Business Profile guide and local SEO guide.
Pages every restaurant website should have
- Home: a mouthwatering hero photo, cuisine, location and a book or order button.
- Menu: readable on the page, organised by category.
- About: your story, chef and what makes your food special.
- Gallery: dishes, interiors and happy guests.
- Reservations: booking form, WhatsApp or booking system.
- Order online: delivery and takeaway options.
- Events and catering: parties, corporate events and bulk orders.
- Contact and location: map, timings, parking and phone.
How to present your menu online
The menu is usually the most visited page on a restaurant website. Make it easy to scan on a phone:
- Group dishes into clear categories like starters, mains and desserts
- Write short, appetising descriptions
- Mark vegetarian, vegan, Jain, spicy and other dietary information
- Highlight signature dishes and chef recommendations
- Keep the menu updated when dishes change
- Add a few photos of popular dishes
Tip: a menu as real text on the page also helps you appear when people search for a specific dish in your area.
Using your website to fill quiet days
Your website can help bring customers on slower days:
- Promote weekday offers, lunch specials or happy hours
- Share upcoming events like live music or festival menus
- Collect enquiries for birthday parties and corporate lunches
- Link to your Instagram for daily specials
- Post updates on your Google Business Profile
Common mistakes restaurant websites make
- Menus uploaded only as blurry photos or large PDFs
- Wrong or missing opening hours
- Autoplay music or heavy videos that slow the page
- No booking or ordering option
- Photos that do not reflect the real food and ambience
Turning your website into a direct ordering channel
Delivery apps bring convenience, but they also sit between you and your customers. Your website can gradually build a direct relationship. Offer a simple way to order for takeaway or delivery, promote it on your packaging and table cards, and reward returning customers with small offers. Even if most orders still come through apps, a direct channel gives you more control and valuable customer contact.
Collecting WhatsApp numbers with permission lets you share new menus, festival specials and events directly with regular customers.
A launch checklist for restaurant websites
- The menu is complete, readable and correct
- Opening hours, holidays and address are accurate
- Booking and ordering buttons work on mobile
- Photos are high quality and load quickly
- Google Business Profile shows the same details and links to the website
- Instagram and review links work
- Event and catering enquiry forms reach the right person
Photography tips for restaurant websites
- Shoot food in natural daylight near a window
- Show dishes at their best, freshly plated
- Capture the ambience at the time of day guests usually visit
- Include people enjoying the space, with permission
- Keep a consistent style across all photos
- Compress every image before uploading
Good photos are often the single biggest reason a diner chooses your restaurant over another.
If you are just starting out, begin with great photos, an accurate menu and a clear location, then add booking, ordering and events as your restaurant grows.
Frequently asked questions
Do restaurants need a website if they are on delivery apps?
Yes. Delivery apps help, but your website is where you control your brand, share your full story, take reservations and event enquiries, and build direct customer relationships.
Should our menu include prices?
Many diners like to see prices before visiting, and it can reduce unnecessary calls. It is your choice, but if you show them, keep them updated.
How do we get more Google reviews for our restaurant?
Ask happy guests at the end of their meal, share your review link on a table card or WhatsApp, and reply to every review politely.
Can we take table bookings on WhatsApp?
Yes. A WhatsApp button with a prefilled booking message is simple and popular. Busy restaurants may prefer a booking system that shows available slots.
How often should a restaurant update its website?
Update the menu whenever dishes change, keep holiday hours accurate and add seasonal offers or events. A quick monthly check keeps everything fresh and correct.
Is a single page website enough for a small cafe?
For a small cafe, a well designed single page with menu, photos, location, timings and contact options can work well. As you grow, add pages for events, catering or online ordering.
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