How to create a good menu? Practical tips for restaurants

Every restaurant, café, or bar dreams of customers who keep coming back again and again. One of the most important factors that determine a great customer experience is an appealing menu. The menu is like the restaurant’s business card, so it must reflect not only the spirit of the place but also truly serve its purpose - helping customers choose quickly, encouraging them to try more dishes, and leaving a positive overall impression of the restaurant.

Key tips to consider when creating a menu

Understand who you are creating the menu for

The first and most important step in creating a menu is understanding who it is intended for. Every restaurant has its unique character and target audience. It could be a lunch spot where people come for a quick and inexpensive meal, or a high-end restaurant where customers appreciate details and luxury. The menu should be tailored to your establishment. For example, if you expect many customers with children, it’s worth including kids’ meals. If the restaurant is focused on business lunches, the menu can be simpler but of exceptional quality. It’s also important to consider what message you want to convey through your menu - whether it will feature classic dishes, new and innovative combinations, or emphasize fresh, high-quality ingredients. This vision will make it easier to move forward.

Clear and logical menu structure

There’s nothing more frustrating than a menu with a chaotic order. The menu should be divided into clear and easily recognizable sections: appetizers, soups, main courses, desserts, drinks. Such a structure helps customers save time and avoid confusion. Additionally, you can use special symbols or colors to indicate dishes suitable for vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free, or very spicy options. This prevents unnecessary questions from customers and makes them feel comfortable and confident in your menu. If you have seasonal dishes, it’s worth highlighting them more prominently.

The importance of dish descriptions

Dish descriptions are often underestimated, but they actually create huge value. A menu is not just a list of information. It’s a story about your kitchen. Descriptions help customers imagine the dish before it arrives at the table. A good dish description should spark curiosity and appetite but also remain clear and understandable. Avoid overly dry or technical phrases that say nothing about taste or experience. Instead, briefly describe what makes the dish special: whether it’s slow-cooked meat or homemade sauce. It’s also important not to overdo it. Too long or overloaded descriptions can be tiring and distracting. Short but vivid sentences that create a taste image work best. For example, instead of “pasta with sauce,” it sounds much more appealing to say “fresh pasta with creamy mushroom sauce and parmesan.” When a dish is described clearly and concisely, it makes it easier for the customer to choose.

Eye-catching design

Menu design is often the first thing a customer notices before even reading the dish names. Colors, fonts, layout, and overall look create the first impression of the restaurant, so the design must not only look nice but also be functional. Good design helps customers easily navigate the menu and naturally guides their eye through its most important parts. The visual style of the menu should match the restaurant’s character. Equally important is the layout itself. An overloaded menu is tiring, while too small text or a messy structure makes reading difficult. Spaces, clear headings, and logically arranged categories allow the customer to quickly find what they’re looking for and feel comfortable. Visual accents such as subtle symbols or color highlights can help draw attention to recommended dishes, but they should not be overused.

Digital menu: the solution of the future, available today

Traditionally, most restaurants use paper menus - a common and familiar practice. However, paper menus have quite a few drawbacks: they are difficult to update quickly, especially when the dish offerings or prices change. Moreover, paper wears out, can be damaged by moisture or stains, and reprinting requires additional costs and time. This format is also not the most environmentally friendly solution.

More and more restaurants are choosing digital menus, which allow customers to conveniently and quickly access the menu directly on their smartphones via QR codes or online links. These menus can be updated anytime - prices can be changed, new dishes or photos can be added. Additionally, a digital menu can easily be presented in multiple languages, which is especially important for tourists or foreign guests.

Main advantages of digital menus:

Fast and Easy Updates - the menu can be changed in real time at any moment.
Eco-friendliness - reduces paper usage.
Convenience for Customers - the menu is accessible anytime and anywhere through a smartphone.
Language Options - menus can be offered in multiple languages.
Design - you can customize the menu design according to your preferences.
Interactivity and Personalization - allergens, seasonal dishes, or special offers can be highlighted.
Better Customer Experience - customers don’t have to wait for a waiter to bring the menu.

What can Greet offer?

Imagine a menu that updates instantly, requires no printing costs, and is accessible with just one scan of a QR code. This isn’t the future - it’s the Greet solution available today.
Customers can scan the QR code with their phone and immediately see the menu without needing any additional apps. This saves not only time and costs but also gives you complete control over your business.

One of the advantages is real-time menu management. If the dish offerings, prices, or descriptions change, everything can be updated with just a few clicks, and customers will see the changes immediately.
Greet also allows automatic translation of the menu into the most popular foreign languages, which is especially important in places frequently visited by tourists.

Moreover, the platform offers additional features that help not only present the menu but also improve sales and communication with guests. For example, you can integrate a unique design that matches your restaurant’s style, provide allergen information, create promotional materials or special offers, and even include links to your social media.

Creating a menu is a creative and strategic process that reflects your restaurant and its values. Clear structure, quality descriptions, and design help not only attract more customers but also manage restaurant operations more efficiently. A digital menu is not just a convenient solution for today but a clear trend for the future, helping restaurants be more flexible, save resources, and provide customers with a better experience.

Digital menus also give you the ability to react quickly to changes, whether it’s new seasonal dishes, price adjustments, or special offers. Invest in a menu that works not only today but also helps you grow tomorrow.

Learn more about the Greet menu