Restaurants, cafés and takeaways
Web Design for Restaurants
Web design for restaurants comes down to answering four questions fast: what's on the menu, when are you open, where are you and can I book? Most diners check on their phones, often minutes before deciding. This guide covers menus that work on mobile, direct bookings, allergen information and the details that turn a quick look into a booking.
Menus that work on phones
PDF menus are slow to open on mobile, hard to read and invisible to Google. Put your menu on a web page with prices, short descriptions and dietary markers. Update it when dishes change, and remove items you no longer serve.
Opening hours, location and booking
Diners decide quickly. Show today's opening hours, a map link and a booking button at the top of the home page on mobile. Keep your hours identical on your website and Google Business Profile, especially around bank holidays.
Allergen information
Food businesses must provide information about the 14 major allergens in the food they serve. For food ordered online for delivery or collection, customers must be able to get allergen information before they order and when the food arrives. On your menu pages, mark allergens clearly or explain how customers can get full information.
Direct bookings and orders
Booking and delivery platforms bring new customers but take a commission. Your own booking system or online ordering lets returning customers book or order direct. Make it simple, and consider small incentives for booking direct where your agreements allow.
Food hygiene ratings
A good food hygiene rating reassures diners. In England, displaying your rating at your premises is voluntary, but many restaurants add the official rating badge to their website.
Restaurant website checklist
- Menu as a web page with prices and dietary markers
- Opening hours, map link and booking button visible on mobile
- Allergen information clear for dine-in and online orders
- Hours matching your Google Business Profile
- Direct booking or ordering option
- Recent photos of dishes and your dining room
Good to know
Your questions, answered.
Do I have to list allergens on my online menu?+
You must make allergen information available. For distance selling, such as online takeaway orders, it must be available before purchase and on delivery. Many restaurants mark allergens on the menu page.
Should I use a booking platform or my own system?+
Many restaurants use both: platforms for discovery and a direct booking button on their own site for returning guests.
Why does Google show the wrong opening hours?+
Google often uses your Business Profile. Update it whenever your hours change, alongside your website.
Related guides
Sources
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