How to Create a Website for a Restaurant: Key Features and Design

Have you just opened a new restaurant and are looking for ways to attract new customers? Or do you already have a restaurant website and need to spice it up? We will guide you through building a restaurant website and creating a delicious menu. Additionally, we have user-friendly templates you’re sure to love – no coding required.

1) Building a restaurant website

Before you start creating your online presence, have your digital menu QR code, logo and images ready. Think about the structure of the site and choose a color palette that will match your brand. Pay attention to the latest trends in modern web design.

Tip: Take advantage of Webnode’s user-friendly platform and choose a template that fits your style. Do you want visitors to navigate through a menu bar or effortlessly navigate through a single engaging page? With Webnode’s intuitive features and templates, creating a yummy restaurant website is easy and comfortable.

2) Designing a restaurant website

Good web design effectively blends functionality with aesthetics. An outstanding website of your restaurant prioritizes intuitive navigation, ensuring that site elements are where visitors expect them to be. For example, call-to-action buttons featuring text like ‘Book a table’ or ‘Make a reservation’ should be strategically placed at the forefront.

The best website builders support responsive design. Webnode’s site builder, for instance, allows you to craft fully responsive web pages supported by a comprehensive content management system (CMS).

With Webnode, you can also let artificial intelligence create a restaurant website aligned with your vision. Just provide input through a brief questionnaire and watch your site being built. The optimal online presence of a restaurant should include the following key components:

2.1 Homepage

Your homepage acts as the online gateway to your venture, offering visitors essential and easily digestible information. This section should present details such as daily specials, operating hours, reservation options, and contact details. If you opt for our French restaurant website template, all these vital components will be displayed on your homepage.

2.2 About Us page

Showcase your unique identity, including your background and values. Introduce your team by adding individual profiles. Talk about the chef’s story and his specialties. Show that great food is made by “ordinary people” with talent and a taste for cooking.

2.3 A food catalog

A food catalog on a web visually displays the diverse menu, featuring appealing images and enticing descriptions. We’ll explore this significant aspect in more detail later in the article.

2.4 Gallery

Food is an art, and the dining experience starts with the eyes. Exhibit your dishes in all their splendor, ensuring your images are enticing and mouth-watering. Consider offering a glimpse behind the scenes into your kitchen to further engage your audience in the culinary journey.

Webnode offers several options for you to present your images. If you maintains an active Instagram or Facebook account, you can also easily incorporate your social media accounts into your web page.

2.5 Contact

Place all essential contact details, such as address, phone, email, and social media links, either on a dedicated contact page or section. Also, ensure that these key details are easily accessible in the footer of every page for quick reference.

2.6 Reservations

Provide the convenience of online booking through your web. Implement a straightforward form enabling visitors to input their reservation details—date, time, and party size. This will send a direct reservation request to your inbox, simplifying the booking process.

2.7 Delivery orders

Your site becomes a valuable asset, especially if your company offers takeout or delivery services. Setting up this system is achievable through various methods. The simpler one is using a form on your website. Customers can then browse the menu and place orders online. You can deliver them accordingly. To ensure smooth delivery operations, maintaining an equipment inventory template helps keep track of all delivery tools and resources, ensuring everything is well-organized and available when needed. Alternatively, you can utilize other Third-Party Ordering Apps or a POS System.

2.8 Testimonials

Including testimonials on your web is vital, as they show satisfied customers’ experiences and build credibility, encouraging trust and enticing new patrons to dine with confidence.

Think of your website as a well-organized kitchen — every ingredient plays a role in creating a delightful dish. Similarly, every element on your page, from colors to fonts, should work together in harmony.

3) Templates for restaurant websites 

Creating an appetizing website doesn’t require web design expertise. With Webnode, you have access to 26 professionally designed food and restaurant website templates tailored for food and restaurant businesses.

Whether you run a charming French bistro, a trendy coffee shop, a cozy wine bar, or an artisanal bakery, we have a template for you. Each template is fully customizable, allowing you to use it as-is or as a starting point to experiment with until you achieve the desired look.

4) How to write a restaurant menu for your website

A well-designed food catalog can significantly enhance both your revenue and customer experience, whether it is printed, available online, or displayed above a counter. If you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford a professional designer, use a customizable menu template as a starting point.

When it comes to writing up the food menu on your website, consider that this is also an important part of your website visitor’s experience. It should include the following items:

• Names of the meals
• Description of the meals
• Ingredients used to create each meal (including allergens)
• Photos of the meal

When possible, use vivid and evocative adjectives such as ‘crisp,’ ‘tangy,’ ‘sour,’ ‘sweet,’ and ‘crunchy’ to tantalize taste buds through the descriptions. Choose colors that resonate with your brand identity. Undoubtedly, the pricing and presentation of items on your restaurant’s menu form its pivotal components.

Now you have all the key ingredients to launch a successful restaurant website. Choose a compelling template and embark on your digital culinary adventure.

Create your restaurant website