Best Website Builders for Restaurants in 2026: Complete Comparison

Your restaurant needs a website. But with dozens of options claiming to be "perfect for restaurants," how do you actually choose?

The right choice depends on what you need: a simple menu display, full online ordering integration, reservation systems, or something more sophisticated. Let's cut through the marketing and compare your real options.

What Restaurants Actually Need From a Website

Before comparing platforms, understand what features matter for restaurants specifically:

Essential Features:

• Mobile-responsive design (most visitors are on phones)
• Easy-to-read, updatable menu
• Location and hours prominently displayed
• Contact information and directions
• Photos of food and space

Valuable Features:

• Online ordering integration
• Reservation system
• Google Business Profile connection
• SEO optimization for local search
• Social media integration

Nice-to-Have Features:

• Gift card sales
• Email list capture
• Event booking
• Catering inquiry forms
• Loyalty program integration

The importance of each feature depends on your restaurant type. A fine dining establishment prioritizes reservations; a quick-service restaurant needs online ordering. For a comprehensive breakdown, read our guide to restaurant website must-haves.

Quick Comparison Table

| Platform | Best For | Starting Cost | Online Ordering | Reservation Integration | |----------|----------|---------------|-----------------|------------------------| | Squarespace | Design-forward restaurants | $16/month | Via Toast plugin | Via Resy/OpenTable | | Wix | Beginners, full DIY | $17/month | Native + integrations | Via OpenTable | | BentoBox | Restaurant-specific | $99+/month | Strong integration | Multiple options | | Popmenu | Marketing-focused | Custom pricing | Yes | Yes | | Custom Build | Serious restaurants | $5,000+ one-time | Any integration | Any integration |

Option 1: Squarespace

Overview

Squarespace is a general website builder known for beautiful templates. It's not restaurant-specific, but its design quality makes it popular with upscale restaurants and cafes.

Pros

Beautiful templates. Squarespace's designs are consistently elegant. Your restaurant will look sophisticated without a designer.

Easy menu management. While not restaurant-specific, Squarespace handles menu pages well. Many templates include menu-style layouts.

Good photography showcase. If you have great food photography, Squarespace displays it beautifully.

Reliable platform. Squarespace rarely goes down, and support is responsive.

Cons

No native restaurant features. Online ordering, reservations - you'll need third-party integrations for everything restaurant-specific.

Limited customization. You're working within template constraints. Complex layouts or unique features aren't possible.

Integration limitations. Some restaurant software doesn't integrate smoothly.

Best For

Restaurants where aesthetics matter most: upscale dining, wine bars, cafes, or any establishment where visual presentation is part of the brand.

Pricing

• Business: $33/month (removes Squarespace branding)
• Commerce Basic: $36/month (needed for gift cards)

Option 2: Wix

Overview

Wix offers drag-and-drop website building with restaurant-specific templates and features. It's more flexible than Squarespace but with more variance in design quality.

Pros

Restaurant-specific templates. Wix has templates designed specifically for restaurants, including menu layouts and ordering integration.

Wix Restaurants module. Native features for menus, orders, and reservations without third-party tools.

More flexibility. You can move elements anywhere on the page, unlike Squarespace's more rigid structure.

Lower learning curve. Very beginner-friendly, even compared to other DIY builders.

Cons

Design quality varies. Easy to make a Wix site look unprofessional. Squarespace's constraints prevent this.

Performance concerns. Wix sites can load slowly, which hurts mobile experience and search rankings.

Templates look similar. Many Wix restaurant sites are recognizably Wix.

Best For

Restaurant owners who want to build themselves, need basic online ordering, and prioritize cost over design sophistication.

Pricing

• Business Basic: $27/month (no Wix ads)
• Business Unlimited: $32/month (includes more storage)

Option 3: BentoBox

Overview

BentoBox is built specifically for restaurants. Unlike general website builders, every feature is designed for hospitality businesses.

Pros

Restaurant-focused. Menu management, ordering, catering, events, gift cards - all built for restaurants rather than bolted on.

Strong ordering integration. Works with major POS systems and delivery platforms seamlessly.

Marketing tools included. Email capture, promotional popups, and conversion optimization built in.

Industry expertise. Their support team understands restaurants, not just websites.

Cons

Higher price point. Starts around $99/month - significant step up from DIY builders.

Less design flexibility. While professional, you're working within their system.

Contract requirements. Many plans require annual commitments.

Best For

Established restaurants serious about digital presence, especially those doing significant online ordering or catering.

Pricing

Custom pricing based on features needed. Expect $99-200+/month.

Option 4: Popmenu

Overview

Popmenu positions itself as a restaurant marketing platform that includes a website. Heavy focus on converting visitors to customers.

Pros

Marketing-first approach. Interactive menus, automated email marketing, review management - focused on driving business.

AI-powered features. Automated responses to reviews, smart upselling, data-driven recommendations.

Strong mobile experience. Built assuming most visitors are on phones.

Comprehensive platform. Website, ordering, marketing, reviews - all in one dashboard.

Cons

Can feel sales-y. The conversion focus may not suit all restaurant types.

Proprietary system. Deep integration means you're committed to their ecosystem.

Pricing opacity. Need to talk to sales for pricing, which often means it's expensive.

Best For

Restaurants focused on growth and willing to invest in marketing technology. Good for chains or restaurants with aggressive growth goals.

Pricing

Custom pricing. Generally comparable to or higher than BentoBox.

Option 5: Custom Website Development

Overview

Hiring a developer or agency to build a website specifically for your restaurant. No templates, no limitations - just what you need.

Pros

Complete control. Every feature works exactly how you want. Any integration is possible.

Performance. Custom sites can be significantly faster than template-based builders, improving user experience and search rankings.

Unique presence. Stand out from competitors using the same templates.

Scalability. Multi-location? Complex menus? Unusual requirements? Custom handles it.

Long-term value. You own everything. No platform fees, no vendor lock-in.

Cons

Higher upfront cost. Quality custom restaurant websites typically start around $5,000-8,000.

Longer timeline. Expect 6-12 weeks from start to launch.

Requires professionals. Updates and changes need developer involvement.

Finding the right partner. Quality varies significantly. Vetting agencies takes effort.

Best For

Restaurants where the website is a critical business tool: high-end dining, multi-location groups, ghost kitchens focused on delivery, or any restaurant where standing out matters.

Our restaurant website design services help restaurants across the country, from New York to Chicago to Los Angeles.

Pricing

• Basic custom site: $5,000-8,000
• With online ordering integration: $8,000-15,000
• Multi-location or complex requirements: $15,000+

For detailed cost breakdowns, read our guide to website costs.

What About WordPress?

WordPress deserves mention, though it's not specifically designed for restaurants. With the right theme and plugins, WordPress can work for restaurants, but it requires more technical knowledge than restaurant-specific platforms.

When WordPress makes sense:

• You're comfortable with technology
• You want maximum flexibility at moderate cost
• You plan to blog extensively (recipe content, behind-the-scenes)
• You have specific integrations that WordPress handles better

When to avoid WordPress:

• You want set-it-and-forget-it simplicity
• Restaurant-specific features are priorities
• You don't want to manage updates and security

How to Choose: Decision Framework

Question 1: What's Your Budget?

Under $50/month: Wix or Squarespace $50-150/month: BentoBox or Popmenu $5,000+ one-time: Custom development

Question 2: How Important Is Online Ordering?

Critical (significant revenue): BentoBox, Popmenu, or Custom Nice to have: Any option works Don't need it: Squarespace offers the best design

Question 3: How Much Time Can You Invest?

Minimal - want it done for me: BentoBox, Popmenu, or Custom Some time to learn: Squarespace Happy to DIY: Wix

Question 4: How Important Is Standing Out?

Very - we're in a competitive market: Custom or Squarespace Moderately - functional matters more: BentoBox or Popmenu Just need basics: Wix

Question 5: What's Your Restaurant Type?

Fine dining: Custom or Squarespace (design matters) Casual dining: BentoBox or Custom (ordering matters) Quick service: Popmenu or BentoBox (speed and ordering) Cafe/bakery: Squarespace (aesthetics first) Ghost kitchen: Custom (ordering is everything)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing Based Only on Price

The cheapest website builder might cost you customers. A slow, poorly designed site that doesn't convert visitors to diners is expensive regardless of monthly fees.

Ignoring Mobile

Over 70% of restaurant website visits happen on phones. People are searching while walking around or deciding where to eat right now. Your site must work flawlessly on mobile.

Neglecting Photos

No platform makes up for bad food photography. Before investing in any website, invest in quality photos. Learn more about food photography that converts.

Over-Complicating Menus

Your menu should be readable and searchable, not a PDF. Every platform handles menus differently - prioritize this in your evaluation.

Forgetting Local SEO

Your website needs to help you appear when someone searches "restaurants near me" or "Italian food in [your city]." Some platforms handle this better than others.

Underestimating Online Ordering

If you're doing online ordering, the commission difference between platforms adds up. A platform that's $50/month more but has lower order fees might save money overall. Read about online ordering vs third-party apps for more context.

Making Your Decision

For most independent restaurants:

Start with BentoBox if you can afford it, or Squarespace if design is your priority and you'll integrate third-party ordering.

For restaurants with aggressive growth goals:

Consider Popmenu or custom development - both offer more marketing firepower.

For fine dining or establishments where brand matters:

Custom development or Squarespace. The website should reflect the dining experience quality.

For quick-service or delivery-focused:

Prioritize ordering integration. BentoBox, Popmenu, or custom built around your ordering system.

Next Steps

1. Define your priorities. What matters most: design, ordering, price, or features?

2. Evaluate your budget. Include both upfront and ongoing costs.

3. Try before committing. Most platforms offer trials or demos.

4. Get professional input. Even if you DIY, a consultation can clarify options.

For comprehensive guidance on restaurant websites, read our complete restaurant website design guide.

If you're ready to discuss a custom restaurant website, explore our restaurant website design services. We work with restaurants across the country to create websites that drive reservations and orders.