Restaurant Website Must-Haves That Drive Reservations

Most restaurant websites fail at one thing: turning visitors into customers.

They might look fine. They might have the basic information. But they don't actively drive reservations, orders, and foot traffic the way they should.

The difference between a website that performs and one that just exists comes down to specific elements and how they're implemented. Here's what your restaurant website actually needs.

The Non-Negotiables

These elements must be on every restaurant website. No exceptions.

Menu (That's Actually Usable)

Your menu is the most visited page on your site. Treat it accordingly.

What works:

• HTML text that's searchable and readable on any device
• Clear organization by category
• Descriptions that make dishes sound appetizing
• Visible prices (hiding them frustrates customers)
• Dietary indicators (V, VG, GF) clearly marked
• Photos of popular items

What doesn't work:

• PDF-only menus that require downloads
• Tiny text that requires zooming
• Menus that haven't been updated in months
• Missing prices that make customers suspicious

A customer who can't easily view your menu on their phone will find a restaurant that makes it easy.

Hours and Location

This sounds obvious, but countless restaurant websites bury or complicate this information.

Make it obvious:

• Hours visible on homepage, not just buried in a footer
• Full address with neighborhood context
• Embedded Google Map
• Parking information (where to park, validation, etc.)
• Public transit access
• Holiday hour exceptions noted

Make it functional:

• Clickable address that opens in maps apps
• "Get Directions" button for mobile users

If customers have to hunt for your hours, some will give up and choose somewhere else.

Contact Information

Multiple ways to reach you, all easy to find:

• Phone number in the header, clickable on mobile
• Email address for reservations and inquiries
• Contact form for detailed requests
• Social media links for those who prefer DMs

Reservation System

Every restaurant website should let customers book a table online. No exceptions.

Even if you accept walk-ins only, a table request form captures interest and builds your email list.

Options range from:

• Simple contact form ("Request a reservation")
• Calendar-based booking with time selection
• Full integration with systems like OpenTable or Resy
• Custom reservation management with confirmations

The easier you make it to book, the more reservations you'll get.

High-Impact Additions

Beyond the basics, these elements significantly improve performance.

Online Ordering

If you offer takeout or delivery, your website should capture those orders.

Benefits of website ordering:

• Keep 100% of revenue (no app commissions)
• Own customer data for marketing
• Control the ordering experience
• Upsell effectively

Even linking to ordering apps is better than nothing, but direct ordering is better for your business.

High-Quality Photography

We can't overstate this: great photos drive decisions.

You need professional or near-professional images of:

• Signature dishes (hero shots)
• Interior atmosphere
• Exterior and entrance
• Kitchen action (optional but compelling)

Generic stock photos hurt more than they help. If you can't afford professional photography yet, take the best smartphone shots you can until you can invest.

Social Proof

Customers trust other customers. Show them:

• Google review rating with number of reviews
• Testimonial quotes from happy diners
• Press mentions and awards
• Instagram feed of real customer experiences

If you have strong reviews, flaunt them. If you don't, focus on earning them before showcasing them.

About Page

People dine at restaurants, not buildings. Tell your story:

• The origin story (why did you open?)
• The philosophy (what drives your cooking?)
• The team (who are the faces behind the food?)
• Community involvement (what do you stand for?)

This page builds connection before customers walk through the door.

Mobile Optimization

This deserves its own section because it's that important.

Over 70% of restaurant searches happen on mobile. If your site isn't flawless on phones, you're losing most of your potential customers.

Mobile Must-Haves:

• Fast loading (under 3 seconds)
• Click-to-call phone numbers
• Thumb-friendly buttons and links
• Readable text without zooming
• Easy menu navigation
• Simple reservation booking

Mobile Killers:

• Large images that slow loading
• Tiny text and links
• Complicated navigation
• Pop-ups that are hard to close
• Flash or outdated technology

Test your site on multiple phones. If any element frustrates you, it's frustrating customers.

Conversion Optimization

Having features isn't enough. You need to guide visitors toward action.

Clear Calls to Action

Every page should tell visitors what to do next:

• "Make a Reservation"
• "Order Online"
• "View Our Menu"
• "Get Directions"

These CTAs should:

• Stand out visually (contrasting colors)
• Use action language
• Appear multiple times on longer pages
• Be impossible to miss

Reduce Friction

Every extra step loses customers. Minimize:

• Clicks required to book
• Form fields to complete
• Information required upfront
• Confusion about next steps

If booking takes more than 30 seconds, you're losing reservations.

Create Urgency

Subtle urgency increases action:

• "Reserve now - Friday nights fill up fast"
• Limited-time specials with expiration dates
• Waitlist options when fully booked
• Special event countdowns

Don't be pushy, but do motivate action.

What to Skip

Not everything that seems like a good idea actually is.

Skip These:

• Autoplay music or video: Nothing makes visitors leave faster
• Complex animations: Slow down the site and annoy users
• Background slideshows: Distract from content
• PDF-only menus: Unusable on mobile
• Pop-ups on entry: Block the content people came for
• Generic stock photos: Signal inauthenticity

Keep your site focused on what matters: making customers hungry and making it easy to visit.

Technical Requirements

Behind the scenes, your website needs:

Speed

• Optimized images (compressed, properly sized)
• Fast hosting
• Minimal plugins and scripts
• Content delivery network (CDN) for larger sites

Security

• SSL certificate (https)
• Regular updates
• Secure contact forms
• Protected customer data

SEO Basics

• Proper title tags and meta descriptions
• Local business schema markup
• Google Business Profile connection
• Consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across the web

These technical elements support everything else you're doing.

Measuring Success

How do you know if your website is working?

Track These Metrics:

• Reservation requests: Are they increasing?
• Online orders: Volume and average value
• Phone calls from website: Many platforms track this
• Time on site: Are visitors engaging?
• Menu page views: Are people looking at what you serve?
• Bounce rate: Are visitors leaving immediately?

Set up Google Analytics or a similar tool. Review monthly. Make changes based on data.

The Bottom Line

A restaurant website that drives business isn't complicated, but it is intentional.

Focus on the fundamentals:

• Clear, usable menu
• Obvious hours and location
• Easy reservation booking
• Quality photography
• Mobile-first design
• Strong calls to action

Get these right, and your website becomes a reservation-generating machine.

Don't forget the visuals - appetizing food photography makes a huge difference. And consider your online ordering strategy - third-party apps vs direct ordering can significantly impact your margins.

Ready to build a restaurant website that works? Explore our restaurant website design services and see how we help restaurants in Houston, Dallas, and across the country fill more tables.

For a comprehensive guide to building a high-performing restaurant website, read our Restaurant Website Design Guide.