Your restaurant's website is more than a digital menu—it's your 24/7 host, your reservation system, and often the first impression that determines whether a hungry customer chooses you or your competitor down the street. In an industry where 90% of guests research restaurants online before dining, your website isn't optional. It's essential.
This guide walks you through everything you need to create a restaurant website that fills tables, drives online orders, and turns first-time visitors into regulars.
Why Your Restaurant Needs More Than a Social Media Page
Many restaurant owners believe their Instagram or Facebook page is enough. After all, those platforms let you post photos and interact with customers for free. But relying solely on social media is a risky strategy for several reasons.
You Don't Own Your Audience
When you build your presence on social media platforms, you're building on rented land. Algorithm changes can slash your visibility overnight. Account suspensions happen without warning. And you're always competing with other content for attention in your followers' feeds.
Your website is property you own. It's a stable foundation that social media should support—not replace.
Customers Expect a Website
When someone searches "Italian restaurant near me" or "best sushi in [city]," they expect to find a proper website with menus, hours, and an easy way to make reservations. Finding only a Facebook page feels incomplete and raises questions about legitimacy.
Studies show that 70% of consumers are less likely to visit a business that doesn't have a website. For restaurants, where trust and reputation are paramount, this statistic should be a wake-up call.
Search Visibility Requires a Website
Google My Business gets you on the map, but a website dramatically improves your local search rankings. Without a website, you're leaving SEO benefits on the table—benefits that could be driving new customers through your door.
A well-optimized restaurant website can rank for searches like:
- "[Cuisine type] restaurant in [city]"
- "Best brunch near [neighborhood]"
- "Restaurants with private dining [city]"
- "[Your restaurant name] menu"
Control Your Narrative
Social media gives everyone a platform to comment and critique. Your website is the one place where you control the narrative completely. You decide what photos appear, what story you tell, and how you position your brand.
Essential Features Every Restaurant Website Needs
Not all restaurant websites are created equal. The best ones share common features that make the dining experience seamless from the first click to the first bite.
Clear, Accessible Menu
Your menu is why people visit your website. Make it impossible to miss.
Best practices for restaurant menus:
- No PDF-only menus. PDFs are hard to read on mobile, can't be indexed by search engines, and require downloading. Use HTML text for your menu that's searchable and mobile-friendly.
- Include descriptions. Don't just list "Margherita Pizza." Describe it: "Hand-stretched dough topped with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil from our rooftop garden."
- Show prices. Hiding prices frustrates customers. Be transparent.
- Highlight popular items. Use visual cues to draw attention to your best sellers and highest-margin dishes.
- Note dietary information. Clearly mark vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-containing items.
- Add photos of signature dishes. High-quality images of your best plates can be the deciding factor for undecided visitors.
Online Reservation System
Reservations made through your website are reservations made without third-party fees. While platforms like OpenTable and Resy offer convenience, they also charge per-cover fees that add up quickly.
Reservation system essentials:
- Real-time availability display
- Automatic confirmation emails and text reminders
- Special request field for dietary needs or celebrations
- Party size and time selection
- Waitlist functionality for busy periods
- Integration with your POS or table management system
Even a simple reservation form that sends an email notification is better than having no online booking option at all.
Online Ordering Integration
The online food ordering market continues to grow year over year. Your website should capture this revenue—ideally without paying 15-30% commission fees to third-party apps.
Commission-free ordering options:
- Integrate a direct ordering system into your website
- Keep 100% of the order value minus payment processing
- Own customer data for future marketing
- Control the ordering experience and upsell opportunities
For restaurants with delivery, include clear information about delivery zones, minimum orders, and estimated wait times.
Mobile-First Design
Over 60% of restaurant website traffic comes from mobile devices. Hungry customers are searching on their phones while walking down the street, riding in cars, or deciding where to eat right now.
Mobile optimization requirements:
- Tap-friendly buttons and links
- Text readable without zooming
- Fast load times (under 3 seconds)
- Phone number that's clickable to call
- Address that opens in maps app
- Easy-to-navigate menu sections
Test your website on multiple devices. What looks perfect on desktop might be unusable on a phone.
Location and Hours (Easy to Find)
This information should never require more than one click to find. Include:
- Physical address with neighborhood context
- Embedded map (Google Maps or similar)
- Operating hours for each day of the week
- Holiday hour exceptions
- Parking information
- Public transit access
Consider adding a "Get Directions" button that opens navigation apps automatically.
Contact Information
Make it effortless for customers to reach you:
- Phone number (clickable on mobile)
- Email address for reservations and inquiries
- Contact form for detailed requests
- Links to social media profiles
- Response time expectations
High-Quality Photography
Restaurant websites are visual experiences. Low-quality photos can destroy appetite appeal faster than a bad review.
Photography guidelines:
- Invest in professional food photography
- Show your space, not just your food
- Include photos of staff and atmosphere
- Update photos seasonally with new menu items
- Use natural lighting whenever possible
- Avoid over-filtered or unrealistic images
Design Elements That Drive Reservations
Beyond features, the design itself influences whether visitors become diners.
Appetizing Visual Hierarchy
The goal is simple: make visitors hungry and make booking easy.
- Lead with stunning hero imagery of your signature dishes
- Position reservation/order CTAs prominently and repeatedly
- Use warm, inviting colors that align with your brand
- Ensure text is readable against background images
- Create clear pathways to conversion (menu → reserve → confirm)
Brand Consistency
Your website should feel like an extension of your restaurant. If your space is rustic Italian, your website shouldn't look like a sleek sushi bar. Consider:
- Color palette matching your restaurant's aesthetic
- Typography that reflects your personality (elegant, casual, modern)
- Imagery style consistent with your brand voice
- Tone of writing that matches your dining experience
Social Proof Integration
Reviews and recognition build trust. Incorporate:
- Google review ratings and snippets
- Press mentions and awards
- Testimonials from satisfied guests
- Instagram feed showing real customer experiences
- Zagat, Michelin, or local publication badges
Clear Calls to Action
Every page should guide visitors toward action. Use:
- "Make a Reservation" buttons on every page
- "Order Online" for takeout and delivery
- "View Menu" to keep browsers engaged
- "Join Our Mailing List" for relationship building
- "Follow Us" for ongoing engagement
Make CTAs stand out with contrasting colors and action-oriented language.
Third-Party Integration Done Right
Most restaurants use multiple platforms. Your website should tie them together.
Delivery App Integration
If you use DoorDash, UberEats, Grubhub, or others, link to them—but strategically:
- Highlight direct ordering first (where you keep full margin)
- Include delivery app links for customers who prefer them
- Consider why customers choose apps (convenience, tracking, payment already saved)
Review Platform Links
Guide satisfied customers to leave reviews:
- Google Business Profile (most important for SEO)
- Yelp for local discovery
- TripAdvisor for tourist areas
- Industry-specific platforms
Email Marketing Integration
Capture visitor emails for:
- New menu announcements
- Special event invitations
- Birthday and anniversary promotions
- Loyalty program communications
Common Restaurant Website Mistakes
Avoid these pitfalls that plague too many restaurant sites.
PDF-Only Menus
We mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. PDF menus:
- Don't work well on mobile
- Can't be indexed by search engines
- Require downloads
- Are difficult to update
Convert your menu to HTML text on your website.
Missing or Hidden Hours
If customers can't immediately find when you're open, they'll assume you're closed and go elsewhere. Put hours on your homepage and header/footer.
Outdated Information
Nothing damages trust faster than arriving to find the menu has changed or prices are different. Update your website when you update your offerings.
Slow Load Times
A beautiful website that takes 10 seconds to load is worthless. Hungry customers won't wait. Optimize images, use fast hosting, and minimize unnecessary scripts.
No Mobile Optimization
Testing only on desktop is inexcusable. Most of your traffic comes from phones. Design mobile-first, then adapt for larger screens.
Buried Contact Information
If customers need to click through three pages to find your phone number, you've failed. Contact details belong in the header, footer, and dedicated contact page.
Autoplay Music or Video
Nothing sends visitors scrambling for the close button faster than unexpected audio. If you must include video, make it muted by default.
Flash or Heavy Animations
These technologies are outdated, slow down your site, and often don't work on mobile. Keep animations subtle and performance-focused.
Choosing the Right Web Design Partner
When you're ready to invest in a professional restaurant website, look for these qualities in a design partner.
Industry Experience
A designer who has worked with restaurants understands:
- Menu presentation best practices
- Reservation system integration
- Local SEO for restaurants
- Food photography requirements
- The importance of mobile optimization for on-the-go diners
Portfolio of Similar Projects
Ask to see restaurant websites they've created. Look for:
- Visual appeal that makes you hungry
- Easy navigation
- Fast load times
- Mobile responsiveness
- Working reservation and ordering systems
Understanding of Your Vision
The best partner will ask questions about:
- Your restaurant's story and values
- Your target customer demographic
- Your competitive differentiation
- Your business goals (more reservations, more takeout, more catering)
- Your brand personality
Ongoing Support
Websites need maintenance. Your partner should offer:
- Content updates (menu changes, hours, specials)
- Security updates and backups
- Performance monitoring
- Technical support when issues arise
Transparent Pricing
Understand what you're paying for:
- Design and development costs
- Hosting fees
- Ongoing maintenance costs
- Third-party integration fees
- Future update costs
Your Website as a Revenue Generator
Think of your website as an investment, not an expense. A well-designed restaurant website:
- Reduces third-party commission fees by driving direct orders
- Increases reservations with frictionless booking
- Improves local search rankings to attract new customers
- Builds your email list for ongoing marketing
- Showcases your brand exactly how you want it presented
- Works 24/7 to promote your restaurant
The restaurants that thrive aren't just the ones with great food—they're the ones that make it easy for customers to find them, learn about them, and book a table or place an order.
Next Steps
Ready to create a restaurant website that fills tables and drives orders? Whether you're starting fresh or updating an outdated site, we can help.
Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your restaurant's unique needs and how a professional website can help grow your business.