Designing Menus That Sell: Tips & Tricks
Your restaurant’s menu is more than a list of dishes; it’s a powerful marketing tool that can influence guest decisions and boost your bottom line. Thoughtful menu design not only reflects your brand, but also guides customers to order more, try new items, and have an enjoyable dining experience. Whether you offer dine-in, takeout, or online ordering, a well-designed menu makes a big difference in how guests perceive and engage with your offerings.
At Paige Madden Design, I help restaurants and bars create beautiful custom Squarespace websites and branding that highlight thoughtfully crafted menus built to sell. Here are essential tips and tricks for designing menus that drive more orders and higher check averages.
Know Your Audience and Restaurant Style
Design your menu around the preferences and expectations of your guests. Is your restaurant family-friendly, upscale fine dining, or casual bar food? Your menu should match your atmosphere, pricing, and service style.
For casual spots, use clear, simple layouts with fun, approachable fonts.
Upscale restaurants benefit from elegant fonts, minimalist designs, and refined descriptions.
Consider separate menus for specific audiences like kids, late-night diners, or groups.
Matching your menu’s design and structure to your audience builds trust and encourages ordering.
Start With Mouthwatering Content
Before design touches, the menu copy must entice. Use descriptive language that paints a vivid picture of flavors, ingredients, and preparation without overwhelming diners.
Highlight signature dishes and chef specials.
Include brief but appetizing details like “handcrafted,” “locally sourced,” or “slow-roasted.”
Keep descriptions clear and avoid jargon or menu “insider” terms.
Great copy pairs perfectly with design to create cravings and guide choices.
Organize With Clear Sections and Headings
Structure a menu logically to help diners quickly find what they want without frustration.
Use distinct sections such as appetizers, entrees, sides, desserts, and beverages.
Prioritize high-margin or popular dishes at the top of sections or in highlighted spots.
Use clear, legible headers and group similar items together.
Good organization reduces decision fatigue and encourages exploration.
Use Easy-to-Read Fonts and Sizes
Typography affects menu readability and ambiance. Choose fonts that fit your brand and are easy on the eyes.
Limit fonts to two or three complementary styles.
Use larger type sizes for section titles and dish names to improve readability, especially in dim lighting.
Reserve smaller text for descriptions but keep it legible.
Clear font choices prevent frustration and help guests focus on ordering.
Incorporate Strategic Visuals and White Space
High-quality images and graphics can stimulate appetite and help items stand out—but use them sparingly.
Feature photos only of your best-selling or visually stunning dishes.
Use white space effectively to avoid clutter and make the menu easier to scan.
Incorporate your brand colors subtly to tie the menu to your overall look.
Balanced visuals create a menu that’s both beautiful and functional.
Price Thoughtfully and Transparently
Pricing can influence guest choices as much as design.
Use consistent pricing formats (e.g., no dollar signs to reduce focus on cost).
Position prices carefully to subtly emphasize high-value options.
Consider price rounding to avoid sticker shock or to signal premium quality.
Smart pricing helps maximize guest satisfaction and profitability.
Refresh and Test Regularly
Menus aren’t static. Use guest feedback, sales data, and seasonal trends to update and improve your menu design regularly.
Test new layouts or featured items as specials first.
Remove slow-moving dishes to streamline choices.
Update pricing and descriptions to reflect ingredient changes or culinary trends.
Ongoing refinement keeps your menu fresh and aligned with guest expectations.
Let Your Menu Shine on Your Website
An engaging menu experience online is just as vital. Use accessible, mobile-friendly menu layouts with clear categories and appetizing visuals on your Squarespace site.
Paige Madden Design specializes in building custom restaurant websites that showcase your menu beautifully and drive increased online orders and reservations.
Ready to design a menu that looks great, sells well, and elevates your guest experience?
Let’s create a digital and print menu that works hard for your business.
