--- title: "Restaurant website essentials: menu, hours and ordering" description: "Build a restaurant site diners can use on a phone: a readable text menu, accurate hours, ordering, reservations, photos, allergen info and third-party links." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/websites/guides/restaurant-website-essentials" --- Guide · Updated October 12, 2026 # Restaurant website essentials: menu, hours and ordering People looking up a restaurant want four things fast: what is on the menu, whether it is open, how to get there and how to order or reserve. Everything else is secondary. By [Matthew Coleman](/about), MCC Solutions **Quick answer.** Publish a restaurant menu as real text on a page, organized by section, with prices and short descriptions. A PDF that must be zoomed and pinched on a phone frustrates diners and is hard for search engines to read, so offer one only as an extra. **Free tools:** [Free website SEO check](/websites/seo-checker) · [Search result preview](/websites/search-result-preview) ## Put the menu in text A PDF menu that must be zoomed and pinched on a phone frustrates diners and is hard for search engines to read. Publish the menu as real text on a page, organized by section, with prices and short descriptions. Offer a PDF download as an extra if you wish. Update it whenever prices or dishes change. Outdated prices cause arguments at the table and negative reviews. Check the page on a phone in dim light at a table, because that is where many people read it. Readable type size and strong contrast matter more than decoration. ## Hours, location and contact Show the opening hours, address, phone number, parking details and a map link at the top or in a sticky footer. Special hours for holidays and events should be updated quickly. Make the phone number tappable. Match hours on your site with Google Business Profile and other listings, because diners often trust whichever they see first. Put one line near the top for anything that changes the plan for a visit, such as a private event that closes the dining room, or a short break between lunch and dinner. ## Ordering and reservations Decide how people place orders: on your site, through a delivery platform, by phone or a mix. Third-party platforms bring customers but charge fees and own the customer data. Direct ordering keeps more of the revenue but needs staff and tools to handle it. For reservations, link to a booking tool that shows availability, or a clear phone number with times to call. Make the button prominent on mobile. If you handle your own delivery, set the delivery zone and minimum order clearly, and say how long orders usually take at busy times. ## Allergens and dietary information Mark dishes that are vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free only if your kitchen can support the claim. Allergen information carries real health risk. State clearly that guests with allergies should speak with staff, and keep the information accurate. Check local food regulations on labeling and disclosure. Train staff so that what the site says matches what the kitchen does. ## Photos and atmosphere Use your own images of actual dishes and the room, taken in good light. Show the exterior so diners can find the entrance. A short video of the space can help, but keep it light so the page loads quickly. Avoid auto-playing audio and heavy sliders. Most visitors want information, not a show. ## Events, catering and keeping it fresh If you offer private dining, catering or events, give each a page with capacity, sample menus, how far ahead to book and a request form. Add a simple mailing list signup for specials. Update seasonal menus and holiday hours promptly, remove expired promotions and respond to reviews. A restaurant site that lists last year's specials suggests that the food may be neglected too. Ask a regular customer to try ordering from your site, then watch where they hesitate. Their first attempt reveals problems you can no longer see. ## Common questions **Do I need my own site if I'm on delivery apps?** Yes. A site you control shows hours, menu and your story, and lets you take direct orders without platform fees. **Should the menu include prices?** Most diners expect them. If prices change often, review the page each time. This guide is general information. Search engines change how they work and their guidelines; check Google's current documentation for your situation. Nobody can guarantee a ranking. Let us handle it [### Website design Fast, mobile-first small business websites built by a New Jersey firm, with a fixed written quote. You own the domain, hosting and content. Website design →](/websites/services/website-design)[### Google Business Profile Google Business Profile setup, verification, cleanup and ongoing care for small businesses, done within Google's guidelines. Business Profile →](/websites/services/google-business-profile) More guides - [Nonprofit website: donations, mission and trust](/websites/guides/nonprofit-website-donations-and-trust) - [Website analytics and conversion tracking basics](/websites/guides/website-analytics-and-conversion-tracking-basics) - [Call tracking for small businesses: how it works](/websites/guides/call-tracking-for-small-business-phone-numbers) - [Writing website copy for people on phones](/websites/guides/writing-website-copy-for-phone-screens) Free tools - [Website basics check](/websites/seo-checker) - [Is your website working for you? quiz](/websites/quiz) [All guides](/websites/guides) Reach small business owners working on their website and Google listing who read this guide: [advertise here](/advertise#websites). Do it yourself ### Food Business Bundle Cost each dish, watch food and labor each week, know what to reorder and scale formulas to any batch. 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