The Must-Have Features of a Modern Restaurant Website (and the Ones That Are Optional)
9/11/20251 min read
Imagine if your menu didn’t list prices. Or if the soup of the day was last updated in 2019. That’s how it feels when diners visit a restaurant website that’s missing the essentials.
Here’s the recipe for a website that works as hard as your kitchen.
Must-Haves (The “House Specials”)
Mobile-Friendly Menu: Diners are scrolling with one hand while holding a latte in the other. PDF menus they have to pinch-zoom? That’s like serving soup without a spoon.
Hours & Location: Seems obvious, but you’d be shocked how many sites forget to update holiday hours. Don’t make Google guess.
Online Reservations / Ordering: If guests can’t book a table or order takeout online, they might just click over to the place next door.
Clear Branding & Photos: No blurry food pics, please. Your signature dish deserves a glam shot, not a crime scene photo.
SEO Basics: If Google can’t find you, neither can hungry customers.
Nice-to-Haves (The “Appetizers & Desserts”)
Blog or “Chef’s Corner” updates
Loyalty programs
Event calendars
Integrated email marketing
These extras can be great for upselling, but only once your foundation is solid.
At MenuMaven, we make sure the must-haves come standard — no à la carte markup for things like mobile menus or SEO. Because for restaurants, those aren’t side dishes. They’re the main course.
The takeaway: Nail the basics first. Think of optional features like dessert — sweet to have, but no one leaves a restaurant saying, “Wow, the menu was impossible to read, but thank goodness they had an events calendar!”