Top Features Every Restaurant Website Must Have
Your restaurant’s website should do more than just sit online—it should serve up diners, orders, and reservations daily. In an industry where competition is fierce and attention spans are short, your online presence can either attract or repel hungry customers.
But not all restaurant websites are built to perform. Many are outdated, slow, or missing the features today’s customers expect. If you want to turn clicks into customers, here’s what your website must include.
1. Mobile-Friendly, Responsive Design
Over 70% of people visit restaurant websites on their phones. If your site isn’t easy to read or navigate on mobile, you’re losing customers the moment they land.
Make sure your website:
Tip: Test your site on multiple devices and browsers to ensure everything works smoothly.
2. Clear Online Menu (No PDFs!)
A clunky PDF menu that forces people to zoom in or download a file is a major turnoff. Diners want to browse quickly and easily, especially from their phone.
Your menu should be:
Bonus: Add photos for your top-selling or signature items.
3. High-Quality Food Photography
People eat with their eyes first. The photos on your website can literally make someone crave your food—or send them looking elsewhere.
You need:
Investing in a food photographer pays off—your site becomes a visual menu that sells.
4. Click-to-Call and Click-to-Order Buttons
Don’t make people hunt for how to contact or order. Every page should include one-tap access to your most important actions.
Include:
This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about conversion.
5. Online Reservations and Ordering Integration
Give guests control over their experience. Whether they want to dine in or grab takeout, your site should make it effortless.
Best options include:
If you don’t offer online options, you're leaving revenue on the table.
6. SEO-Optimized Content for Local Search
Your website won’t bring in diners if they can’t find you. Local SEO ensures your restaurant shows up when people search for phrases like “best Thai food in [City]” or “brunch near me.”
Key strategies:
Google wants to send customers your way—but only if your site is set up right.
7. Testimonials and Reviews
Showcase the happy voices of your customers. Social proof builds instant trust, especially for first-time diners.
Feature:
You can also include screenshots of high-star ratings or awards (Best Brunch in Brooklyn, etc.)
8. Events, Specials, and Announcements
Give people a reason to come back. Use your website to highlight:
Keep this section fresh—it shows your restaurant is active and engaged.
9. Social Media Integration
Make it easy for customers to follow you, tag you, or share your food.
The more visibility your restaurant has, the more people will walk through your door.
Your Restaurant Website Should Work as Hard as You Do
A restaurant website that lacks these features is like a restaurant with no signage, no waitstaff, and no front door. It might technically exist—but it’s not doing its job.
Want a Custom Website That Includes All These Features—Done for You?
We build high-performance websites for restaurants that are designed to convert visitors into diners. Mobile-friendly, SEO-rich, and beautifully branded.
Schedule Your Free Custom Website Demonstration and we’ll show you what your site could look like—before you spend a penny.
But not all restaurant websites are built to perform. Many are outdated, slow, or missing the features today’s customers expect. If you want to turn clicks into customers, here’s what your website must include.
1. Mobile-Friendly, Responsive Design
Over 70% of people visit restaurant websites on their phones. If your site isn’t easy to read or navigate on mobile, you’re losing customers the moment they land.
Make sure your website:
- Resizes seamlessly across all screen sizes
- Has readable text and large tap targets
- Keeps phone numbers and “Order” or “Reserve” buttons front and center
- Loads fast (under 3 seconds)
Tip: Test your site on multiple devices and browsers to ensure everything works smoothly.
2. Clear Online Menu (No PDFs!)
A clunky PDF menu that forces people to zoom in or download a file is a major turnoff. Diners want to browse quickly and easily, especially from their phone.
Your menu should be:
- Built into the site as text, not an image or PDF
- Separated by categories (Appetizers, Entrees, Desserts, etc.)
- Accompanied by pricing and descriptions
- Labeled with dietary tags (V, GF, spicy) where needed
- Easy to update when you make seasonal changes
Bonus: Add photos for your top-selling or signature items.
3. High-Quality Food Photography
People eat with their eyes first. The photos on your website can literally make someone crave your food—or send them looking elsewhere.
You need:
- Real photos of your actual dishes (no stock images!)
- Bright, appetizing shots with natural lighting
- Photos of your dining space, team, and ambiance
Investing in a food photographer pays off—your site becomes a visual menu that sells.
4. Click-to-Call and Click-to-Order Buttons
Don’t make people hunt for how to contact or order. Every page should include one-tap access to your most important actions.
Include:
- A sticky “Call Now” button on mobile
- A floating “Order Online” or “Reserve a Table” button
- Clear contact info in the header and footer
This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about conversion.
5. Online Reservations and Ordering Integration
Give guests control over their experience. Whether they want to dine in or grab takeout, your site should make it effortless.
Best options include:
- OpenTable, Resy, or Yelp Reservations embedded in your site
- Direct ordering through Toast, ChowNow, or Square
- Custom-built forms for reservations or catering inquiries
If you don’t offer online options, you're leaving revenue on the table.
6. SEO-Optimized Content for Local Search
Your website won’t bring in diners if they can’t find you. Local SEO ensures your restaurant shows up when people search for phrases like “best Thai food in [City]” or “brunch near me.”
Key strategies:
- Use your city and cuisine in page titles and headings
- Add structured schema for your menu, hours, and location
- Embed Google Maps on your contact page
- Claim and link to your Google Business Profile
Google wants to send customers your way—but only if your site is set up right.
7. Testimonials and Reviews
Showcase the happy voices of your customers. Social proof builds instant trust, especially for first-time diners.
Feature:
- 3–5 short quotes from Google or Yelp
- First names and city (e.g., “Maria D., Astoria”)
- Star ratings or links to full reviews
You can also include screenshots of high-star ratings or awards (Best Brunch in Brooklyn, etc.)
8. Events, Specials, and Announcements
Give people a reason to come back. Use your website to highlight:
- Happy hours and seasonal specials
- Holiday hours and closures
- Weekly events (live music, trivia nights, etc.)
Keep this section fresh—it shows your restaurant is active and engaged.
9. Social Media Integration
Make it easy for customers to follow you, tag you, or share your food.
- Link your Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok profiles
- Embed an Instagram feed if it’s active and on-brand
- Add share buttons for blog posts, menus, or specials
The more visibility your restaurant has, the more people will walk through your door.
Your Restaurant Website Should Work as Hard as You Do
A restaurant website that lacks these features is like a restaurant with no signage, no waitstaff, and no front door. It might technically exist—but it’s not doing its job.
Want a Custom Website That Includes All These Features—Done for You?
We build high-performance websites for restaurants that are designed to convert visitors into diners. Mobile-friendly, SEO-rich, and beautifully branded.
Schedule Your Free Custom Website Demonstration and we’ll show you what your site could look like—before you spend a penny.