50 Best Restaurant Menu Design Examples & Ideas (2024)

A restaurant’s menu typically includes a list of the dishes and beverages it serves patrons. The restaurant’s menu is an important marketing tool that lets consumers know what is available and tempts them to try the food and drinks.

The following are some typical items you might discover on a restaurant menu:

• Names of dishes: The names of the dishes should be understandable, concise, and sufficiently descriptive to inform the client of the contents. An illustration would be “Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce” or “Vegetarian Lasagna.”
• Descriptions: Brief descriptions of each meal can give customers more information about its ingredients, preparation method, and flavor character. Descriptions can help customers decide if they want to order the dish or not.
• Prices: The price should be prominently indicated next to each dish’s name or description. Currency symbols like $ or € are also frequently used to denote the used currency.
• Categories: Dishes can be divided into categories based on their genres, such as appetizers, entrées, and desserts, or the cuisine they come from, such as Italian, Chinese, or Mexican.
• Drinks: If a restaurant serves drinks, the menu typically includes a distinct section for them. A list of wines, beers, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks may be included in this section.
• Specials: Some restaurants have a section dedicated to daily or weekly specials, which are meals or beverages that are only served for a short period.
• Dietary Restrictions: Those with dietary restrictions should check if the establishment provides gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan options.

Restaurants can present their menu items in a number of aesthetically appealing and effective ways by using several types of menu designs. Here are five typical menu design styles:

• Static Menu: The most conventional style of menu design is the static menu, which presents every item on the menu along with a brief description and a price on one or more pages. This style of menu design is ideal for restaurants with a fixed menu that stays the same regularly.
• A la carte menu design: Rather than buying a pre-made meal or combo, diners can select individual dishes from an a la carte menu design. This menu layout style is typical of fine-dining establishments and frequently includes more expensive items.
• A table d’hôte menu: This is the polar opposite of an a la carte menu in layout. It provides a set meal—typically one with several courses—at a predetermined cost. High-end restaurants frequently utilize this menu layout style to entice patrons to try novel items or combos.
• A du jour menu design: Commonly referred to as the “menu of the day,” includes a predetermined menu that is updated daily or weekly. Restaurants that employ seasonal or locally produced ingredients should adopt this style of menu design.
• Digital Menu Design: A more contemporary method that uses technology to present menu options dynamically and interestingly is called a “digital menu design.” This type of menu design can be displayed on a tablet or a digital screen and easily updated to reflect changes in menu offerings or prices.

The menu may change depending on the cuisine, setting, and style of the restaurant. However, on most restaurant menus, some common categories of dishes can be found. Here are a few instances:

• Appetizers: Small plates or snacks that are typically served before the main dish are referred to as appetizers. Examples include chicken wings, crab cakes, bruschetta, soups, and salads.
• Main dishes: These are typically larger than appetizers and are known as entrees. Some examples are steak, fish, pasta, chicken, pork, and vegetarian alternatives.
• Sides: Side dishes are frequently served with the main course and might contain mashed potatoes, french fries, veggies, or rice.
• Desserts: Sweet foods called desserts are usually served following the main course. The following are some examples: cakes, pies, ice cream, and other sweet dishes.
• Beverages: A wide range of choices are available as beverages, including sodas, coffee, tea, beer, wine, and cocktails.