Designing a menu for clicks, not paper

Many restaurants start their digital menu by taking a photo of the printed one or uploading a PDF. It’s fast, but it’s not built for how people actually browse on their phones.

A good digital menu doesn’t try to copy a paper layout. Instead, it helps customers answer three questions very quickly:

• What kind of food do you serve?
• What looks good to me right now?
• How much is it?

1. Start with hungry brains, not perfect categories

When people are hungry, they don’t think in technical menu sections. They think in cravings:

• “I want something light.”
• “I feel like noodles.”
• “I just want a quick snack.”

Your categories should reflect this. For example, instead of “Mains A / Mains B / Sides,” consider:

• Rice & noodle dishes
• Light meals & salads
• Snacks & sharing plates
• Drinks & desserts

Clear, everyday language beats fancy labels almost every time, especially on mobile screens.

2. Make each item scannable in 3 seconds

On a phone, users are scrolling quickly. They’re not reading every word. That means each menu item has to be scannable:

• Short name: “Garlic Butter Chicken Rice.”
• 1-line description: what it is, not a story.
• Price: always visible without tapping.
• Optional tag: spicy, vegetarian, chef’s pick, etc.

If users have to tap into each item to see the price or understand the dish, they’ll get tired and give up.

3. Use photos wisely

Photos can make a menu more appetising, but they can also slow things down if overused or unoptimised.

Some simple guidelines:

• Use photos for hero dishes or bestsellers.
• Keep images light so they load quickly on mobile data.
• Make sure the photo still looks good when small.

A few strong, consistent photos usually beat dozens of mismatched, heavy images.

4. Think in “paths” instead of one big list

Instead of thinking “one big menu,” think in paths your customers might take:

• Path A: “I want my usual favourite.”
• Path B: “I want to try something new.”
• Path C: “I’m ordering for a group.”

Then support those paths with small tweaks:

• A “Popular picks” or “Your favourites” section at the top for fast re-orders.
• A “New this month” or “Seasonal specials” row for people who like variety.
• Clear grouping of bundles or family sets for group orders.

5. Don’t hide important details

For many diners, details like spice level, allergens or vegetarian options are not “extra” information — they’re essential.

Make sure your menu clearly shows:

• Spicy indicators (mild / medium / hot).
• Vegetarian / vegan / contains nuts.
• Portion size (single, sharing, for 2–3 people).

These don’t have to take much space. Small icons or short labels can go a long way, as long as they’re consistent.

6. If you offer ordering, keep the flow short

If your menu is also used for ordering (pickup or delivery), remember that people may already be hungry and tired. A complicated checkout is the last thing they want.

As a rule of thumb:

• Keep add-ons simple and relevant.
• Show the updated total clearly after each change.
• Avoid forcing users to create accounts if possible.