Restaurant Website: 10 Things Every Restaurant Site Needs

When people decide where to eat, they look you up first. Your restaurant website has one job: turn that hungry searcher into a booked table or an order. Here are the ten things every restaurant site needs.

1. Your menu, readable on a phone

The menu is the most visited page on any restaurant website. Put it on a real web page, not just a PDF: it loads faster, works better on phones and can be read by Google. Include prices and mark dietary options such as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free.

2. Online reservations

Let guests book in two taps, at any hour. Every booking that comes in at 11 pm while you're closed is a table you would otherwise have lost. A reservation system on your own site also avoids paying commission on every cover.

3. Opening hours, kept up to date

Wrong opening hours lose you customers and trust. Show them clearly on every page and update them for holidays.

4. Location and directions

Add your full address, an embedded map, parking tips and public transport options. Make the address tappable so it opens directly in Google Maps.

5. A tap-to-call phone number

Many guests still prefer to call. Put a clickable phone number at the top of the site on mobile.

6. Real, mouth-watering photos

Professional photos of your dishes and your space do more selling than any text. Avoid stock photos; guests can tell.

7. Reviews and social proof

Show your best reviews and link to your Google and TripAdvisor profiles. Social proof reassures first-time visitors.

8. Takeaway and delivery ordering

If you do takeaway, let customers order directly from your website. You keep the margin that delivery platforms would otherwise take.

9. An answer for every question, even at midnight

"Do you have a terrace?" "Can I bring my dog?" "Is there a kids' menu?" An AI assistant can answer these instantly and take the reservation in the same conversation.

10. Local SEO basics

Use your cuisine and city in your page titles ("Italian Restaurant in Antwerp"), keep your name, address and phone identical everywhere online, and connect your site to your Google Business Profile.

Next step

A great restaurant website doesn't need to be huge. It needs to be fast, mobile-friendly and built to convert. Explore our web design service or our guide to AI receptionists.