Opening a restaurant is hard work. But turning curious diners into paying customers? That’s where a smart website comes in. This guide walks you through creating a high-converting restaurant website—even if you’ve never built one before.
This isn’t just about having a website—it’s about creating a high-performing one that brings people through the door and keeps them coming back.
Choose a platform like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress that supports restaurant-specific features like online menus, reservations, and ordering. Look for templates tagged under "food & drink" with integrations for tools like ToastTab or OpenTable. Avoid builders that lack ecommerce or mobile flexibility, as 70%+ of traffic is mobile.
Prioritize a template that includes built-in menu sections, call-to-action buttons for reservations or ordering, and homepage image sliders. Look for layouts that highlight daily specials or seasonal dishes—these convert better and help keep your site fresh.
Upload your high-resolution logo in .SVG or .PNG format, define a consistent color palette (e.g., wine red, cream, charcoal), and pick 1–2 readable fonts. Add real images of your food, staff, and restaurant interior. Studies show custom photos perform 45% better than stock.
Use a full-screen hero photo or background video of your signature dish or dining experience. Place a one-line value proposition like “Modern Greek Cuisine in the Heart of Chicago” above the fold, followed by a bold “Book a Table” or “Order Now” button.
Create separate sections for each category: starters, mains, desserts, drinks. Include dish descriptions, prices, and dietary labels (V, GF, etc.). Add food photography for 4–5 of your top-selling dishes. Restaurants that use visual menus see up to 30% more engagement.
Integrate with systems like OpenTable, Resy, or GloriaFood—or embed ToastTab for seamless POS-to-kitchen integration. If you prefer simple forms, use tools like Jotform or Tock with calendar syncing. Make sure buttons are easy to tap on mobile.
Describe what inspired your restaurant, how long you’ve served the community, and what sets your food or service apart. Include a short video tour or quote from your head chef. This builds emotional connection and improves local brand loyalty.
Make sure your site loads in under 3 seconds on mobile. Use city-specific keywords in headers (e.g., “Best Thai Takeout in Austin”). Compress images under 300KB, write descriptive alt text, and test Core Web Vitals using Google PageSpeed Insights.
Embed Instagram feeds or TikTok clips to showcase daily dishes and behind-the-scenes content. Link your Google Maps, Yelp, and TripAdvisor profiles with review badges. Include clear CTAs like “Leave Us a Review” near your footer.
Before launching, QA your site on different screen sizes, test forms, and check all CTA buttons. Then update your Google Business Profile, link the site on Instagram, post a launch announcement on social media, and ask regulars to share the site. Restaurants that launch with a promotion (like 10% off your first online order) get higher traffic in the first 30 days.
Anastasia Belyh
Anastasia Belyh is a senior tech writer with over 15 years of experience in marketing, sales, and business software. Having worked in investment banking, management consulting, and founded multiple companies, her in-depth knowledge and hands-on expertise make her software reviews authoritative, trustworthy, and highly practical for business decision-makers.