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Presenting 23 great restaurant websites that set the trend in 2023

Keeping your restaurant website up to date is more important than ever. In a recent survey, 77% of US diners visited a restaurant's website before becoming customers. More importantly, most diners surveyed said an outdated restaurant website would discourage them from visiting in person or placing online orders. Common complaints include:

Confusing or unsafe online ordering checkout

Is your restaurant website helping or harming your business? With so many diners checking out your website before visiting, you must build a guest experience that starts online. 

Essential elements of a great restaurant website

Before you start updating your website, here's a quick list of the essential elements that are important to today's diners:

Mobile-Optimized - Your websites must look great but load fast on various devices, including smartphones, tablets & computers.

Great Photography / Video - Professional venue & food photography or video can help boost online sales, increase customer confidence and elevate your brand.

Recent Updates - Don't make customers visit a separate social media app to see what's new. Instead, integrate your social media posts, so they display directly on your homepage whenever your update them, ideally at least once a week.

Legible Menus - Present your menu items clearly and concisely, with crisp food photography for each item and detailed ingredient lists for diners with dietary restrictions.

Fast, Secure Checkout - Make it easy for customers to pay you no matter their device. A simple one-page checkout page that integrates commonly used payment methods such as Google Pay and Apple Pay is key to closing the sale.

Go Beyond The Meal - Your website is your best marketing tool. Use it to build your customer base with e-mail marketing and upsell with digital gift cards, merchandise, event tickets, and more.

Get inspired by these 23 great restaurant websites

Are you ready to update your restaurant website now? We're proud to present 23 of Sociavore's best restaurant website designs that increase revenue streams and brand awareness - all while looking fantastic.

1. Cluny Bistro | Toronto, ON | www.clunybistro.com

Every aspect of Cluny's website is designed to capture visitor attention. Videos and motion graphics on the homepage encourage customers to stay on the site. The simple, elegant layout has bold action buttons encouraging customers to scroll through the menu and place online orders immediately. Enticing food photography entices customers to shop with their eyes and increase their order size.

2. Crafty Ramen | Guelph, ON | restaurants.craftyramen.com

In the past 5 years, Crafty Ramen has expanded from a small ramen shop in Guelph, ON, to multiple locations, a thriving wholesale & grocery presence, and a booming subscription box business. Visitors to Crafty Ramen's website are encouraged to keep in touch with their favorite restaurant through regular e-mail newsletters reminding them to "Get Crafty" at home, at the restaurant, or grocery shopping.

"Beyond of the outstanding customer service, Sociavore helps us keep our website, store information, and hours up to date with ease. Our guests enjoy engaging with our website, and we are driving a ton of new users to our site!" - Owners, Crafty Ramen

3. Del's Italian Kitchen | Kitchener, ON | www.delsitaliankitchen.ca

Del's Italian Kitchen prides itself on serving classic Italian favorites with hand-picked ingredients from local producers. Del's uses their website to educate customers about their producers and provide serving and nutritional information about its fresh pasta, hand-stretched pizzas, and gluten-free options. An integrated Instagram feed lets visitors see the restaurant's latest posts about current specials and upcoming events without leaving the website.

4. District Pizza | Toronto, ON | www.districtpizza.ca

What do pizza lovers need in a website? A simple, easy-to-navigate menu with clear item descriptions and mouth-watering pizza pictures. District Pizza's website delivers a mobile-friendly guest experience with fun branding elements and motion graphics. Guests can quickly scroll through pizzas, calzones, sides, and more before placing their order.

5. Gingergrass | St John's, NL | www.gingergrass.ca

Gingergrass' website offers home-style Thai & Vietnamese cuisine on a clean, accessible online menu. Appetizing food photography accompanies clear menu descriptions with complete ingredient lists. Small icons beside each menu item indicate whether items are gluten-free or vegetarian to accommodate customer preferences & dietary requirements.

6. Graffiti Market | Kitchener, ON | www.graffitimarket.ca

Graffiti Market's website is a unique mixture of food, art, and tech, much like its restaurant space in Kitchener, ON. Bold fonts and vivid venue & food photography give website visitors a taste of Graffiti Market's guest experience. Guests can quickly make reservations, place takeout orders, or purchase gift cards with a button click.

"The ability to easily build out new subpages and content blocks in Sociavore has allowed us to be consistent, efficient, and effectively responsive to the fast pace of the hospitality industry." - Joschka, Marketing Manager, Ignite Group of Brands

7. Malt & Barley | Kitchener, ON | www.maltandbarley.ca

Malt & Barley's website enhances its brand as a community-focused Celtic pub featuring house-made comfort food with East Coast flair. The pub's personality shines through its whimsical presentation of classic pub food served traditionally in platters lined with newspaper. Custom touches like the tartan background and unique Favicon reinforce Malt & Barley's brand identity. 

8. Mario's Kitchen | Delta, BC | www.marioskitchen.ca

This website serves two independent full-service restaurants: Mario's and its sister restaurant, Gracie's Next Door. Website visitors can browse menus before their visit and experience the space through Google 360 panoramic walkthroughs and videos. Looking for a classy meal at home? Customers can also order for pickup or delivery from both restaurants at once on the extensive mobile-optimized online ordering menu. 

9. Mildred's Temple Kitchen | Toronto, ON | www.mildreds.ca

Mildred's Temple Kitchen's website is a joyous celebration of breakfast and brunch. Soft pastels and vivid food photography entice customers to stop by Mildred's in person for brunch or order online at Mildred's pantry for a complete selection of breakfast foods to enjoy at home. Mildred's uses its website to educate visitors with curated recipes, serving suggestions, and video tutorials on making the perfect pancake.

10. PAI Northern Kitchen | Toronto, ON | www.paitoronto.com

PAI's homepage encourages visitors to develop a personal connection with its founders, Nuit and Jeff Regular, and the history and culture of Thailand. The website tells the story of Nuit and Jeff's journey from Northern Thailand to Toronto through breathtaking travel and food photography. Guests are encouraged to order from one of 4 locations, purchase Nuit's award-winning cookbook, or buy meal kits to cook at home. 

"The ease and speed we can launch new menu items, and the integrations Sociavore provides have allowed our management teams to focus on guest experience and quickly grow our business." - Sam, General Manager, PAI Toronto

11. Public Kitchen & Bar | Kitchener, ON | www.kwpublic.com

Public Kitchen & Bar is renowned for its revolving menu of creative tapas & cocktails, plus old-world wines & Ontario craft beers. Website visitors can see the latest menus, learn about limited-time pop-up events, and book reservations. Customers are also encouraged to sign up for their e-mail newsletter to learn what's new in their inbox.

12. S&V Uptown | Waterloo, ON | www.svuptown.ca

S&V Uptown's website showcases its mission of creating vibrant dining experiences routed in local terroir and sustainability. Visitors are encouraged to make an online reservation at the restaurant, place online orders for the restaurant or bakery, or learn and purchase tickets for special events such as Masterclasses or Supper Club dinners.

YIAYIA's website gives its hungry customers precisely what they expect - a fast & easy way to order flavourful, healthy Mediterranean dishes. A detailed menu allows customers to filter items based on their dietary requirements. With Google Pay and Apple Pay integration, customers can easily place orders for immediate pickup or delivery and checkout quickly.

14. Cafe Zuzu | Toronto, ON | www.cafezuzu.com

Cafe Zuzu's website goes beyond the menu by highlighting its involvement in community and charitable outreach. The cafe is an accessible space for philanthropic events and partners with local charitable organizations to raise awareness and funds. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the restaurant and donate their time or funds to help make their community a better place.

"We have been able to add custom pages to sell cookbooks, event tickets, and coffee - extending our customer experience beyond a standard restaurant site. Sociavore has become integral to our businesses and will continue to be part of our digital best practices as we continue to expand." - Rochelle, Brand Marketing Manager, Gusto 54 Restaurant Group

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23 great restaurant websites that set the trend in 2023

Best Restaurant Websites in 2023

Best Restaurant Websites of 2023

Discover why you should integrate online ordering directly on your restaurant website without relying on third-party online ordering platforms - and save time and money, too.

When asked to name a pioneering business in e-commerce, which company comes to mind? Most people think of a large online retailer like Amazon or a marketplace website like eBay. Surprisingly, the first-ever online purchase was an online order from Pizza Pizza in 1994 - an innovative restaurant using their website to reach new customers and generate sales.

Online ordering has continued to grow in popularity and sophistication since that first pizza order more than 25 years ago. Customers are eager to follow and support their favorite businesses online and place more online orders than ever. In North America, the online ordering market is now valued at over $25B and is currently growing 13% per year.

If your restaurant has yet to integrate online ordering into your restaurant website, you're missing out on a large slice of a fast-growing market. This article will discuss what online ordering is, how restaurants benefit from using online ordering on their websites, and how you can start a restaurant website with online ordering today.

Online ordering allows customers to place orders directly through your restaurant website. Restaurant customers can click on menu items to begin an order, choose their order pickup or delivery time, and submit payment within a few clicks. Incoming orders and payments are sent directly to your restaurant - all you have to do is prepare the order at the right time.

Sure, third-party apps like Uber Eats and GrubHub can take orders and payments as well, but here's a big difference: on your own website, you're the boss. By cutting out the middle man, you can set your own prices, schedules, and build direct relationships with your customers. No more waiting for weekly payments with huge commission fees deducted, no more competing against restaurants with bigger budgets for higher ranks and visibility. You'll regain control over the entire guest experience while keeping more of your hard-earned money in your pocket.

How do restaurants benefit from integrating online ordering on their website?

Online ordering systems work hard to automate the routine parts of your restaurant's customer service experience. Using an online ordering system can help convert your restaurant's website visitors into paying customers and build customer relationships. Your restaurant will also benefit from an increase in cash flow, sales opportunities, and operational efficiency. Let's examine each of these benefits of online ordering for restaurants in detail:

1 - Online ordering converts restaurant website visitors into paying customers.

You work hard to promote your restaurant online and drive customers to your website. The easiest way to convert website visitors into paying customers is to integrate online ordering directly on your restaurant website. Customers will be able to browse menus, order items, and pay all in one website visit. You'll save customers the trouble of calling your restaurant or opening a restaurant app to place an order.

Has your restaurant attracted a large following on social media channels like Instagram and Facebook? You can drive your followers to your online ordering website, making it easy and convenient for customers to support their favorite restaurant regularly.

2 - Online ordering builds strong relationships with restaurant customers.

Your online ordering system keeps track of all online orders in a database that acts as a built-in customer relationship management system. You'll be able to view each customer's order history, receive feedback, and make changes to improve customer experience. Your customer information will become a powerful marketing tool that can be used to develop strong customer relationships, send out targeted email marketing campaigns, and deliver personalized service that encourages customer loyalty. Restaurant customers who choose to order online will soon become as familiar to you as those who prefer to dine in.

In comparison, when you rely on a third-party delivery platform to manage your customers, you build a relationship with the platform, not your guests. You don't have access to the customer information that could be used to improve your guest experience. In the end, your guests end up becoming loyal Uber or GrubHub clients, rather than supporting your restaurant exclusively.

3 - Online ordering increases sales opportunities.

Your website is open for businesses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and accessible to anyone, anywhere with a computer or mobile device. Integrating online ordering on your restaurant website means customers can place an order any time, even long after your restaurant is closed for the day. Customers will enjoy the convenience of placing a coffee shop order for pickup early the next morning or planning a special meal for delivery weeks in advance. Online ordering systems also process orders simultaneously - you'll never lose a sale due to a busy phone line.

Online ordering customers also tend to spend more per order. When a customer orders online, they have the luxury of taking their time to review the whole menu as opposed to being rushed on the phone or in line at the restaurant. They're more likely to upgrade their meal size or add dessert to their order without the "guilt" or perceived judgment from ordering in person.

Setting up online ordering on your restaurant website means retaining control over the entire payment process. You'll be able to adjust menu prices, custom fees, tip amounts, and delivery fees and let your online ordering system take care of collecting online payment securely. Your online ordering system will process all transactions in real-time, which means payment is collected immediately and deposited into your bank account daily. You can improve cash flow by choosing to make online payment mandatory before orders are placed, reducing costly no-shows. You'll also save money by eliminating hefty commission fees from third-party websites and apps, which means more money in your pocket.

Want to calculate how much money your restaurant will save by switching from a third-party delivery marketplace? Check out Sociavore's Online Ordering Savings Calculator and see how much you'll save by switching to commission-free online ordering.

5 - Online ordering increases restaurant efficiency.

Online ordering empowers your customers to self-serve when browsing menu options, configuring takeout or delivery, and submitting payment information. You'll save time by letting your customers perform these tasks, which frees up your restaurant staff to do what it does best - make delicious food and provide excellent customer service. 

Online ordering systems also improve restaurant efficiency by reducing human error. You won't have to worry about overcharging, undercharging, or providing the wrong change for customers as they'll always pay the correct price for the items they order. Your online ordering system automatically generates customer receipts and detailed sales reports to make bookkeeping a breeze. 

How can I start a restaurant website with online ordering today?

If your restaurant has a huge marketing budget, you may consider hiring a web development expert to design a custom solution unique to your restaurant's operational needs. This method will give you complete control over the features & user experience of your restaurant website. However, custom development has huge upfront & ongoing maintenance costs and takes a long time to get online. 

If you want a cheaper & quicker online ordering solution, you may try integrating your restaurant website with a third-party e-commerce platform. This method is more affordable than custom web development, though you are still charged a monthly fee and/or transaction fees every time your customer places an order. However, successfully integrating an e-commerce platform into your restaurant website requires time, patience, and a large amount of technical skill. Most third-party e-commerce platforms are built and developed for online retailers, not restaurants - you'll have to adapt your restaurant's workflow to accommodate the platform.

The best online ordering solution for restaurants today is Sociavore. Sociavore's all-in-one restaurant management platform includes everything you need to manage your business online, including built-in online ordering powered by Square payments. Developed by restaurant people for restaurant owners, Sociavore's online ordering system seamlessly integrates into your restaurant's workflow by generating digital chits and sending them directly to the kitchen. Your customers will enjoy the convenience of one-page checkout, and you'll enjoy the cost savings of commission-free online ordering. 

Elevate your restaurant website with online ordering

Are you tired of playing phone tag with guests just to take their orders? Are you tired of losing money and control to third-party marketplaces when taking online orders? Want to take back the reins and streamline your restaurant's operations? Look no further than direct online ordering! 

By offering a convenient and easy way for guests to place their orders directly through your restaurant's website, you'll increase efficiency, reduce costs and retain more of your hard-earned dollars and guests. In this post, we'll dive into the benefits of using direct online ordering for your restaurant and how it can help you take back control of online ordering. 

If you're a restaurant owner, manager, or marketer, you know that the world of online ordering is changing fast. Gone are the days when guests had to call in to place an order or wait in line to dine in. Today, guests turn immediately to the internet to order their meals and book tables, and that trend is only growing faster every year. One of the biggest changes happening right now in online ordering is the move away from third-party marketplaces like DoorDash and UberEats to a restaurant's own direct online ordering.

In many ways, it's a welcomed step back to the way things were when guests would call restaurants directly. It's restaurants taking back control of hospitality and owning the entire guest journey. We're biased, but we think Sociavore Online Ordering is the perfect direct online ordering system for quick-service, full-service, and food halls. 

Online Ordering: From Third-Party to Direct

When it comes to online ordering, many restaurants have relied on third-party marketplaces to handle the process. While these platforms can help to increase visibility and are easy to implement, they also come with some drawbacks.

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Rise to the Top of the Food Chain: How Direct Online Ordering Can Help Restaurants Succeed

Satisfy Your Customers' Cravings: The Benefits of Direct Online Ordering for Restaurants

Explore 15 inspiring restaurant websites that grab your attention and drive sales

One of the restaurant industry's biggest lessons last year was the importance and value of a great restaurant website. Restaurants that invested time and energy into their websites and social media accounts saw huge payoffs as customer demand skyrocketed for online ordering. 

Over the past year, we've watched innovative restaurants develop online strategies to meet changing customer demand. Restaurants are moving beyond online ordering to develop new online revenue streams. Sociavore continues to enable independent restaurant innovation by developing cutting-edge ecommerce tools, templates, and features to help our restaurants grow sales and reach new customers online. 

Are you looking for inspiration or ideas for your own restaurant website? We're proud to present 15 of Sociavore's best restaurant website designs that increase revenue streams and brand awareness - all while looking fantastic.

1. Azhar | Toronto, ON | https://azhartoronto.com/

Azhar Kitchen + Bar uses its homepage to enhance its brand as a neighbourhood gathering place for soulful Eastern Mediterranean & Middle East-inspired food and drink. The careful use of typography and fonts compliments their bold photography of venue & mouth-watering dishes to give website visitors a visual taste of Azhar's guest experience. Guests can easily make reservations, inquire about venue rental, or purchase gift cards with a click of a button.

2. Beertown | Cambridge, ON | https://beertown.ca/

Beertown's website effortlessly promotes what's new at all 7 of its locations in the Greater Toronto area on one well organized homepage. Eye-catching visuals including video, food photography and bold fonts encourage customers to stay on the page. A simple navigation bar in the header allows guests to view menus, place online orders, buy gift cards, sign up for the "Bite Club" loyalty rewards program, and more. Website visitors can also leave their contact information to receive e-mail newsletters about Beertown promotions and events.

"The restaurant business is constantly moving and changing quickly – Sociavore gives us the capability to keep on top of these changes and tell our stories by allowing us to easily keep our websites up to date with the pace of the business." - Cindy Perri, Brand Guardian, The Charcoal Group

3. Boon Burger Cafe | Oakville, ON | https://www.boonburger.ca/

Boon Burger Cafe's website showcases its mission of sustainability, environmentalism, and education about healthy vegan cuisine. Visitors are encouraged to visit a Boon Burger location in person, shop for vegan meats to enjoy at home, and join the Boon Bucks loyalty program.

4. El Catrin Destileria | Toronto, ON | https://www.elcatrin.ca/

El Catrin Destileria's website captures the flair and vibrancy of Mexican cuisine through its bold colour scheme and dazzling photography. The homepage uses simple touches like parallax scrolling frames to animate pictures. A slideshow of Instagram posts embedded directly in the homepage provides fresh updates on events and specials. 

"Today’s consumer expects digital experiences with a business to harmonize with their brick and mortar experiences, and vice-versa. Sociavore allows us to blend the in-person and the digital seamlessly." - Elisabeth Bottomley, Marketing Manager, The Distillery Restaurants Corp.

5. Humble City Cafe | Humble, TX | https://humblecitycafe.scvr.co/

Humble City Cafe's website enhances its brand as a destination for southern comfort food. The Cafe's personality shines through its patriotic color scheme that frames picture grids of its historic venue. Custom touches like the stars-and-spangles background and unique Favicon reinforce Humble City's brand identity. 

6. Mark's Caribbean Kitchen | Kitchener, ON | https://markscaribbeankitchen.ca/

Every aspect of Mark's Caribbean Kitchen's website is designed to convert website visitors into paying customers.  The simple, elegant layout has bold action buttons that encourage customers to immediately scroll through the menu and place online orders. Enticing food photography entices customers to shop with their eyes and increase their order size.

7. PAI Toronto | Toronto, ON | https://www.paitoronto.com/

PAI's homepage encourages visitors to develop a personal connection with its founders, Nuit and Jeff Regular, and the history and culture of Thailand. The website tells the story of Nuit and Jeff's journey from Northern Thailand to Toronto through breathtaking travel and food photography. Guests are encouraged to order from one of 3 restaurant locations, purchase Nuit's award-winning cookbook, or buy meal kits to cook at home. 

"The ease and speed we can launch new menu items and the integrations Sociavore provides have allowed our management teams to focus on guest experience and quickly grow our business." - Sam, General Manager, PAI Toronto

8. Red House | Waterloo, ON | https://redhouseuptown.ca

When Red House Uptown Bistro noticed surging demand for sauces and spices due to the home-cooking boom last year, the team quickly responded by introduced additional products to the Red House-branded line, including spice rubs and salad dressings as well as heat-at-home foods. Customers can now shop for merchandise, ingredients, non-alcoholic drinks, wine, and bistro meals all from Red House's e-commerce website.

9. Rosie's on River Street | Saskatoon, SK | https://www.rosiesonriver.com/

Rosie's on River Street's website reflects the restaurant's reputation as lively tourist destination with a shady past. Website visitors can learn more about Rosie's colourful history, place online orders for takeaway, or shop for souvenirs, apparel and more.

10. Rustic Pizza | Sauble Beach, ON | https://www.rusticpizza.ca/

Rustic Pizza is a tourist destination right in the heart of scenic Sauble Beach. The restaurant relies on its online ordering website to manage high demand during the tourist season. Customers are able to order pizzas right from their mobile devices without even leaving the beach.

11. Scran & Dram | New Hamburg, ON | https://scrananddram.ca

Scran & Dram's website offers classic Scottish Public House fare in a clean, accessible menu. Appetizing food photography accompanies clear menu descriptions with full ingredient lists. Small icons beside each menu item indicate whether items are gluten-free or vegetarian to accommodate customer preferences & dietary requirements

12. Taco Farm | Waterloo, ON | https://tacofarm.ca/

Taco Farm's website highlights its core focus - making great tasting tacos with local ingredients. The restaurant dedicates space on its website to listing and linking to each of its providers, including local farms, dairies, and breweries. Customers can place online orders, make reservations, and browse recipes for using up leftover Taco Farm tortillas. 

13. Beechwood Doughnuts | St. Catharines, ON | https://www.beechwooddoughnuts.com/

Beechwood's 100% vegan doughnuts have exploded in popularity in St. Catharines and beyond. To accommodate their many fans, Beechwood has created an online scheduling system to provide in-house delivery to neighboring cities in the region. Customers enter their address when requesting delivery, and the website schedules the delivery on the next available delivery date in their city. 

14. Polestar Hearth | Guelph, ON | https://polestarhearth.scvr.co

For years, Polestar Hearth has been providing its community with incredible sourdough and fresh bread made from simple and local ingredients. Sociavore worked with Polestar to develop online ordering features that specifically catered to bakery operations, including recurring weekly pickup schedules, built-in tax calculators, and more. Website visitors are able to browse daily specials, and place pre-orders in advance for their weekly purchases.

"Having a solid, reliable online system that customers can access in off-hours, or when we cannot answer the phone, has reduced a lot of stress in the bakery. Having a daily inventory prediction model has been really important, and we base that on previous weeks' numbers and our Sociavore sales numbers." - Jesse Merrill, Owner / CrustMaster, Polestar Hearth

15. Kitchen Hub Food Hall | Toronto, ON | https://kitchenhub.ca/

Kitchen Hub was developed as an alternative to third-party delivery marketplace websites such as DoorDash or UberEats. The result is an online "Food Hall" where customers in Toronto neighbourhoods can support their favorite local restaurants directly, instead of paying third-party commission fees. Website visitors can browse from multiple menus at once, and place orders for delivery or takeout.

Sociavore - the best restaurant website builder 

The best restaurant website builder for restaurants today is Sociavore. Sociavore's all-in-one restaurant management platform includes everything you need to manage your business online. Don't waste your time with broad e-commerce website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify - Sociavore is designed with the hospitality industry in mind, with built-in features like online ordering, reservation management, customizable pickup & delivery schedules, and more. 

Developed by restaurant people for restaurant owners, Sociavore's online ordering system seamlessly integrates into your restaurant's workflow by generating digital chits and sending them directly to the kitchen. Your customers will enjoy the convenience of one-page checkout, and you'll enjoy the cost savings of commission-free online ordering.

Ready to launch your new restaurant website with Sociavore? We're ready to work with you to develop and customize your restaurant website to fit your unique brand and business model. Click on the button below to start your 14-day free trial or use the Chat icon on the bottom right corner of the screen to book a free demo.

Best Restaurant Websites of 2021

QR codes? Is that something we ever thought would become a staple in our everyday lives? Restaurants across Canada and the US have been making a shift towards digital menus in recent months to ensure safety protocols are met between the restaurant staff and guests, but what does the future hold for contactless QR code menus? While they help overcome a lot of the existing issues with physical menus, such as costs and environmental impacts they also eliminate an aspect of humanity in service; the welcoming exchange between a server and guest, a big reason why people go out to dine in the first place. A lot of why we love going out to restaurants has been reduced, if not Let’s go through how restaurants can use QR code menus in the first place, and some of the advantages they bring to the table.

The dynamics between the waitstaff and guests have certainly shifted over recent months. Of course, face-to-face interaction has been reduced to a minimum, and in many cases, technology has stepped in as the main channel of communication between the guest and the restaurant. It’s a tough thing to wrap your head around and as automation continues to surround us in our daily lives, technology replacing the job of a server is not what either wishes for in a diner setting. However, right now, our choices are limited, and safety protocols have climbed to the top of the priority list when guests are dining out.  

Digital menus, contactless menus, QR code menus, whatever you want to call it,  have taken the centre stage when it comes to ordering, and as we enter a new era of dining out, restaurateurs, chefs, servers, and even guests are wondering if these QR codes are here to stay?

If you’re a restaurant owner and your business has opted for alternative solutions, or if you’re a guest that has cautiously stayed away from public establishments over recent months, let's quickly run through how this contactless technology starts. Beginning with the QR code, a scannable black and white you often see on the back of products, coupons books that lead you to a website or a landing page. They’re efficient because it’s instant. In the case of restaurants, you can place a laminated QR code or a coaster on your table for your guests to scan, bringing up your digital menu. If your restaurant has already implemented digital menus, but don’t have QR codes, place one on your table to speed up your operations. Smartphones have built-in QR code readers in their camera app. The QR code you place on your table can direct your guest to your online menu that you may already have set up on your website, in the form of a PDF menu that resembles your printed version.   

Both Government guidelines and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) protocols have recommended the use of digital menus and other contactless options to limit the spread of covid-19. QR code menus are slowly becoming the norm, in fact, restaurants we’re beginning to experiment with the idea pre-coronavirus in order to cut costs, but what are the other advantages of digital menus? Let's walk through some of them.

This is the obvious advantage of digital menus. They allow guests and restaurant staff to stay 6 feet apart. Something we never thought would have to happen in a restaurant setting, where we're so used to be being packed like sardines. However, it needs to happen right now. On top of ensuring a contactless experience, QR codes and website-powered ordering make it much easier to obtain contact tracing information. Many places have been recording contact information when guests walk in, or they'll have a staff member walk around with a clipboard to obtain this info. By placing a QR code on your table, you can prompt your guest for their information as well as a health survey before directing them to your menu. 

Digital Menus are Environmentally Sustainable

Pre-pandemic, it's likely that you were printing hundreds, if not thousands of menus a year for your tables. Drink spills, food stains, seasonal changes, specials, new wines. One small mistake or update can call for a reprint. There will always be something special about holding a tangible menu. They're personal, visually appealing, and in general, add some humanity to the ordering experience. However, contactless ordering, via digital menus is a much more eco-friendly approach, and it can save you a lot of money in the long run. The removal of physical menu salso results in fewer items you have to wash and sanitize.

Chefs and restaurant owners often have to think twice about printing because of costs and paper waste. The advantage of digital menus is that you don't have to think twice. In fact, you can make changes on the fly, so that when you run out of a certain menu item, or want to add a daily special, you don't have to convey that to all of your guests. It's tedious. Sociavore's digital menus allow you to add, change, or remove menu items on your menu in seconds. If you're content with the PDF menu that you've been printing, you can instead direct your guests to that document using QR codes, but once again it limits you when it comes to changes.  

Remember that digital menus are an extension of your brand. You want to ensure you're still providing the same visual experience for your guests as if you were giving them a physical menu. Sociavore's digital menus provide you with the creative freedom to showcase your brand and delivery genuine hospitality. It's a great opportunity to show your customers that you're going above and beyond to provide them with a memorable experience. Add in your logos, colours, fonts, photos, graphics and more into your menus. If you're looking for some inspiration, below is a bright example of El Catrin's contactless ordering menu. They've managed to create an enjoyable ordering experience, without compromising the essence of their brand.

It goes without saying that the removal of a physical menu from a restaurant is not what restaurant owners want to do. There’s a particular charm about receiving a menu when you sit down at a table. Let's get one or two of the disadvantages out of the way. For starters, not everyone has a smartphone, or access to data, so there are already limitations from the start in terms of accessibility. Secondly, not everyone is tech-savvy. Scanning a QR code and ordering from a web-based menu can sound intimidating. We've been fortunate enough to experience friendly staff over recent months who have been helpful in guiding guests through the new ordering process. Table instructions are suggested as well to create a smooth ordering experience!

A lof these methods, of course, require printing, however, you'll only need to do it once.

How to Build Your Own QR Code Menu With Sociavore

Open the desired menu up on your website browser.

Copy (CTRL+C) the menu URL from the address bar. If you’re a Sociavore customer, you can obtain it from your Sociavore Dashboard.

Plug the URL into our free QR code generator.

Download the QR code and print physical copies which can be placed on to a poster or anywhere on the table.

Guests will scan the QR code on the table with their iPhone or Android, pulling up the menu.

QR code menus are ideal for restaurants, breweries, cafes, and a variety of food & beverage based businesses. They will make ordering much more convenient for your guests while ensuring safety protocols are met. No apps are required, all they need is a smartphone camera to access your menus. If you're interested in learning more about your restaurant can improve your contactless operations, click here, and if you're keen on learning more about the future of restaurant menus, don't hesitate to reach out to our team, we'd love to chat and hear your thoughts!

Are QR code and digital menus the future of restaurant menus

The Future of Restaurant Menus

Are QR code menus the future of digital menus?

It’s mid-February and it’s cold here in Canada. The days are still short, the nights are long and even though the official start of spring is a few weeks away, the actual start of spring (where you can ditch your winter toque) is actually a few months away.

Last August, my family and I explored Copenhagen, Denmark and were fascinated with its people and culture. Similar to Canada and the Northern United States, Denmark experiences long winters – with many hours of darkness. Instead, of hibernating through the long winter, the Danes embrace it with “hygge”.

“Hygge” is an untranslatable concept that encompasses togetherness. Examples include cozying up in the great indoors, enjoying time relaxing, and being surrounded by friends and family. Hygge is a feeling, a way of life, a wintertime warmth shared by firelight, under warm throws, over mugs of hot chocolate. Hygge is also a style, a way to make a place more inviting. You can easily make your restaurant more inviting by bringing some hygge in. This will help draw guests in and keep them coming back as repeat customers.

Here are some ways to add hygge to your restaurant:

Per capita, the Danes are rumoured to be one of the largest consumers of candles in the world. There is evidence that they burn through about 13 lbs of candles per person every year. Candlelight creates a beautiful warm glow and can take away the Winter chill. If you decide to buy candles for your restaurant, make sure they are unscented candles so you don’t turn away those with scent sensitivities or allergies.

It’s mid-February and it’s cold here in Canada. The days are still short, nights are long, and the actual start of spring is actually a few months away.

Add Some Hygge To Your Restaurant

Whether it’s your moral compass, your health, or curiosity driving you to try a vegan lifestyle – now is a good time for it.

It wasn’t too long ago that most restaurants had a mere one or two veg options.

I can take a stab at what most of them would be too: Portobello mushroom on a bun, something with spaghetti squash, the house salad without chicken. Is your mouth watering yet? Didn’t think so. Fast forward a few years and established restaurants are coming out with separate vegan menus.

Blackboards outside of your local pub are advertising their new jackfruit tacos. New veggie restaurants are popping up in every type of neighbourhood. Those veg spots are even opening a second location. And the best yet: chefs are getting creative with plant-based food. I’m constantly amazed and delighted by the new unique flavour combinations chefs in Toronto are playing with.

I don’t think I’ve seen cauliflower look so delicious in so many different ways than I have at restaurants this past year. Cooking at home can be just as enjoyable and there’s no shortage of recipes online and how-to videos featuring vegan creations. The learning curve that comes with the ability to fix yourself homemade meals with whole foods is well worth it.

As someone who’s been vegetarian for more than ten years, I’m excited this lifestyle is getting so much more attention. It’s making plant-based eating more accessible than ever before, and it’s starting conversations about the environment. Toronto’s been craving places like 

Rise Above, Planta, Hello123, Awai, and Mythology. These locations have good grub, hip atmospheres and blend right in with their meat serving neighbours.

There’s no shortage of alternative ingredients and impressive new restaurants if you’re thinking about diving into a plant-based lifestyle. There’s so many new options, with more on the way – and I think they’re here to stay.

2018: a good year to give plant based eating a try

A restaurant’s website is the first place a potential guest lands before they decide to make a reservation or walk in through your restaurant doors. It should be an extension of the restaurant’s guest experience and reflect the atmosphere with beautiful visuals. The perfect restaurant website design allows guests to navigate easily and find important information like menus, hours of operation, location and contact information in seconds. This means being mobile-responsive – to ensure guests using all types of devices have the best guest experience always.

Here’s a roundup of our 10 favourite restaurant website designs to help inspire you. These designs are beautiful, functional, guest-friendly and all built on Sociavore.

Interested in learning more about Sociavore? Find out more.

A restaurant’s website is the first place a potential guest lands before they decide to make a reservation or walk in through your restaurant doors.

10 Beautiful Restaurant Website Designs

When it comes to many things – especially food and drink – we seem to be a society of indulgers or abstainers, taking things to unhealthy extremes either way. We’ve lost touch with a basic bit of wisdom: moderation in all things, including alcohol. Sure, when people drink to excess it can wreak havoc on their body and their life. On the other hand, when consumed in moderation – a glass of wine with dinner, a single dram of scotch after a long day of work, a couple of beers on the dock – plenty of research and respectable studies demonstrate health benefits.

However, I was encouraged by some close friends to participate in “Dry January”, a month free of any booze. And while I admit, I was skeptical. How was a sommelier and wine educator supposed to sustain? My connection to all things fermented and distilled is very strong, but so too is my dedication, and I decided to jump right in and give it a genuine go. Here are 5 things I learned from having a dry month:

1. I was far more productive.
No hangovers, no foggy mornings and a clear, focused mind. I was able to concentrate and finish many tasks and I felt motivated to tackle new projects.

2. I saved money.
A ton. I wouldn’t classify myself as a heavy drinker, but I do enjoy the finer libations: be it a beautiful bottle of wine, a well-made artisanal cocktail, or a craft beer or two and that can certainly add up.

3. I ate healthier.
For me, having a beer and something deep fried and salty is the perfect pairing. Cheese with wine? Yes, please? Cutting out alcohol allowed me to focus on clean eating without any temptations.

4. I realized my willpower.
From industry events, a best friends birthday party, and stressful workdays, there were several times throughout the month that had me thinking of imbibing something delicious. However, I made a pact with myself and stuck with it…. all 31 days.

5. I felt good.
Maybe a domino effect of healthier eating habits, maybe the undisrupted, restful sleep, maybe the added confidence of really great productivity, and most likely a combination of all, I truly did feel great.

So, the first week of February is coming to a close, and did it have me running home to open three bottles of red? Not exactly. Was I excited to visit my favourite cocktail bar again? Absolutely. Moderation is key and while I have never been a big fan of resolutions, I think dry January is a practice I will be doing for years to come.

When it comes to many things – especially food and drink – we seem to be a society of indulgers or abstainers, taking things to unhealthy extremes either way.