What Should a Restaurant Website Include?
What should a restaurant website include? The 7 must-have features to convert visitors into bookings. Based on what actually works.
Every restaurant website needs: mobile-first design, online booking, an HTML menu (not PDF), clear opening hours, location with map, high-quality photos, and fast loading speed. These 7 features directly impact whether visitors become diners.
What should a restaurant website include? After building sites for restaurants, pubs, and cafés for over 10 years, I’ve narrowed it down to 7 essential features that actually drive bookings.
Most advice online is generic (“have a nice design!”). This guide focuses on what measurably impacts whether visitors become diners — based on real data, not opinions.
Table of Contents
- Why These Features Matter
- The 7 Essential Features
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Best Practices That Actually Work
- How Much Should You Budget?
- What to Look for in a Web Designer
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why These Features Matter
Over 80% of UK diners browse menus online before deciding where to eat. If your site is missing key features, you’re losing customers before they taste your food.
The 7 features below aren’t arbitrary — each one directly impacts whether someone books or bounces. Here’s what a complete restaurant website delivers:
- More online bookings — 82% of guests prefer booking directly from a restaurant’s website
- Fewer phone calls — Answering basic questions (hours, location, menu) eats into your time
- Better search visibility — Google favours fast, mobile-friendly sites
- Higher average spend — Professional design builds trust and perceived value
- Direct orders — Skip the 30% delivery app commissions
The 7 Essential Features
These are the features every restaurant website needs — based on what actually converts visitors into bookings. For a more detailed breakdown including nice-to-haves, see 11 Essential Restaurant Website Features.
1. Mobile-First Design
Over 70% of restaurant searches happen on phones. Your website needs to look and work perfectly on mobile — not just “acceptable.”
This means:
- Large, tappable buttons
- Easy-to-read text without zooming
- Fast loading on mobile networks
- Click-to-call phone numbers
According to Google’s mobile-first indexing, search rankings are now based on your mobile site, not desktop. If your mobile experience is poor, you’ll rank lower.
2. Online Booking Integration
Whether it’s ResDiary, OpenTable, SevenRooms, or a simple booking form, make it easy for people to book. Every extra click loses customers.
The “Book a Table” button should be:
- Visible without scrolling
- In your header (sticky on scroll)
- A contrasting colour that stands out
3. Current Menu (Not a PDF)
PDFs are the biggest restaurant website mistake I see. They’re:
- Hard to read on phones
- Invisible to Google (can’t be searched)
- Difficult to update
- Often outdated
Your menu should be HTML text that’s easy to update, searchable by Google, and readable on any device. Include prices, dietary labels (vegan, gluten-free), and allergen information.
93% of consumers look at a restaurant’s menu before deciding where to eat. Make it easy for them.
4. Clear Opening Hours
Sounds obvious, but I’ve seen countless restaurant sites where you can’t find the opening hours. Put them on the homepage, clearly visible — ideally in your header or footer so they appear on every page.
Include:
- Regular hours
- Holiday variations
- Last booking time
- Kitchen closing time (if different)
5. Location & Directions
Embed a Google Map. Add parking information. Include public transport options. Make it easy for people to find you.
Your address should be:
- On every page (footer)
- Clickable to open in maps apps
- Including the postcode for sat-navs
6. High-Quality Photos
Real photos of your food and venue — not stock images. If you don’t have good photos, invest in a photographer.
61% of guests say food photos are one of the most important website features. Professional photography typically costs £300-£800 and pays for itself in increased bookings.
Tips for food photography:
- Natural lighting works best
- Show the venue atmosphere, not just plates
- Update photos seasonally
- Include people enjoying the experience
7. Fast Loading Speed
If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load, you’re losing customers. Google also ranks slower sites lower in search results.
A one-second delay can reduce page views by 11%. Use:
- Optimised images (WebP format)
- Fast, reliable hosting
- Minimal plugins and scripts
- Content delivery networks (CDNs)
You can test your speed at PageSpeed Insights.
Want to see what’s possible? Book a free discovery call to discuss your project and see examples of our work.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These errors will cost you customers. For a deeper dive, see our full guide: 9 Restaurant Website Mistakes Costing You Customers.
Auto-Playing Music or Videos
Nothing makes someone close a browser tab faster than unexpected audio. Don’t do it. Ever.
PDF Menus
Already covered, but worth repeating: PDFs kill your SEO and frustrate mobile users. Convert to HTML.
Outdated Information
If your Christmas menu is still showing in March, you’ve got a problem. Keep your site current or choose a provider who handles updates for you.
No Clear Call-to-Action
Every page should make it obvious what you want visitors to do next: book a table, view the menu, or call you. Don’t make them guess.
Ignoring SEO
Your beautiful website is useless if no one can find it. Basic SEO helps you show up when people search “restaurants near me” or “[cuisine] restaurant [town].”
At minimum, your site needs:
- Unique page titles with location
- Meta descriptions for each page
- Your full address on every page
- Fast loading speed
- Mobile-friendly design
Hiding Contact Information
Your phone number and address should be visible on every page. Don’t make people hunt for basic information.
Too Many Clicks to Book
The path from homepage to confirmed booking should be 2-3 clicks maximum. Every extra step loses customers.
Best Practices That Actually Work
Beyond the essentials, here’s what separates good restaurant websites from great ones:
Tell Your Story
People don’t just eat food — they buy experiences. Share your story:
- How you started
- Your culinary philosophy
- Where you source ingredients
- What makes you different
This builds emotional connection and justifies higher prices.
Use Social Proof
Include reviews, ratings, and testimonials. According to BrightLocal research, 87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses.
Display:
- Google review rating
- TripAdvisor rating
- Selected testimonials
- Press mentions
Design for Scanning
Most visitors scan, they don’t read. Use:
- Clear headings
- Short paragraphs
- Bullet points
- Bold key information
- Plenty of white space
Keep Navigation Simple
Maximum 5-7 main menu items:
- Home
- Menu
- Book
- About
- Contact
Everything else goes in the footer.
Match Your Brand
Your website should feel like your restaurant. A fine dining establishment needs elegant design. A casual café needs friendly, relaxed styling. Consistency builds trust.
How Much Should You Budget?
Website costs vary widely. Here’s a realistic breakdown:
| Option | Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY (Wix/Squarespace) | £10-30/month | Cheap, quick | Time-consuming, limited, generic |
| Freelancer | £500-2,000 one-off | Affordable | Variable quality, no ongoing support |
| Agency | £3,000-10,000+ one-off | Professional | Expensive, slow |
| Monthly service | £100-300/month | All-inclusive, ongoing support | Monthly commitment |
For a detailed breakdown, see my guide on restaurant website costs in the UK.
The best option depends on your budget, technical comfort, and how much time you want to spend managing your website.
What to Look for in a Web Designer
If you’re hiring someone, ask these questions:
1. Do They Specialise in Hospitality?
Generic web designers don’t understand restaurant-specific needs like booking integrations, menu management, and seasonal updates. Look for hospitality experience.
2. What’s Included in Ongoing Support?
Will they help with updates, or charge extra for everything? Menu changes, holiday hours, and event promotions should be quick and affordable.
3. Can You See Live Examples?
Not just screenshots — actual working websites they’ve built for restaurants. Check on mobile too.
4. How Long Will It Take?
A good restaurant site should take 2-4 weeks, not months. Be wary of anyone promising 3 days (too rushed) or 3 months (too slow).
5. Who Owns the Site?
Make sure you own your domain and content. Some agencies keep ownership and charge to transfer if you leave. Get this in writing.
6. What Happens After Launch?
The best designers offer ongoing support, not just a handover. Websites need maintenance — security updates, content changes, and occasional fixes.
I work with restaurants, pubs, and cafés across the UK, including Kent and the South East.
Next Steps
Your restaurant website is often the first impression customers have of your business. Get it right, and you’ll see more bookings, fewer wasted phone calls, and customers who arrive knowing exactly what to expect.
If you’re ready to upgrade your restaurant’s online presence, I’d be happy to chat. I specialise in restaurants, pubs, and cafés across the UK — everything included, no surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
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