When people choose where to eat, they search on their phone, look at a few places and decide in minutes. If your website is slow, hides the menu in a PDF or shows old opening hours, they simply pick the next restaurant.
This guide covers what a restaurant, cafe or takeaway website needs in 2026, in plain words.
1. A menu people can read on a phone
Put your menu on the page as real text, not a blurry photo or a PDF download. Text menus load fast, are easy to read on a small screen and can be read by Google and AI tools, which helps people find you when they search for a dish.
2. One tap to book, order or call
The most important buttons are book a table, order online and call. Put them at the top of the page and keep them visible as people scroll. If you take bookings by WhatsApp, add a WhatsApp button.
3. Opening hours and location that are always right
Wrong opening hours lose customers and trust. Show your hours clearly, add holiday hours, and include a map and your full address. Make sure they match your Google Business Profile exactly.
4. Real photos of real food
Photos of your actual dishes, your dining room and your team sell far better than stock images. They do not need to be professional, just bright, sharp and honest.
5. Speed
Many restaurant sites are slow because of huge photos and heavy page builders. A fast site keeps people on the page and helps your Google ranking. Compress your photos and avoid unnecessary animations and pop ups.
6. Reviews and what makes you special
Tell people why to choose you: family recipes, halal, vegan options, outdoor seating, late opening, delivery area. Show a few genuine reviews from Google, with permission where needed.
Quick checklist
- Menu as text, with prices
- Book, order and call buttons at the top
- Correct opening hours and holiday hours
- Address, map and parking information
- Real photos of dishes and the venue
- Fast on mobile
- Linked to your Google Business Profile
What does a restaurant website cost?
Our packages start at £299 for a one page Starter site, £699 for a full Business website and £1,199 for Growth, which adds Google Business Profile, local SEO, AI visibility and a monthly report. Domain and hosting are free for the first year, and we design your new homepage free before you pay anything.