Make the basics obvious so guests act fast

Show hours, address, phone, and a map clearly

Your homepage should answer one simple question fast: Are you open, and how do I get there?

Place your hours, full address, phone number, and a live map near the top of the page. This saves guests from scrolling and prevents lost bookings.

Include special notes like holiday hours, last seating times, parking details, and if you accept walk-ins. Clarity here reduces calls and complaints.

Make the address and phone number tappable on mobile. A one-tap map link for directions helps people in transit decide on you in moments.

One tap actions for call, SMS, and WhatsApp chat

On mobile, people want action, not reading. Add sticky buttons for Call, SMS (text message), and WhatsApp so guests can reach you in one tap.

Label buttons plainly: “Call now,” “Text us,” or “WhatsApp.” Tell guests your response times so they know what to expect.

Route each channel to the right person. For example, calls to the host stand, messages to a front-of-house phone, and group inquiries to a manager.

Keep Google profile accurate and add pages for each location

Google Business Profile is your free listing on Google Search and Maps. Keep hours, phone, website, menu link, and photos in sync with your site. See the official guide at Google Business Profile Help.

Many diners discover you on Google Maps, which serves a huge global audience. Up-to-date info means fewer wrong turns and fewer “Are you open?” calls. Tip: Set holiday hours and “special hours” in Google Business Profile so guests do not need to call.

If you have multiple locations, create a simple page for each. Include that location’s hours, map, parking, menu highlights, and a booking button to avoid confusion. Use simple URLs like /locations/soho and /locations/brooklyn so guests land on the right page.

A menu that sells with prices, filters, and languages

Live menu with prices and scannable categories

A “live” menu is simply current and easy to update. Out-of-date dishes or missing prices cost trust and sales.

Organize your menu into clear categories like Starters, Mains, Desserts, and Drinks. Add brief descriptions and prices for every item.

Use short headings and a sticky category bar on mobile. Guests can jump to what they want in seconds, just like skimming a familiar table of contents.

If you serve tourists, add a simple language switch for the menu, such as English, Spanish, or French. Keep wording short and clear so translations stay accurate.

Allergen and dietary tags with easy filters

Millions of people manage allergies and dietary needs. In the U.S., over 32 million people have food allergies, according to FARE.

Tag common needs like vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free. Simple icons and short notes make choices easy.

Add quick filters so guests can see suitable dishes instantly. For example, add icons for vegan (V), gluten-free (GF), and nuts (N), with a short key at the top. This prevents awkward calls and builds trust before they arrive.

Avoid PDF menus and hard to read files

PDFs are slow on mobile and hard to read. Guests pinch and zoom, then give up. Use a web page menu built for phones.

Keep file downloads for printing only. Your live web menu should always be the source of truth and load fast.

When prices change, update the page immediately. A reliable online menu reduces staff interruptions and surprises at the table. A live web menu also helps your dishes and prices show up clearly in search results.

Turn visits into bookings and online orders

Book a table or join a waitlist with one clear button

Make the main action obvious. Add one primary “Book a table” button in your header so it shows on every page.

If you accept walk-ins, add “Join the waitlist” next to it. Two clear choices reduce decision friction. Example: “Join waitlist (10–15 mins).”

1. Put “Book a table” in your header and at the top of key pages.

2. Link it to your booking page or widget (the small booking box you paste into a page).

3. If you accept walk-ins, place “Join waitlist” right beside it.

Order pickup or delivery with separate choices

Ordering works best with two distinct buttons: “Order pickup” and “Order delivery.” Mixing them in one link creates confusion.

Explain the basics under each option. For pickup: estimate prep time. For delivery: delivery area and fees.

Fewer steps mean more completed orders.

1. Create two buttons: “Order pickup” and “Order delivery.”

2. Add one line under each (pickup time; delivery area and fees).

3. Test the full flow on a phone, from menu to payment.

Use first party ordering to keep margins and data

First-party ordering means guests order directly on your site, not through a marketplace. You keep more margin and own the customer relationship.

Use one main platform, such as Toast, with simple, branded pages. Alternatives include Square Online and ChowNow. Pick one and stay consistent across your site.

Direct ordering lets you see who ordered, what they love, and when to invite them back. That data powers smarter promos and repeat visits.

Mobile speed and accessibility for every guest

Fast pages, simple navigation, and readable text

Speed matters. Slow sites lose hungry users. Test your site with Google PageSpeed Insights and fix the obvious issues.

Keep navigation short: Menu, Book, Order, Locations, Contact. Fewer choices lead to faster decisions.

Use large, high-contrast text and short paragraphs. If you can read it at arm’s length, guests can too.

Image descriptions and high contrast colors

Image descriptions, called “alt text,” describe photos for people using screen readers. Write plainly: “Grilled salmon with lemon and herbs.”

High contrast colors help everyone read in bright light. This is part of accessibility, which also reduces legal risk.

In 2023, there were 4,605 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)–related digital lawsuits in the U.S., per UsableNet. Basic accessibility protects guests and your business.

Keyboard friendly forms and large tap targets

Some guests can’t use a mouse. Make sure forms, links, and buttons work with only a keyboard. The “tab” key should move in order.

Touch targets should be big enough to tap comfortably. Think thumb-friendly, not pixel-perfect.

Labels should sit above fields and say exactly what to enter. Clear forms get more inquiries and fewer errors.

Trust builders that set expectations and reassure guests

Photos of food, space, and team that look real

Show what guests will actually see. Use bright, natural lighting and real portions. Honest photos set the right expectations.

Include the interior, bar, patio, and a few team shots. People want to picture their night out before they commit.

Update photos seasonally and when the menu changes. Fresh visuals signal an active, well-run restaurant.

Reviews, awards, and press that build credibility

Show your average rating and a few recent reviews on the homepage. Real, recent comments beat old testimonials.

Add small logos for awards or press mentions with one line of context. Social proof reduces hesitation.

Rotate reviews quarterly. Guests notice when the last review on your site is years old.

Transparent policies on fees, allergens, and cancellations

State service charges, credit card fees, and large-party policies plainly. Surprises at payment lead to negative reviews.

List how you handle allergens and cross-contact. Link from the menu to a short policy page for clarity.

Explain your reservation and cancellation rules in simple terms. Clear rules prevent disputes and no-shows.

Revenue boosters that grow repeat visits and spend

Gift cards and private dining or events inquiries

Gift cards turn happy guests into promoters. Add “Buy gift card” to your header and footer.

Create a page for private dining or events. Show room capacity, sample menus, and minimums so planners qualify themselves.

Add a short form with date, guest count, and budget. Fewer back-and-forth emails mean faster bookings.

Email signup, loyalty, and SMS for repeat business

Email drives strong returns. Litmus reports about $36 back for every $1 invested (Litmus, 2023).

Place a simple email signup under the menu and at checkout. Offer a small perk, like a dessert on the next visit.

Use SMS for timely updates like waitlist invites or today’s special. Keep messages short and only send what’s helpful.

Careers page to attract staff and reduce hiring costs

A small Careers page saves time and agency fees. List roles, shifts, and benefits in plain language.

Show photos of your team and a short note from leadership. Culture matters when candidates choose where to work.

Add a simple application form or an email to send a CV. Form fields: name, phone, role, availability, and a file upload for CV. Respond quickly to stand out.

Restaurant website features checklist for 2026

Attract essentials to get discovered and visited

Use this quick list to make sure people can find you and plan their visit with ease.

• Hours, address, phone, and live map near the top

• Holiday hours and last seating clearly stated

• Tappable phone and map links on mobile

• Accurate Google Business Profile with photos and menu link

• Separate page for each location with local details

Reassure essentials to build confidence quickly

These elements answer common concerns and set expectations before guests arrive.

• Live menu with prices and short descriptions

• Dietary and allergen tags with simple filters

• Authentic photos of food, space, and team

• Recent reviews, awards, or press highlights

• Clear policies on fees, allergens, and cancellations

Convert essentials to drive bookings and orders

Make the next step obvious so visitors turn into diners.

• Primary “Book a table” button on every page

• Optional “Join waitlist” for busy times

• Separate “Order pickup” and “Order delivery” buttons

• First-party ordering to protect margins and data

• Gift cards, event inquiries, and email/SMS signup in key spots

When the right restaurant website features are in place, guests find your hours fast, see prices at a glance, and reserve or order in seconds. Use this restaurant website checklist to fix quick wins today, or ask Sleekly to turn your site into a steady engine for bookings and orders.

FAQ about restaurant website features in 2026

How do I add online ordering to my restaurant website?

Pick a first-party ordering tool (for example, Toast, Square Online, or ChowNow) so guests order directly on your site. Create a clear “Order pickup” and a separate “Order delivery” button and link each to the correct flow. Connect payments, set hours, prep times, delivery zones, and test the whole checkout on a phone.

How do I add a reservation system to my website?

Choose a booking platform with waitlist and text confirmations, such as Resy, OpenTable, SevenRooms, or Tock. Embed its widget (a small booking box you paste on your site) or link to the hosted booking page. Put a visible “Book a table” button in your header and at the top of key pages, and add “Join waitlist” if you accept walk-ins.

Are PDF menus bad for SEO and mobile?

Yes. PDFs are slow on phones and hard to read, and they don’t showcase dishes and prices well in search results. Use a live web page menu with categories, current prices, and simple filters; keep a printable PDF only as a backup.

How do I optimize my restaurant website for local SEO and Google Maps?

Claim and complete your Google Business Profile with hours, phone, menu, booking, and recent photos. Keep your name, address, and phone consistent everywhere, and create a page for each location with its own map and details. Use clear page titles like “Mexican restaurant in Austin” so people and Google understand you. These restaurant website features help you appear in local search and reduce “Are you open?” calls.

How do I make my restaurant website ADA compliant?

Aim for WCAG 2.2 AA (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, which explain how to make websites usable for everyone), which is the common web accessibility standard. Use high-contrast colors, larg readable text, image descriptions (alt text), big tap targets, and forms that work with only a keyboard. Add captions to videos and clear error messages on forms. Do quick checks and test on a phone and with just the keyboard to find issues fast.

How do I set up digital gift cards on my site?

Use a gift card tool that works with your POS (point of sale, your till/payment system), and offer e-gift cards with instant email delivery. Add “Buy gift card” in your header, footer, and after checkout. Provide common amounts (for example, 25, 50, 100) and allow a custom value.

How do I add my restaurant to Google Maps?

Create or claim your Google Business Profile, add your address, and verify it by mail or phone. Set your hours, add your website and menu link, upload recent photos, and keep everything updated. That profile is what shows on Google Maps.