What makes a good website for a restaurant

Your website is often the first host greeting a guest. In 2026 diners expect speed, clarity, and proof before they pick a table. Use the guidance below to meet modern standards and turn more visits into reservations or orders.

The modern baseline

• Loads fast on mobile and meets Core Web Vitals
• Clear primary actions above the fold, like Reserve, Order online, and Call
• Accurate hours, address, parking notes, and accessibility details
• High quality photography that matches the in person experience
• Trust signals like reviews, awards, and press mentions

Essential pages and information

• Menu page with pricing, dietary labels, and seasonal updates
• Reservations or online ordering with minimal steps
• Contact page with tap to call, directions, and map embed
• About page with the story, chef, and values
• Events, catering, or private dining if you offer them
• Gift cards and loyalty details if available

Build a menu that ranks and sells

Search engines can read HTML menus. PDFs are harder to index and painful on mobile. Publish your menu in HTML and keep it structured.

• Use clear section headings and consistent item names
• Add prices and modifiers in plain text
• Include dietary tags like gluten free or vegetarian
• Highlight high margin or signature items
• Add structured data like schema.org/Menu

Mobile first UX that converts

Most guests find you on a phone. Make key actions reachable in one tap.

• Use a sticky button for reservations or ordering
• Add click to call and one tap directions
• Keep forms short and avoid forced account creation
• Avoid intrusive popups that block the menu

Local SEO that gets found nearby

Restaurant searches are local. Strong local signals help you show up first.

• Keep NAP (name, address, phone) consistent everywhere
• Fully complete your Google Business Profile
• Encourage reviews and respond to them regularly
• Use neighborhood and cuisine keywords in headings
• Add schema.org/Restaurant markup

Performance, accessibility, and trust

• Serve the site over HTTPS and keep plugins updated
• Compress images and lazy load below the fold media
• Meet basic accessibility: contrast, alt text, and keyboard support
• Include allergen info and a clear privacy policy

Content that builds appetite and credibility

• Feature signature dishes, interior shots, and short videos
• Share your origin story and what makes you different
• Show testimonials, press quotes, or chef credentials
• Highlight specials, events, and seasonal menus

Measure and keep it fresh

Modern sites improve over time. Track what matters and update often.

• Measure reservations, orders, and calls in analytics
• Refresh hours, menus, and photos at least monthly
• Test different calls to action on the homepage

Quick checklist before you publish

• Menu is readable on mobile without zooming
• Reservation or ordering flow works in under a minute
• Hours, address, and phone are correct everywhere
• Pages load in a few seconds on a slow connection
• Photos are compressed and have descriptive alt text
• Local keywords appear naturally in headings