A digital menu is a menu that lives on a web page instead of on paper. Guests open it on their phone, usually by scanning a QR code or tapping a link. Here is what is happening behind that simple experience.
What the guest does
A guest points their phone camera at a QR code on the table, or taps a link they were sent. The menu opens in the phone’s browser. There is normally nothing to install. The guest scrolls through sections, reads descriptions and sees prices and any dietary tags. Some digital menus also let guests order from the same screen. Others are for browsing only.
What the restaurant manages
The restaurant keeps its menu in an online dashboard. Each dish has a name, price and description, and often a photo and dietary tags. When the restaurant changes something, the web page changes. Guests always see the current version, because there is only one.
Where QR codes and links come in
A QR code is just a picture of a web address. Scanning it opens that address. A dynamic QR code points to an address that the restaurant controls, so what it opens can change without the printed code changing. A link does the same job for places where nobody can scan, such as social media or messaging apps.
What makes a digital menu good
- It loads quickly on an ordinary mobile connection.
- It is easy to read on a small screen.
- Prices and dietary information sit next to each dish.
- The restaurant can change it in moments, without help.
What to watch out for
A digital menu is only as good as the information in it. Out-of-date prices or incorrect allergen information are the restaurant’s responsibility, so decide who updates and who checks. Also keep in mind that some guests prefer paper. QR code menus versus printed menus covers how to balance the two.