As we approach 2023, having a strong online presence is more important than ever for businesses. For restaurants, this means having a website that not only showcases their menu and dining experience but also entices potential customers to make a reservation or place an order. In this article, we will explore the key elements of a great restaurant website and provide examples of successful restaurant website designs.

Brand and Site Design

The first impression that a restaurant's website makes on site visitors is crucial. The site's design should reflect the brand's personality and style. This includes color schemes, font choices, and the use of imagery throughout the site. A hero image, or large banner image, can be used to showcase mouth-watering food photography or the restaurant's dining space.

Navigation is also an important aspect of site design. The navigation menu should be intuitive and easy to navigate, with clear calls to action such as Make a Reservation or Order Online. Contact information should be prominently displayed, typically in the top right corner of the site.

Menu and Layout 

The menu is one of the most important aspects of a restaurant's website. It should be easy to find and navigate, with clear descriptions and pricing for each item. Lunch and dinner menus should be separated for ease of use.

The layout of the website should be clean and easy to read. A left-hand navigation bar can be used to showcase additional features such as gift cards or FAQs. Placing calls to action right underneath menu items can encourage site visitors to place orders or make reservations.

User Experience 

The user experience on a restaurant's website is crucial in enticing potential customers to visit the restaurant in person. The site should be mobile-friendly, with easy-to-use navigation and a clear layout. Online ordering and reservation features should be easy to find and use.

Animation can be used sparingly to add interest to the site, but it should not detract from the user experience. The site should also load quickly, with minimal use of large files or videos that could slow down the site's performance.

Additional Features 

Many restaurants choose to include additional features on their website to enhance the customer experience. This can include a wine list, information about the head chef, or details about the restaurant's history and philosophy.

Creating a custom template for the website can help to reinforce the brand's personality and style. Clickable icons or buttons can be used to showcase popular dishes or promotions. Calls to action throughout the site can encourage site visitors to make reservations or place orders.

Restaurant Website Design Examples

Now that we've explored the key elements of a successful restaurant website design, let's take a look at some examples of great restaurant websites:

BentoBox 

BentoBox is a website design platform specifically designed for restaurants. Their own website showcases their expertise in creating effective restaurant websites. The homepage features a hero image of mouth-watering food photography, with clear calls to action for online ordering and reservations. The navigation menu is intuitive and easy to use, with additional features such as gift cards and FAQs located in a left-hand navigation bar.

Disco Cheetah

Disco Cheetah is a Korean grill food truck based in Seattle. Their website features bold colors and playful animation that reflects their fun personality. The homepage features a hero image of their food truck, with clear calls to action for online ordering and booking events. The menu is easy to navigate, with clear descriptions and pricing for each item.

Brasserie 

Brasserie is a French cuisine restaurant located in New York City. Their website features a clean and elegant design that reflects their sophisticated brand. The homepage features a hero image of their dining space, with clear calls to action for making reservations. The menu is easy to navigate, with separate lunch and dinner menus and clear descriptions for each item.

Pastaria 

Pastaria is an Italian restaurant located in St. Louis. Their website features beautiful food photography and an intuitive navigation menu. The homepage features a hero image of their pasta dishes, with clear calls to action for making reservations and ordering takeout. The menu is easy to navigate, with separate lunch and dinner menus and clear descriptions for each item.

Conclusion

A great restaurant website can make all the difference in attracting potential customers and creating a memorable dining experience. By incorporating key elements such as an intuitive navigation menu, mouth-watering food photography, and clear calls to action, restaurants can create an effective website that showcases their brand and entices customers to make a reservation or place an order.