What should a small restaurant website include?

Start with the questions guests ask

Give visitors the information they need to decide whether and how to visit. Use the details of your actual business, and keep them consistent wherever you publish them.

• Menu: current dishes, descriptions and prices, grouped into useful categories.
• Hours: normal opening times and a clear way to communicate holiday or temporary changes.
• Location: the correct address, plus useful entrance, parking or accessibility information you can verify.
• Contact: a working phone number or email and the right contact route for different requests.
• Next step: an obvious way to order, reserve or plan a visit, when those options are available.

Make the menu readable on a phone

Put the main menu in selectable webpage text. A downloadable PDF can be an additional option; it should not be the only way to read the menu.

• Use clear headings for food categories and keep dish names, descriptions and prices together.
• Avoid making visitors zoom into a photographed menu or scroll sideways to read a price.
• Use only dietary or allergen information the business has checked, and provide a contact route for questions.
• Decide who updates the menu when dishes, availability or prices change.

Connect the ordering and booking tools you have

A website can direct guests to an existing ordering or reservation platform. A link to another service and a custom transaction system are different pieces of work.

• Use a label such as “Order for pickup” or “Reserve a table” that matches the destination.
• Check that the link opens the correct business or location and works on a phone.
• Agree separately on embeds, integrations, payments or custom booking features; confirm platform access and any ongoing fees.

Check the route from a phone to a visit

Review the website as a guest who has not seen it before. A useful mobile page makes the next action clear without needing an explanation.

• Open the menu, hours, location and contact details from the homepage.
• Try links and controls with a finger and with keyboard navigation.
• Check that text stays readable and content fits without sideways scrolling.
• Use photos you have permission to publish, sized for the page, with useful alternative text where appropriate.

Prepare a small content pack for your designer

One organized set of materials helps make the scope concrete. Mark anything missing so it can be discussed before work is agreed.

• Business name, short introduction, logo files and any existing brand guidance.
• A current menu or service list, opening hours, address and public contact details.
• Approved photos and permission to use them; note which food or space each photo shows.
• Your current website address, ordering or booking links and a few reference websites with reasons you like them.
• Your goals, required pages, needed languages and who will approve content and future updates. Discuss account access through a suitable secure route; do not email passwords.

A few practical questions.

Put the plan into practice.

Websites for restaurants, cafés and other small businesses in North America. Choose a monthly plan with hosting or a clearly scoped one-time project.