In this article, we present 25 types of menus with examples divided into three categories: ways items are sold, food categories, and ways of display.
Key takeaways
- Offering a variety of menu types in your restaurant can cater to diverse customer preferences and enhance the dining experience.
- Utilize menu formats like cycle menus, prix fixe menus, and tasting menus to introduce variety and showcase your chef’s talents.
- Create children’s menus and dessert menus to attract families and offer a more comprehensive dining experience.
- Use menu engineering techniques to design a menu that increases sales and profit margins.
- Always provide a QR code menu to enable customers to access the menu online.
- Create an online menu using restaurant menu templates to start selling online (with your own food ordering system).
- Consider various ways to display your menu, such as sandwich boards, menu boards, and tabletop tent menus, to increase visibility and attract potential customers.
- Utilize menu management software for easy menu maintenance and updates.
- Avoid menu translation mistakes.
What is a restaurant menu?
A restaurant menu is a list of food and beverage options available at a restaurant.
It typically includes a wide range of items such as appetizers, entrees, side dishes, desserts, and beverages, along with descriptions, pricing information, and dietary information.
Restaurant menus may also feature seasonal or specialty items, and can be presented in a variety of formats, such as printed menus, digital menus, or chalkboards.
Why is it important to create different types of menus in restaurants?
Creating different types of menus in a restaurant is important for several reasons:
- Increasing revenue: By offering different menus, a restaurant can appeal to different customer groups and generate additional revenue. For example, a well-designed kids menu can attract families with young children, while a brunch menu can appeal to customers looking for a weekend treat.
- Showcasing specialties: A restaurant may have a particular cuisine, ingredient, or theme that it wants to highlight. By creating a special menu that emphasizes these specialties, a restaurant can set itself apart from the competition and showcase its unique offerings.
- Offering variety: Customers appreciate variety and may be more likely to return to a restaurant that offers different menus with new and exciting options. By changing up the menu seasonally or introducing new menus periodically, a restaurant can keep things fresh and interesting for its customers.
Overall, creating different types of menus can help a restaurant meet the needs and preferences of its customers, increase revenue, showcase specialties, and offer variety.
Types of menus based on ways of display
1. QR Code Menu
A QR code menu is a digital restaurant menu that customers can access by scanning a QR code with their smartphone.
Why it is important to create a QR code menu?
It allows for contactless ordering, which is the most convenient way for customers to view the menu, reducing the need for physical menus and improving hygiene. Also decrease labor costs.
Ideal for:
All types of restaurants with dine-in area
2. Online Menu (Online Food Ordering System)
An online menu is a digital version of the restaurant’s menu, typically found on the restaurant’s website with restaurant online ordering system.
Why it is important to create an online menu (online store)?
It allows customers to view the menu and place orders from the comfort of their home or office, increasing the restaurant’s reach and potential revenue.
Ideal for:
Restaurants looking to expand their online presence, attract more customers, and increase sales.
3. Paper Menu (In Menu Covers)
A paper menu is a physical menu printed on paper, often presented to customers in a menu cover or holder.
Why it is important to create a paper menu (in menu covers)?
It provides a tangible and traditional way for customers to view the menu, adding a sense of familiarity and comfort to the dining experience.
Ideal for:
All types of restaurants, from casual to fine dining.
4. Menu Holder
A menu holder is a stand or holder designed to display paper menus, making them easily accessible and visible to customers.
Why it is important to create a menu holder?
It keeps menus organized and easy to find, improving the overall customer experience.
Ideal for:
All restaurants, cafes, and bars that use paper menus.
5. Displayette (Tabletop Tent Menus)
Displayettes, also known as tabletop tent menus, are small, freestanding menu displays placed on tables, showcasing daily specials or featured items.
Why it is important to create displayettes (Tabletop Tent Menus)?
It highlights specific dishes or promotions, encouraging customers to try new items or take advantage of special offers.
Ideal for:
Casual dining establishments, bars, and cafes looking to promote featured items or daily specials.
6. Menu Sign (Menu Board)
A menu sign, or menu board, is a large display that showcases the restaurant’s menu, often placed near the entrance or above the counter.
Why it is important to create a menu sign (menu board)?
It provides an at-a-glance overview of the restaurant’s offerings, helping customers make their decisions quickly and efficiently.
Ideal for:
Fast food establishments, quick-service restaurants, and cafes with counter service.
7. Disposable Menus
Disposable menus are single-use paper menus that are discarded after each use, reducing the risk of cross-contamination and improving hygiene.
Why it is important to create disposable menus?
It promotes cleanliness and safety, especially in situations where the risk of transmission is a concern, such as during a pandemic.
Ideal for:
Restaurants looking to improve hygiene, establishments with high customer turnover, and businesses operating during public health crises.
8. Sandwich Boards
Sandwich boards are portable, freestanding signs placed outside the restaurant, often used to display daily specials or promotional offers.
Why it is important to create sandwich boards?
It attracts passersby, increasing restaurant foot traffic and enticing potential customers to enter the establishment.
Ideal for:
Restaurants, cafes, and bars located in busy areas with high foot traffic, such as shopping centers or city streets.
Types of restaurant menus based on the ways items are sold
9. A la carte menu
An a la carte menu allows customers to order individual dishes from a range of choices, with each dish priced separately.
Examples of items commonly found on an a la carte menu:
appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts.
Why it is important to create an a la carte menu?
It gives customers the flexibility to choose what they want, helping to cater to individual tastes and preferences.
Ideal for:
Fine dining restaurants, casual dining restaurants, and cafes.
10. Static menu
A static menu is a fixed menu that remains unchanged for a long period, offering a consistent selection of dishes.
Examples of items commonly found in a static menu:
signature dishes, specialty entrees, and house favorites.
Why it is important to create a static menu?
It allows for consistency in quality and presentation, making it easier for the kitchen to perfect the dishes and manage inventory.
Ideal for:
Fast-food restaurants, diners, and establishments with a strong brand identity.
11. Du jour menu (daily menu)
A du jour menu changes daily, offering a variety of dishes based on the availability of ingredients and chef’s preferences.
Examples of items commonly found in du jour menu:
Daily specials, seasonal dishes, and chef’s creations.
Why it is important to create a du jour menu?
It keeps the menu fresh and exciting, encouraging repeat visits and allowing the chef to showcase their creativity.
Ideal for:
Fine dining restaurants, farm-to-table establishments, and bistros.
12. Cycle menu
A cycle menu is a series of menus that rotate after a specific period, such as weekly or monthly.
Examples of items commonly found in cycle menu:
rotating entrees, seasonal dishes, and regional specialties.
Why it is important to create a cycle menu?
It offers variety while still allowing for consistency and efficient inventory management.
Ideal for:
Restaurants with a focus on seasonal ingredients.
13. Fixed menu
A fixed menu offers a limited selection of dishes that do not change.
Examples of items commonly found in fixed menu:
set meals or combos.
Why it is important to create a fixed menu?
It simplifies decision-making for customers and streamlines kitchen operations.
Ideal for:
Fast-food establishments and quick-service restaurants.
14. Prix fixe menu
A prix fixe menu offers a set number of courses for a fixed price, allowing customers to choose from a limited selection of options for each course.
Examples of items commonly found in prix fixe menu:
appetizer, entree, and dessert options.
Why it is important to create a prix fixe menu?
It provides a complete dining experience at a predictable cost, encouraging customers to try multiple dishes.
Ideal for:
Fine dining restaurants, special occasions, and themed events.
15. Tasting menu
A tasting menu is a multi-course dining experience where the chef curates a selection of small dishes, showcasing their culinary skills and creativity.
Examples of items commonly found in tasting menu:
unique flavor combinations, seasonal ingredients, and innovative presentations.
Why it is important to create a tasting menu?
It offers a unique and memorable dining experience, allowing the chef to showcase their talents and giving customers the opportunity to explore new flavors and dishes.
Ideal for:
Fine dining restaurants, chef-driven establishments, and special occasions.
Types of restaurant menus based on food categories
16. Main menu
The main menu includes all the primary dishes and courses offered by the restaurant, excluding beverages and desserts.
Examples of items commonly found on a main menu:
appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and side dishes.
Why it is important to create a main menu?
It showcases the restaurant’s main offerings and helps customers navigate the dining experience.
Ideal for:
All types of restaurants, from casual to fine dining.
17. Children’s menu (Kids Menu)
A children’s menu offers smaller portions and kid-friendly dishes, catering to the tastes and preferences of younger diners.
Examples of items commonly found on a kids menu:
chicken fingers, mac and cheese, mini burgers, and fruit cups.
Why it is important to create a kids menu?
It appeals to families, making the restaurant more inclusive and accommodating to guests with children.
Ideal for:
Family-friendly restaurants, casual dining establishments, and theme parks.
18. Wine Menu
A wine menu is a curated list of wines offered by the restaurant, often categorized by varietal, region, or style.
Examples of items commonly found in wine menu:
red wines, white wines, sparkling wines, and dessert wines.
Why it is important to create a wine menu?
It enhances the dining experience, offering guests a selection of wines that complement the food and cater to various preferences.
Ideal for:
Fine dining restaurants, wine bars, and establishments with a focus on food and wine pairings.
19. Beverage menu (Drinks menu)
A beverage menu lists the non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks available at the restaurant, including cocktails, beers, and soft drinks.
Examples of items commonly found in beverage menu:
sodas, juices, cocktails, beers, and coffee.
Why it is important to create a beverage menu?
It completes the dining experience, providing guests with a range of drink options to enjoy alongside their meal. Increase profit margin.
Ideal for:
Bars, pubs, and restaurants of all types.
20. Vegetarian Menu
A vegetarian menu offers dishes made without meat, fish, or poultry, catering to guests who follow a vegetarian diet or prefer meat-free options.
Examples of items commonly found in vegetarian menu:
vegetable-based entrees, plant-based protein dishes, and meatless pasta dishes.
Why it is important to create a vegetarian menu?
It appeals to a wider audience, accommodating dietary preferences and making the restaurant more inclusive.
Ideal for:
Health-focused restaurants, cafes, and establishments looking to cater to diverse dietary needs.
21. Dessert menu
A dessert menu features sweet dishes and treats, typically served after the main course.
Examples of items commonly found in dessert menu:
cakes, pies, ice cream, and fruit-based desserts.
Why it is important to create a dessert menu?
It enhances the overall dining experience, providing guests with a satisfying end to their meal.
Ideal for:
All types of restaurants, bakeries, and cafes.
22. Gluten-Free Menu
A gluten-free menu offers dishes made without wheat, barley, or rye, catering to guests with gluten sensitivities or those following a gluten-free diet.
Examples of items commonly found in gluten-free menu:
gluten-free pasta dishes, grain-based salads, and gluten-free baked goods.
Why it is important to create a gluten-free menu?
It caters to a growing demand for gluten-free options, making the restaurant more accommodating to guests with dietary restrictions.
Ideal for:
Health-focused restaurants, cafes, and establishments looking to cater to diverse dietary needs.
23. Brunch Menu (Lunch Menu)
A brunch menu offers a selection of breakfast and lunch dishes, typically served during late morning and early afternoon hours.
Examples of items commonly found in brunch menu:
omelettes, sandwiches, salads, and pastries.
Why it is important to create a brunch menu?
It caters to a specific dining occasion, attracting customers who prefer a combination of breakfast and lunch offerings.
Ideal for:
Cafes, bistros, and restaurants that serve breakfast and lunch.
24. Takeout Menu
A takeout menu features dishes that are available for customers to order and take away from the restaurant, rather than dining in.
Examples of items commonly found in takeout menu:
sandwiches, salads, entrees, and sides.
Why it is important to create a takeout menu?
It expands the restaurant’s customer base, catering to those who prefer to eat at home or on the go.
Ideal for:
Fast food establishments, quick-service restaurants, and casual dining establishments.
25. Catering Menu (Delivery Only Menu)
A catering menu offers a selection of dishes specifically designed for off-site events, such as parties, weddings, or corporate functions.
Examples of items commonly found in catering menu:
party platters, buffet items, and finger foods.
Why it is important to create a catering menu?
It expands the restaurant’s services, opening up new revenue streams and reaching customers who require food for special events.
Ideal for:
Restaurants with a focus on catering, event venues, and establishments looking to grow their business through off-site services.
