Here are 7 creative tips on how to make a menu for your new restaurant.
72% of people report that they have chosen a restaurant before simply based on a photo.
Now, imagine what kind of power your actual menu has once they’ve walked in the door.
Photos of mouthwatering dishes combined with elegant design themes and the perfect mixture of color psychology.
Here’s how to make a menu that’ll have them coming back for dinner every night of the week.
- Define a Theme
Nobody likes feeling confused when deciding where to eat, and the more defined and clear you are about the kind of food you offer, the easier it will be for customers to make the decision to eat at your restaurant.
Now, this doesn’t mean that you can’t get creative. Even if you want to offer fusion food, you still need to define what exactly you’re selling.
Then, when it comes time to create a restaurant menu using a menu template, you’ll also have a better idea of what kinds of foods you should include.
- Check out Competition
Take a look at other restaurants in the area. What kinds of food do they offer on their menu and how can you make sure you stand out?
Don’t build a menu based on the exact same food that another restaurant across the street offers.
Find unique ways to stand out, whether that’s in the dishes themselves, the ingredients, or even the deals you offer.
- Work with Your Chef
Don’t get too carried away trying to create a menu off of five-star dishes you tried that one time in France.
Speak with your chef about their capabilities and work with them to craft the best options possible.
It’s important to think about the size of your kitchen and the capabilities of your staff. If you’re going to offer 50 different dishes each night they should all be easy to make.
- Understand How Customers Think
Making menus is all about understanding how hungry customers think. Here, you’ll need to understand a little bit about design psychology.
Experts note that one top trick is to place your most popular item just below the most expensive entree. Customers will tend to glance at the most expensive option and then immediately drop their gaze down to whatever’s underneath.
Keep psychology tips like this in mind when writing your menu, and keep the actual design itself simple and clean.
- Hire a Copywriter
Customers are more likely to buy a cheeseburger for $15 if the description of it on the menu makes it sound like the most delectable, juicy burger they’ve ever had in their life.
Don’t discount the need for a top-notch writer when it comes to menu writing. It’s a craft!
Make sure that the descriptions of each dish are easy-to-read (i.e. don’t write them all in French if you live in rural Nebraska) and that they make even you want to try the food.
- Don’t Forget About Design
The design of a menu itself is where you’ll probably spend a good portion of your time. Should you opt for a chalkboard theme or keep it elegant and classy?
The decision is up to you, but you’ll ultimately want to stick with your theme. A chalkboard-style menu for an Asian fusion restaurant just doesn’t go together, for example.
Take color psychology into account even when learning how to make a menu. This is a big part of menu design and can affect the entire view of your restaurant.
- Update According to Feedback
Customers love to feel like you value your opinion. This means that it’s important to constantly seek out feedback from those who dine at your restaurant.
Not only that, but you’ll want to ensure that you’re implementing that feedback, especially when it comes to your menu. If there’s something you can improve, remove, or add, then do it!
This will show your customers that you care about what they have to say and it will ensure that your menu is always up-to-date according to market needs.
Learning How to Make a Menu
If you’re learning how to make a menu and you’re not quite sure where to start, then beginning with these seven tips will help.
However, part of the fun lies in trying multiple recipes and dishes to figure out what tastes best. You never know, you might come up with a completely new dish that becomes your best-seller!
For ideas on brand new dishes, take a look at our recipes section where you’ll find everything from main dishes to sides and even desserts.