QR Code Menus for Restaurants: Setup and Tips

A QR code menu saves printing costs and makes updates simple, but a badly built one annoys guests. The difference is usually in the details.

Choose what the code opens

• A PDF is the quickest to set up. Keep it small and readable on a phone.
• A mobile-friendly web page is easier to read and easier to update.
• Whichever you choose, the QR code only contains the link, so you can update the file or page without reprinting.

Set it up in four steps

1. Create your menu as a phone-friendly PDF or page.
2. Host it at a public HTTPS address. See how to host a PDF for a QR code.
3. Paste the link into the menu QR code generator and add your logo and colors.
4. Print table cards at 100% size and test them with a couple of phones.

Mistakes that frustrate guests

• A menu PDF that is huge and slow to load on mobile data.
• Tiny text that needs pinching and zooming.
• No printed backup for guests who do not want to use their phone.
• A code that is too small or placed under glare or a candle.
• A broken link after the file is renamed or moved.

Make Wi-Fi easy too

Many guests want Wi-Fi as soon as they sit down. A second code next to the menu removes the question. Read how to make a Wi-Fi QR code sign.

Offer an alternative

Write the menu for small screens

Keep the menu easy to scan with the thumb. Use clear section headings, put prices next to items and avoid wide tables that force sideways scrolling. If you have allergens or dietary labels, make them obvious and consistent.

Where to put the codes

• On a small stand or card on each table, where it is easy to see and reach.
• On the door or window, so people can browse before entering.
• On takeaway bags and packaging, for reorders and the latest specials.

Check that table cards are not under a bright spotlight or a candle, where glare or low light can make scanning harder.