This past weekend, I found myself driving around with a rumbling stomach after running errands all morning. I pulled out my phone hoping to find a quick bite, but after sifting through a jumble of confusing maps, outdated PDF menus, and iffy hours of operation, I ended up back at home, sadly munching on a bowl of cereal. The culprit? A frustratingly common problem: terrible restaurant website design. And trust me, I’m not the only one who’s been scared away from a restaurant because of a bad website.

In fact, 68% of potential customers are put off from trying a restaurant due to a poorly designed website.

That’s exactly why I’m putting together this list of top-notch restaurant website designs to inspire you—whether you’re giving your site a complete makeover, refreshing your brand, or getting ready to open your own place.

But before we dive into the examples, let’s break down why your restaurant website design matters so much. It’s not just about saving my Saturday morning; it’s about growing your business.

Why is your restaurant website design so crucial?

You already know the stats, but here’s a little more food for thought:

• 77% of people check out a restaurant’s website before deciding to dine in or order takeout.
• When ordering online, a customer is more likely to use a restaurant’s website than a platform like Grubhub.
• Even with a working website, 30% of potential diners are turned off by an outdated design.

So, while your menu, social media, and online listings are all key ingredients in your restaurant’s marketing mix, an attractive, user-friendly website is the main course for boosting sales and revenue.

And the importance of a strong online presence is only going to keep growing. It’s no shock that younger generations prefer to interact online, whether it’s choosing website FAQs over phone calls, ordering through a website or app instead of calling, and so on.

In fact, Statista discovered that over 50% of 18-29 year olds ordered food online in April 2020, along with nearly 40% of the 30-49 age group. _

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13 mouthwatering restaurant website design examples

The best website design for your restaurant hinges on your style. Are you aiming for formal or casual? An intimate dining experience or a buzzing brewpub? A food truck or a local chain? Communicating your restaurant’s personality to potential customers is crucial so they know what to expect, and all these factors play a role in shaping your website design. That being said, some elements are essential no matter what.

We’ve gathered 13 restaurant website design examples that nail these essentials, boasting strong branding, intuitive navigation, and much more. Let’s dig in.

1. Mida

Mida is an Italian eatery in Boston’s South End that wows with incredible pasta dishes, a fantastic wine selection, and a vibe that’s, simply put, effortlessly cool. Their website design mirrors this perfectly.

The muted Millennial pink backdrop, the sleek sans serif font, the captivating photograph—all of it comes together to create a cool and inviting feel that makes you want to click and explore, which is exactly what a restaurant aiming to secure reservations and online orders wants.

2. Bennett’s

If you’re thinking eye-catching brand design is only for trendy or high-end spots, take a look at Bennett’s. This sandwich shop, with its roots in Kennebunk, Maine, has expanded to multiple locations across New Hampshire, Maine, and Boston.

Their line-drawn sandwich evokes a sense of nostalgia, while the logo font feels fresh and contemporary. The black-and-white color scheme provides a crisp background for the mouthwatering sandwich photos, with a pop of fun and vibrancy from the yellow accents. Plus, this aesthetic perfectly embodies their beach-town beginnings.

3. Shake Shack

Shake Shack is a big name in the fast-food scene, known for its modern, youthful vibe. Their website color palette mirrors Bennett’s: black and white with a bright, signature green.

Shake Shack’s website also features its menu—a key element that most people visiting the site are looking for—right there on the homepage.

The photos are detailed, showcasing every element of their burgers and sandwiches. Below each item, you’ll find a complete description, including allergen information. This is a great practice, and it’s not just for large chains or franchises. Providing this level of detail is crucial for efficiently and safely serving a wide range of customers, making it easy for anyone with dietary restrictions to quickly identify suitable menu options.

4. Union Square Donuts

When it comes to your restaurant website (and real estate websites too!), one design element is non-negotiable: photos. 45% of people dining out specifically seek out food photos on restaurant websites, and a disappointing 36% are deterred from visiting a restaurant if the food photography doesn’t entice them.

While you don’t need overly fancy or staged shots, the food absolutely has to look irresistible. Let’s see how Union Square Donuts does it.

Pure, delectable, donut-y perfection. Is your website optimized for a strong online presence? Find out in 90 seconds with our Free Website Grader!

5. Founding Farmers

Founding Farmers is a chain of farm-to-table restaurants scattered across the Mid-Atlantic, with its roots in D.C. (hence the charmingly punny name). Fresh, locally sourced ingredients are the stars of the show, with a special emphasis on brunch. What’s more, Founding Farmers is majority farmer-owned, committed to sustainability, and passionate about giving back to the communities it serves.

This people-centric approach takes center stage in their hero section video.

The video beautifully captures the entire dining experience, from start to finish, through the lens of people—a customer stepping through the door, chefs in action cooking and plating, and a server going the extra mile with a takeout order. It’s a powerful way to convey the heart and soul of this local chain to potential patrons.

6. The Lost Kitchen

The Lost Kitchen is a small, exclusive restaurant founded by Erin French that has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. It’s no longer just a restaurant—it encompasses a bed and breakfast, a shop selling handcrafted goods, cookbooks, and even a TV show. The website brilliantly reflects this evolution without losing sight of the brand’s essence.

The soft off-white backgrounds and elegant deep gray fonts. The clean, minimalist design. And note the subtle, rustic photos flanking the brighter, more vibrant shot of Erin French. This keeps the heart of the restaurant, which has now blossomed into a brand, front and center.

7. Giusto

Your restaurant doesn’t need a celebrity chef or its own TV show to highlight what makes it special. Perhaps it’s a unique signature dish, a prime location, or a cherished family tradition. Whatever sets your place apart deserves to be showcased on your website.

Giusto is a prime example of this. This restaurant features a cozy indoor space alongside a spacious, open-air bar and seating area on a deck that offers breathtaking views of Newport, Rhode Island’s harbor. It’s no surprise that this picturesque scene graces their homepage.

8. Pizzeria Beddia

Having a completely unique backstory, location, or focus is fantastic (especially for your about us page). But sometimes, what sets your restaurant apart might be more common: farm-fresh ingredients, a strong local connection, a specialty dish made slowly and by hand.

This still deserves top billing in your restaurant website design.

Here’s a perfect example. Pizzeria Beddia, nestled in the heart of Philadelphia, proudly displays its handcrafted pizzas and the artistry of their creation right on the homepage.

Doesn’t it just look mouthwateringly delicious? And bonus points for the banner announcing their updated hours.

9. Rebel Rebel

If your restaurant has earned accolades or been featured in the press, shout it from the rooftops—or at least from your website. Depending on your brand, this could be a photo, a link, or a badge displayed prominently on your homepage.

Rebel Rebel is a natural wine bar in Somerville, Massachusetts that masterfully shares its achievements without compromising its effortlessly cool, hipster vibe.

Rebel Rebel celebrates its well-deserved James Beard award with a simple banner—acknowledging the achievement while staying true to their understated, effortlessly cool brand.

10. Condesa

Whenever I land on a restaurant website (or any website, for that matter), I’m usually on a mission. I need a menu, hours of operation, social links, or I’m looking to book a reservation. That’s why prioritizing effortless navigation on your site is paramount.

I love how Condesa, a Mexican restaurant in Philadelphia, achieves this without sacrificing visual appeal or making the design feel overly practical.

On the left, a captivating gallery of restaurant photos cycles through, while the right side, splashed with a bold pink, presents all the essential information, including a clear CTA to make a reservation and another to place a takeout order. Simple, effective, and easy on the eyes.

11. Rose Foods

Rose Foods is another great example of a restaurant using vibrant colors to let its brand personality shine through. Situated in Portland, Maine, this eatery is known across the internet as a haven for house-made bagels, delicious sandwiches, and classic Jewish deli delights.

With its focus on timeless classics, Rose Foods embraces retro fonts and playfully kitschy line drawings, incorporating just a sprinkle of photos. And the result? Judging by the long weekend lines snaking out the door of this small shop and their impressive 20k Instagram followers, it’s a recipe for success.

12. Uni

One of the key reasons why nailing your restaurant website design is so important is that it’s often the first impression you make on potential customers. You want to deliver all the crucial information upfront while giving them a taste of what awaits them when they step through your doors.

Here’s a prime example from Uni, an izakaya in the heart of Boston.

The website exudes an air of sleek sophistication, a touch of darkness, intimacy, and a sense of being enjoyably bustling (in the best way possible). And that perfectly captures the essence of Uni’s ambiance.

13. Girl & the Goat

While some restaurants maintain a consistent identity across multiple locations, others have locations with distinct personalities. If your restaurant falls into the latter category, it’s essential to reflect this on your website. Girl & the Goat does an excellent job of this.

Their Los Angeles location boasts a bright and airy interior bathed in natural sunlight with lush greenery. In contrast, the Chicago location embraces a darker, moodier ambiance, characterized by rich wood tones, black accents, and an ornate bar. The website features captivating photos that showcase the unique allure of each location’s ambiance while highlighting the consistently delicious food they both offer.

Ensure your restaurant website design hits all the right notes

Your restaurant’s website is an extension of your overall customer experience, so make the most of it. Your aim should be to offer the same high-quality service online that you do in person, share all the essential information, attract your ideal customers, and begin building those relationships from the moment they click on your site.

The restaurant website design examples we’ve explored offer a treasure trove of inspiration and highlight a few recurring essentials. Here’s a quick recap of the elements you should prioritize to make your restaurant website as effective as possible:

1. Clearly display your location (or locations)
2. Provide easy access to your menu
3. Establish appealing branding
4. Prominently display your contact information
5. Feature high-quality photos
6. Include a clear CTA for reservations
7. Offer an easy way to order online
8. Showcase awards and press mentions