How to make a QR code menu for your restaurant

Why restaurants use QR menus

A QR code menu lets guests open your menu on their own phone by pointing the camera at a code on the table, the door or the counter. It became common during the pandemic and stayed because it solves real problems: menus are no longer shared between guests, you can fix a price or mark a dish as sold out instantly, and you stop paying to reprint laminated menus every time something changes.

The main trade-off is that guests need a phone and a signal. Keep a few printed menus for guests who prefer paper, and make sure the page loads quickly on a weak mobile connection.

Choose what the code points to

You have three realistic options:

A PDF of your existing menu. Fastest to set up, but PDFs can be slow and awkward to read on a small screen, and large files are slow on mobile data.
A link to a menu page on your own website. Good if you already have one that is mobile-friendly.
A hosted digital menu page. QRinst can create a mobile menu page with sections, prices and badges, and the QR code points to it. You edit the menu later and the printed code keeps working.

Use a dynamic code

A static QR code has the destination baked into the pattern, so changing the link means reprinting every table card. A dynamic code points to a short redirect address that you can re-point at any time. For a menu, which changes with the seasons, dynamic is almost always the right choice. See static vs dynamic QR codes for the full comparison.

Design and print it well

Print table codes at least 3 × 3 cm and keep a clear margin around them. See our print size guide.
Use a dark code on a light background, and add a short call to action such as “Scan to see the menu”.
Choose matte stock or a matte laminate; glossy surfaces under restaurant lighting cause glare.
Use sturdy materials. Table codes get wiped, splashed and handled constantly.

Where to place the code

Put a code on every table so nobody has to walk to the counter, and another at the entrance or window for people deciding whether to come in. Add one to takeaway bags and flyers if you take orders by phone. Place codes where guests can scan without moving plates or glasses, and at an angle that doesn't reflect ceiling lights.

Test before you print

Scan the code on an iPhone and an Android phone, on mobile data as well as Wi-Fi, and check the result is readable without zooming. Run the image through the QR checker to catch contrast and margin problems, then print one proof and test it in the actual room lighting before ordering a full set.

Keep the menu accurate

A stale menu is worse than none. Review prices and availability regularly, and remember that in many places prices, allergens and calorie information shown online must match what you serve. Ready to start? Create your code with the QRinst generator.