Whether you run a restaurant, cafe, bar or other gastro business, a good menu should be a priority. It is a key part of your overall marketing strategy that not only displays the food, beverages and other products you sell but which reflect the personality of your business. Effective and consistent branding helps you attract more customers and boosts the profitability of your establishment. 

When planning your menu, there are several important things to consider, including the shape, size, finish, type of paper and printer ink. Each of these features impacts how customers interact with your business and may influence spending habits. 

Your menu should be clear and concise, but it must also excite customers and encourage them to return to the restaurant. Before deciding on a design, consider important factors such as your target market, customer behavior, the importance of color, legible fonts and the menu designs of your competitors. 

Important Menu Design Elements

Most graphic designers know how to extract the right information from their clients to create their ideal design. When dealing with something as important as your menu, it’s beneficial to do some research and know what features you’d like to incorporate. To help with preparation, here are some important menu design elements to consider. 

Imagery

Restaurants and bars are fun social settings that are often enjoyed among friends and family. Decide what imagery and visuals you would like, or more importantly, determine what tone you want your imagery to set for your venue. Do you want your menu to appeal to families or is your target audience couples on a romantic date?

Avoid adding too many images, as this can cause clutter. An overly busy menu is distracting, making it difficult for patrons to understand their options and select their food. 

Spacing and Layout

Spacing is a key aspect of design. According to the Golden Triangle Design Theory, people’s eyes are drawn immediately to the menu’s center, followed by the top right, and then the top left. Therefore, restaurants typically place their priority items on the top right-hand side of the menu, limited dishes in the middle and appetizers or sides on the top left. 

Language and Text Volume

Restaurateurs often say that customers eat your words before your food. This refers to the language you use to describe food and drinks. Even choosing to use the word “crispy” rather than “fried” can paint a more appealing picture in the reader’s mind, making them more inclined to order certain dishes. Be mindful of the language you use on your menu, and try to make your dishes sound nourishing and delicious. 

Avoid text-heavy menu designs. These can overwhelm the reader, taking away from the dining experience. Ideally, you should place a maximum of seven or eight options per section on your menu. 

Symbols

Symbols can be used to help readers learn more about the food or drinks quickly. For example, using a special symbol for vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free helps those with special food requirements find suitable meal options at a glance. 

Consider eliminating the use of currency signs on your menu. This takes the focus away from the price and puts more emphasis on the food and drinks. 

Print Materials

The print materials, such as paper and ink, reinforce the branding and ambiance created in the design. Ensure the menu materials are consistent with the venue’s personality and use quality printing supplies, like HP ink cartridges, to guarantee a high-grade finish.

Menu Style Ideas

While there is no right way to design a custom menu, there are some common elements that patrons have come to expect when dining out. Take a look at some of the most fun and exciting menu design styles for your bar or restaurant. 

1. Newspaper-Inspired Design

A newspaper-inspired design is a quirky, alternative way to set out your menu. The black and white traditional coloring is easy on the eyes and familiar to the reader, making the menu intuitive. 

Minimal graphics and the grid layout allow you to emphasize certain sections, such as “2 For 1 Cocktails” or “Daily Specials.” This menu type is perfect for an old-school cafe, snug cocktail bar or traditional pub. 

2. Minimalist Retro 

A plain white minimalist menu with carefully selected fonts and typography is an excellent option for a la carte dining restaurants, boutique cafes and experimental eateries. 

A minimalist menu style allows readers to scan the available options without feeling overwhelmed or confused. Retro fonts, such as Baskerville, Lavenda and Chambord, give this design style an understated charm.

3. Sophisticated Booklet

A booklet design is a great choice if your menu selection is extensive. It allows you to display all dishes and drinks without crowding the pages. With a booklet menu, you’ll want to choose high-quality paper and an aesthetically pleasing binding option. Opt for thick, coated paper or laminate the pages to ensure they don’t become stained or wet. 

The type of establishment influences what type of binding suits the restaurant’s atmosphere. While Carlton style ring binding is more casual (suitable for a BBQ family restaurant), Tucson style screw and post binding or Carson style elastic binding are better for an upscale venue. 

4. Single Fold

A single fold menu is a budget-friendly design to produce but still has an upscale look. Single fold menus also allow you to incorporate branding or imagery on the front cover while neatly displaying your food and beverage options on the two inside panels. 

Whether you want to promote your social media channels or raise brand awareness, a well-designed front cover can be very effective, giving customers an immediate impression of your restaurant. 

5. Placemat Style

Placemat style menus are usually disposable since they remain on the table during the meal. These menus don’t need to be fancy, but their design should be consistent with the restaurant style. Placemat menus are an ideal choice for no-frills establishments where cleanup between patrons needs to happen quickly. They’re also a great option for printing kids’ menus, allowing children to color on part of the menu while their parents review the food options available. 

Get Customers Talking About Your Menu

A well-designed and carefully thought-out menu can get customers in the door and attract new clientele to your bar or restaurant. Consider what your menu style says about your venue and what kind of first impression you want to make on customers when they sit down at their table. 

Whether you run a small cafe on the street corner or a nationwide chain of steakhouses, use your menu to get customers talking and benefit your business.