Menu design

8 Menu Design Tips That Actually Increase Orders

A menu is a sales tool, not just a price list. Small layout and wording decisions measurably change what guests order. Here are eight practical changes you can make to any digital menu.

1. Drop the dollar signs

Studies on menu psychology consistently find that removing currency symbols reduces the guest's mental association with "spending," leading to slightly higher average order values. Try "18" instead of "$18.00."

2. Don't align prices in a straight column

A vertical column of prices invites guests to scan top-to-bottom by price and pick the cheapest option. Keep prices close to the item description instead of a far-right column with dotted leaders.

3. Put your highest-margin items where eyes land first

On a digital menu, that's typically the first 1–2 items in each category, and anything you can pin or feature at the top. Use that space for dishes with strong margins, not just alphabetical order.

4. Use short, sensory descriptions

"Charred Octopus, smoked paprika, lemon" sells better than "Octopus." Two to five descriptive words that reference texture, origin, or preparation method consistently outperform bare item names.

5. Photograph selectively, not everything

Photographing every item can make a menu look like a fast-food board and cheapens perceived quality. Reserve photography for 3–5 dishes you most want to sell — usually appetizers and signature entrees.

6. Group by how guests decide, not just category

Beyond "Starters" and "Mains," consider a "Chef's Picks" or "Most Popular" section. It gives undecided guests a fast, low-friction path to ordering — especially useful on a phone screen.

7. Keep category lists short on mobile

A phone screen shows far less at once than a printed page. Long, unbroken lists cause guests to skim and miss items. Use clear category breaks and, where possible, expandable sections so the first screen isn't overwhelming.

8. Update seasonal items promptly

A digital menu's biggest design advantage is that these changes cost nothing to make. Rotate seasonal specials and remove out-of-season items regularly — a stale menu undermines trust even if the food is great.

Putting it into practice

All three OpenQRMenu templates — Minimal, Elegant, and Bold — support featured items, custom photography placement, and instant edits, so you can apply these changes without touching a design tool.