Menu Layout: A Guide to Restaurant Menu Layout

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A menu is one of the most vital parts of any restaurant business. It not only helps lure customers and diners into trying a restaurant's delicious dishes, but it is can also showcase the restaurant's distinctive style through the menu's design. That is why it is so important that before a restaurant whips out any plain menu for its patrons, they take the time to create the perfect menu layout that uses gorgeous colors, unique designs, and a structure that can grab any customer's attention.

What is a Menu Layout

Did you know that the placement and flow of items on a menu can significantly impact the diners you are trying to attract? In fact, everything about a menu's layout is critical, helping shape whether a customer decides to give your restaurant a try to even what they order.

A restaurant's menu layout not only determines where a customer's eyes go. But when you understand this layout process, you can make sure to select the ideal spot for your most popular items and the ones that produce the highest profit margins, including appetizers, entrées, and dessert.

How to Layout a Restaurant Menu

Now that you understand why the menu layout is so important, the next step is figuring out the ultimate menu layout for your restaurant. Well, according to psychologists and menu engineers, the best restaurant menus incorporate the following:

The Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle refers to the three areas on the menu that people look to first:

• The Top Left Section: Customers tend to look at this spot last, so a restaurant should place the lower cost items in this section, such as the appetizers.
• The Middle Section: The first place most diners look at when examining a menu is right in the middle. That is why it is recommended that restaurants put their limited menu items or their specials in this section.
• The Top Right Section: The second location where diners tend to gravitate towards is the top right section. For these reasons, most restaurants put their entrées or their main dishes in this location.

Colors and Fonts

When trying to figure out the style of a menu, restaurants need to make sure to use fonts and colors that can best showcase a restaurant's theme. For instance, if you are opening up a sports bar, you may want to consider less formal fonts and go with a more playful color scheme. If you are contemplating a Mexican-themed restaurant, you would want your menu to showcase vibrant colors that highlight the cuisine's spicy flavors.

Look To Draw Attention

Sometimes the best way to point out an item is to add some shapes or pictures. Many times French menus use a highlighted box to bring attention to a unique food item. They may also incorporate white or empty space around a category to help draw a customer's eyes towards it. If you are looking for more zest, try adding pictures to add more appeal to the design.

Conclusion

When designing your restaurant's menu, you need to understand that it is more than just printing out a list of food items. It is about letting your restaurant's personality shine through. It is about showcasing the talents of your staff and your kitchen. It is about providing your customer with that mouthwatering dish before they even pick up their fork. Fortunately, with CorelDRAW software, you can create that perfect menu layout and get your restaurant the attention it deserves.