QR code menus became common out of necessity and stuck around because they genuinely work well — no reprinting every time a price changes, no sticky laminated menus, and instant access in any language a customer's phone supports.
What should the QR code link to?
Link directly to a hosted webpage or PDF of your menu — not your homepage, and not a social media profile. Customers scanning at the table want the menu in one tap, not a navigation exercise.
Where to place the code
- A small table tent or sticker at eye level, not flat on the table where it catches glare
- Near the entrance for customers deciding whether to sit down
- On takeaway bags and receipts, linking to your online ordering page
Keep the linked page mobile-friendly
A beautifully designed PDF menu is useless if it's slow to load or impossible to read on a phone screen. Test the linked page on your own phone using mobile data (not fast WiFi) before printing any codes.
Update it without reprinting
If your menu changes seasonally, host it at a URL you control (rather than a static file name) so you can swap the content behind the same link without needing new QR codes on every table.
Don't remove the option to ask a human
Keep a few printed menus available for customers who prefer not to use their phone, or who are visiting from abroad without local data — a QR-only menu can unintentionally exclude some guests.