- What To Look For In Restaurant Menu Design Software?
- Orders.co – Best For Managing Menus And Online Orders In One Place
- Canva & iMenuPro – Best Lightweight Tools For Simple Menu Design
- MustHaveMenus & MENU TIGER – Best For Design And Digital Dining
- Comparison Table: Which Restaurant Menu Design Software Is Right For You?
- Tips To Get More Out Of Your Restaurant Menu Design Software
- Choose Smarter Tools To Keep Your Menu And Orders Flowing
- FAQ
Your menu is often the first thing customers see, online or in person.
Most people will look at your menu before placing an order, so having a clear, easy-to-read, and well-organized digital menu is essential.
The right restaurant menu design software can help you keep your menu updated across your website and delivery platforms without needing design experience or extra help.
Whether you run a single location or multiple branches, it’s a simple way to present your food in the best light and avoid common menu mistakes that lead to lost sales.
This article will discuss five options for the best menu design software available today. Each one offers something unique, depending on your needs.
We’ll also show how Orders.co stands out by making it easier to manage menus for restaurants that use third-party platforms and want better control over pricing, item availability, and updates.
Key Takeaways
- Your menu is one of the most important tools to drive online orders.
- Restaurant menu design software helps keep menus accurate and up to date across all platforms.
- Orders.co is ideal for restaurants that want one system to manage menus, orders, pricing, and customer feedback.
- Canva and iMenuPro are good for basic or print-focused menu needs.
- MustHaveMenus is great for designing branded marketing materials and printed menus.
- MENU TIGER works well for restaurants offering QR code access and simple in-house ordering.
- Look for features like POS integration, real-time syncing, mobile optimization, and analytics when choosing a tool.
- AI-driven features in Orders.co save time and improve menu accuracy, descriptions, and pricing decisions.
- Avoid using multiple tools that don’t connect—one all-in-one system reduces confusion and errors.
What To Look For In Restaurant Menu Design Software?
Not all restaurant menu design software is built the same. You need more than a good-looking menu if you’re a restaurant owner juggling online orders, in-house service, and multiple delivery apps.
You need a tool that helps you stay organized, update your menu fast, and serve your customers accurately, every time.
Here are the most important features to look for when choosing the right menu design software for your business:
✅ Easy-to-Use Templates
Look for platforms with ready-to-use templates that don’t require graphic design skills. This is especially useful if you want to quickly create or adjust menus for restaurants across digital and print.
✅ Real-Time Updates
Your menu should reflect your current inventory. If you run out of an item, you should be able to unpublish it from your digital menus immediately across your website and third-party delivery apps.
✅ Platform Syncing
Make sure the software can sync menu updates across all your online channels; your website, delivery apps, and social platforms. This avoids inconsistencies and reduces mistakes during peak hours.
✅ Custom Pricing by Platform
The best tools let you set different prices for different platforms. This is useful if you want to adjust pricing based on commission structures or delivery costs.
✅ POS Integration
A menu tool that connects with your POS saves time and cuts down errors. Orders go straight from the menu to your system, and sales data stays accurate.
✅ Analytics and Reporting
Tracking your top-selling items, slow movers, and best-performing platforms helps you make better decisions. Software with built-in reporting is a major plus.
✅ Mobile Optimization
Your menu needs to look great on phones and tablets, since that’s where most orders are placed. A mobile-friendly experience makes ordering easier and increases your chances of repeat business.
Also, read:
- 10 Best Restaurant Online Food Ordering Systems For Seamless Restaurant Operations
- 11 Advantages Of An Online Food Ordering System For Your Restaurant
- Online Ordering System For Restaurants: How Does It Work?
- 9 Top Restaurant Trends To Keep Up For The Next Decade
- How Can The Right Online Ordering System Multiply Your Restaurant’s Delivery Success?
- 4 Effective Delivery App Strategies That Will Help Your Food Truck Succeed
1. Orders.co – Best For Managing Menus And Online Orders In One Place
If you’re looking for restaurant menu design software that doesn’t just look good but helps your business run better, Orders.co is a strong choice.
Orders.co’s Master Menu feature is built specifically for restaurant owners who want to keep their digital menus updated, accurate, and connected across every sales channel, from their own website to delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub.
Key Features:
- Real-Time Menu Syncing: Update your menu once and push changes to all platforms—no double entry, no errors.
- AI-Powered Menu Editing: Automatically generate clear, appetizing descriptions just by entering your ingredients.
- Custom Pricing by Platform: Set different prices for each platform to manage your margins without manual work.
- POS Integration: Works with over 30 POS systems, so all your orders and updates stay in sync.
- Performance Tracking: Know what’s selling, what’s not, and when to make changes—right from your dashboard.
- Mobile Optimization and QR Menus: Easy to use on any device and supports QR-based in-house ordering for dine-in guests.
- Printing Materials: You can easily print your digital menu and use it for a well-optimized dine-in ordering experience.
Best For: Restaurant owners who want one system to manage menus, online orders, pricing, and reporting. Whether you’re a single-location spot or a growing brand, Orders.co helps you keep things simple and accurate.
Want to see it in action? Book a free demo and find out how much time and effort it can save you.
Canva & iMenuPro – Best Lightweight Tools For Simple Menu Design
If your priority is creating attractive menus without tech flexibility, Canva and iMenuPro offer straightforward options.
Canva – Best Free Option for Custom Visual Menus
Canva is a general-purpose design tool that includes hundreds of customizable menu templates.
It’s a solid choice if you’re comfortable with drag-and-drop editing and need a good-looking menu quickly.
Highlights:
- Free and paid plans available
- Huge library of fonts, icons, and images
- Great for social media, website visuals, and print menus
- No menu-specific features like POS syncing or price updates
iMenuPro – Best for Print-First Restaurants
iMenuPro focuses on printable menus for restaurants that don’t rely on delivery apps. It’s simple to use and offers classic layout options, but lacks integrations and real-time update features.
Highlights:
- No learning curve
- Simple WYSIWYG editor
- Clean print formatting for takeout or dine-in
- Not suited for restaurants needing dynamic or digital menus
Best For:
- Canva: Restaurants on a budget or looking to build marketing visuals alongside menus.
- iMenuPro: Traditional, print-focused businesses that rarely change their menu and prefer offline tools.
MustHaveMenus & MENU TIGER – Best For Design And Digital Dining
These two tools serve different needs but are both popular choices for restaurant owners looking to improve their menu presentation, visually or through digital ordering.
MustHaveMenus – Best for Branded Print and Marketing Menus
MustHaveMenus is ideal for restaurants that want professionally designed digital and printed menu templates. You can also create marketing materials like flyers and social posts that match your brand.
Use MustHaveMenus if you:
- Want to design visually polished menus and promotional materials
- Need quick access to templates for dine-in, takeout, and seasonal specials
- Prefer easy customization without needing graphic design skills
It’s an excellent option for focusing on presentation and print, not back-end order management or POS syncing.
MENU TIGER – Best for Contactless QR Menus and Digital Ordering
MENU TIGER is made for digital-first restaurants offering QR code menus and table-side ordering.
It includes built-in features for multilingual menus and real-time updates, making it useful for modern dining formats.
Use MENU TIGER if you:
- Want to offer QR code access to your menu for dine-in guests
- Need basic online ordering tools without full third-party integration
- Run a ghost kitchen, food court stall, or limited-service model
While it’s not a full-service platform, it offers a quick way to get your digital menus up and running.
Comparison Table: Which Restaurant Menu Design Software Is Right For You?
| Feature | Orders.co | MustHaveMenus | Canva | iMenuPro | MENU TIGER |
| Built for Restaurants | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Template Library | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Real-Time Menu Sync | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| POS Integration | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Custom Pricing Per Platform | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Online Ordering | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| QR Code Support | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Menu Analytics & Reporting | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Best For | Full-service management | Visual menu design | Budget-friendly graphics | Simple print menus | Contactless in-dining |
Tips To Get More Out Of Your Restaurant Menu Design Software
Once you choose the right restaurant menu design software, minor adjustments in how you use it can lead to better customer experiences and higher online order volume.
- Place your top-selling or high-margin items where people look first. Most diners scan menus in an “F” or “Z” pattern. Use that knowledge to guide placement.
- Keep item descriptions clear and straightforward. Focus on ingredients and preparation—make it easy for customers to decide quickly.
- Push updates across platforms as soon as items change. This avoids order issues and ensures customers only see what’s currently available.
- If your software supports QR menus for dine-in, offer them. They help speed up service, especially during busy hours.
- Use reporting tools to track which dishes perform best. Then, based on actual results, adjust pricing, placement, or even the items themselves.
- When possible, customize your menu by platform. You can set different prices or highlight certain items to align with your strategy on each channel.
Making small, smart improvements using these tools can significantly impact customers’ interactions with your menu and their order frequency.
Choose Smarter Tools To Keep Your Menu And Orders Flowing
Your menu isn’t just a list of dishes—it’s a key part of how your restaurant connects with customers and drives sales. Choosing the right restaurant menu design software helps keep things simple, accurate, and up-to-date.
Orders.co uses AI-powered tools to speed up menu updates, improve item descriptions, and recommend pricing adjustments based on performance. It’s designed to simplify day-to-day operations while giving you complete control over your digital presence and customer experience.
Restaurant Online Orders Management
Manage all your third-party and direct orders in one place. The restaurant’s online orders management feature eliminates the need for multiple tablets by syncing platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. It helps staff process orders faster and reduce missed or delayed tickets.
Local Business Optimization
Boost your visibility across search engines and directories. Our local business optimization tool helps improve your online listings and ensures your business information stays accurate. This drives more local traffic and supports higher Google rankings.
Menu Management
Update your menu once and push changes across all platforms instantly. Set custom pricing by channel and unpublish sold-out items in real time. With Orders.co’s menu management feature, you can AI-generate descriptions and make your dishes more appealing online.
Custom Ordering Website
Create a branded, commission-free direct ordering website in minutes. Built for mobile with QR compatibility, this site gives customers a direct way to place orders. All customer data stays with you, helping build loyalty.
Guest Feedback Monitoring
Automatically collect and track customer feedback after each order. Use reviews to improve service and catch issues early. Insights help you build stronger relationships with your guests.
Integrations
Integrate with over 30 POS systems and all major delivery apps. Orders.co keeps everything synced, menus, orders, availability, and reporting, saving time and ensuring accuracy across your business.
Reporting
Track your top-selling items, order trends, and platform performance from one dashboard. Custom reports help you make informed pricing, promotions, and staffing decisions. It’s a simple way to manage data without extra tools.
Dispute Management
Automatically flag and respond to incorrect chargebacks from delivery platforms. Orders.co’s dispute management assistant increases your success rate and recovers lost revenue. You’ll also receive clear updates on the status of every case.
Want to see how it works in your restaurant? Schedule a free demo today and get a personalized walkthrough of how Orders.co can simplify your menu design and online operations.
FAQ
How do I know if I need paid restaurant menu design software?
If your restaurant updates menus often, uses third-party delivery platforms, or wants to manage orders and reporting in one place, a paid solution will likely save time and reduce errors compared to free tools.
Can I use the same menu design for both online and print?
You can, but keep in mind that online menus need to be mobile-friendly and easy to scroll, while printed menus allow more creative layout options. Some software helps adapt designs for both formats.
How long does it take to set up menu software like Orders.co?
With your menu ready, setup typically takes just a few hours. Orders.co also offers onboarding support to import your menu and help configure your platform connections.
What if I charge different prices on delivery apps vs. my website?
Only some software supports custom pricing by platform. Orders.co includes this feature, so you can adjust pricing depending on commission rates and delivery costs.
Do I need technical skills to use menu design software?
Most restaurant-focused tools are built for ease of use, offering templates, drag-and-drop editing, and step-by-step support—no design or tech background needed.
Can menu software help me track what customers are ordering most often?
Yes, if it includes reporting tools. Orders.co lets you view item performance, peak order times, and platform-level sales data to make better menu decisions.
Is it possible to add allergens or dietary details to my menu?
Some platforms allow you to include notes or icons for allergens, vegan, or gluten-free items. This helps diners make safe and informed choices, especially online.
What happens if a customer orders something that’s out of stock?
If your menu is updated manually or out of sync, this can happen. Real-time syncing, available with Orders.co, helps prevent these issues by removing sold-out items automatically across platforms.
