What the code should open
The printed menu stays the main menu. The code adds what doesn't fit on the card:
- The full online menu, with photos and descriptions
- Allergen and dietary information for every dish
- Nutrition details, if you publish them
- The full wine, beer or cocktail list
- Online ordering or pay at the table, if your system offers it
All of these use a website QR code. If you need two, say allergens and the wine list, print two codes with clear labels rather than one code to a page of links.
A web page beats a PDF
A PDF menu works. A web page works better. A PDF opens zoomed out on a phone, forces pinching and scrolling, and on some phones downloads a file guests then have to find. A simple menu page on your website fits the screen, loads faster and can be searched.
It's also easier to keep current. The code only holds the address, not the menu, so when you update the page every printed code shows the new version. Keep the address itself stable. If you rebuild your website, make sure that URL still works.
Keep printed prices current
The code adds to the printed menu. It doesn't replace it, so the two have to agree. When the card on the table says one price and the online menu says another, guests notice, and staff end up having an awkward conversation. When prices change, update the page and the printed menus on the same day.
Size and placement
On a single-page menu, print the code 2.5 to 3 cm (1 to 1.2 in) square, near the bottom or beside the section it relates to, like the allergen code next to the allergy note. On a folded menu, the back cover or inside back panel keeps it out of the way of the dishes. Label it plainly: Scan for allergens, Scan for the full wine list, Scan to order.
Wall menus and chalkboards are read from across the room, so size those codes with the 10:1 rule in the size and printing guide. A board 2 m from the queue needs a code about 20 cm wide. For codes that sit on the table itself, see QR codes on table tents.
Laminated menus and glare
Lamination keeps menus clean and can make codes hard to scan. Glossy laminate under pendant lights throws a bright patch exactly where the camera points. Ask for matte lamination or matte pouches instead.
Keep the pattern dark on a light background, even if the menu design is dark. A small light panel behind the code solves it. Replace menus once they're scratched, since scuffs over the pattern add up.
Print one menu, laminate it, set it on a table under evening lighting and scan it with two phones before you order the full set.
Frequently asked questions
Should a menu QR code open a PDF or a web page?
A web page. It fits the phone screen, loads faster and is easier to update. A PDF works, but guests have to pinch and zoom.
Can I update my menu without reprinting the QR code?
Yes, as long as the code points to a web page you control. Change the page and the same code shows the new menu. The address itself has to stay the same.
Do I still need printed allergen information if my menu has a QR code?
Check the rules where you operate. Many places expect allergen information to be available without a phone, so treat the code as extra detail, not the only source.
Why won't the QR code on my laminated menu scan?
Glare from glossy lamination is the usual cause. Switch to matte lamination, or tilt the menu slightly to move the reflection off the code.