How to create a QR code for your restaurant menu

A restaurant menu QR code lets diners scan with their phone and instantly see your menu — no app needed, no paper to print. You can create one for free at oneclickqrcode.com in under a minute.

Why restaurants use QR code menus

QR code menus became common during the pandemic, and they've stuck around because they solve real problems:

• No reprinting costs — change your menu online and every QR code in the restaurant instantly points to the updated version. No more reprinting 50 laminated cards because you changed a price or added a seasonal dish
• Faster table turnover — guests can pull up the menu the moment they sit down instead of waiting for a server to bring one. During busy hours, that saved minute per table adds up
• Multilingual support — if your digital menu platform supports multiple languages, a single QR code can serve every customer. No need for separate printed menus in English, Spanish, and Mandarin
• Hygiene — no shared physical menus passing between tables. Some diners still prefer this, especially in healthcare-adjacent settings
• Always available — the QR code is on the table 24/7. It never runs out, never gets lost in the kitchen, and never has sticky fingers from a toddler

When to keep paper menus too

QR codes aren't a complete replacement for paper menus — they're best used alongside them. Some customers prefer physical menus (especially older diners or those with low phone battery). The winning approach is having the QR code available for those who want it, with a few printed menus behind the bar for those who don't.

What to link your QR code to

Before creating the QR code, you need a digital menu to link it to. Here are your options:

Your website

If you already have a menu page on your restaurant's website (e.g. yourrestaurant.com/menu), that's the simplest option. Just create a Link QR code pointing to that URL.

Pros: You control the content entirely. It's part of your brand. No third-party fees. Cons: You need to update the website whenever the menu changes.

Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile can display your menu. Some restaurants link the QR code to their Google listing so customers also see hours, reviews, and directions.

A PDF

Host a PDF of your menu on your website or a file-sharing service, and link the QR code to it. This works but isn't ideal — PDFs are often hard to read on phone screens and load slowly.

A dedicated menu platform

Services like Square, Toast, or dedicated digital menu tools let you create and update menus easily. Link your QR code to whatever page they give you.

The format doesn't matter to the QR code itself — it just links to a URL. What matters is that the page loads fast on a phone and is easy to read on a small screen.

How to create the QR code (step by step)

1. Get your menu URL ready

Copy the URL of your digital menu. This could be a page on your website, a Google Business link, or a menu platform URL. Make sure it works on mobile — pull it up on your phone first.

2. Go to oneclickqrcode.com

Open oneclickqrcode.com in any browser. No account needed.

3. Paste your URL

The default QR type is Link, which is what you want. Paste your menu URL into the input field. The QR code preview appears immediately on the right.

If the URL is long, don't worry — the QR code handles it. But shorter URLs produce simpler (and more easily scannable) QR codes, especially at small print sizes. Consider using a URL shortener if your menu link is very long.

4. Brand it

This is where you make the QR code feel like part of your restaurant. The customization options expand once you've entered a URL:

• Colors — change the foreground to match your brand. A deep red for an Italian place, a forest green for a farm-to-table spot, a clean navy for a bistro. Keep the background white or light for best scannability
• Pattern — choose between square (classic), dots (friendlier), or rounded (modern) dot styles
• Corners — match the corner style to your dot choice for a cohesive look
• Logo — drag and drop your restaurant logo into the center. This is the single best thing you can do to make the QR code look intentional rather than generic. See our guide on adding a logo to a QR code for tips on file formats and sizing

Watch the contrast warning — if your foreground and background colors are too similar, the tool will flag it. You need at least 3:1 contrast for reliable scanning, even in dim restaurant lighting.

5. Download

Pick your format:

• PNG at 1024px — good enough for most table tents and menu inserts
• SVG — best if you're sending the file to a designer or print shop. Scales to any size perfectly
• Transparent background — toggle "No background" if the QR code will sit on a colored surface

For details on what size to print, check our QR code size guide.

Where to place the QR code

Placement matters more than most restaurant owners think. A QR code that nobody notices is useless.

Table tents

The most popular option. A small folded card on each table with the QR code, a short instruction ("Scan for our menu"), and your logo. Place it where it's visible but doesn't take up too much table space — near the salt and pepper, or next to the napkin holder.

Recommended QR code size: 3 × 3 cm to 4 × 4 cm. The scanning distance is about 30-50 cm (arm's length across the table).

Printed on the physical menu

Add the QR code to the front or back cover of your physical menu. Diners who prefer digital can scan it; those who prefer paper can flip it open. Best of both worlds.

At the entrance or host stand

A sign near the entrance with "View our menu" and a QR code lets people browse the menu while waiting for a table. This can speed up ordering once they're seated.

On the window

If you're in a walk-by area, a large QR code on the window with "See our menu" catches foot traffic. People can browse your menu before deciding to come in.

Recommended QR code size for windows: 8 × 8 cm or larger, since people will scan from 1-2 meters away.

Takeout and delivery packaging

Print the QR code on to-go bags, pizza boxes, or takeout containers. It drives repeat orders by making it easy for customers to find your menu again.

Design tips for restaurant QR codes

Match your brand

A generic black-and-white QR code looks lazy. Take 30 seconds to:

• Change the foreground to your brand color
• Add your logo to the center
• Pick a dot style that matches your vibe (rounded for casual, square for upscale)

This turns the QR code from a functional necessity into a branded touchpoint.

Add context text

Never put a bare QR code on a table. Always include:

• "Scan for our menu" or "View menu" — people need to know what it does
• Your restaurant name or logo — builds trust
• Optionally, the URL in small text below — for people who prefer to type it manually

Use the right material

• Laminated cards — easy to wipe down between guests. Essential for table tents
• Stickers — good for adding QR codes to existing menus or surfaces
• Acrylic stands — more durable and professional-looking than paper tents
• Matte finish — always better than glossy for QR codes. Restaurant lighting (especially dim ambient lighting) creates glare on glossy surfaces that can block scanning

Test in your actual restaurant

Before printing 20 table tents, test the QR code in situ:

1. Print one test copy
2. Place it on a table
3. Scan from across the table with your phone
4. Try in the lighting conditions of your restaurant (dim dinner service, not bright afternoon light)
5. Try on both iPhone and Android

If it doesn't scan easily in your restaurant's lighting, either increase the QR code size or improve the contrast.

Wi-Fi QR code: the perfect companion

While you're setting up QR codes for your restaurant, consider creating a Wi-Fi QR code too. Put it on the same table tent or next to it. Guests appreciate being able to connect to Wi-Fi without asking, and it shows you've thought about their experience.

At oneclickqrcode.com, just switch to the Wi-Fi type from the dropdown, enter your network name and password, and download. You can match the design to your menu QR code so they look like a pair.

Managing menu updates

One of the biggest advantages of QR codes over printed menus is that you can update the destination without changing the QR code. As long as the URL stays the same, the QR code keeps working.

Tips for painless updates

• Use a stable URL — don't link to a URL that might change (like a specific Google Doc link). Link to a page you control, like yourrestaurant.com/menu
• Keep the URL permanent — if you redesign your website, make sure the menu URL stays the same or redirects
• Update the menu page, not the QR code — this is the whole point. Change prices, add dishes, remove seasonal items — all on your website. The QR code stays the same
• Test after updating — after changing your menu, scan the QR code to make sure it still works and shows the right content

What if you need to change the URL?

If your menu URL changes (you switch platforms, redesign your site, etc.), you'll need to generate and print new QR codes. This is the one downside of static QR codes — the URL is baked into the image.

To minimize this risk, link to a URL you control (your own domain) rather than a third-party service URL. If the third party changes, you can set up a redirect from your domain.

FAQ

Does the QR code work on all phones?

Yes. Every modern iPhone (iOS 11+, released 2017) and Android phone can scan QR codes with the built-in camera app. No extra app needed.

Can I update the menu without changing the QR code?

Yes — as long as the URL doesn't change. Update the content on your menu page, and everyone scanning the same QR code will see the new menu instantly.

Should I use the same QR code for dine-in and takeout?

You can, if the menu is the same. If you have separate dine-in and takeout menus (different pricing or items), create two separate QR codes pointing to different URLs.

How many QR codes do I need to print?

One per table, plus extras for the entrance, window, and any marketing materials. Table tents get damaged or lost, so print a few spares.

Is the QR code free to use commercially?

Yes. QR codes generated at oneclickqrcode.com are free to use for any purpose — personal or commercial. No watermarks, no attribution required, no limits.

Does the QR code track how many people scan it?

No. The QR codes from oneclickqrcode.com are static — they don't track scans. If you want scan analytics, you'd need to use a URL shortener with tracking (like Bitly) as the destination URL, and point the QR code to that shortened link.

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Create your restaurant menu QR code free at oneclickqrcode.com — paste your menu URL, add your logo, and download. No sign-up needed.