How does a QR code for a restaurant menu work?
You create a QR code that encodes the URL of your online menu — a Google Doc, PDF link, website page, Zomato menu URL, or any online menu. When a customer scans the QR with their phone camera, your menu opens in their browser. No app required.
Where do I host my menu to link in the QR code?
Options include: your own website menu page, a Google Doc or Google Slides menu shared publicly, a PDF uploaded to Google Drive with public sharing, your Zomato or Swiggy menu page URL, a free platform like Menu Tiger or Menufy, or any cloud file-sharing link.
What is the advantage of QR menus over printed menus?
QR menus save significant reprinting costs when prices change. They eliminate physical contact — important for hygiene. You can update your menu in real-time (add daily specials, mark items as unavailable). QR menus also load high-quality photos of your dishes that printed menus cannot practically include.
Can I use custom colors and my restaurant logo on the QR code?
Yes. Use the Customization section in the QR Code Generator to change the QR color to match your brand, upload your restaurant logo to the center, choose a dot style, and add a frame with text like "Scan for Menu". Download as SVG for sharp printing.
Where should I place the QR codes in my restaurant?
Standard placements: printed table tent cards at each table, attached to the menu board or front of a laminated menu, on the bill / receipt as a link to your digital menu or Google review page, on window stickers (visible from outside), and on takeaway packaging.
Can I link the QR to Zomato or Swiggy for ordering?
Yes. Simply paste your restaurant's Zomato or Swiggy page URL — or your direct ordering link — in the URL field. Customers scan the QR and can place orders directly through those platforms. This works well for takeaway-focused restaurants.
Do I need a smartphone app to scan the QR at my restaurant?
No. All modern smartphones can scan QR codes with their built-in camera app — iPhone (since 2017), most Android phones (since 2019). Just open the camera, point at the QR, and tap the notification. No third-party app is needed.
What happens if the internet is slow at my restaurant?
A QR code only redirects to a URL — the speed depends on your customer's data connection or your WiFi. To ensure a great experience, also set up a QR WiFi code (see WiFi QR Code tool) so customers can connect to your fast restaurant WiFi before scanning the menu.
Can I print QR codes for multiple tables with different content?
For table-specific QR codes — for example with the table number pre-filled — use our Bulk QR Code Generator. Upload a CSV with one URL per row and download 200 QR codes at once as a ZIP file.
Are these QR codes free even for commercial restaurant use?
Yes, 100% free for commercial use. No subscriptions, no per-QR fees, no watermarks, no limits. The QR code is a static image you download and own — there is no monthly fee to keep it working.
What file format should I use for printing on table cards?
Download SVG for the sharpest possible print quality at any size. SVG is a vector format that is infinitely scalable. PNG is fine for standard printing but may look slightly soft on very large prints or when printed at small sizes with a high-DPI printer.
Can I add a "Review us on Google" QR code as well?
Yes. Generate a separate QR code with your Google Business review link. Place it on the bill receipt with a message like "Enjoyed your meal? Scan to leave a review." This helps grow your Google rating organically.