Running a small restaurant is no piece of cake. You’ve got customers to feed, a menu to tweak, and orders to manage. And just when you think you’re on top of things, here comes the website. But fear not! Creating a website with online reservations doesn’t have to be hard — or expensive.
TLDR: If you run a small restaurant and want to take reservations online, you need a good website builder. Some platforms make it incredibly easy with built-in tools and nice restaurant-specific designs. In this article, we’ll highlight the best ones that balance ease, affordability, and restaurant-friendly features. Easy to read, easier to choose!
Why You Need a Website Builder Made for Restaurants
Not all website builders are equal — especially for restaurants. You need more than pretty pictures. You need:
- Reservation systems
- Menu display features
- Mobile-friendly layouts
- Integration with Google Maps
- Fast loading times
And most of all, you want an easy builder. You’re not a coder — you’re a chef!
Our Top Picks for Restaurant Website Builders
1. Squarespace: Where Style Meets Function
Best for: Sleek design and built-in reservations.
Squarespace is known for its beautiful templates. But it’s not just a pretty face. It offers a feature-rich experience for small restaurants with:
- Pre-made templates for restaurants and cafes
- Built-in OpenTable integration for online reservations
- Easy-to-update digital menus
- Mobile-optimized design
If you want your site to feel like fine dining, this is it.
2. Wix: Power and Flexibility
Best for: Customization and add-ons.
Wix gives you total creative freedom. Want to drop a reservation widget between your burger photos? Go ahead. A few reasons small restaurants love Wix:
- Drag-and-drop building – no code needed
- Customizable templates for food businesses
- Wix Restaurants app for displaying menus and taking orders
- Online booking tools built in
Wix is like a big kitchen with tons of tools. It’s great — just don’t get overwhelmed.
3. GloriaFood (by Oracle): Made for Restaurants
Best for: A simple, free start for online ordering and reservations.
This one isn’t as flashy as the others. But it’s built 100% for restaurants.
- Includes free online ordering and reservations
- Easily embeds into most websites
- Real-time table booking system
- Even lets you set up delivery zones
If you already have a website and just want an online reservations extension — it’s perfect. It’s like adding seasoning to an already cooked dish.
4. Weebly (by Square): Simple and Smart
Best for: Restaurants using Square for payments.
Weebly pairs brilliantly with the Square point-of-sale system. That makes it ideal if you already use Square in your restaurant.
- Basic website builder – super easy to use
- Integration with Square’s booking and payment tools
- Nice image galleries for dishes
- Budget-friendly pricing plans
Not the most customizable, but solid for a fast setup.
5. Shopify: If You Also Want to Sell Products
Best for: Restaurants selling sauces, gift cards, or merch.
This one’s mostly for e-commerce, but restaurants use it too. Why? Because it offers:
- Advanced e-commerce features
- Third-party apps for table bookings
- Beautiful templates
- Strong inventory management tools
If you’re running an online store alongside your restaurant — think BBQ sauce or coffee beans — Shopify can serve both sides.
Features to Look For in a Website Builder
Before you choose any platform, check for these:
- Reservation integration: Can people book a table?
- Ease of use: Can you build the site quickly?
- Mobile optimization: People book on their phones!
- Menu management: Easy updates = less stress
- Support: Just in case something breaks
And always check for pricing. Some are free, some offer trials, and some have fancy features that cost more. Choose what fits your needs and budget.
Pro Tips for a Restaurant Website That Works
Even the best builder won’t help if your website is confusing or slow. Make it shine with these quick tips:
- Keep your menu updated. Nothing worse than outdated dishes.
- Use high-quality food photos. People eat with their eyes first.
- Make your hours and location clear. No guessing games.
- Embed your reservation system near the top. Easy to find.
Also, make sure your site loads fast. Nobody likes waiting — especially hungry customers.
Which One Should You Choose?
It depends on your focus:
- Want beautiful, stylish pages? Go with Squarespace.
- Need max control and customization? Choose Wix.
- Already use Square POS? Weebly is a great match.
- Need reservations on the cheap? Try GloriaFood.
- Also selling online? Shopify is king.
Every restaurant has its flavor. Pick the platform that suits your style, your staff, and your customers.
Final Bite
Having an online reservation system is like offering your customers a VIP line. Nobody wants to wait around, and with the right website, they won’t have to.
Don’t worry if you’re not tech-savvy. These website builders come with helpful tools, lovely designs, and everything your restaurant needs to go from offline to fully booked.
Now go build your site — and book those tables!