QR codes for restaurants

Concrete scenario

A restaurant prepares table cards with a menu link, a WiFi QR code and an optional reservation or allergen information link.

• Guests scan from a seated position.
• Lighting can be warm, dim or uneven.
• Cards may be laminated, wiped or replaced frequently.

Typical mistakes

Restaurant environments expose weak QR code design quickly.

• The code is too small for table distance.
• Glossy lamination creates glare.
• The menu URL changes and old table cards keep pointing to the wrong place.
• WiFi credentials are printed without considering who can see or photograph them.

Recommended settings

Prioritize clarity over decoration.

• Use strong dark-on-light contrast for table cards.
• Start around 30-40 mm for table use and increase size for window signs.
• Use a stable menu URL that can be updated server-side.
• Use PNG for simple print-at-home workflows or SVG for designed table cards.

Test checklist

Test in the real dining room before printing a full batch.

• Scan from a seated position and from both sides of the table.
• Test under daytime and evening lighting.
• Check glare on laminated or coated material.
• Verify that the menu page loads quickly on mobile data.

Example workflow

Create a stable menu URL, generate the QR code locally, export SVG for the table-card layout, print one proof, test in the restaurant and only then print the full set.