Your pub’s menu isn’t just a list of what’s cooking—it’s actually your secret weapon for getting found online. I learned this the hard way when I helped my mate’s gastropub in Brighton, and his beautifully crafted menu was basically invisible to anyone searching for “Sunday roast near me.” Once we tweaked a few things, his weekend bookings doubled within two months.
Write Menu Descriptions That Actually Get Found
Here’s where most pubs get it wrong—they think fancy, poetic descriptions are better than clear, searchable ones. While “The Fisherman’s Bounty” might sound romantic, “Beer-Battered Cod and Chips with Mushy Peas” is what people actually type into Google. The Swan at Swinbrook nailed this approach, and their foot traffic from online searches increased by 40% just by being more descriptive.
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Don’t just throw in buzzwords though—weave in terms like “slow-cooked,” “locally-sourced from Cotswold farms,” or “traditional Yorkshire recipe” where they actually make sense. Your regulars will appreciate the storytelling, and Google will appreciate the keywords.
Structure Your Online Menu Like You Give a Damn
Think of your menu structure like organizing your bar—everything needs its proper place. Use headings like “Proper Pub Grub,” “Lighter Bites,” or “What We’re Famous For” instead of the boring “Starters, Mains, Desserts” routine everyone expects.
Every dish photo needs alt text that describes what’s actually in the picture. Instead of “food1.jpg,” try “Slow-braised lamb shank with roasted root vegetables and red wine gravy.” It helps people using screen readers and gives search engines more context about your offerings.
Own Your Patch with Local Menu SEO
Your menu should scream “local” without being cheesy about it. Work your location into descriptions naturally—”Our Northumberland honey-glazed ham” or “Caught fresh from Whitby this morning.” This isn’t just marketing fluff; it’s how you show up when someone searches for “gastropub Harrogate” or “fresh seafood Yorkshire.”
Create dedicated pages for seasonal menus that people actually search for. Nobody’s looking for “Autumnal Culinary Journey,” but plenty of people want “Bonfire Night Menu” or “Valentine’s Day Dinner.”
Make It Work on Mobile (Because Everyone’s Hangry and Impatient)
Most people are looking at your menu while standing outside deciding whether to come in, or while walking down the street trying to pick a spot. If your menu takes forever to load or they have to pinch and zoom to read the prices, they’ll be in your competitor’s pub before your page finishes loading.
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Actually Pay Attention to What’s Working
Check your analytics to see which dishes people click on most. Maybe your “Ultimate Breakfast Challenge” gets more attention than your carefully crafted seasonal specials. Double down on what works—optimize those popular items even further with better descriptions and photos.
📊 Your EPOS tells you what sold. Pub Command Centre tells you whether you made money.
Real-time labour %, cash position and VAT liability in one dashboard. Built by a working pub landlord. £97 once, no monthly fees. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Keep your menu fresh, but don’t change everything every week just for the sake of it. Add new items when they make sense, update seasonal offerings, and remove dishes that aren’t working. Search engines notice when you keep things current, and so do customers.
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