Why is menu diversity important?
Today's restaurant consumers have a wide range of preferences, expectations, and needs. To accommodate and appeal to a broader range of potential customers, restaurants must be inclusive — which can mean offering menu modifications for dietary restrictions, a greater selection of healthy meal options, or broadening menus to offer a wider range of ingredients. Research shows that customers are more likely to recommend and return to restaurants with inclusive menus.
Learn how to design a diverse, modern restaurant menu — and why it matters.
Design a diverse restaurant menu
Creating a balanced menu requires careful consideration and thoughtful planning. Here are the top ways restaurateurs can curate diverse and inclusive menus that appeal to a broader clientele with evolving needs and preferences.
Allow for customization
A DoorDash menu study found that customization is a top factor for merchant success, attracting a more comprehensive range of customers who want to tailor orders to their needs. To respond to the broad range of modern dietary restrictions and alternative preferences, allow — and even encourage — customers to customize orders. This includes but is by no means limited to offering dairy-free dishes, gluten-free options, or meat-free substitutes.
Creating an inclusive menu can involve operational changes like:
Sourcing and incorporating new ingredients
Training kitchen staff to learn new cooking methods, techniques, and flavors
Understanding the cultural significance of dishes and ingredients
Balancing new items with existing dishes to create a cohesive menu
Study international cuisines
Diversify your menus by incorporating some of the most popular flavors and dishes from global cuisines. Consumers seek:
Chinese, such as lo mein, General Tso chicken, and yu hsiang eggplant
Mexican, such as tacos, enchiladas, and mole
Thai, such as red curry, green papaya salad, and pad thai
Indian such as aloo gobi, tarka dal, and masala dosas
Korean such as bulgogi, bibimbap, and seafood pancakes
Healthy foods such as protein-packed salads, vegan grain bowls, and smoothies
Incorporate global flavors
Incorporating flavors and elements from global cuisines is also a great way to diversify your menu while promoting cultural understanding among customers. Studying new cuisines can spark ideas for unique and inclusive menu items. DoorDash makes it easy for curious consumers to find exciting new options across the US, such as:
Tex-Mex fajitas and nachos in the Southwest
Caribbean jerk chicken and goat curry in Jamaica, Queens
Eastern European-inspired runzas — bread pockets filled with ground beef and cabbage — in the Midwest
Keep up with modern restaurant trends
Consumer tastes are constantly changing, so it's vital to adapt by staying on top of food and drink trends to reach new customers and keep existing ones loyal.
Consider adding non-alcoholic cocktails to your drinks menu to appeal to sober curious customers interested in the 'NoLo' trend of drinks with low or no alcohol. According to the 2024 Restaurant Online Ordering Trends Report, nearly a third of consumers report ordering these types of beverages.
Try incorporating popular flavors or ingredients from international cuisines. For example, you could add desserts that include Asian ingredients like matcha and black sesame. Be sure to acknowledge the provenance and cultural relevance of the ingredients or dish.
Use restaurant menu design to increase accessibility
When it comes to online ordering, customers should be able to easily navigate a menu to order fast. The simplest solution to keep your menu accessible for all diners? Keep its structure neat and organized for easy reading, and learn more ways to design a menu that sells.
Offer menu codes
Use symbols or codes on your menu to flag food allergies or preferences. Here are some examples:
Add a plant symbol for vegan dishes or 'DF' for dairy-free dishes to quickly tell customers what they can enjoy without needing to scrutinize ingredient lists.
Use codes for common allergens like nuts or shellfish that help diners with sensitivities or severe allergies safely navigate the menu.
“As a consumer, when I scroll through menus and something really catches my eye, that's what I'm going to order for dinner that night.”
Keep your kitchen inclusive
Make sure your front-of-house team is up to date on evolving food trends — such as plant-based diets, regional cuisines, and healthy alternatives — so they can confidently answer any questions and recommend dishes. This will ensure all guests, regardless of their dietary needs or cultural backgrounds, feel welcome and valued. Here are some ideas:
Ensure staff are trained on common food allergies and cross-contamination prevention practices.
Keep your kitchen organized and well-stocked to make ingredient swaps a breeze.
Educate staff to ensure they understand the cultural significance of diverse dishes and ingredients.
Foster a culture of inclusion from the top by actively seeking out ways to reflect diversity in every aspect of the kitchen, from menu planning to hiring.
Diversify your menu today
Designing a menu to satisfy evolving customer preferences is an important step in staying relevant and retaining customers. Learn more about customizing an inclusive and diverse restaurant menu.
