QR codes on the table are just normal now.

Guests walk in, sit down, pull out their phone and scan almost on autopilot. No explaining required.

The real question is how you actually set one up — because there are three ways to do it, and they're not all equal.

1. PDF + static QR code

This is the most common approach. Also the most straightforward to set up.

You create a menu as a PDF, upload it somewhere online, then generate a QR code pointing to that file. When a guest scans it, the PDF opens.

Sounds reasonable. Until you actually use it for a while.

The problem is that PDFs aren't built for phones. The text is usually too small, guests have to zoom in and scroll through full pages just to find what they're looking for. It's not a smooth experience — and first impressions at the table matter.

Then there's the practical side: every time you change a price or update a dish, you have to rebuild the PDF, re-upload it, and make sure the link still works. Every single time.

2. Google Drive or a website link

Some restaurants upload their menu to Google Drive or a page on their website, then generate a QR code pointing to that URL.

It's a step up from a PDF, but the same core problems remain. The menu isn't designed for regular updates, so after a few months it's usually out of date. There's no structure for managing allergens, categories or variants clearly. It works as a quick fix — rarely as a long-term solution.

3. A dedicated digital menu platform

This is the option that's become the standard over the past few years.

Instead of managing a file or a link, the menu lives on a dedicated platform. You add dishes, categories, prices and allergens through an online dashboard. The system automatically generates both the digital menu and the linked QR code.

When a guest scans it, they get a page designed specifically for mobile: a clean layout, organised categories, photos and descriptions where they add value.

And crucially — every update is instant. A dish sells out, a price changes: you update it from your phone, and the QR code stays the same while the content changes immediately.

For a full breakdown of how digital menus work: Digital menu for restaurants: the complete guide

How the QR code works with Platoo

With Platoo, the QR code is generated automatically when you publish your menu. No external generators, no configuration needed.

The system creates a dynamic QR code linked directly to your digital menu. It never changes — no matter how many times you update the content. The menu refreshes in real time while the code you've already printed on the tables stays exactly the same.

You can also customise it with your venue's colours and logo, so it feels like part of the experience rather than an afterthought. Once it's ready, download it and print it.

Where to place the QR code in your venue

This is a detail most people underestimate. Placement affects how — and how often — guests actually use it.

The most natural spot is the table: guests sit down and see it immediately. The entrance works well too, for anyone who wants to browse the menu while waiting to be seated. A third option is the window or near the till, useful for people deciding whether to come in at all.

Most venues use all three. It costs almost nothing extra, and it works.

How to print the QR code

Once it's generated, printing is the easy part. The most common formats are table cards, laminated stickers and menu holders with the QR built in.

The one thing that actually matters: the code needs to be large enough to scan easily and printed with enough contrast. If guests have to hold their phone five times closer before it reads, the experience is already off.

A concrete example

Luke runs a small bistro in Edinburgh. He used to work with a PDF menu connected to a static QR code — every time something changed he had to update the file, re-upload it and check the link was still working.

After a few months of that, he switched to a platform. Now he updates the menu from his phone whenever he needs to. A dish sells out, he removes it in seconds. The QR code on the tables hasn't changed once. Guests always see the current version.

It's simpler than it sounds

Creating a QR code for your restaurant menu can take hours — or a few minutes. It depends entirely on the approach you choose.

With a dedicated platform the process is three steps: create your menu online, the system generates the QR code, you print it and put it on the tables. Done.

With Platoo the QR code is included, customisable and ready in under two minutes.