Top Features Every Restaurant App Must Have in 2025

The way people interact with restaurants has changed dramatically. It’s not just about the food anymore, it’s about how easily customers can explore your menu, place an order, book a table, or earn rewards, all from their phone. Doesn’t matter if you run a small café or a multi-location chain, having an app that works well and feels effortless to use has become part of the dining experience itself.

In 2025, a good restaurant app isn’t considered an extra effort, it’s expected. But what actually makes one effective?

Let’s explore the must-have features your restaurant app needs to stand out from your competition and deliver real value to your users.

Key Features That Make Restaurant Apps User-Friendly and Profitable

A great restaurant app does more than take orders, it makes every interaction smoother for customers and more efficient for your team. From intuitive menus to real-time tracking and loyalty rewards, check out the features that help improve user experience while driving repeat business and higher revenue.

1. Easy-to-Use Menu with Real Photos and Filters

Your app’s menu is your storefront. It needs to be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and informative.

Key Elements:

• High-quality food images (not stock photos)
• Clear categories (Starters, Mains, Desserts, etc.)
• Filters for dietary needs (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Jain, etc.)
• Item customization (add-ons, spice levels, cooking instructions)
• Smart recommendations (based on past orders or trends)

Customers spend more when they can visualize and customize what they’re ordering.

2. Quick and Flexible Ordering Options

No one wants to tap through 10 screens just to place an order. Your app should make ordering fast and flexible.

Ordering Features to Include:

• Quick browsing with high-quality food images & descriptions
• Customization options (extra toppings, spice levels, dietary preferences)
• Multiple payment gateways (credit/debit cards, UPI, digital wallets, BNPL)
• Order tracking with real-time updates (prep, cooking, out for delivery)
• Scheduled orders for future dates (great for meetings or family dinners)
• One-tap reorder from past orders
• Order for pickup, dine-in, or doorstep delivery
• Add-to-cart from multiple sections at once

Pro Tip: Integrate AI-powered recommendations based on past orders to upsell effectively.

A smooth ordering flow improves conversion rates and reduces drop-offs.

3. Integrated Online Payments

Cash is out. Digital payments are in. Your app should support all major options, securely.

Include:

• UPI, Cards, Wallets, Net Banking
• Pay at restaurant (for dine-in)
• One-click payment and saved cards
• Split payments (for group orders)

Fast, secure payments reduce friction and abandoned carts.

4. Live Order Tracking

Once an order is placed, customers want to know exactly when it’s arriving.

How to Do It Right:

• Real-time tracking on a map
• Status updates (Order received, Preparing, Out for delivery, Delivered)
• Driver contact and estimated arrival time

Reduces anxious calls to your restaurant and builds trust with customers.

5. Loyalty Program and Digital Coupons

Rewarding loyal customers keeps them coming back, and your app is the perfect place to host those rewards.

Make It Work:

• Points-based rewards (earn points per order, redeem for discounts)
• Tiered memberships (silver, gold, platinum with exclusive perks)
• Referral bonuses (discounts for bringing in new customers)
• Challenges & badges (e.g., "Spice Lover" for ordering spicy dishes 5 times)
• Exclusive discounts for app users

Use push notifications to remind users of expiring points or special rewards. Increases repeat orders and encourages app installs.

6. Push Notifications and Smart Alerts

Communicate with your users in a way that’s helpful, not spammy.

Use Notifications For:

• Order status updates
• Promo offers or happy hours
• Reminders to reorder favorite meals
• Festival or weekend specials

Keeps your brand top of mind without annoying users.

7. Customer Support Chat & Feedback Options

A great meal can be ruined by bad service, or saved with good support. Instant support reduces frustration and builds trust.

Support Features:

• In-app chat with AI + live agent support
• Quick issue resolution (wrong order, missing items)
• Feedback & rating system after every order to improve service
• FAQ section for common queries (delivery time, refund policy)
• Call support

A responsive support system ensures customers feel valued, builds credibility and helps improve your services based on real feedback. 

8. Table Reservation & Waitlist Integration

For dine-in restaurants, this is a game-changer, especially during busy weekends or festive seasons.

Features to Include:

• Reserve a table in advance
• Join a digital waitlist
• Get real-time wait time estimates
• Choose seating preference (indoor, outdoor, window, etc.)

Enhances guest experience and helps you manage peak-hour footfall better.

9. Admin Dashboard and Analytics (for You)

While customers interact with the frontend, you need a powerful backend.

What to Expect:

• Real-time order tracking
• Inventory updates and alerts
• Staff performance and delivery timelines
• Sales & customer behavior reports
• Peak hour predictions for staffing
• Popular/disliked dishes analysis
• Personalized marketing insights

Helps you make data-driven decisions that lead to higher profits.

10. Marketing & CRM Tools

Turn your app into a marketing engine.

Useful Integrations:

• Email/SMS campaigns for offers
• Personalized in-app messaging
• Abandoned cart recovery
• Customer segmentation based on order history

Drives repeat business and increases lifetime customer value.

11. Multilingual and Regional Support

Many countries are multilingual, and so are your customers.

Features to Consider:

• App interface in multiple languages
• Menu translations
• Regional offers based on location

Helps you reach a wider, more diverse customer base.

12. Social Media Integration & User-Generated Content

Customers love sharing their food experiences. Let your users market for you.

How to Leverage It:

• Easy social sharing (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)
• Photo reviews & ratings
• Hashtag campaigns (#BestBurgerInTown for discounts)
• Run social contests or giveaways
• Influencer collaborations (featured dishes from food bloggers)
• Collect social reviews (Google, Zomato)

This builds community and organic marketing, and trust from user-generated content. 

13. AI-Powered Personalized Recommendations

Artificial Intelligence can bring major advantages for restaurant apps. 

Features like:

• "Frequently Ordered" suggestions for quick reordering
• Diet-based recommendations (vegan, keto, gluten-free)
• Dynamic menu changes based on time (breakfast/lunch/dinner)
• Special occasion reminders (birthdays, anniversaries) with exclusive offers

This level of personalization keeps users engaged and increases order frequency.

14. Contactless Dining & QR Code Menus

Post-pandemic, customers still prefer minimal-contact dining. Your app should support:

• QR code scanning for menu access
• In-app table booking & management
• Digital payments at the table (no waiting for the bill)
• Split billing for group dining

This ensures a smooth, modern dining experience.

15. Voice Search & Commands

With smart speakers and voice assistants rising, your app should support:

• "Hey Siri/Alexa, order my usual from [Restaurant Name]"
• Voice-based menu navigation (great for hands-free ordering)
• Multilingual support for wider accessibility

16. Sustainability Features

People are very much leaning towards eco-conscious dining. Include:

• Carbon footprint tracker for orders
• Opt-out of cutlery/napkins to reduce waste
• Rewards for bringing reusable containers
• Partnerships with eco-delivery services
• This attracts environmentally aware customers.

Just like this, there are certain key features that can make banking apps truly exceptional, especially when built with user needs and trust in mind.

Build Your Restaurant App for the Experience, Not Just the Orders

A restaurant app today is not just limited to a digital menu or ordering tool, it’s a complete ecosystem that connects your food, your team, and your customers.

When done right, it improves customer satisfaction, increases sales, reduces manual work, and builds a lasting brand presence.

Nevertheless if you're starting fresh or looking to upgrade your current app, focusing on these features will help your restaurant stay relevant and profitable.

At Softices, we help with powerful, user-friendly restaurant app development tailored to your business needs. From easy ordering to loyalty programs, live tracking, and smart backend dashboards, we integrate everything your customers expect and your team needs to succeed.