How to Design a Pizzeria Menu in Ireland (Free Template)

Ever noticed how a good menu can have you ordering more than you planned? A great pizzeria menu isn't just a list of what you serve, it's a silent salesperson working around the clock. In this guide, we’ll walk through 10 tips restaurateurs can use to craft pizza menus that not only look great but also support your business.

1. Understand How Customers Scan Your Menu 

Most customers don’t read menus top to bottom. Eye-tracking studies show diners tend to focus on specific hotspots first: the top left, top right, and centre of a page—commonly called the "Golden Triangle." This is your chance to position high-margin dishes where they’re most likely to be seen.

According to the Toast Consumer Preferences Survey 2025, 51% of Irish diners say they sometimes notice when menu items are strategically placed, and 13.5% say they always do.

Pro Tip: Place profitable pizzas or popular sides in these key spots and use visual cues like bold type or shaded boxes to draw attention.

2. Leave Breathing Room 

The human eye dislikes clutter. Well-used white space can improve menu readability by up to 30%. Clean layouts make it easier for diners to absorb key information and choose with confidence.

Pro Tip: Keep sections distinct and avoid cramming too many pizza variations or extras on one page.

3. Use Colour and Boxes to Guide Attention 

If a menu item is a profit driver—like a gourmet pizza or premium topping—highlight it with thoughtful design. Strategic use of boxes, lines, or colour can guide the reader’s eye. Hiring a professional designer can ensure your menu reflects your brand and makes a lasting impression.

Pro Tip: Work with a designer to align menu visuals with your pizzeria's theme—whether you're a rustic Napoli-style spot or a contemporary slice bar.

4. Ditch the Euro Signs 

A study at Cornell University found that removing currency symbols from menus encouraged higher spending. In the study, the group that received the menu with just the numerals (no dollar sign or word ‘dollar’) spent significantly more than the other two groups.

Diners already understand the numbers listed are prices—adding a € symbol can activate feelings of cost-consciousness.

Pro Tip: Drop the euro signs and avoid aligning prices in a single column to discourage direct comparisons.

5. Curate Your Options 

According to research from Technological University Dublin, menus with too many choices can overwhelm guests and hurt sales. Fewer, more distinct pizzas are easier to navigate and speed up table turn time.

Pro Tip: Limit each pizza section (e.g. meat, vegetarian, specials) to 4–6 options. Make every item earn its spot, especially for build-your-own pizzas or bundles.

6. Choose Powerful Language 

Words like “wood-fired”, “fior di latte”, and “hand-stretched” tap into guests’ senses. According to Dr. Brian Wansink’s research at Cornell, descriptive labels can increase item sales by up to 27% and improve customer satisfaction.

Pro Tip: Use adjectives that communicate flavour, origin, or preparation—especially for signature pizzas or house-made sauces.

7. Use Photos (But Only Good Ones)

A well-shot photo of a dish on a menu can increase sales of that item by up to 30%, says US menu engineer Gregg Rapp.

If you use pictures, invest in professional-quality images. Alternatively, link diners to your Instagram or TikTok with a QR code.

In our survey, 53% of Irish consumers said that photos in restaurant menus are either very important or somewhat important.

Pro Tip: Use photos selectively for house specials, build-your-own pizza options, or dessert pizzas, and link to your digital menu for more.

8. Make Your Menu Accessible 

Consider font size, contrast, and overall usability—especially if your menu is printed. For guests with visual impairments, offer large-print menus or ensure your digital version is screen-reader friendly.

Pro Tip: Display a large QR code at the entrance and on each table for access to your online pizza menu.

9. Keep Things On-Brand 

Your menu should feel like a natural extension of your pizzeria’s brand. That means colour palettes, font choices, tone of voice, and even material finishes should be consistent with your personality.

Example: Coke Lane Pizza in Dublin

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Coke Lane Pizza (@cokelanepizza) • Instagram photos and videos

uses a bold, urban menu design that reflects their street-food style.

Pro Tip: Review your brand guidelines and make sure your menu design reinforces the story you're telling—whether it's artisanal sourdough or late-night delivery.

10. Optimise for Online Orders 

Many Irish customers check a menu online before deciding to dine in or order takeaway. Make sure your digital pizza menu is mobile-friendly, includes clear descriptions and high-quality images, and reflects your brand.

According to the Toast Consumer Preferences Survey 2025, 62% of Irish diners browse online menus before booking a table or placing an order.

Tip: Use HTML-based menus on your site (rather than PDFs) for better accessibility and search indexing.

Ireland Pizzeria menu examples

From artisan wood-fired spots to elevated trattorias, Irish pizzerias are keeping their menus smart, seasonal, and guest-focused — and it shows.

Boco – Dublin

Unfussy and effective. Boco’s one-page menu is split into thin, legible columns that guide diners quickly: Starters, Wood-Fired Pizza, Drinks. Seasonal toppings are bolded, and there’s a short intro note from the chef at the top — a warm personal touch. Their online version includes visuals of pizzas being made and links to local supplier profiles, tying in community ethos with design.

Manifesto – Dublin (Rathmines)

Elegant, premium, and bilingual. This award-winning Italian-Irish spot delivers class through its deep green and cream colour palette, fine serif fonts, and gold accents. The menu is segmented into antipasti, pizza, and desserts — and each item includes regional ingredient origin (e.g. “Buffalo Mozzarella DOP, Campania”). Their wine pairings are listed on a separate card — a subtle upsell that fits the refined feel.

Sano Pizza – Dublin

Minimalist done right. The dine-in menu at Sano is single-column, all-caps, and uses icons sparingly to flag vegan and gluten-free options. Printed on white card with a matte finish, it feels simple yet professional. Their digital takeaway menu replicates the same layout, with added images and clickable modifiers. A great example of design consistency across touchpoints.

Why It Matters 

Pizzeria menus aren’t just lists of toppings—they’re brand tools, sales drivers, and guest experience cornerstones. Whether you’re running a coastal takeaway in Sligo or a Neapolitan-style parlour in Dublin, investing time in smart pizza menu design will pay off.