How QR table ordering works
How guests order from their own phone at the table, what the kitchen sees, and what to set up before you put the first QR code on a table.
2 min read
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QR table ordering lets a guest scan a code on the table, read your menu on their own phone and send an order straight to the kitchen. It suits restaurants that want shorter waits for the first order and more time for staff to look after guests.
What happens, step by step
- The guest scans the code on the table with their phone camera.
- Your menu opens in the browser, already linked to that table.
- They choose dishes and options, then send the order.
- The order appears on the kitchen screen, tagged with the table.
- A waiter brings the food, and the bill is settled the way you prefer.
What to set up first
Before you print any codes, check the basics:
- The menu is complete, with photos, options, allergens and prices.
- Every table has its own number in the system.
- The kitchen screen or printer is working and visible from the pass.
- Your team knows what to do when a guest needs help.
Keep staff in the loop
QR ordering works best when staff can still see and change what guests have ordered. A waiter should be able to add a dish, fix a mistake or move an order to another table without going back to the kitchen.
Where DineHarbor fits
DineHarbor supports QR table ordering together with the till, the kitchen display and a waiter handheld, so a table order reaches the same place as every other order. You can try it free for 30 days.
Questions and answers
Do guests need to install an app to order from a QR code?
No. The code opens your menu in the phone's browser, so a guest can order without installing anything.
Can staff still take orders at the table?
Yes. QR ordering sits beside your waiters, not instead of them. Many restaurants use both, depending on the table and the time of day.
See it in DineHarbor
About the author
Editorial team
The DineHarbor team writes this blog for restaurant owners and managers. Every article is checked against the product before it is published, so what we describe is what the software does.
All articles by DineHarbor team