Changing menus can be difficult for restaurant owners. In this article, we’ll explore how to convert it into a pleasurable experience and look into when the best time is to make changes. 

What is a seasonal menu? 

Seasonal menus are typical not only for small, local businesses but also for big corporations. Seasonal foods are becoming a tradition and are dependent on in-season ingredients, provided by local food suppliers. They are also a great marketing strategy - the seasonal menu looks great on social media and boosts the number of customers due to the limited edition food on offer.

A seasonal menu is a type of menu that contains only limited-time offerings. There are a few ideas for seasonal menus and when to incorporate them, as well as multiple benefits of a seasonal menu.

Holiday menu

The holiday menu is the most used type of seasonal menu. In this case, seasonal dishes correspond to the holiday you want to celebrate. Whether is it Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, it's a great opportunity to offer new dishes in your restaurant for a limited time and provide new menu offerings that can attract new clients.

Menu for four seasons

This is a fabulous possibility to incorporate seasonal ingredients. By reaching local farms, you can buy in-season ingredients and prepare seasonal dishes. It also uses the benefits of seasonal ingredient availability - they're always fresh and you have the opportunity to support local businesses.

Creating a seasonal menu like this also lowers food costs (in-season ingredients are cheaper than out-of-season ones), helps local producers sell their crops, and attracts new customers, who are searching for an environmentally friendly dining experience.

Introducing a new cuisine

Restaurants typically have certain types of dishes they serve. Whether is it Italian, French, Asian, or "like your mom's" cuisine, they stick to one flavor profile. A seasonal menu is a great way to encourage customers to explore new dishes. A French-Japanese fusion of French Onion Ramen? A pizza with a steak? The possibility of merging cuisines or introducing another cuisine by offering seasonal dishes is a great idea for a rotating menu.

Weekly/monthly changes

A seasonal menu can not only be connected to seasonal ingredients or holidays. Lately, a popular idea emerged - creating a seasonal dish or several seasonal menu items, limited for a week or a month and changing systematically. It also consists of adding seasonal drinks to the menu. This way you don't have to change the entire menu, but only a couple of dishes. You also don't have to change all your physical menus - just add an additional page to the existing menu to celebrate what the seasonal menus offer.

Seasonal restaurant menu - when to change your menu?

Changing a seasonal menu doesn't have to be a nuisance - it can be an easy, pleasurable task. But when do you actually have to do it?

Obviously, if you're planning a holiday menu, it must be synchronized with the holidays you're willing to celebrate. It's wise though to post it on social media at least a week before - give your new customers a possibility to find your holiday menu, and create a "hype" for the upcoming season.

If you're willing to create a seasonal menu that is based on seasonal ingredients, check the availability of your local ingredients. You can include new dishes in your menu, which would be beneficial and attractive to new customers, and use fresh ingredients, which improves the dining experience. It's also a great way to benefit the local economy - locally sourced ingredients are mostly better quality and local farmers can inform their customers about your restaurant, which generates new guests.

Seasonal menu templates - ideas and inspirations

Every seasonal menu requires a small change in the menu's graphic layout. This way you're visually informing your customers that something in your menu has changed and to check thoroughly all the menu items.

Inspire yourself and create a menu like in a Michelin star restaurant!

Michelin Star Restaurant Menu Guide: Design, Dishes, Prices

Holiday menus are the easiest to create - including the most popular symbols of said holiday gives clear communication about the menu offerings.

If you're creating a seasonal menu based on any of the four seasons, it's also fairly easy - incorporating symbols of the seasons, seasonal ingredients, or flora, mixed with corresponding colors would make an eye-catching restaurant menu.

For a seasonal menu based around a country’s cuisine, try using elements that are the most recognizable for each country. It could be a famous building or a stereotypical look - your imagination is the only thing that's stopping you!

If the theme of your seasonal menu is any of the in-season produce, add the fruits and vegetables as colorful and sympathetic companions on the menu - this looks great on printed menus, but also on social media platforms!

How to create a seasonal menu?

Very soon you'll be able to create a fun seasonal menu thanks to Menufolio! Join our waitlist and take the exciting journey of creating seasonal menus for your restaurant!