🎨 Design Trends in Restaurant Menus: What’s Hot for 2025

Your menu is more than a list of items; it’s an experience. Whether printed, digital, or tucked into a leather-bound cover, a well-designed menu sets the tone for your brand, guides customer decisions, and boosts sales.

As we head into the last months of 2025, here are the top menu design trends that have been catching eyes and influencing orders, plus tips for how to incorporate them using your existing layout or with help from our Goodsmart menu covers.

1.) 🧾 Minimalism Meets Personality

Menus are getting cleaner, but that doesn’t have to mean boring! Expect to see more:

• Simple fonts with pops of character (Handwritten accents, bold headers)
• White space and clearly defined sections
• Intentional use of icons, linework, or micro-illustrations.

Pro Tip: A clean menu fits perfectly in a slim or leatherette cover, letting the design shine without distraction.

👉Check them out:

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2. 📐 Editorial Layouts and Vertical Menus

Say goodbye to crammed columns. Many restaurants are using magazine-inspired layouts with:

• Bold section dividers
• Left-aligned categories
• Vertical formatting instead of multi-column spreads

It’s easier to read, more visual, and pairs beautifully with 4-View or 6-View menu covers for a multi-page editorial feel.

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3. 🖼️ Brand Colors and Texture Play

Menus are becoming part of the decor. You’ll see more:

• Full color menus in brand tones
• Subtle background textures or paper that looks recycled
• Material choices (like textured cardstock or faux leather covers) that echo the restaurant’s vibe.

At Goodsmart, We offer Vinyl, Leatherette, and Faux-Leather options in a range of tones, so your cover matches your brand palette and holds up to daily use.

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4. 🍷 Spotlighting Specials & Pairings

Instead of burying seasonal items or wine pairings, many menus are now designed to feature them up front. Expect:

• Dedicated “Chef’s Picks” or “Today’s Features” sections
• Suggested pairings in line with dishes
• Dynamic Rotating Specials and Market Offerings

Pro Tip: Choose Menu covers with pockets or inserts to easily swap out daily or weekly specials.

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Need Help Matching Your Menu to the Right Cover?

Trendy designs still need durability. At Goodsmart USA, we offer durable, easy-clean, and easy-insert menu covers to elevate your presentation. Whether you are aiming for modern minimalism or classic charm

👉 Browse our collection
👉 Contact our team for samples or style recommendations