Adding menu items
Set names, descriptions, prices, dietary tags, and visibility.
Creating an item
Every menu item lives inside a section. To add a new item:
- Expand a section by clicking its chevron in the left sidebar.
- Click "+ Add" at the bottom of the item list.
- Fill in the details in the inspector panel that opens on the right side of the editor.
New items are automatically selected so you can start editing immediately.
Item fields
Each menu item has the following fields, all editable from the item inspector panel:
- Name: The dish or drink name. This is the primary label that appears on your menu (e.g., "Grilled Salmon", "House Negroni").
- Price: A numeric value. MenuSquared formats it automatically based on your currency settings (symbol, decimal display). Items without prices lower your menu health score.
- Description: A brief description of the item, typically 1–2 sentences covering key ingredients, preparation, or flavor. You can write this yourself or use the AI description generator.
- Ingredients: An optional field listing key ingredients. This isn't displayed on the menu directly, but helps the AI write better descriptions.
Tip: Descriptions sell
Items with descriptions sell much better than those without. If writing descriptions feels like a chore, try the AI description generator. It uses your item name, ingredients, and restaurant style to write solid copy in seconds.
Mark items with dietary information so your guests can quickly identify what works for them:
- Vegetarian (V): Contains no meat or fish.
- Gluten Free (GF): Contains no gluten.
- Spicy: Contains notable heat.
Dietary tags appear on your menu as badges, icons, or dots, depending on the dietary icon style setting in Menu Settings. You can also enable a dietary legend that explains the symbols to your guests.
To toggle dietary tags, use the switches in the bottom section of the item inspector panel.
Highlights
Highlights give visual emphasis to specific items on your menu. Choose from three options in the item inspector:
- None: No special rendering. The item appears normally.
- Star: A filled star icon appears next to the item, drawing the eye.
- Chef's Pick: A "Chef's Pick" badge indicates a house specialty. This is a strong visual signal and should be used sparingly.
How highlights look depends on your template. Some display a colored badge, others use subtle border or background changes.
High Margin toggle
There's also a High Margin toggle in the inspector. This doesn't change the visual appearance of the item. Instead, it tells the AI to write longer, more persuasive descriptions for items you want to push.
Item photos
Some templates support item-level photos. If your template supports photos, you'll see a photo uploader in the item inspector panel.
- Upload: Drag and drop an image or click to browse your files.
- Crop: After uploading, a crop modal lets you adjust the photo to the template's required aspect ratio.
- Asset picker: You can also choose from previously uploaded images in your asset library.
Item photos are most visible in Showcase display mode, which renders each item's photo prominently alongside its details.
Reordering items
Drag items up or down within a section using the grip handle. You can also drag items between sections. Just drag an item over a different section to move it there.
The order of items in the sidebar matches the order on your published menu. Changes are saved automatically as you rearrange.
Tips & frequently asked questions
Can I hide an item without deleting it?
Yes. Use the visibility toggle in the item inspector to hide an item. Hidden items won't appear on your published menu but remain in your editor so you can bring them back anytime.
What's the best description length?
1–2 sentences is ideal for most items. Mention key ingredients, cooking method, or a unique selling point. Longer descriptions work well for high-margin or signature dishes.
Why can't I upload a photo for this item?
Not all templates support item photos. If you don't see the photo uploader, try switching to a template that supports item thumbnails or the Showcase display mode.
Is there a limit on items per section?
No hard limit. However, most successful menus keep sections to 6–12 items. Very long sections can overwhelm guests and hurt readability.