How to Create an Online Food Ordering Website using WordPress?

Are you planning to add online food ordering to your restaurant website?

Currently, customers want a quick and convenient way to explore the food menu, personalize their meals, and place orders online without making a call. When this option isn’t available, many customers move on to another restaurant. That’s why having a simple and smooth online Food ordering system is now essential for every restaurant website.

With WordPress, creating an online food ordering website is quick and easy. You can display online menus, collect secure payments, and manage pickup or delivery orders in one place.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to build a simple, customer-focused online food ordering system for your restaurant website using WordPress, from start to finish.

Let’s begin.

The Benefits of Having an Online Ordering System for Your Restaurant

Online food Ordering is growing fast. [The Global Online Food Ordering Market Size Stood At USD 228.9 Billion In 2025, Growing Further To USD 589 Billion By 2034 At An Estimated CAGR Of 11.07% From 2025 to 2034. Source: Business Research Insights ]

For restaurant owners, offering online ordering is a smart way to stay competitive and attract more customers.

An online ordering system makes it simple for customers to place orders. Instead of calling the restaurant, food can be ordered from home and have their food delivered to their door. This also reduces the workload for your staff, letting them focus on preparing great food.

It can also boost your sales. Customers can place orders anytime, even before your restaurant opens, and schedule delivery or pickup for a later time.

Having your own online ordering system is even better. Customers prefer ordering directly from a restaurant instead of through third-party apps, often because it’s cheaper and more reliable.

How to Create / Set Up an Online Food Ordering Website using WordPress?

1. Choose a domain name

A domain name is your website’s address on the internet. Pick a name that’s easy to remember and represents your brand, for example, www.restrofood.io.

How to get your domain name:

1. Choose a registrar – popular ones include Namecheap, GoDaddy, and Google Domains.
2. Search availability – check if your preferred name is free.
3. Register your domain – purchase it for 1–10 years.

This secures your online identity and sets the foundation for your website.

2. Select a hosting provider

After choosing your domain name, the next step is picking a hosting provider. Hosting is like your website’s home, it stores your files and makes your site accessible online.

Compare providers based on features, reliability, speed, and support to find the best fit for your restaurant website. 

Popular options include HostGator, Bluehost, Namecheap, GoDaddy, and WordPress.com. You can also consider trusted local providers for better deals and personalized support.

Choosing the right host ensures your online ordering system runs smoothly and reliably.

3. Connect your domain to hosting

Once you have a domain and hosting, you need to link them so your website goes live. Here’s how to do it using Namecheap as an example (the steps are similar for other registrars):

1. Sign in to your Namecheap account.
2. Go to Domain List and click Manage next to your domain.
3. In the Nameservers section, select Namecheap Web Hosting DNS and save.

To use a third-party hosting server, choose Custom DNS, enter your hosting nameservers, and save changes. It can take 24–48 hours for your domain to propagate.

Note: Some providers may give nameservers with IP addresses, enter them as instructed.

4. Install WordPress & WooCommerce

Once your domain is connected to hosting, it’s time to install WordPress, the platform that will power your restaurant website.

Install WordPress:

1. Log in to your hosting cPanel (your hosting provider gives the login details).
2. Go to Softaculous Apps Installer (or similar) and click the WordPress icon.
3. Click Install, select your domain, and set the root folder.
4. Configure your Site Settings and Admin Account use strong, secure passwords.
5. Click Install. Once done, log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
   

Install WooCommerce for Online Orders:

1. In the WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New.
2. Search for WooCommerce, click Install Now, then Activate.
3. Follow the WooCommerce setup wizard to configure your store:
   • Set your location and currency
   • Choose the types of products you’ll sell
4. Complete all fields and click Let’s go!

Your WordPress site with WooCommerce is now ready to take online orders and manage your restaurant store efficiently.

5. Install Elementor in WordPress

If you want to design your restaurant website with drag-and-drop ease, installing Elementor is a great option. While not required, Elementor allows you to add food menu widgets, create beautiful pages, and fully customize your WordPress site without coding.

How to install Elementor:

1. Go to Plugins → Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Search for Elementor in the search bar.
3. Click Install Now, then Activate.
4. Wait a few moments for the plugin to install, and it’s ready to use.

With Elementor, you can start building custom menus, pages, and layouts that make your restaurant website visually appealing and user-friendly.

6. Install Restaurant Management Plugin

If you want a reliable plugin for food ordering on WordPress, RestroFood is the perfect choice. RestroFood plugin makes online food ordering fast and simple for both restaurants and customers. With features like a same-page cart & checkout system, delivery and pickup options, and delivery date & time scheduling, customers can browse menus, customize their orders, and complete checkout without delays. 

The plugin also includes Ajax quick search and category filters for smooth menu navigation, custom delivery fees, and minimum order restrictions to optimize your sales. Fully compatible with WooCommerce payment gateways and popular page builders, RestroFood helps you handle orders easily and makes ordering simple for your customers.

How to install and activate RestroFood:

• First Download the Plugin Zip File from the RestroFood site
• Log in to Your WordPress Admin Dashboard
• Navigate to the Plugin Section
• Click Add New Section
• Upload the Plugin Zip File
• Install the Plugin
• Once installed, click Activate and wait a few seconds

7. Install food ordering WordPress theme

RestroFood theme is a free, WooCommerce-ready WordPress theme designed for restaurants, cafés, and food businesses. Built with Elementor, it enables easy online food ordering, delivery management, and menu customization. Fully responsive, mobile-friendly, and user-friendly, RestroFood offers one-click demo import, unlimited colors, Google Fonts, and lifetime updates for seamless restaurant website creation, step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Download the RestroFood Theme

Visit the RestroFood website and click the Download Now button to get your free theme. Once downloaded, you’ll have the theme zip file ready for installation.

Step 2: Install the Theme

1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Go to Appearance → Themes → Add New.
3. Click Upload Theme at the top of the page.
4. Select the downloaded RestroFood theme zip file and click Install Now.
5. Once installed, click Activate to make the theme live on your website.

Step 3: Install Required Plugins

After activating the theme, follow the prompts to install required plugins. These plugins are essential to ensure your RestroFood theme works smoothly and provides full functionality for your restaurant website.

8. Customize Restaurant Management Plugin

Once your WordPress restaurant website is set up with RestroFood, it’s time to customize the plugin to match your restaurant’s needs. From product layouts and menu options to delivery settings and checkout preferences, our WordPress restaurant plugin gives you full control to create a seamless online ordering experience for your customers.

➤ Import Product Demo Data

This guide explains how to import product demo data in RestroFood using WordPress Importer. It covers XML file preparation, correct import order, media handling, troubleshooting common issues, and post-import customization. Following these steps helps you quickly set up demo products and configure your restaurant website efficiently. step-by-step guide:

1. Prepare the XML Files

2. Access the WordPress Importer Tool

3. Upload the Product Data XML File

4. Assign Authors and Import Attachments

5. Import the Media XML File

6. Review and Confirm the Imported Data

For the detailed guide,
Please check the documentation: How to Import Product Demo Data?

➤ Change Product Display Layout

The layout of your WooCommerce product pages can significantly impact how potential customers perceive your offerings. By changing your product page layout, you can showcase important product information, such as product images, descriptions, and features, in a visually appealing and user-friendly way. RestroFood has 6 Types of Product Layout Styles ( Grid Layout, List Layout, Single Product Template, Masonry Layout, Tabbed Layout, Full-Width Layout ), step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Go to RestroFood Settings

Step 2: Open the Product Tab

Step 3: Choose Product Layout

Step 4: Select Layout Style

Step 5: Set Product Columns (For Grid Layout)

Step 5: Save Your Changes

For the detailed guide,
Please check the Documentation: How to Change Product Layout Style in RestroFood?

➤ Set Product Variants

It shows how to manage options like size or color, assign prices, images, and stock for each variant, and improve customer choice, user experience, and inventory management in your restaurant website. step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Create Product Attributes

Step 2: Set Product Variations

Step 3: Save and Publish

For the detailed guide,
Please check the Documentation: How to Set Product Variants in RestroFood?

➤ Add Product Extra Options

Product Extra Items in RestroFood allow customers to add optional extras like toppings, sides, or custom choices to a product. These items can be applied globally or per product, include flexible pricing and selection rules, and help improve customization, customer satisfaction, and average order value, a step-by-step guide:

• Add Product Extra Add-ons From Global
• Add Product Extra Items Using the Global Option
• Add Product Extra Add-ons from Individual Products
• Add Product Extra Items from Individual Products

For the detailed guide,
Please check the Documentation: How to Add Product Extra Items in RestroFood?

➤ Add Product Nutrition Information

Product Nutrition Information in RestroFood lets restaurants display key nutritional details like calories, protein, fats, and allergens for each menu item. This feature improves transparency, supports health-conscious customers, meets regulatory needs, and builds trust by helping users make informed food choices, step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Identify Key Nutritional Values

Step 2: Gather Accurate Data

Step 3: Format Nutrition Information Consistently

Step 4: Add Nutrition Information to Your Ordering Platform

Step 5: Preview and Test the Information

For the detailed guide, please check the Documentation:
How to Add Product Nutrition Information in RestroFood?

➤ Product Visibility System (Time-Based)

RestroFood includes a powerful Product Visibility System that allows you to show or hide products based on time. You can set visibility start and end times for each category, and products assigned to that category will automatically follow those time rules, step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Create a Visibility Category

Step 2: Choose the Time Using the Time Picker

Step 3: Assign Visibility Category to Products

Step 4: Visible Products on the Shop Page

Step 5: Products Become Hidden or Disabled Outside Allowed Time

For the detailed guide, please check the Documentation:
How to Work the Product Visibility System in RestroFood?

➤ Set Product Preparation & Delivery Times

Product Preparing and Delivery Times in RestroFood allow restaurants to define how long each item takes to prepare and deliver. This feature helps manage order expectations, improve operational efficiency, and provide customers with accurate time estimates during checkout, step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Access the Admin Panel

Step 2: Navigate to Product Settings

Step 3: Select the Product

Step 4: Input Preparation Time

Step 5: Input Delivery Time

Step 6: Save Changes

For the detailed guide, please check this Documentation:
How to Set Product Preparing and Delivery Times in RestroFood? 

➤ Set Delivery or Pickup Date & Time

The Deliver or Pickup Date & Time feature in RestroFood allows customers choose when to receive or pick up their orders. Restaurants can set available time slots, manage orders efficiently, reduce delays, and improve customer satisfaction. Customers select their preferred date and time during checkout for a flexible, seamless experience, step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Log in to Admin Dashboard

Step 2: Go to Settings

Step 3: Find Delivery/Pickup Time Settings

Step 4: Customize the Time Slots

Step 5: Save Settings

For the detailed guide, please check this Documentation:
How to Set Delivery or Pickup Date and Time in RestroFood?

➤ Set Order Limit per Time Slot

RestroFood allows restaurants set order limits per time slot to manage peak hours efficiently. By capping orders, you prevent kitchen overload, ensure timely delivery, and maintain service quality. Customers see full slots and are guided to available times, creating a smoother workflow, better staff management, and improved overall customer satisfaction, step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Navigate to Time Slot Settings in RestroFood

Step 2: Define Order Limits for Each Time Slot

Step 3: Apply and Verify Your Settings

Step 4: Customer Interaction with Order Limits

Step 5: Advanced Strategies for Time Slot Management

For the detailed guide, please check this Documentation:
How to Set the Order Limit on Time Slot for Better Delivery Management?

➤ Set Minimum Order Amount

RestroFood allows restaurants to set a minimum order amount to cover delivery costs, ensure profitability, and encourage larger orders. By configuring this in the settings, restaurants streamline operations, prevent losses on small orders, and enhance customer experience. Customers are prompted to meet the minimum, ensuring timely, efficient, and satisfying service, with a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Define Your Costs

Step 2: Access Your Restaurant Management System

Step 3: Navigate to Order Settings

Step 4: Set the Minimum Order Amount

Step 5: Save and Test the Settings

For the detailed guide,
Please check this Documentation: How to Set the Minimum Order Amount in RestroFood?

➤ Set Minimum Order Amount for Free Shipping

RestroFood allows restaurants set a minimum order for free shipping. Customers get free delivery only if their order reaches this amount. This helps restaurants earn more, cover delivery costs, and encourages bigger orders. It’s easy to set up in RestroFood’s shipping settings, making both customers and restaurants happy, step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Access the RestroFood Plugin Settings

Step 2: Navigate to the Shipping Settings

Step 3: Enable Free Shipping Based on Minimum Order Amount

Step 4: Set the Minimum Order Amount

Step 5: Save Your Settings

For the detailed guide, please check this Documentation:
How to set the Minimum Order Amount for Free Shipping in RestroFood?

➤ Delivery Availability Location Check System

RestroFood allows customers check delivery availability before ordering. They can enter their full address or zip code to see if delivery is available. This reduces failed orders, saves staff time, and improves customer satisfaction. Easy to set up in RestroFood, it ensures smoother operations and a better online ordering experience, step-by-step guide:

• Access the Location Settings
• Locate Delivery Availability Options
• Configure Address Check Settings
• Set Up Zip Code Check Settings
• Save Changes

For the detailed guide, please check the documentation:
How to Work the Delivery Availability Location Check System?

➤ Configure Same-Page Checkout

RestroFood Checkout Options allow you to choose between Same Page Checkout or WooCommerce Default Checkout. Same Page Checkout is fast, mobile-friendly, and ideal for quick orders. WooCommerce Checkout offers full-page features for complex orders. Both improve user experience, reduce cart abandonment, and boost sales, making online ordering smooth and efficient. A step-by-step guide:

1. Go to WordPress Dashboard

2. Navigate to RestroFood → Settings

3. Under Checkout Settings, choose:

“Enable Mini Cart Checkout”

Or “Use WooCommerce Default Checkout”

4. Save changes and test.

For the detailed guide,
Please check this Documentation: RestroFood Checkout Options

➤ Customize Checkout Fields

RestroFood allows you to customize checkout billing and shipping fields for a smooth ordering experience. You can hide unnecessary fields, rearrange them, or use conditional logic. This reduces cart abandonment, speeds up checkout, and improves customer satisfaction. Optimized fields make online ordering easier, faster, and more user-friendly, step-by-step guide:

1. Identify Essential Fields

2. Hiding Unnecessary Fields

3. Rearranging Fields

4. Using Conditional Logic

For the detailed guide,
Please check this Documentation: Customizing Checkout Fields

➤ Select Mini Cart Style

RestroFood allows you easily change your WooCommerce cart style to match your restaurant’s website. Choose from Canvas Modal, Footer Fixed, or Beside Products cart layouts. It’s mobile-friendly, simple to switch from the WordPress dashboard, and improves user experience, helping customers view orders clearly and speed up checkout, step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Go to RestroFood Settings

Step 2: Open General Settings

Step 3: Select Mini Cart Style ( Canvas Modal, Footer Fixed, Beside Products )

Step 4: Save Changes

For the detailed guide,
Please check this Documentation: How to Change RestroFood Cart Style in WooCommerce?

➤ Customize the Order Received Page

The Order Received Page in RestroFood confirms customer orders, builds trust, and enhances the post-purchase experience. Easily set it via RestroFood → Settings → Checkout, customize with confirmation messages, order details, and support links. Optimized pages boost engagement, encourage repeat orders, and improve brand loyalty across all branches, step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Access the WordPress Admin Dashboard

Step 2: Locate the Order Received Page Settings

Step 3: Choose or Create the Order Received Page

Step 4: Customize the Order Received Page Content

Step 5: Save Your Changes

For details guide,
Please check this Documentation: Where to Set the Order Received Page?

➤ Enable Pre-Order System

RestroFood’s pre-order system allows customers to schedule orders in advance, improving convenience and order management. Easily enabled via Delivery Settings → Pre-Order, it supports date and time selection, confirmation emails, and reminders. Optimizing pre-orders enhances inventory planning, reduces wait times, and boosts customer satisfaction, making it a vital tool for modern restaurants, step-by-step guide:

1. Open Delivery Settings

2. Enable the Pre-Order Feature

3. Check “Off Current Date Order” Setting (Optional)

4. Save Your Settings

5. Make Sure Date & Time Selection Is Enabled (Delivery/Pickup Tab)

6. Test How It Appears to Customers

For the detailed guide,
Please check the documentation: How to Work with Pre-Order Systems in RestroFood?

➤ Set & Use the Flash Sale Slider

RestroFood’s Flash Sale Slider allows restaurants showcase limited-time offers in an engaging, dynamic slider via Elementor. Featuring sale products with countdown timers, it creates urgency and boosts conversions. Easy to set up, fully customizable, and promotable, this tool helps drive sales, increase customer engagement, and enhance the online ordering experience, step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Access the Flash Sale Slider Widget
Step 2: Configure the Slider Settings

Step 3: Publish and Promote

For the detailed guide, please check this Documentation:
How to Set & Use the Flash Sale Slider Section in RestroFood?

➤ Set Up RestroFood User Roles

RestroFood helps restaurants create user roles like Branch Manager, Kitchen Manager, and Delivery Boy. Each role has clear tasks, making work faster and easier. This improves order processing, teamwork, and customer service. With role-based access and organized management, restaurants can run smoothly, handle multiple branches, and keep everything secure, step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Access User Management

Step 2: User Role Setup Instructions: Branch, Kitchen & Delivery

Step 3: Review and Edit Users

Step 4: Communicate with Your Team

For the detailed guide,
Please check the documentation: How to Set Up RestroFood User Roles?

➤ Add Tips Management System

RestroFood Tips Addons allows restaurants offer tipping at checkout. Customers can leave a tip easily, and owners can increase staff rewards and revenue. The plugin is simple to install on WordPress: download, upload, install, and activate. It works with RestroFood POS and includes reports to track tips effectively, a step-by-step guide:

• Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
• Click the Upload Plugin button at the top of the screen.
• Select the zip file from your local filesystem.
• Click the Install Now button.
• When the installation is complete, you’ll see “Plugin installed successfully.” Click the Activate Plugin button at the bottom of the page.

For the detailed guide,
Please check the documentation: How to Install Restrofood Tips Addons Easily?

➤ In-Restaurant Orders System

RestroFood In-Restaurant Orders Add-on is a free WordPress plugin for restaurants. It allows customers order directly from their table using a digital menu. Staff and managers can track all orders in real time, reduce mistakes, and serve faster. Works for single or multiple branches and improves customer experience, step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Download the Plugin Zip File

Step 2: Access the Plugins Admin Screen

Step 3: Activate the Addon

For the detailed guide,
Please check the documentation: How to Install RestroFood in Restaurant Addon?

Are You Ready to Take Online Orders from Your Restaurant Customers?

Customers now expect convenience, they want to order food online quickly from their phone or computer. By adding online ordering to your website, you let them browse your menu, customize dishes, and place orders without calling.

An online ordering system for your restaurant also helps you:

• Track deliveries and dine-in orders efficiently
• Reduce mistakes in the kitchen
• Serve customers faster and more accurately

Having a restaurant online ordering website ensures you reach more customers directly, without paying high fees to third-party apps.

Benefits of Setting Up an Online Ordering System

Using WordPress, you can create an online ordering website that handles everything from menu display to checkout. Features like:

• Real-time order tracking
• Delivery and pickup scheduling
• Table-based ordering for dine-in

…improve customer experience, increase sales, and streamline restaurant operations.

What is the Best Online Food Ordering Plugin for WordPress?

The best online food ordering plugin for WordPress is RestroFood. It lets restaurants display menus, manage orders, offer delivery and pickup, set preparation times, and customize checkout, all in one smooth, user-friendly system.

Final Thoughts

Adding online ordering to your restaurant website is no longer optional, it’s essential. Customers expect speed, convenience, and flexibility when ordering food, and a well-built online ordering system can deliver all of that while boosting your sales and operational efficiency.

With WordPress and a plugin like RestroFood, you can create a seamless online ordering experience, manage orders in real time, and serve your customers better than ever. Whether you run a small café, a busy single restaurant, or a multi-branch restaurant, setting up online ordering helps you stay competitive, reduce errors, and grow your business.

Take Action Today

Start now to turn your website into a powerful online food order platform. And bring your restaurant online today and give your customers the easy, reliable ordering experience they’re looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need coding experience to build an online ordering website?

No, you don’t need coding. Using WordPress with plugins like RestroFood and page builders like Elementor, you can create a fully functional restaurant website, also using the RestroFood shortcode.

What is an online food ordering system for restaurants?

An online food ordering system allows customers to browse menus, customize dishes, and place orders directly from a restaurant’s website without calling. RestroFood plugin makes this process easy with WordPress and WooCommerce.

Why should my restaurant use an online ordering plugin?

Online food ordering plugin improves convenience, reduces order mistakes, allows delivery or pickup scheduling, boosts sales, and avoids high third-party app fees.

How to Create an Online Food Ordering Website using WordPress?

Choose a domain and hosting, install WordPress, WooCommerce, and Elementor, then use a restaurant plugin like RestroFood to manage menus, orders, and checkout.

What features does RestroFood offer for online ordering?

RestroFood online ordering features include online menus, product variants, extra options, same-page checkout, and delivery or pickup scheduling, etc for a seamless customer experience.

Can I manage multiple restaurant branches with RestroFood?

Yes, RestroFood supports multi-branch restaurants, user roles like branch manager or kitchen staff, and centralized order management.

How do I customize my restaurant’s online menu?

Using RestroFood, you can import demo products, change product layouts, add nutrition info, set product variants, and offer optional extras for each menu item.

Does RestroFood support pre-orders system?

Yes, the RestroFood plugin allows customers to schedule orders in advance, helping restaurants manage peak times and improve delivery efficiency.

Can I set delivery or pickup time for each order?

Yes, RestroFood allows you to define preparation times, delivery times, and available pickup/delivery slots for smooth order management.

How does the mini cart and checkout system work?

RestroFood offers same-page checkout and customizable mini cart styles, improving speed, reducing cart abandonment, and enhancing the customer experience.

What is the best online food ordering plugin for WordPress?

RestroFood is the best online food ordering plugin for wordpress and woocommerce. Thousands of restaurant owner uses these plugin.

Who provide free WordPress online food ordering plugin?

RestroFood offers a free restaurant plugin [ RestroFood Lite ] to easily manage online menus, orders, and deliveries on your WordPress restaurant website.