How much does a restaurant website cost in the UK?
Ask ten web designers what a restaurant website costs and you'll get ten answers. This guide explains the typical price ranges in the UK, what pushes the price up, the running costs people forget, and how to compare quotes fairly.
The short answer
Most independent UK restaurants spend somewhere between a few hundred pounds and a few thousand on a website, plus a monthly fee for hosting and support. Where you land depends mostly on how custom the design is and which features you need.
These are typical ranges, not quotes. Prices vary a lot between providers and regions, so treat them as a starting point when comparing.
| Option | Typical upfront cost | Typical monthly cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY website builder | £0, plus your time | Around £15 to £30 | Tight budgets and owners with time to spare |
| Freelancer | Roughly £400 to £1,500 | Varies, often hourly for changes | Simple sites with a trusted local designer |
| General web agency | Often £2,000 to £5,000 or more | Retainers or hourly changes | Larger groups with bigger budgets |
| Restaurant specialist like us | £695, £1,195 or from £2,495 + VAT | From £29 for aftercare | Independents wanting restaurant features built in |
What changes the price
A handful of decisions account for almost all of the difference between a £500 site and a £5,000 one:
- Design: a tailored template is quicker and cheaper than a design created from scratch for your brand.
- Number of pages: menus, private dining, events, a gallery and multiple locations all add pages.
- Features: booking systems, gift card shops, events and ticketing, and multi-language menus each add build time.
- Content: professional food photography and copywriting are often the difference between a site that looks fine and one that sells.
- Locations: a group with several sites needs separate menus, hours and booking setups for each.
The running costs to budget for
The upfront price is only part of the picture. Budget for these ongoing costs too:
- Domain name: a .co.uk address is usually around £10 a year.
- Hosting and security updates: often bundled into a monthly aftercare plan.
- Changes: menus change, so check whether you can edit them yourself or have to pay someone every time.
- Booking system: some platforms charge a subscription, per-cover fees, or both. Flat-fee systems cost the same however busy you get.
- Card fees on deposits and gift cards, usually charged by the payment provider rather than your web designer.
How to compare quotes fairly
When you have two or three quotes, line them up against the same questions:
- Can I update the menu, prices and allergens myself, without paying each time?
- Who owns the domain, the design and the content if I leave?
- What does it cost each month after launch, and what does that include?
- Is it built for phones first, and how fast does it load?
- Does it include Google Business Profile setup and the basics of local SEO?
Quick answers
Is a cheap website builder good enough for a restaurant?
It can be, if you have the time to set it up and keep it updated. The catch is usually time: restaurant owners rarely have spare hours to design pages, write copy and fix things when they break.
Do I have to pay VAT on a website?
If your web designer is VAT-registered, VAT is added to their price. If your business is VAT-registered, you can usually reclaim it. Check with your accountant.
Can I spread the cost?
Many providers offer monthly payment plans. Ours spread The Taster or The Spread over 24 months with hosting included.