Should I email the whole menu?

No. One or two dishes in the email body, a link to the menu on your site, and a link to the reservation. A PDF attachment is a bounce risk and a good reason to delete the email unread.

New Menu Email Generator for Restaurants (Free)

Q: Should I discount a new dish?

Not usually — it has not earned a price yet. Offer the pairing instead: a free sauce, a glass of the wine it goes with, or a tasting price for the first two weeks. That protects the margin and still gives people a reason to try it.

Step one — what are you emailing about?

A guest's birthday A new guest who just signed up A new menu A slow week that needs filling A guest who has not come back

Step two — your details

Restaurant name Guest's first name (optional)

Your details stay in your browser. Nothing is sent to us and we cannot see it.

Step three — copy and send

Option 1 Subject

The new menu is here, [First Name]

Hi [First Name], We've changed the menu. Most of it stayed, but we've added a few things we wanted to cook this season. The one to try first: [dish name] — [one line on why: what it is, what it's like, what it goes with]. See the menu and book: [link] — [Restaurant Name]

Option 2 Subject

[Dish name] is here until [date]

Hi [First Name], [dish name] runs on the menu from [start date] to [end date], and after that it's gone for the season. [One line: what makes it worth ordering now rather than next month.] Order it before it's off: [link] — [Restaurant Name]

Option 3 Subject

Order this one, [First Name]

Hi [First Name], If you're ordering one thing this week, make it [dish name]. [Two sentences: what it is, and the order you'd put it in.] It pairs well with [one drink or side]. That's the whole suggestion — we won't overcomplicate it. Reserve a table: [link] — [Restaurant Name]

When to send it

Timing	Best for	Watch out
3–5 days before launch	The tease. Regulars book the date before they see the food.	One or two dishes only — not the full menu.
Launch day	The announcement.	If you sent the tease, do not repeat the whole thing.
7–10 days after launch	The last call. This is the one that clears a slow week.	A real end date is what makes it work.

The offer that works

Don't discount a new dish — it hasn't earned a price yet. Offer the pairing instead: a free sauce, a glass of the wine it goes with, or a tasting price for the first two weeks.

What to change before you send

The generator fills in the placeholders and hands you a complete email. What it cannot do is know your restaurant — so change these two things before you send:

1. The offer. "A slice on us" is a placeholder idea. Make it the thing you actually give: a dessert, a drink, a no-fee reservation, double points. Do not send a discount code.

2. The link. Every template has a reservation link. It must go to your reservation page, not your homepage.

Everything else — the subject line, the length, the sign-off — send as it is the first time. You are testing the template, not your copywriting.