Choosing a template

The template gallery

MenuSquared includes 40 professionally designed templates, each with its own typography, layout style, and decorative character. Every template is designed for print and digital display.

To open the template gallery, click the Branding tab in the left sidebar of the editor (the paintbrush icon). The gallery shows a scrollable grid of template previews rendered with your actual menu content.

Template categories

Templates are organized by style to help you find the right fit:

Classic: Elegant, refined layouts for fine dining and upscale establishments. Templates like Marais, Michelin, and Moderniste.
Modern: Clean, contemporary designs with sophisticated typography. Includes Botanist, Studio, Lunar Noir, and Isla.
Bold: High-contrast, characterful layouts that make a statement. Features Brutalist, After Dark, Neon Nocturne, and Smokehouse.
Casual: Warm, approachable designs for cafés, bakeries, and casual spots. Includes Third Wave, The Bakehouse, Taverna, and SoHo.
Specialty: Purpose-built designs for specific cuisine types, like Atelier Sushi for Japanese restaurants or Prix Fixe for tasting menus.

Switching templates

Switching templates is non-destructive. Your menu content (sections, items, prices, descriptions) stays exactly the same. Only the visual design changes.

Hover to preview: As you move your cursor over templates in the gallery, the live preview updates in real time so you can see how your content looks in each design.
Click to apply: Click a template to select it. You'll be asked whether to apply the template's default colors and fonts, or keep your current custom settings.
Switch back anytime: You can change templates as often as you like. There's no commitment.

Tip: "Apply defaults" vs. "Keep settings"

When switching templates, choose Apply defaults to get the template's curated color palette and font pairing. Choose Keep settings if you've already customized your branding and want to see how it looks in the new layout.

Template capabilities

Not all templates support the same features. Each template declares its capabilities, which determine what's available in the editor:

Font locking: Some templates have locked fonts because their typography is integral to the design and can't be changed. Others offer a curated set of font pairings you can choose from.
Color themes: Each template comes with curated color palettes. You can use a preset theme or define custom colors.
Photo support: Templates may support hero images, item thumbnails, featured photo slots, or none. The editor only shows photo upload options when the template supports them.
Section display modes: Support for Featured, Alternate, Compact, and Showcase modes varies by template.
Header modes: Templates support different header layouts: Name Only, Logo Accent, Logo Hero, or Logo Stamp. Available options depend on the template.
Promo cards: Some templates support a promotional card block for specials, offers, or featured items.
Tagline and contact info: Some templates display your tagline, social links, and contact information. Others focus purely on the menu content.

Tips & frequently asked questions

Will switching templates delete my content?

Never. Template switching only changes the visual presentation. Your sections, items, prices, descriptions, and settings are preserved.

Why does my menu look different in the new template?

Each template has its own spacing, typography, and decorative elements. Some templates are more compact, others more spacious. If a feature you were using (like Showcase mode) isn't supported by the new template, those sections will fall back to Default mode.

Can I use different templates for different menus?

Yes. Each menu can use a different template. Your restaurant's default template is set in the Design System (Settings), but individual menus can override it in the editor.

How do I know which template to choose?