April 2026 · 10 min read
This guide walks you through the exact steps to go from a blank MenuMaestro account to a live digital menu with QR codes, ready to share with customers. The whole process takes 15–20 minutes if your photos and menu content are ready.
Go to app.menumaestro.ng/register and enter your name, email, and a secure password. You'll be on a 14-day free trial of the Growth plan — no credit card required.
After registering, you'll go through a quick onboarding wizard that asks for your restaurant name, type (QSR, casual dining, fine dining, café, etc.), and location. This takes about 2 minutes.
In your dashboard, go to Settings → Restaurant and fill in:
This is where the time goes. Go to Menu Builder.
Create categories first. Think of these like sections of a physical menu: Starters, Mains, Rice Dishes, Grills, Sides, Drinks, Desserts. Create the categories that match your actual menu. Drag to reorder them.
Add items to each category. For each item you'll need: name, price, and ideally a photo. The photo is the most important element — items with photos get 3–4x more orders than those without. A well-lit smartphone photo works perfectly.
Write good descriptions. This is where our AI helps. Click "AI Describe" on any item and it will generate an appetising description in seconds. Review it, edit if needed, and move on. For a 20-item menu, this step adds 3–4 minutes but pays off in higher conversions.
Add variants and add-ons. For items that come in sizes (Small/Medium/Large) or have customisation options (spice level, protein choice), add these as variants. Customers can select them when ordering.
Go to QR Codes and click "Generate QR Code." Give it a name (e.g., "Table QR" or "Counter Display") and your QR code is created instantly.
Download it as a high-resolution PNG. You can print it at any Lagos business centre — ask for an A5 acrylic stand, which costs about ₦1,500–₦3,000 and looks professional on tables.
You can also download a print-ready template that includes your restaurant name and branding.
From your dashboard, click the "Go Live" button. This publishes your menu and makes it accessible to anyone who scans your QR code or visits your menu link.
Your menu link follows the format: menumaestro.ng/menu/your-restaurant-name. Share this link on your WhatsApp status, Instagram bio, and Google Business Profile for additional discovery.
Check your Analytics page after your first week. Pay attention to:
The first two weeks give you a baseline. After that, you can start optimising — updating item photos, adjusting prices, and testing new descriptions.
1. Not adding photos — conversion drops by 60–70% without them. 2. Missing WhatsApp number — orders have nowhere to go. 3. Forgetting opening hours — customers need to know when you're open. 4. Never pressing "Go Live" — your menu isn't public until you do.
Need help? Email our team at support@menumaestro.ng or book a free 20-minute onboarding call. Growth and Pro plan customers get priority support.