18 Different Types of Menu in Hospitality industry

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Types of menu

A menu is a list of dishes or other items that are available to order from a restaurant, cafe, or other establishment. There are many different types of menu, each with its own unique purpose and style. In this blog post, we will explore 18 different types of menus, from the classic à la carte menu to the more specialized tasting menu. We will also discuss the different factors that you should consider when choosing a menu for your own establishment.

Whether you are a restaurant owner, a food blogger, or simply a curious eater, this blog post will give you a comprehensive overview of the different types of menus available. So read on to learn more about the world of menus! Before we move forward we see what is the Menu?

What is Menu?

So the Menu is define as Menu is a list of food & beverage that can be served to a guest at a price.

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By another definition A menu is a list of dishes or drinks that are available to order, typically in a restaurant or cafe.

The word menu like much of the terminology of cuisine is French in origin. It ultimately derives from Latin “minutus”, something made small, in French. In French menu means “in minute detail” and in English, it is also termed as “bill of fare”.

Different Types of Menu

1) Table d’hôte

A Table d’hôte menu is a fixed-price menu that offers a selection of complete meals with several courses such as appetizers, main courses, and desserts.

Table d’ hôte menu is available in banquets, restaurants where buffet lunch and dinner is available in guest houses, flight catering, Institutional catering such as mess, welfare catering, “Combo Meals” in fast food outlets, “Thali Meals” in Indian restaurants.

The term “table d’hôte” is French and translates to “the host’s table.” This type of menu is commonly found in restaurants and often features a limited selection of dishes that change regularly. The goal of a table d’hôte menu is to offer a complete dining experience that includes a variety of dishes at a reasonable price.

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2) A’ la carte menu

An à la carte menu is a types of menu where individual dishes are priced separately, allowing customers to order any combination of dishes they prefer.

It is  available in all types of food and beverage outlets except for banquets, institutional catering and welfare catering.

These are the fundamental two types of Menu now we will see difference between the Table d’hôte and A’ la carte menu.

Difference between Table d’hôte Menu and A’ la carte menu

Table d'hôte
A’ la Carte
The table d'hot mean table of the hostA' la carte mean According to card
It offers limited choices of dishesThere is multiple choices offers in this Menu
Menu is Comperative SmallMenu is Lengthy
Charge collectivelyCharged separately according to dishes
Less number of service equipment requiredLarge number of service equipment required
Chances of Food wastage is minimumIn this menu Food wastage is maximum
Guest satisfaction is lowComperative guest satisfaction is high
Cooked in advance and can be served immediatelyCooked by order and and takes to time serve
Examples are - Banquet menu, buffet menu, cyclic menuExample- Lounge menu,
Breakfast menu, luncheon menu, dinner menu, California menu, ethnic menu, specialty menu, room service menu,

3) Plat du Jour

A Plat du Jour menu is a daily or weekly changing menu offered by restaurants, cafes, and other food establishments. The term “Plat du Jour” translates to “dish of the day” in French. This type of menu typically features one or two dishes that are freshly prepared each day, based on seasonal ingredients and the chef’s inspiration.

Plat du Jou mean speciality of the day or dish of the day.  The menu created by Pierre Fraysse, a French cook from the United State.

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This menu based on the Skill of the Chef and motivates to other for finding new recipes.

Generally prices of this menu Comperative higher.

4) Carte du Jou

The Carte du Jour mean Card of the day. It is special menu for particular day It refers to all menus of the day, combining a’ la carte, table d’ hôte, and plat du jour menus.

5) Cyclic Menu

A cyclic menu is a type of menu that is designed to be repeated over a specific period, such as a week or a month. In hotels, cyclic menus are commonly used in restaurants, banquet halls, and catering services.

The cyclic menu usually includes a set of dishes that rotate on a regular basis, providing guests with a variety of choices over time. This type of menu is popular in hotels because it allows the kitchen to plan and prepare food in advance, making it easier to manage inventory and control costs. It also ensures that guests have a consistent dining experience and can rely on their favorite dishes being available on a regular basis.

The length of the cycle depends on season of year, availability of ingredients and catering policy of the establishment.

This type of menu is followed in hospitals, educational and institutional catering.

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6) Room Service Doorknob Menu card

If you go any Five star hotel and in room there is Menu it’s called Room service Doorknob menu card you can order listed dishes on the telephone.

A Room Service Doorknob Menu card is a type of menu that is designed to be hung on a guest’s room doorknob. It’s commonly used by hotels to provide guests with an easy and convenient way to order food and drinks from their room.

The Room Service Doorknob Menu card typically includes a selection of dishes and drinks that are available for room service, along with their prices. The card may also include information about the hotel’s room service hours, ordering instructions, and any additional fees or charges that may apply.

7) Static menu

A static menu is a type of menu that features a fixed set of dishes that are available for a long period, usually for a season or even a year, without frequent changes. This type of menu is commonly found in hotels’ restaurants and cafes, and it’s usually printed on a card, a booklet, or a board that is displayed for guests to see.

Static menu offered the same food every day. These menus are typically found in fast-food operations, ethnic restaurants, steakhouses and the like.

This type of menu is popular in hotels because it allows guests to know what dishes are available before they arrive, and it provides consistency and reliability in terms of quality and taste.

You may also like 16 Types of Restaurants

Types of Menu Generally found in Hotel or Restaurants

8) Banquet menu

A banquet menu is a types of menu designed for large groups of people attending special events or gatherings, such as weddings, corporate events, and parties. Banquet menus are typically pre-set, and guests are usually given limited options to choose from.

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It offers a selection of fixed items given at a set price. However, food can be served according to guest’s preference.

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Banquet menus can be customized to fit the specific needs and preferences of the event. For example, if the event is a wedding, the menu might include more elegant and refined dishes, such as filet mignon or lobster, while a corporate event might feature a more casual menu with options like burgers and sandwiches.

In hotels, banquet menus are often designed by the hotel’s executive chef and catering team. They may also offer a variety of add-on services, such as custom decor, floral arrangements, and audiovisual equipment rental, to make the event more memorable and enjoyable for guests.

9) Ethnic menu

The Ethnic Menu offers particular Cuisine that are from any region or Country. The food price can be moderate to high.

Ethnic menus may focus on a specific country, such as Mexican, Indian, or Chinese cuisine, or they may showcase a broader region, such as Southeast Asian or Mediterranean cuisine.

In hotels, ethnic menus may be offered in specialty restaurants or as part of special events or themed nights. They may also be featured in hotel catering services or banquet menus, offering guests a taste of different cultures and cuisines.

Ethnic menus can be a popular choice for guests looking for something unique and flavorful, as they offer an opportunity to explore and experience different tastes and cooking styles from around the world. Additionally, they can be an excellent way for hotels to showcase their culinary skills and expertise in preparing a variety of dishes from different cultures.

10) Californian menu

A Californian menu is a type of cuisine that originated in California, USA. It is known for its focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and its emphasis on healthy and sustainable cooking.

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A menu that has all three meals available all day and is listed on the same menu. Food service operations may have separate menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Some of the  popular dishes on a Californian menu include avocado toast, poke bowls, fish tacos, grilled fish or chicken, fresh salads with nuts and fruits, and whole-grain pastas. Many Californian menus also include vegetarian and vegan options, and often feature organic and locally sourced ingredients.

11) Brunch menu

It refers to heavy mid morning snacks that combines breakfast & lunch, generally served from 10am up to 2pm, and regularly has some form of alcoholic drink served with it. Alcohol drinks are optional with brunch.

Brunch menus are popular on weekends, especially on Sundays, and are often a more leisurely and social meal that guests can enjoy with friends and family.

In hotels brunch menu may include a variety of options, such as omelets, eggs benedict, pancakes, waffles, French toast, bacon, sausage, fruit, yogurt, pastries, and bread. They may also include more substantial lunch options like salads, sandwiches, burgers, and pasta dishes. Beverages such as coffee, tea, juices, mimosas, and Bloody Marys are also commonly served.

12) Supper menu

Supper was originally a secondary lighter evening meal. It is a light evening meal mostly taken before dinner during evening social events. It is also served late at night, popular in Europe.

Supper menus in hotels may also include heartier dishes, such as steak or seafood, for guests who prefer a more substantial meal. Many hotels also offer a selection of desserts and drinks to accompany the meal.

Often designed to be a more casual and relaxed dining experience than dinner service, and may be served in the hotel restaurant or in other dining areas, such as the hotel bar or lounge.

13) Wine menu

The menu offers a variety of types & selections of wines from low to high. It may include the details description of wine like name, country of origin, vintage year, price & the bin number.

Wine menus can be designed to showcase a specific style of wine, such as a focus on local wines, organic or biodynamic wines, or rare and vintage wines. Some menus may also feature a selection of wines by the glass or half-bottle, as well as full bottles.

In hotels, wine menus may be offered in hotel restaurants or bars, as well as in-room dining service. Hotels may also offer wine tastings or wine pairing events to showcase their wine selection and provide guests with an educational and enjoyable experience.

14) Functions (festive) menu

These type of menus are compiled for functions hosted by clients such as wedding anniversaries, birthday parties and Festive occasions such as Christmas, Eid al-Fitr, Ganesh chaturthi, etc,

Functions menus are often designed to offer a wide range of options to suit different tastes and dietary requirements. The menu may include a variety of cuisines, such as local or regional specialties, international flavors, or fusion dishes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary restrictions are often taken into consideration when designing the menu.

In hotels, functions menus may be offered in banquet rooms, conference rooms, or other event spaces. Hotels may also offer catering services for off-site events and parties, allowing guests to enjoy high-quality food and beverages at their chosen location.

Other occasions for festive menu such as New Year’s Eve, Independence Day, Republic Day etc.,

15) Crew menu

In some hotels this type of menus is designed for crew members of airlines who regularly stay with them.

The crew menu may include a variety of dishes that are easy to prepare and serve, and that can be served quickly and efficiently to accommodate the busy schedules of the crew members. The menu may also take into account the dietary preferences and requirements of the crew members, offering vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or other options as needed.

Crew menu plays an important role in ensuring the health and well-being of the crew members of a transportation vessel, and is designed to provide them with nutritious and satisfying meals and snacks while they are on duty.

16) Happy hour menu

This menu is aimed at generating revenue through sale of food & beverages by offering reduced rates during lean time (A period of time in which money is not plentiful or one is not successful) of the day. The purpose of this type of menu is also to promote the sale of slow moving dish by selling slow moving dish with fast moving dish in adjusted price.

17) Specialty menu

It offers the special dishes of the day or week.

Some hotels may organize Chinese week, Mexican week, Thanksgiving week (second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States), Christmas week, Thai week etc., to promote food & beverage sales.

Menus offered will have a list of dishes from a particular cuisine or region. Chefs also introduced daily specials for lunch & dinner.

18) Diet menu

It is a type of health awareness menu. Diet menus include menus suitable for consumer suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, acidity, ulcer & so on.

Most of the guest demands gluten free, whole-wheat, multigrain, chemical & artificial colour free food products.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have explored 18 different types of menus that are commonly used in the hospitality industry. We have discussed the features and benefits of each type of menu, as well as the best practices for using them.

The type of menu that you choose will depend on a number of factors, including the type of restaurant you operate, your target audience, and your budget. However, by understanding the different types of menus available, you can make an informed decision about which type is right for your business.

Thank you for reading!

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