Restaurant survey questions: 40+ customer feedback questions to copy
Updated 19 October 2026
The best restaurant survey asks 2–5 short questions straight after the meal or order: an overall rating, what was good, what to fix, and whether they'd come back. Send it by QR code, receipt or WhatsApp within a few hours. Keep it about feedback, not sales, so it stays outside marketing rules. Below are 40+ questions by business type, plus replies for bad reviews.
The 5-question survey (use this if you only send one)
- Overall, how was your visit / order today? (1–5 stars)
- How likely are you to recommend us to a friend? (0–10)
- What did we do well? (free text)
- What one thing should we improve? (free text)
- Can we contact you about your answers? (Yes/No + phone or email)
Question 2 is the Net Promoter Score (NPS). Promoters score 9–10, detractors 0–6. NPS = % promoters − % detractors. Track it monthly.
Dine-in restaurant questions
- How was the welcome when you arrived?
- How long did you wait to be seated?
- How would you rate the speed of service?
- Was your server friendly and helpful?
- How would you rate the taste of your food?
- Was your food served at the right temperature?
- How would you rate the portion size for the price?
- Did you feel we handled your allergy or dietary needs well?
- How clean were the tables and toilets?
- How was the noise level and atmosphere?
- Was the bill clear and correct?
- Which dish would you order again?
Takeaway and delivery questions
- Was your order ready on time / delivered when promised?
- Was everything in your order correct?
- Did your food arrive hot (or cold, if it should be)?
- How was the packaging? Any spills?
- How easy was it to order online?
- How would you rate value for money?
- Did you order direct or through a delivery app? Why?
- What would make you order direct next time?
Café and coffee shop questions
- How was your coffee today?
- How long did you queue?
- Did you find a seat easily?
- How would you rate our cakes and food?
- How was the Wi-Fi and the space for working?
- Is there anything you'd like us to stock?
Pub questions
- How was the beer and drinks range?
- How quickly were you served at the bar?
- How was the food (if you ate)?
- Did you feel welcome?
- Which events would bring you back: quiz, live sport, music, Sunday roast?
- How was the garden or outside area?
Questions about your menu and ideas
- Is there a dish you'd like us to add?
- Which dietary options should we offer more of (vegan, gluten-free, halal)?
- Which days and times suit you best?
- Would you use table ordering by QR code?
- Would you book a table online if you could?
How to ask (and when)
| Channel | Best for | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| QR code on the table or receipt | Dine-in | Short link, 3 questions max |
| Message after the order | Takeaway, delivery, click and collect | Send within 1–3 hours |
| Bookings | Send the next morning | |
| Card on the table | Older guests, pubs | Collect in a box at the till |
Keep it short. Every extra question loses people. Two questions with real answers beat ten with none.
Ask everyone. Regulars, first-timers, busy tables and quiet ones. You'll hear about problems sooner.
UK rules: feedback, marketing and reviews
Feedback vs marketing. The ICO treats genuine research and service messages differently from direct marketing. But if your survey message includes an offer, a discount or "order again" link, it's likely to count as marketing. Then you need consent (or the soft opt-in) to send it by email, text or WhatsApp. Keep the survey message about feedback only. More in our WhatsApp marketing, GDPR and PECR guide.
Keep any thank-you neutral. The ICO says research messages that include promotional material count as direct marketing. A voucher or offer in the survey message is likely to do that, so leave it out.
Asking for Google reviews. Since April 2025, UK consumer law (the DMCC Act 2024) bans fake reviews and misleading review practices. Google's own policies also forbid paying or rewarding people for reviews. So:
- Ask every customer for a review.
- Never offer a discount or freebie for a review.
- Never make fixing a complaint depend on a good review.
Make it easy with a Google review QR code. For more ideas, read how to get more Google reviews.
How to reply to negative feedback and reviews
The 4-step reply: thank, own it, fix it, take it offline.
Template 1: cold food (delivery)
Thanks for letting us know, Sam. Your food should arrive hot, and we're sorry it didn't. We've checked our packaging and driver times for Friday nights. Please message us on [number] so we can put it right.
Template 2: slow service
Thank you for the honest feedback. We were short-staffed on Saturday, and you felt it. That's not good enough. We've changed our weekend rota. We'd love the chance to do better. Ask for [manager name] next time.
Template 3: wrong order
Sorry, Priya. You ordered a chicken burger and got beef, which is a real problem if you don't eat beef. We've added a second check at the pass. Please call us on [number] and we'll refund you.
Reply within 48 hours. Keep it short, polite and specific. Never argue in public.
Turn answers into action
- Read every comment weekly. Tag each one: food, speed, staff, value, cleanliness.
- Fix the most common tag first.
- Tell staff what guests praised. It matters.
- Tell guests what you changed: a sign, a post or a note on your menu.
Collect ratings after every online order
With Menuthere's Pro plan, customers can rate each order 1–5 stars, add a comment and attach photos. Ratings sit with the order in your dashboard, next to your customer list. Once an order is completed, the customer's order page shows a "Rate your order" button, whether they ordered through your QR table ordering, online menu or WhatsApp ordering link.
Take orders direct and hear from every customer.
FAQs
What questions should I ask in a restaurant survey?
Start with an overall rating, how likely they are to recommend you, what was good, and what to improve. Add one or two questions about food, speed or value.
How many questions should a restaurant survey have?
Two to five. Short surveys get far more replies. Use a longer one only now and then, for loyal regulars.
When should I send a feedback survey?
Within a few hours of a takeaway or delivery order, or the morning after a booking. Memories fade fast.
Is a customer feedback survey direct marketing?
Not if it's genuine feedback. It can become marketing if the message promotes offers or asks people to order again. Then email, text and WhatsApp rules on consent apply.
Can I offer a discount for a Google review?
No. Google's policies don't allow rewards for reviews, and UK law bans fake and misleading reviews. Ask every customer, and keep the request simple.
How do I respond to a negative restaurant review?
Thank them, own the problem, say what you've changed and invite them to contact you directly. Reply within 48 hours and never argue in public.
Sources (6)
- ICO, Guide to PECR: electronic and telephone marketing. Accessed 11 Oct 2026. https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/direct-marketing-and-privacy-and-electronic-communications/guide-to-pecr/electronic-and-telephone-marketing/
- ICO, Direct marketing guidance: identify direct marketing (genuine market research isn't direct marketing; research messages with promotional material are; service messages with promotional elements count as marketing). Accessed 11 Oct 2026. https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/direct-marketing-and-privacy-and-electronic-communications/direct-marketing-guidance/identify-direct-marketing/
- CMA, Fake reviews (CMA208, 4 April 2025; legislative changes from April 2025). Accessed 11 Oct 2026. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fake-reviews-cma208
- Google, Prohibited & restricted content: Maps user-generated content policy (no incentives such as payment, discounts or free goods for reviews). Accessed 11 Oct 2026. https://support.google.com/contributionpolicy/answer/7400114
- Menuthere, Customers and reviews feature page (Pro: order ratings 1–5 stars, comments and photos). Read 11 Oct 2026. https://www.menuthere.com/en/features/customers-and-reviews
- Competitor structure check: sundayapp Google reviews articles; ResDiary survey questions (topic coverage only). Read 11 Oct 2026.