How BeforeTable works
This guide explains how to create an AR restaurant menu with BeforeTable—from signup to table QR—so guests preview dishes in 3D and WebAR without downloading an app. Follow the steps below, then deepen skills in Help and Docs.
Step 1
Create your free restaurant account
Go to beforetable.com and choose Start Free. Enter your restaurant details and verify your email. Free includes three AR dish slots so you can test the full guest path before paying. No credit card is required to explore the Free plan.
Step 2
Set up categories and menu structure
Add categories that match how guests browse—Mains, Desserts, Drinks, Specials. Keep names clear; they appear on the public menu. If you later enable subcategories on eligible plans, nest items the way your printed menu already groups them.
Step 3
Upload dish photos for 3D and AR
For each hero dish, upload several clear photos: front, side, top, and three-quarter angles help. Use consistent lighting and a clean background. Avoid heavy filters. Better inputs produce clearer 3D models for browser preview and WebAR placement on the table.
Step 4
Wait for AR processing, then review
When a dish is Ready, preview it in your dashboard. Check scale, orientation, and whether the model represents the plate you serve. Adjust name, price, description, and dietary tags so the public page matches reality.
Step 5
Generate QR codes for tables or dishes
Create QR codes for individual dishes or broader menu entry points. Print them for table tents, menu inserts, or counter stands. The printed code stays stable while you update photos, prices, or availability behind the scenes.
Step 6
Guests scan — WebAR, no app download
Diners open Safari or Chrome from the QR link, spin the 3D dish, and use supported AR views on iPhone and Android. They do not need an App Store or Play Store install for the core BeforeTable experience. That is the WebAR advantage versus app-only AR menus.
Step 7
Optional: take orders into kitchen tools
When ordering is enabled, guests can add items to cart and send tickets to your dashboard and kitchen display. Growth features can include fuller QR coverage and analytics. Table status and billing modules are available as toggles on eligible plans—a light POS layer, not a hardware terminal suite.
Tips for a strong first launch
Start with three hero dishes that photograph well and sell often—signature mains or desserts. Train one server section first. Watch whether guests understand the QR prompt. Iterate photos if the 3D model feels off.
Compare your Free PDF or flat QR menu against the AR path on the same table. Most owners feel the difference in guest questions about portion size and plating. When you outgrow three AR slots, Starter at $20/mo expands to fifteen dishes.
Time expectations
Account setup can take minutes. Photo capture for three dishes is usually a short kitchen session. AR model processing is measured in business days depending on queue and photo quality—see FAQ for current expectations. Printing QR codes is immediate once dishes are Ready.
You do not need a developer. BeforeTable is self-serve for independents in the US and Canada, with support by email on Free and higher touch on paid plans.
Related guides
Read Pricing for plan limits, FAQ for app and device questions, Help for troubleshooting, and the Blog for deeper AR menu strategy. Ready to begin? Start Free on beforetable.com.