Guest App - The full Optimization Guide

With Zenchef’s upcoming Guest App, guests will soon be able to discover and reserve their favorite restaurants directly. 

This means your restaurant will have an extra marketing channel at its disposal designed to connect you with high-value guests, commission-free.

This guide shows you how to set up your restaurant profile in the Back Office so that, when the Guest App launches, you’ll look your absolute best and capture the most visibility 🚀

Read the tips below to get ready and maximize results from day one.

 

Summary

  1. Create an attractive homepage for your restaurant

  2. How guests use the Guest App — and how your info helps them find you

  3. What to fill out — field-by-field breakdown

  4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

     

1. Create an attractive homepage for your restaurant

Your restaurant will have its own profile in the Guest App. Of course, you want your profile to look good and to display the vibe as it is in your restaurant. 

Simply adjust the settings in your Zenchef Back Office and it will appear in the Guest App app as well.


💡 MUST DO's (to be highlighted in the Guest App)

Restaurants with complete profiles receive more visibility and more bookings. Here’s what to check:

  • Add at least 3 high-quality photos that capture the atmosphere (not just the plates).

  • Write a clear and compelling description (minimum 100 characters) that brings your restaurant’s vibe to life.

  • Select at least 1 cuisine type that matches what you serve.

  • Indicate your average spend per person.

  • Choose at least 3 feature tags (e.g. romantic, terrace, cocktail bar, open late) to help guests discover you through filters and understand your experience at a glance.

✨ Nice to Have

  • Add your menu so guests know what kinds of dishes to expect.

⚙️ Where to update this information

In your Zenchef Back Office, go to:

Settings → General & Team → Identity / Restaurant Profile
 

2. How guests use the Guest App — and how your info helps them find you

Every detail you complete in your Zenchef Back Office helps the right guests find you in the Guest App.

When diners search, they’ll use filters like cuisine type, price range, and feature tags. The more accurate and complete your profile, the more often your restaurant will appear in relevant searches – and the more likely it is to be booked.

Let’s say a guest is looking to eat Italian for around 25 euros per person in a romantic setting. They can use the price range, cuisine type and features filters to find restaurants in those categories.

If your restaurant hasn’t set those fields, you simply won’t appear — even if you’re the perfect fit. 


Here’s how these fields will appear in the app:

  1. Photos → Carousel at the top of your profile

  2. Restaurant name & address → Header section

  3. Cuisine type → Visible under your restaurant name

  4. Price range → Displayed near the top of your profile

  5. Description → “About” section

  6. Feature tags → Listed under “Practical Information”

  7. Menu → (Coming soon)

  8. Experiences → (Coming soon)

⚙️Where to update

Go to Settings → General & Team → Restaurant Profile

3. What to fill out — field-by-field breakdown

Here’s exactly how each field in your Back Office appears in the Guest App — and why it drives bookings.

Identity

Settings → General Information → Identity → Brand → Photo Album

Photos

Add at least three high-quality photos that capture the atmosphere of your restaurant.

Consider showing the dining room, a signature dish, and the overall vibe. These are the first impressions guests will get in the app.
 

Online visibility 

Settings → General Information → Online Visibility

About

Write a clear, engaging description (minimum 100 characters) that sums up who you are and what guests can expect. Feel free to keep it simple and honest.

Guests read this to decide if your place fits the night they’re planning — don’t leave it blank.

Food & Dining

Settings → General Information → Restaurant Profile

Cuisine

Select one to three cuisine types that best describe your food. If your precise cuisine type is not listed, choose the closest match – guests will still see your full identity on your profile.

Dietary options

Select options your restaurant intentionally caters to, if any — not just dishes that happen to fit. For example, choose Vegetarian or Vegan only if you offer several real choices or a dedicated menu.

  • Gluten-free — full dishes available, not only sides.

  • Halal / Kosher — prepared following standard requirements.

  • Vegan — no animal products.

  • Vegetarian — full meals without meat or fish.

 

Features

Settings → General Information → Restaurant Profile

Awards & Mentions

Select any of the official awards or recognitions your restaurant holds.

  • Ecotable (1–3 macarons)

  • Gault&Millau (1–5 toques or Academy Member)

  • Heerlijk.nl

  • Le Fooding

  • Michelin (1–3 stars, Bib Gourmand, Green Star, Recognized)

  • Relais & Châteaux

  • World’s 50 Best

Ambiance

Describe the general feel of your restaurant. Guests often search based on mood, so this helps match you to the right moments.

  • Casual – Relaxed, unpretentious environment (bistros, cafés, street food).

  • Casual Fine Dining – Refined food in a relaxed atmosphere.

  • Fine Dining – Formal service, refined presentation, high-end experience.

  • Kid-Friendly – Welcomes families; provides suitable menu or setup for children.

  • Lively – Energetic, social, often with music or a buzzed atmosphere.

  • Quiet – Calm, subdued, ideal for conversation.

  • Romantic – Dim lighting or intimate setting; suitable for dates.

  • Traditional Establishment – Classic décor and cuisine; rooted in local tradition.

Occasion

These tags help the Guest App suggest your restaurant for the right context — from breakfast meetings to late-night dinners.

  • Breakfast – Open for morning service with a breakfast menu.

  • Brunch – Serves brunch (typically weekends, late morning).

  • Business Meeting – Calm or private setting; suitable for professional lunches/dinners.

  • Dining Solo – Comfortable seating and welcoming atmosphere for solo guests.

  • Groups (6+) – Can accommodate larger tables or private rooms.

  • Lunch – Serves a midday menu.

  • Shared Plates – Menu designed for sharing dishes.

Highlights

Highlight what makes your food and drinks program special.

  • Alcohol-Free Drinks – Offers crafted non-alcoholic options (mocktails, kombuchas, etc.).

  • Cocktail Bar – Dedicated bar program with cocktails beyond standard menu.

  • Natural Wine – Focus on natural, organic, or biodynamic wines.

  • Seasonal & Local – Menu built around local, seasonal ingredients.

  • Wine Bar – Primary focus on wine; menu complements the wine list.

Space & Seating

Let guests know what kind of physical setting they can expect.

  • Bar Seating – Counter or bar seating for dining or drinks.

  • Great View – Visible view (cityscape, river, nature, etc.).

  • Outdoor Seating – Terrace, garden, or outdoor tables available.

  • Rooftop – Dining or drinks area located on a rooftop.

Amenities & Services

List practical details that influence guest decisions. These can make the difference between “maybe later” and “let’s book it.”

  • Air Conditioning – Climate control available inside the restaurant.

  • Live Music – Hosts regular or scheduled live performances.

  • Pets Allowed – Allows guests to bring dogs (usually on terrace or inside).

  • Walk-Ins Welcome – Accepts guests without reservations.

 

4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Getting Started

Is the Zenchef Guest App available to download?

Not yet — we’re preparing for launch. Restaurants who complete their profiles now will be the first to appear when the app goes live. It’s a one-time effort that pays off immediately once guests start booking.

Do I need to do this now?

Yes. Completing your profile before launch ensures your restaurant appears right away when guests start using the app. It’s the easiest way to secure early visibility and momentum.

Will my restaurant automatically appear when the app launches?

Yes. If your restaurant uses Zenchef and your Back Office profile is complete, it will automatically appear in the Guest App once it goes live.

How can I see how my restaurant will appear in the Guest App?

The app isn’t publicly available yet, but all the information you add in your Back Office will automatically appear when it launches. You’ll be able to view your profile and make adjustments at any time.


Visibility & Discovery

How can I make my restaurant as visible as possible?

Complete all profile fields listed in this guide — especially photos, cuisine type, price range, and feature tags. The more complete your information, the more often your restaurant appears in guest searches and filters.

What are the conditions to be featured in the Guest App?

Any restaurant using Zenchef can appear in the app. Restaurants with complete, high-quality profiles are prioritized and shown more prominently to guests.

Will guests be able to follow or save our restaurant?

Yes. Guests can follow restaurants and build personal lists. Restaurants that regularly update their photos, descriptions, and tags tend to attract more followers.


Operations & Functionality

Will guests book directly through the app?

Yes. Guests will be able to discover, choose, and reserve directly through Zenchef — just like they do via your website widget. All reservations will appear instantly in your Back Office.

What happens if a guest changes or cancels a reservation?

It works exactly like your widget. Any modification or cancellation made through the Guest App automatically updates in your Back Office.

Will the app be available in multiple languages?

Yes. The Guest App will be available in French, Dutch, and English. It automatically adapts to the user’s phone language settings.

How much will it cost to appear in the Guest App?

Nothing. The Guest App is entirely commission-free — included with your Zenchef subscription.