How to Write Menu Item Descriptions
Updated October 2026
A short description helps a guest choose. Here is how to write one.
Step 1: Start with the main ingredient
Say what the dish is built on, such as "Grilled chicken" or "Roasted tomato soup".
Step 2: Add two or three details
Mention how it is cooked and what comes with it, such as "with lemon, garlic and fries".
Step 3: Use real words
Plain, true words beat big claims. Say what is actually on the plate.
Step 4: Keep it to one or two lines
Long paragraphs get skipped. Short lines get read.
Step 5: Note common allergens where you can
If an item contains something many guests avoid, such as nuts, say so, and be ready to answer questions at the table. Rules differ by place, so check your local requirements.
Step 6: Type them into your menu
Add each description under its item in Rockin' Menus and check how the whole page reads before you print.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or food-safety advice. Rules for menus, labeling and allergens vary by location, so check with your local health department.