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If you’ve walked into a modern restaurant, bar, café or takeaway recently, chances are you’ve been greeted by a digital screen rather than a printed menu.
From bright window displays that pull people in off the street, to interactive touch screen kiosks that let customers place their own orders, digital signage in hospitality is everywhere – and for good reason.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about digital menu boards and interactive touch screen kiosks for hospitality, including the different types available, where they work best, and how they can be used effectively. We’ll also explore key features, CMS and plug-and-play options, as well as how to choose the right size, setup and placement – helping you improve the customer experience and create a smoother, more engaging journey from browsing to purchase.
If you’ve walked into a modern restaurant, bar, café or takeaway recently, chances are you’ve been greeted by a digital screen rather than a printed menu.
From bright window displays that pull people in off the street, to interactive touch screen kiosks that let customers place their own orders, digital signage in hospitality is everywhere – and for good reason.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about digital menu boards and interactive touch screen kiosks for hospitality, including the different types available, where they work best, and how they can be used effectively. We’ll also explore key features, CMS and plug-and-play options, as well as how to choose the right size, setup and placement – helping you improve the customer experience and create a smoother, more engaging journey from browsing to purchase.
What is a Digital Menu Board & Digital Signage?
A digital menu board (also known as digital signage or digital display) is a modern way to present content such as menus, promotions, videos and imagery.
Unlike printed signage, digital signs can be updated instantly, making them perfect for busy hospitality environments where menus, pricing and offers change regularly.
Whether you’re running a takeaway with daily deals or a bar with seasonal cocktails, digital screens give you the flexibility to keep everything current without reprinting.
What are the Different Types of Screens & Digital Menu Boards?
Not all digital signage displays are the same. The right choice depends on your space, your customers, and how you want to present your menu.
Wall-Mounted Digital Screens
Wall-mounted digital screens such as the Ultra-Wide Stretched Bar Display are one of the most versatile options in hospitality digital signage.
They’re installed directly onto walls, making them ideal where floor space is limited but visibility is still important.
These screens are commonly used in:
- Restaurant feature walls
- Bar back displays
- Menu or promotional zones
They work brilliantly as part of a wider digital signage setup – for example:
- Ceiling-mounted menu boards at the counter
- Wall-mounted promotional screens in seating areas
- Countertop displays for POS offers
Wall-Mounted Digital Screens
Wall-mounted digital screens such as the Ultra-Wide Stretched Bar Display are one of the most versatile options in hospitality digital signage.
They’re installed directly onto walls, making them ideal where floor space is limited but visibility is still important.
These screens are commonly used in:
- Restaurant feature walls
- Bar back displays
- Menu or promotional zones
They work brilliantly as part of a wider digital signage setup – for example:
- Ceiling-mounted menu boards at the counter
- Wall-mounted promotional screens in seating areas
- Countertop displays for POS offers
These screens are commonly used in:
- Restaurant feature walls
- Bar back displays
- Menu or promotional zones
They work brilliantly as part of a wider digital signage setup – for example:
- Ceiling-mounted menu boards at the counter
- Wall-mounted promotional screens in seating areas
- Countertop displays for POS offers
Floorstanding Digital Screens
If you want to make an impact, floorstanding digital signage displays are a great option.
Placed at entrances or in waiting areas, they’re perfect for:
- Promoting offers
- Displaying full menus
- Creating a strong first impression
They work particularly well in takeaways and quick-service restaurants where footfall is high.
Countertop Digital Displays
Countertop screens are perfect for point-of-sale (POS) areas, such as tills and bar counters. They’re ideal for highlighting:
- Add-ons
- Upsells
- Promotions
In cafés and bars especially, screens such as the 10″ & 15″ Point of Sale Advertising Touch Screen can subtly encourage customers to spend a little more while they’re already ordering.
Countertop Digital Displays
Countertop screens are perfect for point-of-sale (POS) areas, such as tills and bar counters. They’re ideal for highlighting:
- Add-ons
- Upsells
- Promotions
In cafés and bars especially, screens such as the 10″ & 15″ Point of Sale Advertising Touch Screen can subtly encourage customers to spend a little more while they’re already ordering.
High-Brightness Window Displays
One of the most effective – and often overlooked – options is a window-facing digital screen.
These high-brightness screens are specifically designed to remain clear and easy to read even in direct sunlight, making them perfect for:
- High street locations
- Cafés
- Takeaways
They allow you to showcase your digital menus and promotions to passers-by, helping turn foot traffic into paying customers before they even step inside.
High-Brightness Window Displays
One of the most effective – and often overlooked – options is a window-facing digital screen.
These high-brightness screens are specifically designed to remain clear and easy to read even in direct sunlight, making them perfect for:
- High street locations
- Cafés
- Takeaways
They allow you to showcase your digital menus and promotions to passers-by, helping turn foot traffic into paying customers before they even step inside.
Outdoor Digital Screens
Outdoor digital screens and fascias are designed for one key job – bringing customers in before they even step inside.
Unlike standard indoor displays, these screens are built to be:
- Weather-resistant
- Bright enough for daylight visibility
- Durable for continuous use in external environments
They’re commonly used on:
- Shopfronts
- Drive-thru lanes
- Outdoor seating areas
- Forecourts and entrances
- Improved readability for customers
For takeaways especially, digital menus for takeaways help speed up ordering and reduce confusion, which is crucial during busy periods.
Outdoor Digital Screens
Outdoor digital screens and fascias are designed for one key job – bringing customers in before they even step inside.
Unlike standard indoor displays, these screens are built to be:
- Weather-resistant
- Bright enough for daylight visibility
- Durable for continuous use in external environments
They’re commonly used on:
- Shopfronts
- Drive-thru lanes
- Outdoor seating areas
- Forecourts and entrances
- Improved readability for customers
For takeaways especially, digital menus for takeaways help speed up ordering and reduce confusion, which is crucial during busy periods.
Ceiling Mounted Digital Menu Boards
These are the classic digital menu boards for restaurants and takeaways, typically positioned behind the counter.
They’re designed to be:
- Easy to read from a distance
- Clear and well-organised
- Visible in busy environments
For fast-paced takeaways, this type of setup helps customers make quick decisions, keeping queues moving.
Ceiling Mounted Digital Menu Boards
These are the classic digital menu boards for restaurants and takeaways, typically positioned behind the counter.
They’re designed to be:
- Easy to read from a distance
- Clear and well-organised
- Visible in busy environments
For fast-paced takeaways, this type of setup helps customers make quick decisions, keeping queues moving.
Touch Screen Kiosks & Interactive Displays
Interactive touch screens and touchscreen self-serve kiosks are changing the way customers order.
Instead of waiting at the counter, customers can:
- Browse your full menu
- Customise their order
- Pay independently
These interactive kiosk systems are ideal for:
- Busy takeaways
- Fast food restaurants
- High-volume cafés
Not only do they improve efficiency, but they also tend to increase order value through smart upselling prompts.
Touch Screen Kiosks & Interactive Displays
Interactive touch screens and touchscreen self-serve kiosks are changing the way customers order.
Instead of waiting at the counter, customers can:
- Browse your full menu
- Customise their order
- Pay independently
These interactive kiosk systems are ideal for:
- Busy takeaways
- Fast food restaurants
- High-volume cafés
Not only do they improve efficiency, but they also tend to increase order value through smart upselling prompts.
Quick Comparison: Digital Screens for Hospitality at a Glance
If you’re unsure which option is right for your space, here’s a quick side-by-side comparison:
Screen Type
Best Location
Key Benefit
Ideal For
Till points, bar counters, reception desks, coffee counters
Perfect eye-level POS placement for upselling and promotions right at the point of purchase
Cafés, bars, small restaurants
Screen Type
Best Location
Till points, bar counters, reception desks, coffee counters
Key Benefit
Perfect eye-level POS placement for upselling and promotions right at the point of purchase
Ideal For
Cafés, bars, small restaurants
Screen Type
Best Location
Behind service counters, fast food serving areas, takeaway order points
Key Benefit
High visibility, keeps menus organised and easy to read in busy environments
Ideal For
Restaurants, takeaways
Behind service counters, fast food serving areas, takeaway order points
High visibility, keeps menus organised and easy to read in busy environments
Restaurants, takeaways
Screen Type
Best Location
Entrances, waiting areas, queue lines
Key Benefit
High-impact freestanding display that grabs attention and promotes offers before customers order
Ideal For
High footfall areas, busy hospitality venues
Entrances, waiting areas, queue lines
High-impact freestanding display that grabs attention and promotes offers before customers order
High footfall areas, busy hospitality venues
Shopfront windows, glass entrances, street-facing displays
Designed to stay clear and readable in direct sunlight, ideal for attracting passing foot traffic
Cafés, takeaways, high street restaurants
Screen Type
Best Location
Shopfront windows, glass entrances, street-facing displays
Key Benefit
Designed to stay clear and readable in direct sunlight, ideal for attracting passing foot traffic
Ideal For
Cafés, takeaways, high street restaurants
Self-service areas, entrances, ordering zones, large open floor spaces
Allows customers to browse, customise and order independently, reducing queues and staff pressure
Fast food, busy takeaways
Screen Type
Best Location
Self-service areas, entrances, ordering zones, large open floor spaces
Key Benefit
Allows customers to browse, customise and order independently, reducing queues and staff pressure
Ideal For
Fast food, busy takeaways
Feature walls, waiting areas, bar back walls
Space-saving solution that keeps content at eye level without taking up floor space
Bars, restaurants, cafés
Screen Type
Best Location
Feature walls, waiting areas, bar back walls
Key Benefit
Space-saving solution that keeps content at eye level without taking up floor space
Ideal For
Bars, restaurants, cafés
External walls, forecourts, outdoor seating areas, drive-thru areas
Built for external visibility and weather-resistant use, ideal for attracting customers before they even enter the premises
Takeaways, drive-thrus, outdoor venues
Screen Type
Best Location
External walls, forecourts, outdoor seating areas, drive-thru areas
Key Benefit
Built for external visibility and weather-resistant use, ideal for attracting customers before they even enter the premises
Ideal For
Takeaways, drive-thrus, outdoor venues
Digital Screens for Restaurants – At a Glance
For restaurants, digital signage and food advertising screens are mainly used to enhance visibility, atmosphere and menu presentation rather than in-table ordering.
- Ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted menu boards (fast-casual only) – used in quicker service restaurants to present menus clearly and efficiently
- High-brightness window screens – attract passing customers and promote menus or set offers before entry
- Wall-mounted feature screens – enhance atmosphere, display branding or showcase specials to create a more immersive dining experience
- Bar-back display screens – highlight drinks menus and promotions in bar or lounge areas
In most traditional sit-down restaurants, digital screens are used more for branding, ambience and communication, rather than direct ordering.
Customisable Digital Screens & Branding
Digital screens aren’t just about what’s on the display – the surrounding hardware can also be customised to suit your branding and environment.
A key example of this is a customisable shroud, which is the outer casing or surround of the screen, designed to be finished in colours and styles that match your brand.
This helps the screen feel more integrated within your space rather than a standalone unit, creating a more premium and cohesive look.
With customisable shrouds, you can:
- Match your brand colours and finishes
- Complement your interior design
- Create a more polished, professional appearance
This is especially effective in bars, cafés and high-end restaurants where presentation is key.
Choosing the Right Size & Setup
Digital screens for hospitality come in a wide range of sizes and formats, so choosing the right one depends on your space and how far away your customers will be viewing it from.
- Smaller screens are best suited to close-up viewing, such as at till points or counters, where customers are only a short distance away
- Medium screens work well for menu boards, where content needs to be clearly visible across a room
- Larger screens are ideal for window displays and feature areas, helping you capture attention from outside and draw customers in
It’s also important to consider viewing angles and positioning. Your content should always be:
- Easy to read at a glance
- Positioned at a natural eye level
- Clear from different areas of your space
Getting this right ensures your digital signage not only looks good, but actually works to attract attention, guide decisions, and improve the customer experience.
CMS vs Plug-and-Play Digital Signage
When choosing your digital signage setup, you’ll usually decide between a CMS system or a plug-and-play screen.
CMS (Content Management System)
A CMS is ideal if you want more control. It allows you to:
- Update multiple screens remotely
- Schedule different menus throughout the day
- Manage content across multiple locations
This is perfect for restaurants or chains with evolving menus.
Plug-and-Play Screens
If you’re after something simple, plug-and-play screens are a great option.
You can:
- Upload your content via USB
- Plug it in and go
They’re ideal for smaller cafés, bars or independent takeaways that don’t need constant updates.
CMS vs Plug-and-Play Digital Signage
When choosing your digital signage setup, you’ll usually decide between a CMS system or a plug-and-play screen.
CMS (Content Management System)
A CMS is ideal if you want more control. It allows you to:
- Update multiple screens remotely
- Schedule different menus throughout the day
- Manage content across multiple locations
This is perfect for restaurants or chains with evolving menus.
Plug-and-Play Screens
If you’re after something simple, plug-and-play screens are a great option.
You can:
- Upload your content via USB
- Plug it in and go
They’re ideal for smaller cafés, bars or independent takeaways that don’t need constant updates.
Why Invest in Digital Menu Boards & Screens?
If you’re considering upgrading to digital signage, it’s worth understanding what makes it such a valuable investment for hospitality businesses.
- 24/7 operation – Designed for continuous use, digital screens can run throughout the day without compromising performance, making them ideal for busy hospitality environments
- Long-term reliability – Built for high-traffic settings like restaurants, bars and takeaways, ensuring consistent performance over time
- Encourages more purchases – Easily highlight bestsellers, promotions and high-margin items to naturally increase upselling and average order value
- No reprinting costs – Update menus, prices and offers instantly without the need for printed materials, saving both time and money
- Greater flexibility – Quickly switch between menus, promotions or content throughout the day to suit different audiences and trading times
- Modern, professional appearance – Creates a more engaging and visually appealing environment, helping your business stand out and improve the customer experience
- 24/7 operation – Designed for continuous use, digital screens can run throughout the day without compromising performance, making them ideal for busy hospitality environments
- Long-term reliability – Built for high-traffic settings like restaurants, bars and takeaways, ensuring consistent performance over time
- Encourages more purchases – Easily highlight bestsellers, promotions and high-margin items to naturally increase upselling and average order value
- No reprinting costs – Update menus, prices and offers instantly without the need for printed materials, saving both time and money
- Greater flexibility – Quickly switch between menus, promotions or content throughout the day to suit different audiences and trading times
- Modern, professional appearance – Creates a more engaging and visually appealing environment, helping your business stand out and improve the customer experience
Choosing the Right Digital Screen Setup
With so many options available, the key is choosing a setup that fits how your customers move through your space and where they make decisions.
In many cases, the most effective approach is to combine multiple screens – for example, using window displays to attract attention, menu boards to inform, and kiosks to speed up ordering.
By thinking about visibility, placement and customer flow, you can create a digital signage setup that not only looks great, but actively supports sales and improves the overall experience.
Installation Support for Your Digital Screens
To make things as simple as possible, we also offer installation support with our digital menu boards and screens.
This helps ensure your screens are:
- Correctly positioned for maximum visibility
- Properly installed for reliable performance
- Fully set up and ready to use from day one
Whether you’re upgrading a single display or rolling out a full digital signage setup, our team can help make the process smooth and stress-free. Contact us for more information.
Digital Signage Solutions Tailored to Your Business
Every hospitality space is different, which is why digital signage should be tailored to your business, customers and day-to-day operations.
At Luminati, we supply digital menu boards, screens and display solutions that improve visibility, boost efficiency and enhance the customer experience. From enquiry through to setup, we help you choose the right combination of screens to suit your space and goals.
Why Choose Luminati for Digital Menu Boards & Screens:
✔️Tailored Display Solutions
We help you choose the right mix of screens for your business, from window displays and menu boards to kiosks and POS screens.
✔️Built for Hospitality
Designed for busy cafés, restaurants, bars and takeaways, with reliability and performance in mind.
✔️Flexible Options
From plug-and-play to full CMS systems, we offer solutions to suit your setup.
✔️Customisable Shrouds & Branding
Shrouds can be tailored to match your branding and interior design.
✔️High-Impact Displays
From bright window screens to interactive kiosks, built to attract attention and engage customers.
✔️Installation Support Available
We can support with installation to ensure your screens are correctly fitted, positioned and ready to perform from day one.
Why Choose Luminati for Digital Menu Boards & Screens:
✔️Tailored Display Solutions
We help you choose the right mix of screens for your business, from window displays and menu boards to kiosks and POS screens.
✔️Built for Hospitality
Designed for busy cafés, restaurants, bars and takeaways, with reliability and performance in mind.
✔️Flexible Options
From plug-and-play to full CMS systems, we offer solutions to suit your setup.
✔️Customisable Shrouds & Branding
Shrouds can be tailored to match your branding and interior design.
✔️High-Impact Displays
From bright window screens to interactive kiosks, built to attract attention and engage customers.
✔️Installation Support Available
We can support with installation to ensure your screens are correctly fitted, positioned and ready to perform from day one.
Upgrade the way you present your menus, promotions and branding with modern digital signage that works as hard as you do. Get in touch with Luminati today to find the right digital screen solution for your space!
Upgrade the way you present your menus, promotions and branding with modern digital signage that works as hard as you do. Get in touch with Luminati today to find the right digital screen solution for your space!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the difference between digital signage and digital menu boards?
A: Digital menu boards are a type of digital signage specifically used to display menus in restaurants, cafés and takeaways. Digital signage is a broader term that includes menu boards, promotional screens, window displays, and interactive kiosks.
Q: Are digital menu boards worth the investment for restaurants and takeaways?
A: Yes — digital menu boards offer long-term value by reducing printing costs, improving flexibility, and helping increase sales through upselling and promotions. They also create a more modern and professional customer experience.
Q: What size digital screen do I need for my business?
A: The right size depends on viewing distance and placement. Smaller screens work best for close-up viewing (e.g. counters), while larger screens are better for menu boards and window displays where visibility from a distance is important.
Q: What are high-brightness screens and do I need one?
A: High-brightness screens are designed to remain clear and readable in bright environments, including direct sunlight. They are ideal for window displays or outward-facing screens where standard displays may appear dim or hard to read.
Q: Can digital menu boards be updated remotely?
A: Yes — if you use a CMS (Content Management System), you can update menus, pricing and promotions remotely across one or multiple screens. Plug-and-play screens are also available for simpler setups using USB updates.
Q: What is a touchscreen kiosk and is it right for my business?
A: A touchscreen kiosk is an interactive digital screen that allows customers to browse menus and place orders themselves. They are ideal for busy takeaways and quick-service environments where speed and efficiency are key.
Q: Where should digital screens be placed for maximum impact?
A: Placement depends on your goals. Window screens attract passing customers, menu boards sit behind counters for easy viewing, and kiosks are best placed at entrances or self-service areas. The key is positioning screens where customers make decisions.
Q: Can digital screens be customised to match my branding?
A: Yes — many digital screens offer customisable features such as branded content, layouts, and outer casings (shrouds), allowing them to match your interior design and create a more cohesive look.
Q: Do digital screens require professional installation?
A: While some plug-and-play screens are simple to set up, larger or more complex installations (such as wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted or multi-screen setups) often benefit from professional installation to ensure correct positioning and performance.
Q: How long do digital signage screens last?
A: Commercial digital screens are designed for long-term use, often supporting 24/7 operation. With proper setup and usage, they provide reliable performance for many years in busy hospitality environments.
