32 Restaurants Survey Questions: Types, Uses & Examples

Discover 25 proven restaurants survey questions across 8 types to boost feedback, improve service, and enhance guest satisfaction effectively.

Restaurants Survey Questions template

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Restaurants thrive not just on the flavor of their food, but on feedback that reveals what guests truly want. Turning customer opinions into actionable insights can boost menu appeal, perfect service, and even jazz up the ambiance. But beware: asking the same bland questions leads to generic answers. Purpose-built surveys have the power to surface the real opportunities and pinpoint hiccups across the guest journey. From dine-in satisfaction to post-visit loyalty, we’ll unpack eight powerful survey types—each loaded with proven questions—to help restaurants turn feedback into five-star experiences.

Dine-In Satisfaction Survey

Why & When to Use

Getting honest, in-the-moment responses is a restaurant owner’s secret ingredient. Dine-in satisfaction surveys let you catch issues before they simmer into full-blown guest churn. They’re perfect for full-service restaurants as well as casual concepts because first impressions are hard to shake. Use them when you want to spotlight meal quality, wait times, or the friendliness of your staff—basically, those touchpoints that decide whether guests return or vanish.

Timing is everything here. Deploying these surveys during or right after the meal delivers the freshest, most accurate insights. A QR code on the receipt, tabletop, or even a quick text invitation will do the trick. When feedback becomes part of the dining ritual, it feels less like homework to your guests and more like being part of a club that shapes the experience.

Look for patterns in responses—such as frequent complaints about wait times or rave reviews of a particular dish.
- Prioritize high-impact fixes.
- Link survey results to specific shifts or team members.
- Share compliments and critiques at pre-shift meetings.
- Use highlights in staff training.

Sample Questions

How would you rate the taste and presentation of your meal today?
Was the wait time from seating to first bite acceptable?
How attentive was your server throughout the visit?
Did our staff accommodate special requests effectively?
What one improvement would most enhance your next dine-in experience?
How likely are you to recommend our dine-in service to a friend?
Was your table clean and ready upon arrival?
Were any menu items unavailable during your visit?

Answers to these simple questions can transform ordinary meals into memorable moments. A little nudge to speak up—perhaps by offering a dessert coupon for feedback—makes it easy for guests to spill the beans and for restaurants to cook up enhancements.

Implementing dine-in satisfaction surveys can increase customer retention by up to 25%, as a 5% increase in repeat customers leads to significant profit growth. (customer-alliance.com)

Create your own survey

Create your survey, it's 100% free

Creating a survey with HeySurvey is simple—even if you’re new to the platform. Follow these three easy steps to launch your first survey and start gathering valuable feedback in no time.

Step 1: Create a New Survey

Click the “Create New Survey” button from the HeySurvey dashboard or homepage.
Choose either to start with an empty sheet if you want full control, or pick a pre-built template related to your survey goals for a quicker start.
Enter a name for your survey to keep things organized—something like “Dine-In Satisfaction Survey” or “Takeout Feedback 2024.”
Once created, the Survey Editor will open automatically so you can start building your questions.

Step 2: Add Questions

Click the “Add Question” button at the top or between any existing questions to insert a new one.
Pick the question type you want to use, such as Choice (multiple or single answer), Scale (ratings or NPS), or Text (open-ended responses).
Enter your question text—this can be your exact survey question, e.g., “How would you rate the taste and presentation of your meal today?”
Customize each question by adding descriptions or images for clarity and engagement.
Mark important questions as required so respondents must answer to keep flowing through the survey.
Use the branching option if you want respondents to take different paths based on their answers (bonus tip below!).

Step 3: Publish Your Survey

Click the “Preview” button to see how your survey looks and behaves from a guest’s perspective.
Adjust design or wording as needed using the Designer Sidebar before going live.
Once happy, hit the “Publish” button. You’ll need to create an account or log in if you haven’t already—this ensures your responses are saved.
After publishing, you’ll get a shareable link. Send this via email, SMS, or embed it on your website or tabletop QR codes to start collecting responses.

Bonus Steps

Apply Your Branding
- In the Designer Sidebar, add your restaurant logo and customize colors and fonts to match your brand vibe.
- This helps create a consistent guest experience from the survey to your actual venue.

Define Survey Settings
- Open the Settings Panel to set start/end dates, limit responses, or add a redirect URL after completion (like your homepage or a thank-you page).
- You can also enable the option to let respondents view results for certain question types.

Use Branching to Skip or Direct Questions
- For more tailored experiences, apply branching rules so some questions are skipped or customized based on previous answers.
- For example, if a customer rates service low, you can prompt a follow-up question asking for improvement suggestions.

Ready to start? Just hit the button below to open a relevant template and start crafting your perfect restaurant survey with HeySurvey!

Create your survey, it's absolutely free

Takeout & Delivery Experience Survey

Why & When to Use

Takeout and delivery have become lifelines, especially for customers craving comfort at home. Measuring off-premise satisfaction uncovers growing pains and wins in real time. Whether you partner with third-party apps or run your own fleet, these surveys spotlight the final miles of your food’s journey. Packaging, temperature, and accuracy matter just as much as flavor.

Trigger these surveys within an hour after order delivery, before guests move on to other distractions.
- SMS invites land quickest.
- Email confirmations work for planned orders.
- In-app pop-ups catch tech-savvy fans.

Understanding frequent issues—like missing condiments or soggy fries—enables targeted improvements. Plus, recognizing reliable drivers or packagers motivates your behind-the-scenes crew and builds a culture of accountability.

Sample Questions

Did your order arrive within the promised delivery window?
Rate the food temperature upon arrival.
How secure and eco-friendly was the packaging?
Were any items missing or incorrect?
How likely are you to reorder takeout or delivery from us?
Was the delivery person courteous and professional?
Did the order include all requested utensils and condiments?
How would you rate the quality of food compared to dining in?

Each answer helps restaurants banish weak spots in home delivery and make every doorstep drop-off a delight. Remember: Happy home diners turn into regulars—if their fries are still hot and their orders always right.

A 2024 study by the American Customer Satisfaction Index found that 78% of takeout orders are placed directly through restaurants, highlighting the importance of direct customer engagement. (theacsi.org)

Menu Feedback & Innovation Survey

Why & When to Use

Before launching the next Instagram-worthy entrée, the wise chef listens. Menu feedback surveys validate changes before they hit every plate, reducing costly flops. This process is golden for introducing new dishes, seasonal promotions, or price adjustments. It’s also a savvy way to check if you’re meeting dietary trends.

Send these surveys to your loyalty club—those fans who never miss a special—or embed them as tabletop QR codes during menu launches. The feedback is fresh because the experience is new, and fans love being in on the action. From “Is that truffle oil worth an extra buck?” to “Should we try a BBQ taco night?”—the results can surprise you.

Getting input here means: - Lower risk on rollouts.
- Creative ideas from real diners.
- A competitive edge on trends.

Sample Questions

Which of the following new items interests you most?
How satisfied are you with our vegetarian/vegan options?
What price point feels fair for our signature entrée?
Which cuisine styles would you like to see added?
Do portion sizes meet, exceed, or fall short of expectations?
When choosing from our specials, what influences your decision most: taste, value, novelty, or recommendations?
Are there menu items you’d like to see return?
How often do you try new dishes when dining with us?

If a new poke bowl gets a lukewarm reaction, pivot before investing in a full launch. And offering diners a “chef’s table” role in shaping the menu? Now that’s ingredient for loyalty.

Example image for restaurants survey questions

Create your own survey

Customer Service & Staff Interaction Survey

Why & When to Use

Smiling servers aren’t enough—guests look for genuine connections and hospitality that feels real. Customer service surveys pinpoint the little things staff could do better, be it friendliness or menu mastery. Find gaps in training or discover hidden stars on your squad by making feedback part of your post-visit routine.

Ideally, guests score service just after paying the bill, when their memory is sharp.
- Use email links sent post-meal.
- Install quick-touch kiosks at the exit.
- Or tempt diners with a “Win Your Next Meal!” contest entry.

Uncovering tales of superstars or polite complaints lets you coach and reward genuinely, not just by gut feeling.

Sample Questions

Was your host/hostess friendly and welcoming?
Did your server accurately explain menu items and specials?
How comfortable did you feel voicing concerns during your visit?
Did any staff member go above and beyond today?
How would you rate the overall professionalism of our team?
Were your requests handled quickly and without hassle?
Did you observe staff teamwork and support during your meal?
Would you recognize any team member for exceptional service?

The answers here are pure gold for managers and staff. They highlight moments to celebrate and point out who needs a refresher on hospitality—ensuring every guest leaves grinning, not growling.

Effective restaurant customer service surveys should be concise, combining multiple-choice and open-ended questions to gather actionable feedback without overwhelming respondents. (proprofssurvey.com)

Ambiance & Cleanliness Survey

Why & When to Use

Crumbs on the floor or music that’s just a tad too jazzy? Measuring ambiance and cleanliness tells you what your eyes or ears might miss. Perceptions of décor, lighting, and hygiene make guests return or send them running to Yelp. These surveys shine after a remodel, deep clean, or when you’re itching to refresh your vibe.

Make it a regular seasonal check-in, or attach a QR code to receipts when trying out new interior changes.
- Compare results over time to benchmark improvements.
- Share findings with your designer or cleaning crew.
- Use guest language in marketing (“our ‘cozy’ new lighting scheme!”).

Little details here stack up: - The right playlist volume. - Tables spaced for privacy. - Bathrooms as spotless as the best kitchens.

Sample Questions

How would you describe the overall atmosphere (e.g., cozy, lively, outdated)?
Rate the cleanliness of restrooms during your visit.
Was the background music volume comfortable for conversation?
Did the seating layout provide adequate privacy and space?
How appealing is our décor on a scale of 1–10?
Were windows and entryways free of smudges and clutter?
Did you notice any unpleasant odors in the dining area?
How inviting was the entrance or exterior?

Get these details right and you’ll be surprised how many guests wax poetic about your spotless restrooms and Instagrammable walls. All the world’s a stage…but only if it’s swept and well-lit.

Post-Visit Net Promoter Score (NPS) Survey

Why & When to Use

The gold standard for simple guest loyalty tracking, NPS distills a world of opinions into a single tidy number. It’s an instant pulse-check on how likely you are to generate rave reviews—or repeat visits. Launch these surveys a day or two after the guest experience, while the flavors and feelings are still fresh.

The beauty of NPS surveys?
- Direct, one-question simplicity.
- Easy benchmarks month after month.
- Quick insight into both fans and critics.

Perfect for tracking the health of your brand over time or measuring the impact of a big change, like a menu refresh or service retraining.

Sample Questions

On a scale of 0–10, how likely are you to recommend our restaurant to a friend?
What was the primary reason for your score?
How can we improve to earn a higher rating?
How soon do you plan to dine with us again?
Which aspect of your experience most influenced your rating: food, service, ambiance, or value?
Have you recommended us to anyone in the last month?
Would a loyalty program make you more likely to return?
What one small change would turn you into a “10”?

Those who rate you 9 or 10 are gold—engage them for testimonials. Everyone else? Their candid feedback tells you exactly where to improve, one actionable detail at a time.

Create your own survey

Special Dietary Needs & Allergen Survey

Why & When to Use

Catering to guests with food allergies or special diets isn’t just kind—it’s smart business. Allergen and dietary surveys highlight the changing needs of your audience, uncovering the demand for gluten-free pasta, nut-free desserts, or vegan cheese. They also uncover gaps in kitchen safety protocols.

Send these surveys quarterly to loyalty members or display QR codes on your allergen-friendly menu section.
- Assess confidence in your kitchen’s handling of special orders.
- Uncover hidden sources of cross-contamination risk.
- Measure which accommodations guests actually want.

Promote inclusivity and reduce risk:
- Fewer medical scares.
- Broader appeal. - Loyal customers who spread the word.

Sample Questions

Do you follow any specific dietary lifestyle (e.g., vegan, keto, gluten-free)?
How clearly does our menu label allergens?
Rate your confidence in our kitchen’s ability to avoid cross-contamination.
Which additional dietary accommodations would you like us to provide?
Would dedicated allergen-friendly prep areas influence your visit frequency?
Were servers knowledgeable about menu ingredients and common allergens?
Did you feel comfortable asking staff about special dietary needs?
Have you experienced an allergic reaction or close call during a recent visit?

These answers protect your guests and your reputation—one gluten-free bun at a time. A stellar allergen game transforms restaurants from risky places into safe havens.

Best Practices: Restaurant Survey Dos & Don’ts

Crafting surveys takes more than just assembling questions. Follow key best practices to ensure honest, useful feedback that guides real improvements. Here’s what to do—and what to avoid.

Survey Dos - Keep it short! Aim for less than five minutes to complete.
- Offer incentives—free dessert, entry into a prize draw, or loyalty points.
- Design for mobile screens; most guests will be on their phones.
- Respond quickly to feedback, especially complaints.
- Segment results by guest type (dine-in, takeout, first-timers, loyalty members).

Survey Don’ts - Don’t ask leading or biased questions; keep your language neutral.
- Never ignore negative comments—every criticism hides potential improvement.
- Avoid pestering the same guest with multiple surveys after each visit.
- Don’t skip data privacy and consent disclosures.
- Never make significant changes based on survey input without communicating those updates to guests.

Keep it playful where possible, explain why their feedback matters, and always, always follow up with staff and customers alike. Active listening leads to lasting loyalty.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Consistent feedback isn’t just the cherry on top—it’s the recipe for real restaurant success. The loop of listening, acting, and improving pays off in happier guests and greater loyalty. Start simple: test out one or two of these survey types, then use responses to shape staff training and menu tweaks. Measure changes in repeat visits, reviews, and revenue, and keep the conversation going. Guests who feel listened to become your loudest advocates.