7 Valentine’s Day Delivery Menu Ideas for Restaurants

Millions of couples, families, and groups of friends celebrate Valentine’s Day every year. For many, a special meal is the best gift to show their love.

On Valentine’s, restaurant sales traditionally increase by 65% on average. While many consumers typically dine out, 43% dine at home.

Diners spend more than usual to impress their loved ones, so the revenue opportunity is vast (both on- and off-premise). More importantly, the holiday allows restaurants to connect with their customers and shower them with specially selected deals and promotions.

Whether they have a reservation or order out, consumers expect a unique and personal Valentine’s experience. Here are seven creative delivery menu ideas to make your restaurant stand out. 

Seize the Day with On- and Off-Premise Opportunities

Valentine's Day is more than a date; it's a chance to boost your revenue significantly through creatively tailored experiences. With over 40% of consumers preferring to celebrate at home, the potential for off-premise dining solutions is immense.

#1 Craft a Love-Themed Menu with Enticing Deals

A unique Valentine’s menu can set your restaurant apart. Consider incorporating sharing dishes, a hallmark of intimacy, into your menu. Offer multi-course meals and attractive deals like ‘Buy One, Get One’ or a complimentary dessert with main courses.

A Valentine’s-themed menu comes in many shapes and forms. Whatever menu your restaurant decides to offer, here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• Sharing food may be one of the most romantic gestures in the world (depending on who you ask). Putting finger foods, appetizers, and other “easy to share” dishes on the menu is excellent. 

• Don’t limit yourself to just one Valentine’s unique; create an enticing two—or three-course menu that includes a starter, a main course, and a dessert.

• Special deals and promotions are part of any holiday. You could opt for a Buy One, Get One Free deal, a free dessert or bottle of wine with 2 mains, or a discount on a set menu. 

#2 Elevate the Elegance

Luxury ingredients can transform your menu into a Valentine's masterpiece. Think lobster, truffles, and champagne. Even a simple twist, like a lobster-infused burger or truffle pasta, can elevate your offerings. Pair these dishes with a fine wine or bubbly to complete the luxurious experience.

If these items aren’t on your regular delivery or take-out menu, consider including them in your Valentine’s specials. To stay true to your concept, you can swap an ingredient in one of your signature dishes for a more luxurious one.

#3 Offer add-ons

Have you ever thought about partnering with other local businesses in your area? Now’s the time! 

Turn your dining experience into a full-day experience by creating a package deal that includes your Valentine’s menu and add-ons like spa and wellness vouchers, flowers, beauty and bath products, exclusive cigars, a handmade tie, or even a B&B stay. 

#4 Sell an experience, not just a meal

There are many ways to provide your customers with an unforgettable Valentine’s experience at home. While your delicious food should always be front and center, it’s easier than you think to go the extra mile and create a truly exceptional evening:

• Provide special themed packaging for your meals.

• Print a QR code linking to a romantic playlist you made and add it to your delivery bags.

• Add a small gift to each order, such as a candle, a homemade card, a rose, heart-shaped table decorations, or even a saucy haiku—whatever best suits your brand!

• Tell your customers how to set the table and create a magical evening in a short how-to guide.

You could even ask your diners to send you a photo of their romantic dinner table set-up in exchange for a discount on their next order.

 #5 Offer something exclusive but be inclusive

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. Friends, families, and singles shouldn’t feel left out, so it’s a good idea to create multiple special menus for different audiences.

You could offer an elegant Galentines menu for the ladies, a Meat Lovers menu for the men, or even an anti-Valentine’s menu with the least romantic foods you can think of. The possibilities are endless!  

 #6 Let your brand personality shine through

Now’s the time to get creative with original names and descriptions for your Valentine’s Day specials. Get it right, and you’ll put a smile on your customers’ faces while giving them something to talk about (hello, free promotion!) and inspiring them to order again.

Let your brand's voice shine through in your menu. Creative dish names like "Don’t Go Bacon My Heart" or "You’re So Cheesy" can delight your customers and spark conversations, leading to organic promotion.

 #7 Promote your menu

If you create a Valentine’s Day menu for your off-premise guests, make sure they know about it beforehand. (Planning a romantic evening, even at home, isn’t usually done at the last minute.)

Promote your menu on social media, through email, and in your restaurant. To create that extra buzz, you could organize a giveaway, asking your regular customers to declare their love for their favorite dish to win a unique Valentine’s prize.

Deliverect sets you up for success. 

Everyone may not celebrate Valentine’s Day, but it’s an event your restaurant mustn’t miss out on. It’s the perfect opportunity to introduce new customers to your offer and make regulars fall in love with your restaurant again.

With Deliverect’s Menu Builder, creating a Valentine’s Day menu is child’s play. The solution enables you to sync your menu from your restaurant POS, push menu updates to all your different sales channels, and publish them with one click.

Deliverect Restaurants also helps you analyze the performance of your menu. With Insights, you can optimize your menu based on sales data and add promotional deals to match consumer demand. 

Do you want more tips and tricks to create a winning menu, rank high on delivery platforms, and get the most out of your online ordering operations? Get in touch with our experts today.

Conclusion: A Day Not to Miss

Valentine's Day offers an unmatched opportunity to win new patrons and reignite the passion of regular customers. With strategic planning and creative execution, your restaurant can create an unforgettable Valentine's experience.