100 Restaurant Email Subject Lines
One hundred restaurant email subject lines you can copy, grouped by the seven emails restaurants send most: new menus, events, offers, birthdays, holidays, win-back emails and newsletters. Brackets mark the details to swap in. Keep the one that sounds like you, then write the email to match.
Updated
No. 02Events
Events subject lines
For tastings, live music, trivia, chef dinners and reminders.
You're invited: [Event Name] on [Date]
Save the date: [Event Name]
Live music this [Day] night
Join us for a tasting on [Date]
Trivia night is back on [Date]
A one-night menu from our chef
Our chef's table, one night only
[Event Name]: here's what's planned
Bring friends to [Event Name]
Tickets are open for [Event Name]
This [Day]: [Event Name] at [Time]
A night of [Music Style] at [Restaurant Name]
Book your table for [Event Name]
Reminder: [Event Name] is this [Day]
Meet the winemaker on [Date]
No. 03Offers
Offers subject lines
For a deal with a real end date. Never invent urgency.
[Offer], through [Date]
Ends [Date]: [Offer]
A little something to bring you in
This week only: [Offer]
Your [Day] treat: [Offer]
Bring a friend, get [Offer]
[Offer] when you order online
Weekday lunch: [Offer]
Happy hour is now [Hours]
Family night: [Offer] on [Day]
Last call for [Offer]
[Day] pasta night: [Offer]
A thank-you for being a regular
Takeout tonight? [Offer] inside
No. 04Birthday
Birthday subject lines
For automated birthday emails and the reminder before a treat expires.
Happy birthday from [Restaurant Name]
Your birthday treat is waiting
Let's celebrate you this week
A birthday gift from our kitchen
Birthday plans? We saved you a treat
It's your birthday month
Make your birthday dinner easy
A little birthday something for you
Celebrate with us: [Birthday Offer]
[Birthday Offer] for your birthday
Bring the crew for your birthday
Birthday week starts now
Cheers to you this birthday
Your birthday treat ends [Date]
No. 05Holidays
Holidays subject lines
For holiday hours, menus, reservations and gift cards.
Valentine's Day tables are open
Mother's Day brunch: book your table
Our Thanksgiving hours and menu
Let us handle the holiday cooking
Ring in the new year with us
Your Fourth of July plans, sorted
Easter brunch reservations are open
[Holiday] at [Restaurant Name]
Holiday gift cards, ready when you are
Our [Holiday] menu is here
Open on [Holiday]: here are our hours
Plan your holiday party with us
Father's Day dinner, on the calendar
Book early for [Holiday]
No. 06Win-back
Win-back subject lines
For guests you haven't seen in a while. Warm, never guilt.
Come see what's new at [Restaurant Name]
We'd love to cook for you again
New on the menu since your last visit
A few things have changed around here
A table for you, whenever you're ready
Here's what you've been missing
It's a good week to come back
Fresh dishes, same warm welcome
Catch up on what's cooking
A new reason to stop by
[Dish] is still on the menu
Pull up a chair this week
[Change] is here: come take a look
Ready for a night out?
No. 08Writing tips
How to write a restaurant email subject line
Name the specific thing guests care about, such as the dish, the night or the event, and put it first. Keep it short enough to read on a phone, let the preview text add a second detail, and write the way you'd talk to a regular at the bar.
- Name the specific thing: the dish, the night or the event. “Tuesday pasta night” beats “Don't miss out.”
- Keep it short. Phones cut long subject lines off, so put the important words first.
- Pair it with preview text that adds a second detail instead of repeating the subject line.
- Write the way you talk to regulars. One emoji is fine if it fits your restaurant.
- When your platform allows it, test two versions on your own list and note which gets more clicks.
Want subject lines written for your restaurant?
The free subject line generator writes 10 options for your restaurant and campaign, grouped by style, each with preview text.
Generate subject linesNo. 09Avoid
Subject lines to avoid
Skip anything that reads like spam or a trick: all capitals, stacked punctuation, fake replies and urgency you can't back up. Besides annoying guests, U.S. law, the CAN-SPAM Act, says a commercial email's subject line can't mislead people about what's inside. This isn't legal advice.
FREE DESSERT TONIGHT!!!
All capitals and stacked punctuation look like spam.
Re: your reservation
A fake reply or receipt feels like a trick once it's opened.
Last chance!
Only say it when it's true and the date is in the email.
Newsletter #14
A label says nothing about why to open it.
Source: FTC, CAN-SPAM Act: A Compliance Guide for Business (opens in a new tab)
No. 10FAQ
Restaurant email subject lines FAQ
How long should a restaurant email subject line be?
Aim for under about 50 characters and put the most important words first, since phones show only the start of a subject line. Anything that doesn't fit can go in the preview text. Short and specific beats long and clever.
Should I use emojis in restaurant email subject lines?
One can help if it fits your restaurant, such as a pizza slice for pizza night. Use at most one, put it after the words rather than instead of them, and skip it for practical news like holiday hours. Try a version with and without on your own list.
What's the difference between a subject line and preview text?
The subject line is the headline guests see in their inbox; the preview text is the short line shown next to or below it. Use the preview text to add a second detail, such as the date or the dish, instead of repeating the subject line.