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Email Marketing for Restaurants

12 Free Restaurant Email Templates (Copy & Paste)

Twelve restaurant email templates for the emails independent restaurants send most, from welcome and birthday emails to events, holidays and slow nights. Each has three subject lines, preview text and a ready-to-edit email. Copy any of them without signing up, or load one into the generator to write a version for your restaurant.

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No. 01New guests

Welcome email

Say hello the moment someone joins your list. Send it: Right after sign-up.

Subject lines

  1. Welcome to [Restaurant Name]

  2. Glad you're here. Here's what to expect

  3. A quick hello from our kitchen

Preview text

What our emails bring, plus an easy way to book your first visit.

Email

Hi there,

Thanks for joining the [Restaurant Name] list. We're glad you're here, and we'll keep our emails worth opening.

Here's what to expect: news when the menu changes, first word on special nights, and a note before your birthday if you share it with us. We'll write about [Number] times a month, and you can unsubscribe anytime.

A little about us: we're a [Cuisine] restaurant in [Neighborhood], and our kitchen is proudest of [Dish]. If you haven't been in yet, a weeknight is a relaxed time for a first visit.

As a thank-you for joining, enjoy [Welcome Offer] on your next visit, good through [Date]. Just show this email to your server.

We hope to see you soon. Book a table below, or stop by whenever it suits you.

See you soon,
The [Restaurant Name] team

Reserve a table

Button link [Reservation Link]

Make it mineFull guide


No. 02Regulars

Birthday offer email

A birthday treat that gives guests a reason to book. Send it: 7 days before their birthday.

Subject lines

  1. Happy birthday from [Restaurant Name]

  2. Your birthday treat is waiting

  3. Let's celebrate you this week

Preview text

A birthday treat, good for [Number] days. Here's how to use it.

Email

Hi there,

Happy birthday from all of us at [Restaurant Name]. We'd love to help you celebrate, whether that's a big dinner with friends or a quiet meal for two.

To mark the occasion, here's a little something: [Birthday Offer]. It's good for [Number] days from this email. [Limits, like dine-in only]. Just show this email to your server.

Planning a bigger celebration? Book a table for your group and tell us it's a birthday when you reserve, so we can have everything ready when you arrive.

Whether you come in on the day or later in the week, we'll be glad to celebrate with you. Bring friends, family or just your appetite.

We hope the year ahead brings plenty of good meals and good company.

See you soon,
The [Restaurant Name] team

Book your birthday table

Button link [Reservation Link]

Make it mineFull guide


No. 03Regulars

Win-back email

A warm note for guests you haven't seen in a while. Send it: After 60+ days without a visit.

Subject lines

  1. Come see what's new at [Restaurant Name]

  2. New on the menu since your last visit

  3. We'd love to cook for you again

Preview text

A few new dishes, the same warm welcome.

Email

Hi there,

We wanted to share what's new at [Restaurant Name], in case you haven't seen it yet. Our kitchen has been busy.

New on the menu: [New Dish] and [New Dish], plus [A Change, like a new patio or longer hours]. [Dish You're Known For] is still here too, made the way you remember it.

Weeknights are an easy time to stop in, and the team would be glad to see a familiar face. Bring a friend who hasn't been yet and make it a night out.

Our hours are [Hours], and you'll find us at [Address]. Book a table for this week, or stop by when it suits you. Either way, we'd love to cook for you again.

See you soon,
The [Restaurant Name] team

See what's new

Button link [Menu Link]

Make it mineFull guide


No. 04Regulars

New menu email

Announce new dishes or a menu change. Send it: The week the menu launches.

Subject lines

  1. Our new menu starts [Date]

  2. [Dish] just joined the menu

  3. First look at what's new

Preview text

Here's what's new and when you can try it.

Email

Hi there,

Our new menu starts [Date], and we can't wait for you to try it. The kitchen has been busy getting every dish just right.

Here's a first look:
[New Dish]: [what's in it]
[New Dish]: [what's in it]
[New Dish]: [what's in it]

Why the change? [One Line on Why, like spring produce or guest requests]. [Dish] and the other favorites you know are staying. If you have a question about ingredients or allergies, our team is happy to help when you visit.

The new dishes are available for dine-in and takeout from [Date], and we'd love to hear what you think after you try them. Be among the first: book a table for opening week, or order online.

See you soon,
The [Restaurant Name] team

See the new menu

Button link [Menu Link]

Make it mineFull guide


No. 05Events & holidays

Event invitation email

Invite guests to a tasting, live music or a special night. Send it: 2–3 weeks before the event.

Subject lines

  1. You're invited: [Event Name], [Date]

  2. Save the date for [Event Name]

  3. Join us for [Event Name]

Preview text

[Date] at [Time]. Here's what's on and how to book.

Email

Hi there,

You're invited to [Event Name] at [Restaurant Name] on [Date], from [Start Time] to [End Time] [Time Zone, like ET].

Here's what's planned: [What's Happening, like live jazz or a winemaker's visit]. [What's Included, like a three-course menu]. [Price per Person, if any].

It's a good night to bring friends or make a date of it. Booking ahead helps us plan the food and the room, so we can give everyone a great evening. Dress is [Dress Code, like casual].

Can't make this one? We host [Recurring Events, like a wine night each month], and we'll let you know when the next one is on the calendar.

Reserve your spot with the button below. Questions? Reply to this email or call us at [Phone].

See you soon,
The [Restaurant Name] team

Reserve your spot

Button link [Event Link]

Make it mineFull guide


No. 06Offers

Slow-night special email

Give guests a reason to come in on a quieter night. Send it: Early in the week, for that week.

Subject lines

  1. Make [Day] your night out

  2. [Day] night at [Restaurant Name]

  3. Your midweek reason to eat out

Preview text

[What's Special] on [Day] from [Time]. Book or just stop by.

Email

Hi there,

Looking for an easy dinner plan this week? [Day] nights at [Restaurant Name] are relaxed and unhurried, a good time to try something new.

This [Day], from [Time]: [What's Special, like a family-style pasta night or a guest chef]. It's the kind of plan you can make at 5 o'clock.

Come with family, bring a friend, or grab a seat at the bar and say hello to the team. [Dish] is on the menu too, if you have a favorite.

Can't make it this week? The special runs every [Day] through [End Date], so there's always next week.

Book a table if you'd like, or just walk in. We'd love to see you.

See you soon,
The [Restaurant Name] team

Book for [Day]

Button link [Reservation Link]

Make it mineFull guide


No. 07Offers

Limited-time offer email

Promote a deal with a clear end date. Send it: 1–2 weeks before it ends.

Subject lines

  1. [Offer], through [Date]

  2. Ends [Date]: [Offer]

  3. A little something to bring you in

Preview text

Valid through [Date]. Here's how to claim it.

Email

Hi there,

For a limited time, [Restaurant Name] is offering [Offer]. It's good through [Date] for [Where It Applies, like dine-in or takeout].

Here's what's included: [What the Offer Covers]. Claiming it is easy: [How to Redeem]. [Any Limits, like one per table].

It's a good excuse to try [Dish], or to bring a friend who hasn't been in yet. Not sure what to order? Ask our team for their favorites. Weeknights are a relaxed time to come by.

Questions about the offer? Reply to this email or call us at [Phone], and our team will sort it out.

The offer ends [Date], so plan your visit before then. Book a table or order online with the button below.

See you soon,
The [Restaurant Name] team

Claim the offer

Button link [Order Link]

Make it mine


No. 08Regulars

Loyalty program email

Invite guests to join your rewards program. Send it: After a second visit, if your system tracks visits.

Subject lines

  1. Earn rewards every time you dine

  2. Join our regulars club

  3. Your next visit could earn [Reward]

Preview text

Here's how rewards work and how to join in a minute.

Email

Hi there,

Thanks for being a [Restaurant Name] guest. We'd like to say thank you every time you come back, so we started [Program Name].

Here's how it works: [How Guests Earn]. Reach [Reward Threshold] and you get [Reward]. Members also hear about [Member Perk] first.

Joining takes about a minute: [How to Join, like at the register or online]. Your rewards start with your next visit, and they're good for [Where Rewards Apply, like dine-in and takeout].

Already a member? Just [How Members Check In] when you pay, so every visit counts. We're grateful for every visit, and this is our way of showing it.

Sign up online with the button below, or ask our team on your next visit.

See you soon,
The [Restaurant Name] team

Join the program

Button link [Rewards Link]

Make it mine


No. 09Events & holidays

Holiday email

Share holiday hours, menus or reservations. Send it: 2–4 weeks before the holiday.

Subject lines

  1. [Holiday] at [Restaurant Name]

  2. [Holiday] reservations are open

  3. Our [Holiday] menu is here

Preview text

Here's our plan for [Date] and how to book.

Email

Hi there,

[Holiday] is coming up on [Date], and we'd love to be part of your plans. Here's what's happening at [Restaurant Name].

We're open [Hours] that day, serving [Holiday Menu or Regular Menu]. [Anything Special, like a prix fixe or family-style platters].

Holidays tend to be busy, so we recommend booking ahead. Bringing a group? Tell us the size when you book so we can seat everyone together.

Celebrating at home this year? [Takeout or Catering Option]. Need a last-minute gift? [Gift Card Option, like gift cards online].

Questions about the day? Reply to this email or call us at [Phone]. Otherwise, reserve your table with the button below, and thank you for making us part of your holiday.

See you soon,
The [Restaurant Name] team

Reserve a table

Button link [Reservation Link]

Make it mine


No. 10Events & holidays

Catering & group orders email

Remind offices and party planners that you cater. Send it: 4–6 weeks before busy seasons.

Subject lines

  1. Feeding a group? We cater

  2. Let us cater your next [Occasion]

  3. [Restaurant Name] catering, made easy

Preview text

Order [Lead Time] ahead. Here's how it works.

Email

Hi there,

Planning an office lunch, a birthday or a game-day party? [Restaurant Name] can feed the whole group, so you can enjoy the day instead of cooking for it.

We cater [What You Cater, like trays or boxed lunches] for groups of [Group Size]. Favorites include [Dish] and [Dish].

Ordering is simple: [How to Order]. Please order at least [Lead Time] ahead, and choose [Pickup or Delivery]. Every order comes with [What's Included, like plates and utensils].

Need vegetarian or gluten-free choices? Tell us when you order and we'll suggest options from our menu. Feeding your office every week? Ask us about a standing order.

Tell us about your event and we'll help you plan the right amount of food.

See you soon,
The [Restaurant Name] team

Plan your order

Button link [Catering Link]

Make it mine


No. 11Regulars

Review request email

Ask every guest for an honest review after a visit. Send it: The day after a visit.

Subject lines

  1. How was your visit?

  2. Thanks for dining with us

  3. Got a minute to tell us how we did?

Preview text

An honest review helps other diners find us.

Email

Hi there,

Thank you for choosing [Restaurant Name]. We hope you enjoyed your visit.

Would you take a minute to share an honest review on [Review Site]? Your words help other diners decide where to eat, and they show our team what's working and what isn't.

It only takes a minute: tap the button, choose a star rating and add a sentence or two about your visit. If you mention a dish or a team member by name, we'll pass it along.

Every review helps, good or bad, and we read them all. You can also reply to this email if you'd rather tell us something directly.

Thank you for supporting a local restaurant. It means a lot to everyone here.

See you soon,
The [Restaurant Name] team

Leave a review

Button link [Review Link]

Make it mine


No. 12Regulars

Monthly newsletter email

A monthly roundup of what's new and what's coming up. Send it: Same day each month.

Subject lines

  1. [Month] at [Restaurant Name]

  2. What's new at [Restaurant Name] this month

  3. This month: [Highlight]

Preview text

New dishes, upcoming nights and a little kitchen news.

Email

Hi there,

Here's what's happening at [Restaurant Name] this [Month]. Three quick things, then we'll let you get on with your day.

New on the menu

[New Dish] joins the menu on [Date]. [One line about what's in it and why we added it].

Coming up

[Event Name] is on [Date] at [Time]. [One line about what to expect and how to book].

From the kitchen

[A short story, like a new team member, a farm we buy from, or a cooking tip].

Questions, ideas or a dish you miss? Reply to this email; we read every message. Our hours this month: [Hours].

Thanks for being part of the [Restaurant Name] family. We'll see you soon.

See you soon,
The [Restaurant Name] team

See this month's menu

Button link [Menu Link]

Make it mine

Want all 12 in one file?

Get every template as a Word file that opens in Word and Google Docs.

Get all 12 templates as a Word file

Enter your email and the download is ready right away. We'll also email you the link.

Prefer not to share your email? Every template on this page is free to copy.

We use your address as described in our privacy policy.


No. 13How to use them

How to use these restaurant email templates

Pick the template that fits the moment, paste it into the email platform you already use, and replace every bracket with your own details. Keep one button per email, send yourself a test, and read it on your phone before it goes to your list.

  1. Pick the template for the moment: a new subscriber, a birthday, a new menu or a quiet Tuesday.
  2. Copy the subject line, preview text and email into a new campaign in your email platform.
  3. Replace every [bracket] with your own details, or delete the sentence if it doesn't apply. A bracket should never reach a guest.
  4. Point the button at your booking, ordering or menu page, then send yourself a test and read it on your phone.
  5. Want it written for your restaurant? Use Make it mine to load the template into the free generator.

No. 14FAQ

Restaurant email templates FAQ

Are these restaurant email templates really free?

Yes. Copy any template without an email address or an account, and use it for your own restaurant's marketing. If you'd like all 12 in one Word file, you can leave an email address for the download, but nothing else on this page asks for it.

Can I use these templates in Mailchimp, Toast or Square?

Yes. Paste the subject line and preview text into their fields, the email into a text block, and add a button with your link. The templates are plain text, so they work in any email platform, which also adds your unsubscribe link and mailing address.

RelatedCompare email platforms

What do the square brackets mean?

They mark details only you know, such as your restaurant name, a date or an offer. Replace each one before you send, or delete the sentence if it doesn't apply. We never fill them with made-up prices or dates, so every email you send stays accurate.