{"id":8663,"date":"2026-06-03T22:43:49","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T20:43:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/radeimo.lt\/work\/?p=8663"},"modified":"2026-07-07T03:30:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T01:30:49","slug":"omar-khayyam-chaykhana-drinks-menu-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radeimo.lt\/en\/gerimu-meniu-dizainas-omar-khayyam-chaykhana-restoranui\/","title":{"rendered":"Design of the drinks menu for the Omar Khayyam CHAYKHANA restaurant"},"content":{"rendered":"

A restaurant menu often looks like a simple list. But in reality, it does much more: it helps guests choose more quickly, showcases the value of the selection and creates a first impression even before they order. If the menu is difficult to read, the customer gets frustrated. If the menu is clear and visually appealing, the decision comes more easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This design of a drinks menu<\/strong> was created Omar Khayyam CHAYKHANA<\/a> for a restaurant in \u0160iauliai. Their activities can also be found On the Facebook page<\/a>. This is a Central Asian restaurant, adapted to the Lithuanian market whilst retaining its traditional flavours, drinks and atmosphere. The brief was clear: to create an A4-sized drinks menu that would be informative, user-friendly and visually demonstrate the range of drinks customers can expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Real drinks instead of generic illustrations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the strongest aspects of this project was the decision to use actual drinks from the restaurant rather than random photos from the internet. The photography was handled by Kostas Rutkauskas \/ KR Studios<\/a>. After the photo shoot, the photographs were selected, edited and adapted to suit the layout of the menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This approach is vital for a restaurant. The customer sees not an abstract promise of a cocktail, but a tangible image: the glass, the colour, the garnish, the presentation, the atmosphere. The menu begins to function not just as a price list, but also as a visual sales tool. In other words, a simple principle applies here: the customer\u2019s desire to order can be stimulated through visual appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Front page: cocktails, shots and visual treats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The homepage featured cocktails and shots. As there were so many cocktails, we had to select just the six best shots. You can\u2019t show everything at once. Good menu design for a restaurant<\/a> often refers not to the maximum number, but to the right choice of accents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The six cocktail images were arranged to give the page a sense of rhythm: colourful drinks, a dark, modern stone-textured background, the yellow tones of the menu, and mirror reflections. The reflections here are not merely decorative. They help the drinks look more substantial, create the impression of a tabletop and add a touch of professionalism that a simple list of products would lack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A shot builder instead of a complex diagram<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before the layout was finalised, the section on shots was complex and difficult to read. A clearer solution was therefore chosen \u2013 a shot builder. The customer first selects a flavour base, then the alcohol. Instead of confusing text, there is a visual logic that can be understood in a matter of seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a small but important UX solution in print design. A menu shouldn\u2019t be a work of art for art\u2019s sake. It should help people make a choice. Once a person understands how to use the menu, they no longer get stuck on the layout and can choose a drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Page two: lots of information, but a clear structure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the second page of the menu, there were even more drinks: vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whisky, cognacs, liqueurs, aperitifs, wines, sparkling wines, fruit compotes, tea, soft drinks, coffee and homemade lemonades. This section is essentially informational. It needs to accommodate a lot of information without looking like a haphazardly crammed list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest challenge was space. The names of the wines and champagnes had to be shortened, as it was important to specify not only the name, but also the country of origin and the flavour: dry, semi-dry, sweet or semi-sweet. Consequently, the layout had to be calculated precisely: the length of the names, spacing, column width, price alignment and the hierarchy of sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although this side looks more like a list, this was dictated by practical necessity. It was important for the restaurant owner to be able to conveniently fit a wide range of dishes onto a single menu. The bold section headings help the eye scan the page, whilst the yellow colour complements the overall feel of the menu and prevents the dark background from becoming too heavy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The A4 format requires discipline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This drinks menu was designed in A4 format, so it was necessary to strike a very precise balance between the amount of information and readability. An A4 sheet is not infinite. If the text is too small, the menu looks neat only on screen, but doesn\u2019t work in reality (in the restaurant). If the spacing is too wide, the range of drinks no longer fits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several technical aspects are important here: sufficient contrast, a clear placement of prices, consistent spacing between blocks, a uniform text hierarchy, and a typeface family that complements the stylistic approach of Omar Khayyam CHAYKHANA. As the owner did not have a PNG file of the logo, a typographic solution was chosen: to create lettering that captures the restaurant\u2019s atmosphere, similar to the distinctive Omar Khayyam CHAYKHANA lettering visible upon entering the restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The sign reading \u2018Omar Khayyam CHAYKHANA\u2019 inside the restaurant. The typography at the top of the menu was designed to complement this visual style.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What does the menu look like in real life?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Below is the menu, already printed and laminated. This is an important part of the project, as a layout that looks good on screen must also work well in real-world lighting conditions, with glare, when held in the hand, and within the restaurant environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The cocktail and shot section, after printing and lamination.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Half of the drinks menu, featuring a wide selection and eye-catching section headings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Printing, lamination and the final impression<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The final menu was produced with high resolution to ensure that fine details, the vibrancy of the photographs and the clarity of the text were not lost during printing. The menu was printed on both sides and laminated. The lamination added a glossy finish, but also meant that the design had to withstand light, reflections and everyday use in a restaurant environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final result looks professional, informative and colourful enough to showcase the wide range of drinks on offer. The owner was pleased with the result, as the menu not only looks attractive but also clearly presents what the restaurant has to offer. The work was completed in about a week, one day of which was set aside for photographing the drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this work illustrate well?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This restaurant menu design clearly illustrates that, in print work, it is not just an attractive layout that matters. It is important to understand how a person will read the menu at the table, what information they need to find quickly, where it is worth using an image, and where it is better to stick to a clear list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n