What Is Ala Carte?
Ala carte is an ordering system where customers can choose and order each item individually, rather than as part of a fixed set menu.
In restaurants that offer this system, each food and beverage item has its own price—giving customers the freedom to combine dishes that match their personal taste and dietary needs.
For example, in an ala carte concept restaurant, a guest could order one portion of steak, one side of fries, and a drink—each separately.
There’s no obligation to go with a pre-set meal package determined by the restaurant.
The Origin of the Term "Ala Carte"
The term "à la carte" comes from French and means "according to the menu" or "from the card."
This concept first appeared in 19th-century European restaurants as an alternative to table d'hôte—a system where customers paid a fixed price for a set course menu.
With the ala carte model, diners could choose dishes freely, which made the concept popular and widely adopted in restaurants around the world to this day.
Ala Carte vs. Set Menu
Many restaurants offer both ala carte and set menu options. Here’s how they differ:
Pros and Cons of Ala Carte for Restaurants
Benefits of Ala Carte for Restaurants
More Flexibility for Customers: Diners enjoy full control over what they eat, without being locked into a preset combination.
Higher Revenue Potential: Restaurants can price items more freely without offering bundled discounts. If customers frequently order higher-priced ala carte items, the average bill per transaction may increase.
Caters to Dietary Needs and Preferences: Diners can customize their meals to fit vegetarian, gluten-free, or low-carb diets more easily.
Improved Inventory Management: Because items are ordered individually, restaurants can better analyze demand trends and manage stock—reducing food waste.
Drawbacks of Ala Carte for Restaurants
More Complex Kitchen Operations: Since every customer builds their own meal, the kitchen may need to handle more custom combinations—potentially slowing down service time.
Higher Ingredient Costs: Compared to set menus with fixed food costs, ala carte requires restaurants to maintain stock for a wider range of items, which can increase operating costs.
Sticker Shock for Customers: Because every item is priced individually, the total bill can add up quickly—sometimes surprising guests who didn’t estimate their order cost in advance.
Tips for Implementing Ala Carte in Your Restaurant
1. Design a Menu with Clear Pricing
Make sure each menu item has transparent pricing so guests can make informed decisions. Use a POS system that allows flexible menu management, so prices and availability can be updated anytime.
2. Use a POS System to Streamline Ordering
With Opaper’s POS system, restaurants can handle ala carte orders more efficiently. Menus can be categorized, and customers can view prices and dish descriptions directly from the cashier screen or digital ordering system.
3. Allow Customization for Guests
Ala carte works best when customers can personalize their order—like choosing a sauce for their steak or swapping rice for fries. Make sure your ordering system supports these options for a smoother guest experience.
4. Analyze Sales Data to Optimize Pricing Strategy
With an integrated system, you can track which items sell best. This helps you make smart pricing decisions and maximize profitability.
The ala carte system gives customers more freedom and opens up new revenue opportunities for restaurants.
However, it also brings more complexity to the kitchen and may lead to higher ingredient costs.
With the right pricing strategy and a reliable system in place, restaurants can manage ala carte ordering efficiently while delivering a better dining experience.