Comparative Analysis: Best Table Ordering Solutions in Australia

What is a Table Ordering System?

A table ordering system is a digital solution revolutionising the dining experience across Australia, particularly in high-traffic urban areas. These systems allow customers to view menus, place orders, and make payments directly from their smartphones or tablets, all without needing to wait for staff assistance.

By simply scanning a QR code placed on the table, diners can instantly access an interactive digital menu. This streamlines the ordering process, minimises wait times, and significantly enhances customer satisfaction. The system also supports real-time menu updates, enabling restaurants to modify items, adjust prices, and promote special offers instantly—ensuring guests always have the most accurate and up-to-date information.

In addition to improving efficiency, table ordering systems help reduce human error in order-taking and free up staff to focus on delivering better service. As a result, these technologies not only boost operational productivity but also elevate the overall dining experience.

 

Why Australian Restaurants Need Digital Ordering

1. Meeting Evolving Consumer Demands and Preferences

Convenience is King

Australian consumers place a high premium on convenience. With digital table ordering systems, diners can effortlessly browse menus, place orders, and make secure payments directly from their smartphones—whether they're dining in, working at the office, or on the move. This frictionless experience meets the modern expectation of speed and simplicity.

 

Personalised Experiences Through Data

Advanced ordering platforms can leverage customer data—such as past orders and dining preferences—to deliver personalised menu recommendations and targeted promotions. This level of customisation enhances the user experience and increases engagement, particularly among frequent diners.

Appealing to Digital Natives

Tech-savvy demographics, especially Gen Z and millennials, are driving the shift toward mobile-first food experiences. These consumers expect digital solutions, and restaurants that adopt mobile ordering systems are better positioned to attract and retain this growing segment.

 

2.Driving Sales and Boosting Revenue

Higher Average Order Value

Studies have shown that customers tend to spend up to 30% more when ordering online. Without the pressure of queues or time constraints, diners are more likely to explore additional menu items, upgrades, and add-ons—directly impacting revenue.

 

Increased Order Frequency

Digital ordering lowers the barrier to entry, encouraging spontaneous orders and satisfying real-time cravings. This ease of access helps increase transaction volume throughout the day, not just during peak hours.

New Revenue Channels

Online ordering systems seamlessly support takeaway and delivery services, enabling restaurants to generate income beyond their physical dining spaces. This diversification is especially beneficial for venues with limited seating or high overhead costs.

 

3. Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Reducing Costs

Minimised Order Errors

Digital systems reduce miscommunication and manual input errors, which are common in phone or in-person orders. This leads to fewer complaints, reduced food waste, and better overall satisfaction.

Real-Time Menu Management

Restaurants can instantly update digital menus to reflect out-of-stock items, price changes, or new promotions, giving customers accurate, up-to-date information without the need to reprint physical menus.

Labour and Inventory Cost Optimisation

By automating the ordering process, venues can reduce staffing requirements and make more accurate inventory forecasts—leading to smarter purchasing decisions and improved profit margins.

 

Comparing Top Table Ordering Systems in Australia

	Target Audience	Core Strengths	Hardware Needs	Integration Cap
Revel	Mid-large, chains, complex ops	Comprehensive, scalable	Diverse	Strong
Square	Small, mid-size, QSR, cafes	Cost-effective, easy-to-use	Square hardware/iPad	Moderate
Eats365	All sizes (modular growth)	Modular flexibility, local support, cloud-based	Diverse	Strong
TouchBistro	All sizes	iPad-native, intuitive	Primarily iPad	Moderate

 

1. Revel POS

Positioning & Target Audience: Revel POS is known for its powerful and scalable nature, making it particularly suitable for medium to large-sized restaurants, multi-location chains, and complex hospitality operations such as fine dining establishments, large bars, or pop-up venues that require high customization and sophisticated management.

 

2.Square for Restaurants

Positioning & Target Audience: Square for Restaurants is characterized by its simplicity, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness, making it ideal for small to mid-sized restaurants, cafes, quick-service venues, food trucks, or startups. It offers an all-in-one hardware, software, and payment solution.

 

3. Eats365

Positioning & Target Audience: Eats365 is a flexible cloud-based POS system designed to meet the needs of various-sized hospitality businesses through a modular approach, from small cafes to mid-sized restaurants or chains. It has strong local support in the Australian market.

 

4. TouchBistro

Positioning & Target Audience: TouchBistro is an iPad-based POS system designed specifically for restaurants, offering rich features and a user-friendly interface. It's suitable for a range of establishments, from cafes and bars to full-service restaurants, emphasizing a smooth ordering process and tableside service.

 

Read more:5 Best iPad POS System for Small Australian Cafes

 

Key Features to Look For

1. Flexible and Secure Payment Options

Modern diners expect frictionless and secure payment experiences. Ensure your system supports a wide range of payment methods, including:

• Credit and debit cards

• Mobile wallets (e.g. Apple Pay, Google Pay)

• Contactless payments and QR code transactions

A system that accommodates multiple payment preferences improves customer satisfaction and reduces payment delays.

 

2. Seamless Integration With Existing Systems

To maximise efficiency, your table ordering platform must integrate smoothly with your:

• Point-of-sale (POS) system

• Inventory and stock management software

• Kitchen display systems (KDS)

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools

System interoperability ensures data consistency across departments and reduces manual input, leading to fewer errors and smoother daily operations.

 

3. User-Friendly Interface

Ease of use is critical—both for your customers and your staff. A user-friendly interface should offer:

• Clear menu navigation

• Fast and intuitive order placement

• Minimal learning curve for staff onboarding

An intuitive design reduces order friction for customers and minimizes training time for your team, improving overall service quality.

 

4. Multi-Venue and Scalability Support

If you operate multiple locations or plan to scale your business, ensure the system supports multi-location management. Key features to look for include:

• Centralised control for pushing menu updates across venues

• Consolidated reporting and analytics from all locations

• Inventory and stock transfer tracking between outlets

A scalable table ordering solution empowers your business to grow efficiently without sacrificing control or consistency.

 

Read more: Best Restaurant POS Software in Australia 2025 (eats365pos.com)

 

Streamline Your Operations with the Right iPad POS Solution

For hospitality venues seeking to modernise and optimise their operations, choosing the right iPad POS system is critical. Eats365 stands out as a powerful, cloud-based POS platform purpose-built for the Australian.Whether you're managing a single venue or scaling across multiple locations, Eats365 provides the features and reliability needed to support sustainable growth.Book a demo or get in touch with Eats365 today to discover how their iPad POS solution can be fully customised to meet your café or restaurant’s unique operational needs.

 

FAQs

1. What is a table ordering system, and how does it improve the dining experience?

A table ordering system is a digital solution that allows customers to view menus, place orders, and make payments directly from their smartphones or tablets—typically by scanning a QR code placed at the table. It streamlines the ordering process, reduces wait times, minimizes human error, and enhances overall customer satisfaction.

2. What are the key benefits of using a table ordering system in a restaurant?

Implementing a table ordering system can help restaurants increase average order value, support delivery and takeaway services, reduce labor costs, minimize order errors, and provide real-time menu updates. These features contribute to greater operational efficiency and improved profit margins.

3. How do I choose the right table ordering or iPad POS system for my venue?

When selecting a solution, look for features such as real-time digital menu editing, multiple payment method support (including mobile wallets), seamless integration with existing POS and inventory systems, a user-friendly interface, and multi-location scalability. Solutions like Eats365 are tailored for the Australian hospitality industry and offer a flexible, cloud-based approach suitable for cafes, restaurants, and growing businesses.