Montezumas Restaurant
A vibrant, photography-led menu redesign for a much-loved Mexican restaurant in north Brisbane.
My Tasks
Creative Direction
Design Lead
Print Design
Typography
Client
Montezumas Restaurant​
Agency
Merriweather Studio
Menus that make you hungry before you order.
Montezuma’s north Brisbane wanted a menu that finally matched the energy of the restaurant itself. Bold, colourful, full of personality, and unmistakably Mexican. The existing menu was doing the job, but it wasn’t telling the story.
I worked directly with the restaurant manager to map out what the new menu needed to achieve, then sat down with the chef and floor staff to make sure the dishes, descriptions and structure all lined up with how the restaurant actually runs day to day. From there, I shot the food photography in-house, styling each plate to feel inviting rather than overly polished.
The design moved through layout concepts and final visual direction, with regular check-ins to keep things on track and on time. The result is a menu that feels like the restaurant itself, warm, vibrant, and built around the food locals already love.
Restaurants live and die by atmosphere, and the menu is part of it. By treating the menu as a piece of the dining experience rather than just a list of dishes, we gave Montezuma's a tool that sells the food before it arrives.
Why this worked
Photography that does the selling
Custom food photography meant every dish looked exactly the way Montezuma’s wanted it remembered. Diners could see what they were ordering, which lifted confidence and average spend per table.
Built around the staff, not just the brand
Working closely with the chef and floor team meant the menu structure matched how the restaurant actually operates, making it easier for staff to upsell, recommend and serve.
A look that matches the vibe
The colour, energy and styling of the menu reflects the feel of walking into Montezuma’s. Guests get a consistent experience from the front door through to the table.
Print-ready, problem-free
Designed and supplied to professional print specifications, the final menu rolled out without delays or reprints. The restaurant got a polished, durable piece that was ready to use straight away.