Blog Article

How to make an app like Zomato?


Abhinav Girdhar
By Abhinav Girdhar | Last Updated on October 20th, 2025 6:12 am

In the fast-evolving world of dining, a mobile app is a must-have for restaurants aiming to stay competitive. Giants like Zomato have set the benchmark with apps that streamline ordering, foster loyalty, and enhance customer experiences. With Appy Pie’s restaurant app builder, you can create a restaurant app that matches these standards without writing a single line of code. This in-depth guide provides a step-by-step roadmap to build a professional app using Appy Pie’s AI-powered, no-code platform, offering a simpler, more affordable alternative to traditional development methods like those outlined by TeaCode or Cogniteq. Build now your restaurant app and transform your restaurant’s digital presence!

The Value of a Restaurant App

A custom app delivers transformative benefits for restaurants of all sizes:

  • Seamless Ordering: Customers can browse menus, customize orders, and pay in seconds, driving sales.
  • Loyalty Building: Reward programs, like Zomato, encourage repeat visits and customer retention.
  • Instant Engagement: Push notifications deliver promotions, new menu items, or event updates in real time.
  • Efficiency Gains: Automate order processing and reservations, reducing staff workload and errors.
  • Brand Amplification: A branded app reinforces your restaurant’s identity and visibility.

Unlike the developer-heavy approaches of TeaCode or Cogniteq, Appy Pie’s no-code app builder empowers non-technical users, offering a user-friendly experience comparable to GoodBarber and Adalo but with advanced AI-driven features.

Suggested Read: How to Create a Restaurant App Using Appy Pie’s Restaurant App Builder?

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Restaurant App

Follow these detailed steps to make a restaurant app with Appy Pie’s platform, designed for speed, simplicity, and impact.

  1. Start Your App Journey

    Navigate to Appy Pie’s restaurant app maker and click “Get Started.” Sign up using your email or Google account, then input your restaurant’s name to launch your project. Appy Pie’s app builder features an intuitive interface, making it accessible for beginners, unlike TeaCode’s technical focus on developers. This step sets the stage for a tailored app experience.

  2. Pick a Restaurant-Specific Template

    Appy Pie offers a diverse library of templates optimized for fast food, casual dining, or fine-dining restaurants. Choose a template that reflects your brand—vibrant for a food truck or sleek for a high-end eatery—and click “Customize.” These templates, similar to GoodBarber’s 200+ layouts, include pre-built features like menus and ordering systems, streamlining the process as you create a restaurant app that resonates with your customers. You can also leverage AI Food Ordering Templates to further simplify development, providing intelligent design options and smart ordering features tailored for the food industry.

  3. Design a Stunning, Branded Interface

    Craft a visually compelling app using Appy Pie’s drag-and-drop app builder:

    • Upload your restaurant’s logo for instant brand recognition.
    • Select color schemes that align with your aesthetic (e.g., warm oranges for a BBQ joint or cool blues for a seafood restaurant).
    • Add high-resolution images of signature dishes, your dining ambiance, or seasonal specials to captivate users.

    Prioritize a clean, intuitive layout, as TeaCode emphasizes for user experience, but without the need for coding expertise. Appy Pie’s AI-driven design suggestions enhance customization, surpassing Adalo’s manual editing process.

  4. Add Zomato-Inspired Features

    In the “Features” section, drag and drop functionalities to mirror Zomato app capabilities:

    • Online Ordering: Enable menu browsing, order customization, and seamless payments.
    • Menu Display: Showcase dishes with vivid descriptions, prices, and images.
    • Table Reservations: Allow diners to book tables, ideal for sit-down restaurants.
    • Push Notifications: Send targeted promotions or event updates, as Cogniteq suggests for engagement.
    • Loyalty Program: Offer points or discounts to reward frequent customers.
    • Location Finder: Integrate Google Maps for easy navigation to your restaurant.
    • AI Recommendations: Use Appy Pie’s AI to suggest menu items based on user preferences, a unique feature competitors lack.

    Customize each feature with your menu, pricing, and branding. Appy Pie’s restaurant app builder ensures seamless integration, offering more flexibility than GoodBarber’s predefined templates.

  5. Integrate Secure Payment Gateways

    In the “Payments” section, add trusted gateways like PayPal, Stripe, or credit card. Offer diverse options, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, to cater to customer preferences. Test the payment flow to ensure security and reliability, a critical step Cogniteq emphasizes in development. Appy Pie’s AI app builder simplifies this process, making it more accessible than traditional coding methods.

  6. Test for a Flawless Launch

    Use Appy Pie’s preview tool to test your app on iOS and Android devices. Verify key functions, including:

    • Completing an order from menu selection to payment.
    • Booking a table or redeeming loyalty rewards.
    • Receiving and interacting with push notifications.

    Ensure fast load times, smooth navigation, and compatibility across devices. Gather feedback from staff or loyal customers to refine the app, addressing Cogniteq’s focus on user testing. This ensures your app delivers a polished experience when you make a restaurant app.

  7. Publish to App Stores

    Click “Save & Finish” to finalize your app. Appy Pie provides detailed instructions for submitting to the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, including guidance on app descriptions, screenshots, and icons. Unlike GoodBarber’s additional iOS publishing fees, Appy Pie streamlines the process with cost-effective support, making it more affordable than competitors.

Case Study: A local pizzeria used Appy Pie’s restaurant app builder to launch an app with online ordering and loyalty rewards. Within three months, they saw a 25% increase in repeat orders and a 15% boost in revenue, proving the power of a well-designed app.

Suggested Read: How to launch your app

Overcoming Common Challenges

Cogniteq highlights challenges like customer adoption, staff training, and competition. Here’s how Appy Pie addresses them:

  • Customer Adoption: Offer first-order discounts via push notifications to drive downloads, as Zomato does with app-exclusive deals.
  • Staff Training: Use Appy Pie’s intuitive dashboard to train staff on managing orders and reservations in under an hour.
  • Competition: Differentiate with AI-driven features like personalized menu suggestions, exclusive to Appy Pie, setting you apart from local competitors.

Promoting Your App for Maximum Impact

Drive downloads and engagement with these Zomato-inspired strategies:

  • Social Media Campaigns: Share engaging posts on Instagram, TikTok, or X, showcasing features like quick ordering or loyalty rewards.
  • In-Store Promotions: Place QR codes on menus, receipts, or table tents, offering a 10% discount for first-time app users.
  • Website Integration: Add a prominent “Download Our App” button to your restaurant’s website.
  • Email Marketing: Send a launch announcement to your customer list with a direct download link.

Unlike GoodBarber’s reliance on PWA SEO, Appy Pie supports native apps and PWAs, maximizing visibility across platforms.

Why Appy Pie Outshines Competitors

Appy Pie stands out against TeaCode, GoodBarber, Adalo, and Cogniteq:

  • No-Code Simplicity: Build apps in minutes, unlike TeaCode’s developer-centric approach.
  • Cost-Effective: Free trial and lower pricing compared to GoodBarber’s $40/month or Adalo’s $36/month plans.
  • AI-Powered Tools: Automated design and feature suggestions, absent in competitors’ offerings.
  • Comprehensive Support: End-to-end guidance, unlike Cogniteq’s focus on custom development.

Suggested Read: How to create your restaurant app

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How long does it take to create a restaurant app with Appy Pie?
  2. With Appy Pie’s restaurant app maker, you can build a functional app in a few hours. Publishing to app stores may take 1-2 weeks, depending on store approval processes.

  3. Do I need coding skills to use Appy Pie?
  4. No! Appy Pie’s no-code app builder is designed for non-technical users, with a drag-and-drop interface and AI assistance.

  5. How much does it cost to build an app with Appy Pie?
  6. Appy Pie offers a free trial, with paid plans starting at affordable rates. Visit Appy Pie’s pricing page for details, but it’s typically lower than GoodBarber or Adalo.

Suggested Read: How to Create an App Like Meolaa in 2025

Conclusion

Building a restaurant app like Zomato is within reach with Appy Pie’s no-code restaurant app maker. Its AI-driven app builder empowers restaurant owners to design, customize, and launch a professional app that boosts engagement, streamlines operations, and drives revenue. Outshine competitors and delight customers by starting today at Appy Pie’s app maker. Create your app now and revolutionize your restaurant’s digital future!

Abhinav Girdhar

Founder at Appy Pie | Angel Investor at Abhinav Girdhar Ventures | PhD Candidate in Generative AI at Golden Gate University | Disrupting Tech with No-Code & AI Solutions | Tech Visionary | Global Business Leader