A customer satisfaction survey is a short set of questions that measures your service, food and atmosphere through your guests' eyes. Good customer satisfaction survey questions take about 30 seconds to answer, don't tire your guests out and tell you exactly what to work on the next day.
This guide gives you 25 ready-to-use restaurant survey questions for cafés and restaurants, the question types worth using, and where and how to ask them.
5 rules for a good customer feedback survey
- Keep it short: 3 to 6 questions. Every extra question lowers your response rate.
- Ask about one thing at a time: “How were the service and the food?” is really two questions. Split them.
- Start with a rating, end with an open question: first a one-tap score, then an optional comment at the very end.
- Ask at the right moment: right after the bill is paid, or on the way out of the restroom.
- Show that you read the answers: a guest whose complaint gets a response often becomes a loyal guest.
Types of customer survey questions
| Type | Example | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Star rating (1–5) | How did you like our coffee? | Food and service ratings |
| Smiley faces | Was our restroom clean? | Quick, one tap |
| NPS (0–10) | Would you recommend us to a friend? | Overall loyalty |
| Multiple choice | How did you hear about us? | Source, preferences |
| Open-ended | What could we do better? | Last question, optional |
25 customer satisfaction survey questions for cafés and restaurants
Overall satisfaction
- How would you rate your experience today?
- How likely are you to recommend us to a friend? (0–10)
- Would you consider coming back?
- What did you enjoy most today?
- What could we do better?
Food and taste
- How did you find the taste of your order?
- Was your order served at the right temperature and fresh?
- Did the portion size meet your expectations?
- How would you rate the value for money?
- Is there anything you would like to see on our menu?
Service and speed
- How long did it take for your order to arrive?
- How would you rate the attentiveness of our staff?
- Was your order correct?
- Was paying the bill quick and easy?
- Would you like to mention the team member who served you?
Cleanliness and atmosphere
- Was your table clean?
- Was our restroom clean?
- Were the music and noise level comfortable?
- Was the room temperature comfortable?
- Did you find the seating comfortable?
Takeaway and online orders
- Did your order arrive within the promised time?
- Did the packaging keep your food in good condition?
- Was it easy to place your order?
- Was anything missing or wrong?
- What would you like us to do differently next time you order?
Ready-made feedback form templates
Table survey (4 questions): questions 1, 6, 12 and 5. Restroom survey (2 questions): question 17 plus an optional open comment. Takeaway and delivery survey (4 questions): questions 21, 22, 24 and 2.
Where should you place your QR survey?
- Table: after paying the bill, guests already have their phone in hand.
- Restroom: cleanliness issues are reported instantly, so your staff can act right away.
- Checkout counter: a quick rating while guests pay.
- Takeaway: a card in the bag or a QR code at the bottom of the receipt.
Customer feedback surveys with sipnik Feedback
With sipnik Feedback, you build a form from a ready-made template in minutes and generate as many QR codes as you need for each location. Guests answer in 30 seconds without downloading an app, and responses appear in your dashboard location by location. To reward your regulars, you can use it together with a loyalty program.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions should a customer satisfaction survey have?
3 to 6 questions is ideal. At quick touchpoints such as the restroom, 1 or 2 questions are enough.
What is NPS and how is it calculated?
Net Promoter Score is calculated from the 0–10 answers to “Would you recommend us?”. You subtract the percentage of guests who answered 0–6 from the percentage who answered 9–10; the result falls between −100 and +100.
How can I increase my survey response rate?
Keep the survey short, ask at the right moment and don't require an app download. Placing the QR code where guests are already waiting increases your response rate.
Should the survey be anonymous?
By default, yes: guests are more honest when they answer anonymously. If you want to follow up, ask for contact details as an optional field.
How should I respond to negative feedback?
Respond quickly and personally, acknowledge the problem and say what you did about it. A resolved complaint can build a stronger bond than a guest who never had a problem at all.
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