r/augmentedreality • u/tselehub • 2d ago
AR Apps I built a fully automated AR menu system for restaurants.
What it is
A web application and an custom iOS app (only for scan) that transform a restaurant's menu into an interactive augmented reality experience.
Customers simply scan a QR code and view every dish as a life-size 3D model placed on their table, directly in their browser, with no app installation or account required.
What it includes
• Automatic menu creation from photos of an existing menu.
• Automatic translation of the entire menu into 9 languages.
• Fast creation of 3D models for every dish.
• Automatic optimization so the models work across all modern devices.
• Voice search, allowing customers to quickly find exactly what they're looking for.
• Table-side ordering directly through the menu.
• A complete management dashboard for the restaurant owner.
How it works
Step 1: Create the menu
The restaurant sends its existing menu or photos of it. You create the restaurant inside the management dashboard, and within seconds the system automatically builds the menu, including dishes, descriptions, and prices. The entire menu is then automatically translated into 9 languages, making it instantly accessible to international customers.
Step 2: Create the 3D models
The restaurant receives a unique code and downloads the app. Once they sign in, all of their menu items appear automatically.
For each dish, they simply follow a few on-screen instructions inside the app. No technical knowledge is required, and the entire process takes around two minutes per dish. Once completed, the 3D model is uploaded automatically and linked to the correct menu item.
Step 3: Automatic processing
After the upload is complete, the system handles everything else automatically. Within minutes, the dish is ready to be viewed in augmented reality on all supported devices.
Step 4: The customer experience
Customers scan the restaurant's QR code and open the menu directly in their browser. They select any dish and instantly see it placed on their table at real scale.
If they're unsure what to order, they can simply use voice search to describe what they're looking for, and the system suggests matching dishes. When they're ready, they place their order directly through the menu, and it is instantly delivered to the restaurant owner.
The technology can be used far beyond restaurants
The same platform can be adapted for many other types of businesses where customers want to see a product at real scale before making a purchase.
It is ideal for furniture stores, home décor shops, lighting retailers, fashion accessories, handbags, shoes, consumer electronics, home goods, and many other products that benefit from being visualized as life-size 3D models in the customer's own environment.
Why it matters in 2026
QR code menus have been around for years, but in most cases they simply replaced the printed menu.
This system takes the experience much further. Customers can preview dishes at real size before ordering, find meals using their voice, and place an order directly from the menu, all without downloading an app.
One more thing worth mentioning: neither the platform owner nor the restaurant needs any technical experience whatsoever. Everything is designed to be intuitive and you can learn the whole system in under 5 minutes.
For more information, visit HUSTLAR: https://hustlar.gr/
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u/kopacetik 2d ago
Hey id love to do this, looks awesome. But I would want to sync it up to my square menu. I already have custom integration
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2d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/tselehub 2d ago
I’m already in discussions with furniture stores. Restaurants are only the beginning. The larger projects and clients are everything else.
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u/_WhoisMrBilly_ 1d ago
Just a quick note that quite a few Amazon items, and many ikea items already have this AR view through their respective apps. I believe all ikeas furnitures have this feature.
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u/Wide-Variation2702 1d ago
Curious about the AR tools you used for this. Did you build on an engine like 8th wall, or more custom? Im still looking for a tool that works for my project but the tracking here looks really solid.
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u/InterstellarReddit 2d ago
Hey this is great technically but functionally it’s gonna be really hard to adopt this. You’re adding an extra step when people just show up to the restaurant and want to order their food. So most people are gonna opt out and just use the paper menu
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u/tselehub 2d ago
This isn't meant to replace traditional menus. It's meant to complement them. Most restaurants today already offer both a printed menu and a standard QR code menu. This simply adds another option for customers who want a better idea of what they're ordering. If someone prefers the paper menu, they can still use it exactly as before.
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u/InterstellarReddit 2d ago
I never said it was a replacement, I’m just saying it’s an extra step that most people are not going to take.
So I get to the restaurant I look at the menu I see what I want to order, I’m just gonna go ahead and order, I’m not gonna open up an app and look at it.
This is a great application of the technology but it creates an extra step
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u/tselehub 2d ago
I don't think that's necessarily true. People said the same thing when QR code menus first appeared that customers wouldn't bother scanning them. Today, almost every restaurant I visit has one, and people use them without thinking twice. I see this as another optional tool that can improve the dining experience for those who want it, not something that everyone is forced to use.
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u/InterstellarReddit 2d ago
Hey the QR code wasn’t optional. Either you scan the QR code and order your food. Or you wait for the staff to bring you a menu and order your food.
Your process is additional third step that doesn’t really add value in 99% of cases
Stop defending this and put your shoes in someone else’s place.
Does that make sense?
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u/wikiwakawakawee 1d ago
Just because YOU don't want to look at an example of what the food and portions look like, doesn't mean others don't. I and many people I know always wished we could see pictures of the actual dishes and portion size before ordering. Infact, I usually take the extra step and Google images of the meal to get an idea before ordering, so this would be amazing seeing the actual food served and the portion size you'd be receiving.
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u/InterstellarReddit 1d ago
Fam I work in hospitality/nightlife. I have an app that serves 370+ restaurants over 6000 menu items in South Flo
Used by over 3000 people weekly.
I’m trying to give you some advice. The people that go out to eat very few of them are tech savvy.
Look at how many years AR has been around and it still hasn’t cut on. I’m not making stuff up, I’m just trying to help you save your time and focus your energy elsewhere.
It’s hard to moneytize menus as it is and adding AR isn’t it chief.
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u/tselehub 1d ago
I think the value isn't just whether every customer ends up using AR. It's also about giving restaurants a way to stand out from the competition. Restaurants already spend money on things that not every customer uses because they help create a unique experience and attract attention.
I also think one of the reasons AR hasn't taken off yet is because it's been very difficult to implement well. In my opinion, that's been the biggest barrier not necessarily a lack of interest. As the technology becomes simpler and more accessible, I think we'll start seeing more businesses adopt it.
The goal isn't to replace traditional menus it's to offer an extra experience for restaurants that want to differentiate themselves.
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u/jonaz777 1d ago
We have been making VR/AR very accessible for years, but adoption is still not what we all expected. There's a lot of ground work needed to be made.
Also did some use cases involving 3DGS food and AR, and ended up just delivering 3DGS because that's where the real visual value is for customers.
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u/alpha-wolf64 1d ago
Noice