Telegram is one of the most popular messengers among people in large cities and diaspora communities. Millions open Telegram daily — for news, chat, work. That is also where they can order food from your restaurant — no separate app, no registration, no extra steps.
This article explains how a restaurant Telegram bot works, what you need to launch, and how to get first customers in the first week.
Why Telegram, not a custom app or Wolt only
Three common options for restaurant online ordering — and why Telegram often wins:
Wolt / Bolt Food: aggregators give visibility but take 25–35% commission per order. The customer remembers "Wolt," not your restaurant. You have no customer contact data.
Custom mobile app: costs €4,000–25,000+, development takes months. After launch customers rarely download it — the average user actively uses 9 of 80 installed apps.
Telegram bot: Telegram is already on the customer's phone. The bot opens in one tap — no download, no registration. Order commission: 0%.
What ordering via Telegram bot looks like
From the customer's side it is simple:
- Customer scans a QR from table, packaging, or Instagram profile
- Bot opens in Telegram (one tap)
- Customer browses categorized menu with photos
- Adds dishes to cart
- Chooses: delivery, pickup, or table order
- Pays online — card, BLIK, Google Pay, Apple Pay, or crypto
- Gets confirmation and order status
The whole process takes 2–3 minutes. No passwords. No new accounts.
On your side: all orders appear in the manager app with full details, status, and time. With Wolt Drive connected, the courier is dispatched automatically.
What the RESTOBOT Telegram bot can do
The bot is not just a menu. It is a full ordering system with:
Orders and payment
- Categorized menu with photos, descriptions, prices
- Editable cart
- Online payment: card, BLIK, Google Pay, Apple Pay, crypto
- Delivery, pickup, or table order (via QR)
Automation
- Order confirmation right after payment
- Automatic courier dispatch via Wolt Drive
- Status messages to customer ("preparing", "courier on the way")
- Review request 20 minutes after delivery
Marketing and retention
- Loyalty program with Apple/Google Wallet card
- Promo broadcasts via Telegram (no platform limits)
- Automatic Google Maps review collection
- Own customer database with order history
How much does a restaurant Telegram bot cost
First-year cost comparison:
| Wolt/Bolt (aggregator) | Custom app | RESTOBOT (Telegram bot) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Start** | Free | €4,000–25,000+ | €99/month |
| **Order commission** | 25–35% | 0% | 0% |
| **Launch time** | 1–2 weeks | 3–9 months | 1 day |
| **Customer data** | Unavailable | Yours | Yours |
| **Year-one cost (€7,000/mo revenue)** | ~€25,000 | €8,000+ (dev) + maintenance | ~€1,200 |
How to launch a Telegram bot: step-by-step
Step 1: Registration (5 minutes)
Open Telegram and message @restobot_admin. Registration happens in Telegram — no website forms, no card verification.
Step 2: Menu setup (1–3 hours)
Via manager app or web panel add:
- Categories (e.g. Burgers, Drinks, Desserts, Sides)
- Dishes with name, description, price, photo
- Modifiers (e.g. size, spice level, sauce)
- Stop list (block unavailable items in real time)
Step 3: Delivery settings
Specify:
- Delivery zones (radius or specific streets/areas)
- Minimum order amount
- Delivery fee (fixed or by zone)
- Delivery hours
To use Wolt Drive couriers — enable integration in the "Couriers" section.
Step 4: Get link and QR code
After setup you receive:
- Bot link (e.g.
t.me/your_restaurant_bot) - QR code for venue, packaging, social media
Step 5: Test order
Place a test order yourself — check the full path from opening the bot to confirmation. Ensure the order appears in the manager app.
How to attract first customers via Telegram bot
Launching the bot is not the same as having customers. What actually works:
QR codes everywhere
Place a QR with "Order via Telegram — 10% off first order" on:
- Tables (tents or stickers)
- Receipts
- Takeaway bags
- Menu (paper and digital)
- Window or entrance door
Instagram and Facebook
One post: "Now you can order directly via Telegram — no queue, no phone wait. First order -10%." Bot link in profile bio and stories.
Existing customers
If you have phone numbers (e.g. from phone orders) — send SMS or WhatsApp with the bot link.
Refer-a-friend promo
Telegram makes referral easy: each customer gets a personal invite link. If a friend places a first order — both get a bonus.
Telegram bot and Google Maps: an unexpected link
After each delivery RESTOBOT automatically sends a Telegram review request:
"How was your order? If you enjoyed it — leave us a Google review, it takes 30 seconds 🙏"
Customers rating 5★ go straight to your Google Maps listing. Lower ratings go to a private feedback form.
Result: restaurants with an active bot collect 50–150 new Google reviews monthly — with no staff effort.
FAQ
Do I need Telegram to manage the bot? Telegram is convenient for order management. There is also a web panel and mobile manager app — usable without Telegram.
What if the customer has no Telegram? Alongside the bot, RESTOBOT provides a restaurant website — customers can order there without Telegram. All orders land in one manager interface.
Can I replace Wolt and Bolt completely? Most restaurants use a hybrid strategy: aggregators for new customers, Telegram bot for repeat orders without commission. That is the optimal approach.
Does the bot support multiple languages? Yes. RESTOBOT supports Polish, Ukrainian, and English — the customer chooses.
Summary
A Telegram bot for restaurants is the fastest way to launch online ordering without aggregator commission. Setup takes one day, first orders come in the first week, and as your customer base grows, so does the share of commission-free orders.
For restaurants, cafés, and fast food in cities with diverse communities — it is also a language and channel advantage customers already use.
Try free for 30 days: www.restobot.pro — register via @restobot_admin