Google Translate alternatives for restaurant menus
Google Translate is the default for a reason. It's also why so many people end up ordering the wrong thing.
Glütty · 14 October 2026
Where Google Translate falls short on menus
It translates words, not dishes. "Pulpo a la gallega" becomes "Galician-style octopus", which is accurate and still doesn't tell you it's boiled octopus with paprika and olive oil. Names that are puns or place names come out as nonsense. And it can't tell you which dish has the nuts in it.
We covered the step-by-step in how to translate a menu. Here are the alternatives.
Papago
Often preferred by travellers for Korean, Japanese and Chinese.
- Best for:
- East Asian menus.
- Watch out:
- Still a translator, not a menu guide.
- Platforms:
- iPhone, Android
- Price:
- Free
Apple Translate / Live Text
Translate text in camera and photos on iPhone.
- Best for:
- Fast lookups without installing anything.
- Watch out:
- Same limits as Google.
- Platforms:
- iPhone
- Price:
- Free
Glütty
Scan, upload or paste a link to any menu. Every dish is translated into your language, explained in plain words, and can be shown as a picture. Members also get a match score for each dish based on their own taste profile, plus dietary flags.
- Best for:
- Explaining dishes, not just translating them, with pictures, dietary flags and, for members, how likely you are to enjoy each one.
- Watch out:
- Free accounts get three menu scans a month. Match scores, taste memory and unlimited scans need the £8.99/month membership.
- Platforms:
- Web app, works in any phone browser
- Price:
- Free tier; membership £8.99/month
Our steer
Keep Google Translate for signs and conversations. For the menu, use a tool built for menus.
