When a query expressly seeks menu information, Google now displays whole restaurant menus in its search results. Allie Brown, who published the results of a search for "jones brunch menu" on Twitter, we believe was the first to notice this. Google's search results for the query begin with a card-style answer 

When a query expressly seeks menu information, Google now displays whole restaurant menus in its search results.

Allie Brown, who published the results of a search for "jones brunch menu" on Twitter, we believe was the first to notice this. Google's search results for that question begin with a card-style answer that outlines the restaurant's menu across many categories — appetisers, entrées, sandwiches, and more.(For the record, Google actually seems to be getting the details wrong. In looking at the Jones website, this looks like their “all day” menu, not the brunch menu that Allie searched for.)We've gone out to Google to see if this is a limited test or something that will be available to all searches – no response yet.

Postscript: Shortly after publishing, a Google spokesperson replied to our questions with the standard “we’re always experimenting, nothing to announce at this time” response.

As Aaron Bradley points out, the menu data could be coming from menucuisine.com the site that’s included in the local search box for Jones.One thing is certain: it's not from the Jones website, where the menu is part of a Flash animation and lacks the pricing information that Google's menu card displays.There’s an argument to be made that this is another example of Google hurting business owners by showing answers that eliminate the need to visit a website. Maybe,

However, according to data from roughly 18 months ago, less than half of independent restaurants have a website, and of those that do, just 40% display their menu online. Many often, such online menus are outdated or partial, hidden in a Flash video or PDF, or otherwise difficult to access. With recent studies indicating that 80% of consumers prefer to see a menu before choosing a restaurant, it's no surprise that Google is going out of its way to include menus in search results. Google has always prioritised making searchers happy above making website owners happy.

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