Translate foreign menus with Google Maps, that’s how it works

You can translate dishes on a restaurant menu in Google Maps. This is very useful if you are on holiday abroad or simply want to know what the Dutch translation of a dish is. That is how it works.

Translate dishes on menus in Maps

Google Maps has a handy feature that uses Google Lens. Thanks to this collaboration, you can have photos of menus at restaurants translated in the navigation app. This way you know in advance what to expect when you order the dish in a restaurant.

Google Lens is of course the perfect partner for this because with this app you can recognize objects such as images, plants and buildings, but also translate texts or scan a nice outfit or nice chair and search for you via Google. All you have to do is scan the object with the app.

That is how it works

With Lens you can view popular dishes on a restaurant menu based on reviews on Google Maps with the ‘Dining’ function. This option can also be consulted directly in Maps. To do this, go to a restaurant whose menu you want to view, for example this German restaurant.

1. Open Google Maps
2. Find the restaurant and tap the tab Menu
3. Open a photo showing this restaurant’s menu
4. Tap on Translate or Explore dishes

The second option shows search results for the dishes on the menu. Those are related images and often recipes as well. The translation option recognizes the text on the menu and immediately translates it for you. At the bottom you will find options to share the translated text or listen to the translation. You can also open Google Translate from here.

Via the two buttons at the bottom of the screen you can translate the dishes on the map or explore dishes. With the first option you immediately translate the dishes. Do you still have no idea what a certain dish entails? Then you can choose the second option. When you tap on a dish, Google Lens will provide it with photos so that you immediately know what the dish looks like. You can also search further on Google for recipes and ingredients et cetera.

If you pass by a restaurant during your holiday, you can of course also scan the menu directly with Google Lens to translate it. Now that this function is also in Maps, you can do this from your holiday address or already at home, so that you immediately know where to go to eat that tasty steak. That also saves an app on your phone.

What do you think of the Google Lens integration in Maps? Are you going to use it when you are on vacation or are you already using it? Let us know in the comments below this article.