Types of Menu

In the world of product design, navigation is the silent guide that determines whether a user feels empowered or lost. As a Senior Product Designer, I’ve found that even the most innovative apps rely on a set of standardised "food-themed" menu patterns that users already recognise and understand.

The Core Navigation Patterns

1. The Bento Menu : This grid-based menu type is ideal for offering a diverse array of options in a structured layout, much like its namesake lunchbox.
2. The Hamburger Menu : The industry standard for mobile apps. These three horizontal lines are typically found in the top left-hand corner and serve as a "home" for secondary navigation links.
3. The Kebab Menu : Consisting of three vertical dots, this menu is often situated at the top-right or top-left of a screen to house additional settings or actions.
4. The Döner Menu : A strategic variant of the hamburger menu, this type consists of three lines of diminishing lengths, providing a unique visual cue for stacked navigation.
5. The Meatballs Menu : This horizontal three-dot menu is a subtle indicator that "other choices" or more options are available within a specific context.

The Bottom Line : Choosing the right menu type isn't just about aesthetics; it’s about choosing the right Affordance for your user's goals. Master these patterns, and you master the art of seamless navigation.