In any restaurant, communication between the front of house and the kitchen is everything. A forgotten dish, an illegible ticket, a late send — these everyday problems all share the same root cause: an order transmission system that's no longer fit for purpose.

The kitchen display system (KDS) is the modern answer to this problem. Here's everything you need to know before you set one up.

What Is a Kitchen Display System (KDS)?

A kitchen display system is a digital screen installed in the kitchen that shows orders in real time as servers enter them. It replaces traditional printed or handwritten paper tickets.

In practice, when a server confirms an order on their smartphone or tablet, it instantly appears on the kitchen screen. The cook sees which dishes to prepare, any modifications (gluten-free, medium-rare, etc.), and the priority order.

Paper Tickets vs Kitchen Display: What's the Difference?

Paper ticket systems have well-known limitations in restaurants. Tickets get lost, handwriting is sometimes illegible, and there's no easy way to prioritise orders. During the rush, the pass can quickly become chaotic.

With a digital kitchen display, orders are always legible, sorted by arrival time, and impossible to lose. The cook can mark a dish as "in progress" or "done" with a simple tap, and the server sees the status update in real time.

The difference is most noticeable in service speed, error reduction, and overall kitchen calm.

The Concrete Benefits of a KDS

Fewer Order Errors

Digital display eliminates legibility issues. Modifications and allergies are clearly visible, which significantly reduces dish returns and miscommunication.

Faster Service

The cook sees orders instantly, without waiting for a server to walk to the kitchen. Wait times between order-taking and prep start drop noticeably.

Better Front-to-Back Coordination

Servers know in real time where each dish stands. They can update customers without physically checking the kitchen, which improves the dining experience.

Actionable Data

A digital kitchen display records prep times, peak hours, and most-ordered items. This data helps you optimise your kitchen workflow.

How to Choose a Kitchen Display System

What Hardware Do You Need?

Good news: you don't need specialised screens. Most modern KDS solutions run on any tablet with a web browser. An Android tablet or iPad positioned in the kitchen works perfectly.

Plan for a wall or counter mount, and a case that can handle heat and splashes.

Integrated KDS vs Separate System?

This is an important question. Many restaurant POS systems offer order-taking but sell the kitchen display as an add-on, sometimes at a significant cost.

The ideal is to choose a restaurant ordering system that includes the KDS in its plans, at no extra charge. This simplifies management and reduces costs. For help picking the right system, see our guide to choosing a restaurant ordering system.

Features to Look For

A good kitchen display system should offer at minimum real-time order display, priority management, dish completion marking, visibility on modifications and allergies, and multi-station support if you have several prep areas (bar, hot kitchen, cold kitchen).

Bistromo and the Kitchen Display

With Bistromo, the kitchen display system (KDS) is included in all plans, including the free tier. When a server takes an order from the mobile app, it appears instantly on the kitchen screen.

The KDS runs on any tablet with a web browser — no dedicated hardware needed. And because the ordering system and kitchen display are integrated into one solution, there's no extra cost or complex setup.

In Summary

The kitchen display system is no longer a luxury reserved for large restaurants. It's a tool that has become accessible and essential for improving front-to-back communication, reducing errors, and speeding up service.

If you're looking for a simple solution that combines order-taking and kitchen display in one system, with no special hardware and no hidden fees, a KDS is probably the best investment you can make for your restaurant. To see how the KDS fits into a broader modernization strategy, read our step-by-step guide to digitizing your restaurant.