The Journey of NeoTaste - An Innovative App Connecting Foodies with New Restaurants

It was spring of 2019, when a promising German startup approached us with their idea. Our objective was ambitious yet clear: to help develop an app where people discover new places to eat out in their city, while offering them attractive deals. As food enthusiasts ourselves, we were eager to take on this challenging project.

The project consisted of two primary components: a mobile application for food lovers and a comprehensive web platform for restaurants, complemented by an admin panel for management. Working closely with our client, we developed a tailored solution to provide an excellent experience for users while helping restaurants expand their customer base.

We built a custom solution, working side by side with the client to deliver a top-notch experience to the lively community of foodies, and help restaurants reach out to new customers. The scope encompassed iOS and Android mobile apps,, a web platform, and a scalable backend system.

The Beginning of Our Collaboration

Initial Concept and Inspiration

“The client was inspired by the traditional process where companies would purchase vouchers as Christmas gifts for their employees at the end of the year. Restaurants would reach out to companies, offering discounts or special deals if the vouchers were bought, and these vouchers could be redeemed within the next 12 months.” - * Michał Błędowski, Co-Founder of Angry Nerds*

Project Kickoff

Our discovery workshops were dynamic and productive, blending creativity with technical expertise. The sessions brought our cross-skilled team of developers and designers and the client together in engaging discussions, where we sketched ideas and mapped out the user journey.

As we defined the project scope, we recognized the ambition of the initial concept. Working collaboratively, we carefully prioritized features for the MVP, while keeping future enhancements in mind. This process helped us strike a balance between creating a strong foundation and planning for growth, resulting in a clear roadmap for NeoTaste's initial release.

What was the process of setting project goals and ensuring alignment between the client’s vision and technical feasibility?

“The client was happy with how well we understood their design and UX direction. Working in sprints gave us the flexibility to adjust and make changes quickly as needed. From the start, the whole team was engaged and collaborative, fully behind the product vision. Our key focus was getting the MVP done before the end of the year."

Our core team comprised six key members: Mobile Developers for iOS and Android , Front-end and Back-end Developers, a QA Specialist, and a Team Lead. This diverse group ensured comprehensive development of NeoTaste, addressing all aspects of the project with expertise and attention to detail.

The team's varied skill set was crucial in creating a seamless experience across platforms while building a strong backend system. This approach allowed us to effectively meet the needs of both food enthusiasts and restaurant owners, setting a foundation for NeoTaste's success.

Design Phase

Implementing User-Friendly Designs

Our client came to us with a clear vision, providing comprehensive designs for both the food enthusiast and restaurant owner interfaces. Our role was to bring these designs to life, focusing on creating an intuitive and engaging experience for all users.

Collaborating on Design Implementation

While the client supplied the visual designs, our team actively collaborated on their implementation to maximize the UX/UI value . We worked diligently to ensure the app remained simple and accessible, even for new users. This collaborative approach allowed us to leverage the client's vision while applying our technical expertise to enhance usability.

Interactive Implementation and Client Feedback

Throughout the implementation phase, we maintained open lines of communication with the client. Regular feedback sessions allowed us to fine-tune the user interface and experience, ensuring that NeoTaste would not only match the client's visual concept but also function smoothly and efficiently. At the client's request, we integrated UXCam to monitor users' in-app activity, providing valuable insights for future improvements.

Development: Mobile Application

Choosing the tech stack

For mobile development we relied on two main programming languages: Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android. These choices allowed us to create native applications that would provide the best possible performance and user experience on each platform.

Key features development timeline

User registration and profile creation

We implemented a streamlined registration process, allowing users to quickly set up their accounts and start exploring deals.

Restaurant discovery algorithm

One of the core features of NeoTaste is its ability to help users discover new restaurants. We developed a sophisticated algorithm that takes into account user preferences, location, and available deals.

Deal redemption system

We created a simple three-step process for users to take advantage of offers:

• Enable location services and browse nearby deals
• Book a deal, specifying when they'd like to use it
• Visit the restaurant and enjoy their meal

What were some of the challenges that we faced during the development process and how did we overcome them?

“Thanks to our close collaboration, we were able to turn the design into a working product in just under three months, making the right choices in both the development approach and tech stack. One of the biggest challenges was integrating online payments, as we needed to ensure that all transaction types required by the client were executable. To address this, we chose Mollie—a robust library that handled everything we needed, from PayPal and bank transfers to credit card payments, and most importantly, Klarna, which was a key client requirement”

Testing and quality assurance

Our QA process was rigorous and ongoing. We conducted internal testing throughout the development process, quickly adapting to changing requirements and ensuring the stability of both the app and the platform.

Development: Web Platform for Restaurants

Designing the restaurant dashboard

The web platform for restaurants was designed to be a powerful tool for managing deals and analyzing customer engagement. We created a comprehensive admin panel that allows restaurant owners to easily create and manage their offers.

Implementing deal creation and management tools

Restaurant owners can use the platform to implement deals, set their availability, and track their performance. The system was designed to be intuitive, acknowledging the busy schedules of restaurant managers.

Analytics and reporting features

We implemented analytics tools to provide restaurants with valuable insights into their deals' performance and customer behavior.

How did we integrate restaurant needs into the web platform?

"We were in constant contact with restaurants, ensuring that everything is working as expected and meets their expectations. This early involvement had a huge impact on the overall product success."

Developing the Admin Panel: The Command Center for NeoTaste

Creating a Management System

We built the admin panel to be the heart of NeoTaste's operations, giving the startup owners a powerful tool to oversee both the mobile app and web platform. This centralized system streamlines management and ensures smooth operations across the entire platform.

User and Restaurant Management Tools

Our team developed intuitive tools that allow for efficient management of user accounts and restaurant partnerships. These features help maintain the quality and integrity of NeoTaste's ecosystem, ensuring a positive experience for all stakeholders.

Insightful Analytics and Reporting

We integrated comprehensive analytics features into the admin panel, providing the NeoTaste team with valuable insights. These tools offer a clear view of user engagement, popular deals, and overall platform performance, enabling data-driven decision-making for future growth and improvements.

What considerations were made for scalability and future growth? What was the outcome?

• The application was able to seamlessly scale from the initial 1.000 monthly users to current impressive number of 1.000.000 active foodies.
• System architecture made it possible to launch the product and sustain its growth without the need to rearchitect the solution.
• From day one, the app was receiving 5-star reviews in both the App Store and Google Play Store
• The decision to build a cloud-native backend made it possible to easily scale from 1 city to over 40 cities as of 2024 (and counting).
• We made sure the client had the right data available to make correct business decisions and grow their business

Integration and Testing

Bringing together mobile, web, and admin components

Integrating the various components of NeoTaste was a complex task that required careful planning and execution. Our team worked diligently to ensure seamless communication between the mobile app, web platform, and admin panel.

Testing processes

We implemented a thorough process, including unit tests, integration tests, and user acceptance testing. By the client's request, we also enabled UXCam to monitor users' in-app activity, providing valuable insights into user behaviour.

Beta testing phase and user feedback

Before the official launch, we conducted a series of beta tests with selected users and made the app available for testing on Google Play. The feedback gathered during this phase was invaluable, helping us refine the app and identify areas for future improvement.

Launch and Initial Reception

What were some of the marketing and promotion strategies?

"The marketing approach included targeted ads and building relationships with restaurants to communicate the app's benefits, along with a large number of positive reviews that contributed to its fact scalability."

After six months of intensive development and testing, Neotaste was ready for its official launch. The application debuted in selected cities in Germany, with plans for expansion.

Initial user and restaurant feedback

Initial feedback from users and restaurants following the launch. What aspects of Neotaste were particularly well-received?

"Feedback from users and restaurants has been very positive, highlighting the app's easy-to-use design and smooth experience in helping them find the best dining options."

Analyzing user data and behaviour

With the app live, we began collecting and analyzing user data to inform future improvements. The insights gained from real-world usage have been invaluable in shaping the evolution of NeoTaste.

Based on user feedback and data analysis, we've been focusing on adding new features and improvements since the soft launch. This ongoing development ensures that NeoTaste continues to meet and exceed user expectations.

Key technologies and frameworks used

Front-end: The main technology used in front-end development was Angular, chosen for its robustness and flexibility in creating dynamic web applications.

Back-end: Back-end development is based on .NET technology, providing a solid foundation for the server-side operations of NeoTaste.

Mobile: The iOS app was developed using Swift, while the Android app was built with Kotlin, ensuring native performance on both platforms.

Success metrics and achievements

Development milestones:

• MVP in 3 months
• Full commercial product in under 12 months
• Native iOS and Android applications built with Swift and Kotlin languages cloud-native, scalable solution and system architecture
• 99% up time

Key business results:

• The application grew exponentially from 1.000 monthly users to over a million in just 24 months from 1 city to over 40 in 2024 (and counting)
• Initially the app was made only available for German users but quickly became a success in other countries like the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Austria

What exciting developments can users and restaurants look forward to?

"Users and restaurants alike can expect a range of exciting updates, including enhanced filtering features, improved admin panel for restaurants offering an intuitive and streamlined platform for managing their customer base, tracking bookings, and accessing insightful analytics. As the platform grows, more restaurants will be able to partner with the service, allowing users to access an even broader selection of local favorites in their area, ensuring a more personalised and seamless dining experience."

Key learnings and takeaways

The Neotaste project has reinforced the importance of close collaboration between developers, designers, and clients. It has also highlighted the value of iterative development and responsive feedback loops in creating a product that truly meets user needs.

We invite food enthusiasts to download Neotaste and start exploring the exciting dining opportunities in their city. With its user-friendly interface and exciting deals, Neotaste is your passport to culinary adventure.

For restaurant owners looking to expand their reach and attract new customers, Neotaste offers an innovative solution. Our comprehensive admin panel allows you to manage deals, gain valuable insights, and connect with a community of food lovers eager to discover your venue.