Give the table a menu and the tavern scene runs itself. Players who were waiting for a plot hook will spend ten minutes arguing about the price of the stew, and the place they are arguing in becomes real while they do it.
The name of the establishment and a subtitle, then two sections of dishes — each dish with a description and a price — and a line of house rules at the foot, which is where the tavern's character usually hides. No credit. Rooms above. Do not ask about the cellar.
Fantasy is a hand-lettered board, 1920s is a lunch-room card, Eastern Bloc is a canteen price list with half the items crossed out in spirit. Station galley is a ration board printout from a mining station, prices in credits and every item coded for allergens and contamination. A5 at 300 DPI, and worth a heavier paper — a menu gets handled more than any other handout at the table.