diff --git a/apps/web/app/(app)/collections/[id]/page.tsx b/apps/web/app/(app)/collections/[id]/page.tsx
index 50ed495..662511e 100644
--- a/apps/web/app/(app)/collections/[id]/page.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/app/(app)/collections/[id]/page.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import type { Metadata } from "next";
 import { notFound } from "next/navigation";
 import { headers } from "next/headers";
 import Link from "next/link";
-import { Printer } from "lucide-react";
+import { Printer, UtensilsCrossed } from "lucide-react";
 import { auth } from "@/lib/auth/server";
 import { db, collections, eq, and, or } from "@epicure/db";
 import { RecipeCard } from "@/components/recipe/recipe-card";
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import { ShareCollectionButton } from "@/components/collections/share-collection
 import { buttonVariants } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 import { ExportMarkdownButton } from "@/components/shared/export-markdown-button";
+import { EmptyState } from "@/components/shared/empty-state";
 import { collectionToMarkdown } from "@/lib/markdown/collection";
 import { getMessages } from "@/lib/i18n/server";
 
@@ -71,9 +72,7 @@ export default async function CollectionPage({ params }: Params) {
       </div>
 
       {col.recipes.length === 0 ? (
-        <div className="flex items-center justify-center h-48 border-2 border-dashed rounded-xl">
-          <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm">No recipes in this collection yet.</p>
-        </div>
+        <EmptyState icon={UtensilsCrossed} title={m.collections.emptyCollection} compact />
       ) : (
         <div className="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 md:grid-cols-3 lg:grid-cols-4 gap-4">
           {col.recipes.map(({ recipe }) => (
diff --git a/apps/web/app/(app)/recipes/favorites/page.tsx b/apps/web/app/(app)/recipes/favorites/page.tsx
index 21ec2ee..f141d6f 100644
--- a/apps/web/app/(app)/recipes/favorites/page.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/app/(app)/recipes/favorites/page.tsx
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ export default async function FavoriteRecipesPage({
         </p>
       </div>
 
-      <FavoritesGrid initialRecipes={favoriteRecipes} emptyLabel={m.recipes.favoritesEmpty} />
+      <FavoritesGrid initialRecipes={favoriteRecipes} emptyTitle={m.recipes.favoritesEmptyTitle} emptyDescription={m.recipes.favoritesEmpty} />
 
       {totalPages > 1 && (
         <div className="flex items-center justify-center gap-2 pt-2">
diff --git a/apps/web/components/collections/collections-page-content.tsx b/apps/web/components/collections/collections-page-content.tsx
index 5658d57..3c9a326 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/collections/collections-page-content.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/collections/collections-page-content.tsx
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { FolderOpen, Flame } from "lucide-react";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 import { buttonVariants } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import { NewCollectionButton } from "@/components/social/new-collection-button";
+import { EmptyState } from "@/components/shared/empty-state";
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 
 type Collection = {
@@ -39,10 +40,12 @@ export function CollectionsPageContent({ collections }: Props) {
       </div>
 
       {collections.length === 0 ? (
-        <div className="flex flex-col items-center justify-center h-64 border-2 border-dashed rounded-xl gap-4">
-          <FolderOpen className="h-12 w-12 text-muted-foreground/40" />
-          <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm">{t("empty")}</p>
-        </div>
+        <EmptyState
+          icon={FolderOpen}
+          title={t("empty")}
+          description={t("emptyDescription")}
+          actionSlot={<NewCollectionButton />}
+        />
       ) : (
         <div className="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 md:grid-cols-3 gap-4">
           {collections.map((col) => (
diff --git a/apps/web/components/feed/feed-page-content.tsx b/apps/web/components/feed/feed-page-content.tsx
index 882e62a..803751e 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/feed/feed-page-content.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/feed/feed-page-content.tsx
@@ -2,10 +2,11 @@
 import { useState, useEffect, useCallback } from "react";
 import { useTranslations } from "next-intl";
 import Link from "next/link";
-import { Clock, Users, ChefHat, Flame, Heart, Sparkles } from "lucide-react";
+import { Clock, Users, ChefHat, Flame, Heart, Sparkles, Rss, UserPlus } from "lucide-react";
 import { Avatar, AvatarFallback, AvatarImage } from "@/components/ui/avatar";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { EmptyState } from "@/components/shared/empty-state";
 import { useLocale } from "@/lib/i18n/provider";
 
 const PAGE_SIZE = 20;
@@ -139,7 +140,7 @@ function PaginatedFeedTab({
     );
   }
 
-  if (recipes.length === 0) return <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">{emptyMessage}</p>;
+  if (recipes.length === 0) return <EmptyState icon={Rss} title={emptyMessage} compact />;
 
   const hasMore = recipes.length < total;
 
@@ -213,9 +214,12 @@ export function FeedPageContent({ followedCount }: Props) {
 
       {tab === "following" ? (
         followedCount === 0 ? (
-          <div className="flex flex-col items-center justify-center h-64 border-2 border-dashed rounded-xl gap-4">
-            <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm">{t("followEmpty")}</p>
-          </div>
+          <EmptyState
+            icon={UserPlus}
+            title={t("followEmpty")}
+            description={t("followEmptyDescription")}
+            action={{ label: t("findPeople"), href: "/explore?tab=people" }}
+          />
         ) : (
           <PaginatedFeedTab endpoint="/api/v1/feed" emptyMessage={t("noNew")} />
         )
diff --git a/apps/web/components/meal-plan/pantry-manager.tsx b/apps/web/components/meal-plan/pantry-manager.tsx
index 4f150c8..9f76660 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/meal-plan/pantry-manager.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/meal-plan/pantry-manager.tsx
@@ -3,11 +3,12 @@
 import { useState } from "react";
 import { useRouter } from "next/navigation";
 import { useTranslations } from "next-intl";
-import { Plus, Trash2, AlertTriangle } from "lucide-react";
+import { Plus, Trash2, AlertTriangle, Package } from "lucide-react";
 import { toast } from "sonner";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
 import { PantryScanDialog } from "@/components/pantry/pantry-scan-dialog";
+import { EmptyState } from "@/components/shared/empty-state";
 import {
   AlertDialog,
   AlertDialogAction,
@@ -98,7 +99,7 @@ export function PantryManager({ initialItems }: { initialItems: PantryItem[] })
 
       {/* Item list */}
       {items.length === 0 ? (
-        <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm">{t("empty")}</p>
+        <EmptyState icon={Package} title={t("empty")} description={t("emptyDescription")} compact />
       ) : (
         <div className="rounded-xl border divide-y">
           {sorted.map((item) => {
diff --git a/apps/web/components/notifications/notifications-page-content.tsx b/apps/web/components/notifications/notifications-page-content.tsx
index 1427dbf..590f78f 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/notifications/notifications-page-content.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/notifications/notifications-page-content.tsx
@@ -3,8 +3,10 @@
 import { useCallback, useEffect, useState } from "react";
 import Link from "next/link";
 import { useTranslations } from "next-intl";
+import { Bell } from "lucide-react";
 import { Avatar, AvatarFallback, AvatarImage } from "@/components/ui/avatar";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { EmptyState } from "@/components/shared/empty-state";
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 import { notificationHref, type NotificationType } from "@/lib/notification-links";
 
@@ -114,7 +116,7 @@ export function NotificationsPageContent() {
           </Button>
         </div>
       ) : items.length === 0 ? (
-        <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground text-center py-8">{t("empty")}</p>
+        <EmptyState icon={Bell} title={t("empty")} compact />
       ) : (
         <div className="divide-y rounded-xl border">
           {items.map((n) => (
diff --git a/apps/web/components/recipe/can-cook-content.tsx b/apps/web/components/recipe/can-cook-content.tsx
index df09dbd..ff5bae9 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/recipe/can-cook-content.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/recipe/can-cook-content.tsx
@@ -3,11 +3,10 @@
 import Link from "next/link";
 import Image from "next/image";
 import { useTranslations } from "next-intl";
-import { Package, Clock } from "lucide-react";
+import { Package, Clock, ChefHat } from "lucide-react";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 import { Progress } from "@/components/ui/progress";
-import { buttonVariants } from "@/components/ui/button";
-import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
+import { EmptyState } from "@/components/shared/empty-state";
 
 type ScoredItem = {
   recipe: {
@@ -82,13 +81,7 @@ export function CanCookContent({ pantryCount, scored }: Props) {
           <h1 className="text-3xl font-bold tracking-tight">{t("title")}</h1>
           <p className="text-muted-foreground mt-1">{t("subtitle")}</p>
         </div>
-        <div className="flex flex-col items-center justify-center h-64 border-2 border-dashed rounded-xl gap-4">
-          <Package className="h-8 w-8 text-muted-foreground" />
-          <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm">{t("emptyPantry")}</p>
-          <Link href="/pantry" className={cn(buttonVariants({ size: "sm" }))}>
-            {t("addPantryItems")}
-          </Link>
-        </div>
+        <EmptyState icon={Package} title={t("emptyPantry")} action={{ label: t("addPantryItems"), href: "/pantry" }} />
       </div>
     );
   }
@@ -129,12 +122,12 @@ export function CanCookContent({ pantryCount, scored }: Props) {
       )}
 
       {canCook.length === 0 && almostCook.length === 0 && (
-        <div className="flex flex-col items-center justify-center h-48 border-2 border-dashed rounded-xl gap-3">
-          <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm">{t("noMatches")}</p>
-          <Link href="/pantry" className={cn(buttonVariants({ variant: "outline", size: "sm" }))}>
-            {t("addPantryItems")}
-          </Link>
-        </div>
+        <EmptyState
+          icon={ChefHat}
+          title={t("noMatches")}
+          secondaryAction={{ label: t("addPantryItems"), href: "/pantry" }}
+          compact
+        />
       )}
 
       {rest.length > 0 && (
diff --git a/apps/web/components/recipe/favorites-grid.tsx b/apps/web/components/recipe/favorites-grid.tsx
index 287b5a6..6cf0b26 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/recipe/favorites-grid.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/recipe/favorites-grid.tsx
@@ -1,16 +1,21 @@
 "use client";
 
 import { useState } from "react";
+import { useTranslations } from "next-intl";
 import { Heart } from "lucide-react";
 import { FavoriteRecipeCard, type FavoriteRecipe } from "@/components/recipe/favorite-recipe-card";
+import { EmptyState } from "@/components/shared/empty-state";
 
 export function FavoritesGrid({
   initialRecipes,
-  emptyLabel,
+  emptyTitle,
+  emptyDescription,
 }: {
   initialRecipes: FavoriteRecipe[];
-  emptyLabel: string;
+  emptyTitle: string;
+  emptyDescription: string;
 }) {
+  const t = useTranslations("recipes");
   const [recipes, setRecipes] = useState(initialRecipes);
 
   function handleUnfavorited(recipeId: string) {
@@ -18,12 +23,7 @@ export function FavoritesGrid({
   }
 
   if (recipes.length === 0) {
-    return (
-      <div className="flex flex-col items-center justify-center h-64 border-2 border-dashed rounded-xl gap-4">
-        <Heart className="h-12 w-12 text-muted-foreground/40" />
-        <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm text-center max-w-xs">{emptyLabel}</p>
-      </div>
-    );
+    return <EmptyState icon={Heart} title={emptyTitle} description={emptyDescription} action={{ label: t("exploreRecipes"), href: "/explore" }} />;
   }
 
   return (
diff --git a/apps/web/components/recipe/recipes-empty-state.tsx b/apps/web/components/recipe/recipes-empty-state.tsx
index 74f52c4..9d135f9 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/recipe/recipes-empty-state.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/recipe/recipes-empty-state.tsx
@@ -1,9 +1,7 @@
 "use client";
 import { useTranslations } from "next-intl";
-import Link from "next/link";
-import { PlusCircle } from "lucide-react";
-import { buttonVariants } from "@/components/ui/button";
-import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
+import { BookOpen, Search } from "lucide-react";
+import { EmptyState } from "@/components/shared/empty-state";
 
 export function RecipesEmptyState({ query, count }: { query: string; count: number }) {
   const t = useTranslations("recipes");
@@ -14,24 +12,18 @@ export function RecipesEmptyState({ query, count }: { query: string; count: numb
       </p>
     ) : null;
   }
-  return (
-    <div className="flex flex-col items-center justify-center h-64 border-2 border-dashed rounded-xl gap-4">
-      {query ? (
-        <>
-          <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm">{t("noMatch")} &ldquo;{query}&rdquo;</p>
-          <Link href="/recipes" className={cn(buttonVariants({ variant: "outline", size: "sm" }))}>
-            {t("clearSearch")}
-          </Link>
-        </>
-      ) : (
-        <>
-          <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm">{t("noRecipes")}</p>
-          <Link href="/recipes/new" className={cn(buttonVariants({ size: "sm" }))}>
-            <PlusCircle className="h-4 w-4" />
-            {t("createFirst")}
-          </Link>
-        </>
-      )}
-    </div>
+  return query ? (
+    <EmptyState
+      icon={Search}
+      title={`${t("noMatch")} "${query}"`}
+      action={{ label: t("clearSearch"), href: "/recipes" }}
+    />
+  ) : (
+    <EmptyState
+      icon={BookOpen}
+      title={t("noRecipes")}
+      description={t("emptyStateDescription")}
+      action={{ label: t("createFirst"), href: "/recipes/new" }}
+    />
   );
 }
diff --git a/apps/web/components/shared/empty-state.tsx b/apps/web/components/shared/empty-state.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a38b681
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/web/components/shared/empty-state.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+import type { ComponentType, ReactNode } from "react";
+import Link from "next/link";
+import { buttonVariants } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
+
+type Action = {
+  label: string;
+  href: string;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Shared "nothing here yet" state — replaces the ad-hoc dashed-border boxes that used
+ * to be copy-pasted per page (icon + one line of muted text, inconsistent spacing,
+ * only some had a CTA). One consistent, warmer treatment: icon in a soft tinted
+ * circle, a real heading instead of just a muted caption, and an optional primary/
+ * secondary action.
+ */
+export function EmptyState({
+  icon: Icon,
+  title,
+  description,
+  action,
+  secondaryAction,
+  actionSlot,
+  compact = false,
+  className,
+}: {
+  icon: ComponentType<{ className?: string }>;
+  title: string;
+  description?: string;
+  action?: Action;
+  secondaryAction?: Action;
+  /** Arbitrary action element (e.g. a button that opens a dialog) instead of a plain Link. */
+  actionSlot?: ReactNode;
+  /** Smaller variant for empty states nested inside a section rather than a full page. */
+  compact?: boolean;
+  className?: string;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <div
+      className={cn(
+        "flex flex-col items-center justify-center text-center rounded-2xl border border-border/60 bg-gradient-to-b from-muted/40 to-transparent",
+        compact ? "gap-2 px-6 py-10" : "gap-3 px-6 py-16",
+        className
+      )}
+    >
+      <div className={cn(
+        "flex items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary/10 text-primary",
+        compact ? "h-11 w-11" : "h-14 w-14"
+      )}>
+        <Icon className={compact ? "h-5 w-5" : "h-6 w-6"} />
+      </div>
+      <div className="space-y-1">
+        <p className={cn("font-semibold text-foreground", compact ? "text-sm" : "text-base")}>{title}</p>
+        {description && (
+          <p className={cn("text-muted-foreground max-w-sm text-balance", compact ? "text-xs" : "text-sm")}>
+            {description}
+          </p>
+        )}
+      </div>
+      {(action || secondaryAction || actionSlot) && (
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2 mt-2">
+          {action && (
+            <Link href={action.href} className={cn(buttonVariants({ size: compact ? "sm" : "default" }))}>
+              {action.label}
+            </Link>
+          )}
+          {secondaryAction && (
+            <Link href={secondaryAction.href} className={cn(buttonVariants({ variant: "outline", size: compact ? "sm" : "default" }))}>
+              {secondaryAction.label}
+            </Link>
+          )}
+          {actionSlot}
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/web/components/shopping-lists/shopping-lists-page-content.tsx b/apps/web/components/shopping-lists/shopping-lists-page-content.tsx
index 718eb24..9e17699 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/shopping-lists/shopping-lists-page-content.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/shopping-lists/shopping-lists-page-content.tsx
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import Link from "next/link";
 import { ShoppingCart } from "lucide-react";
 import { NewShoppingListButton } from "@/components/meal-plan/new-shopping-list-button";
 import { ShoppingListActionsMenu } from "@/components/shopping-lists/shopping-list-actions-menu";
+import { EmptyState } from "@/components/shared/empty-state";
 
 type ShoppingListItem = {
   id: string;
@@ -42,10 +43,12 @@ export function ShoppingListsPageContent({ lists: initialLists, sharedLists = []
       </div>
 
       {lists.length === 0 ? (
-        <div className="flex flex-col items-center justify-center h-64 border-2 border-dashed rounded-xl gap-4">
-          <ShoppingCart className="h-12 w-12 text-muted-foreground/40" />
-          <p className="text-muted-foreground text-sm">{t("empty")}</p>
-        </div>
+        <EmptyState
+          icon={ShoppingCart}
+          title={t("empty")}
+          description={t("emptyDescription")}
+          actionSlot={<NewShoppingListButton />}
+        />
       ) : (
         <div className="space-y-3 max-w-lg">
           {lists.map((list) => (
diff --git a/apps/web/messages/en.json b/apps/web/messages/en.json
index 46b8608..10e606c 100644
--- a/apps/web/messages/en.json
+++ b/apps/web/messages/en.json
@@ -571,7 +571,10 @@
     "tabFavorites": "Favorites",
     "favoritesCount": "{count} favorited recipe",
     "favoritesCountPlural": "{count} favorited recipes",
-    "favoritesEmpty": "No favorited recipes yet — tap the heart on any recipe to save it here."
+    "favoritesEmpty": "No favorited recipes yet — tap the heart on any recipe to save it here.",
+    "favoritesEmptyTitle": "No favorites yet",
+    "exploreRecipes": "Explore recipes",
+    "emptyStateDescription": "Create your own, import from a URL, or let AI generate one to get started."
   },
   "recipeNotes": {
     "title": "Your private notes",
@@ -742,6 +745,7 @@
     "removeConfirmTitle": "Remove item?",
     "removeConfirmDescription": "Remove \"{name}\" from your pantry?",
     "empty": "No pantry items yet.",
+    "emptyDescription": "Add items by hand, or scan a barcode / photo to fill it in fast.",
     "expired": "Expired",
     "expiresInDays": "Expires in {days}d",
     "expiresOn": "Expires {date}",
@@ -775,6 +779,8 @@
   "feed": {
     "title": "Feed",
     "followEmpty": "Follow chefs to see their recipes here.",
+    "followEmptyDescription": "Your following feed fills up as soon as you follow a few people.",
+    "findPeople": "Find people to follow",
     "noNew": "No new recipes from people you follow.",
     "following": "Following",
     "trending": "Trending",
@@ -790,6 +796,7 @@
     "title": "Shopping Lists",
     "subtitle": "Plan your grocery runs",
     "empty": "No shopping lists yet",
+    "emptyDescription": "Generate one from a meal plan, or start one from scratch.",
     "listEmpty": "Empty",
     "generated": "Generated",
     "shareTitle": "Share shopping list",
@@ -850,6 +857,8 @@
     "title": "Collections",
     "subtitle": "Curate your favorite recipes into collections",
     "empty": "No collections yet",
+    "emptyDescription": "Group your recipes by theme, occasion, or however makes sense to you.",
+    "emptyCollection": "No recipes in this collection yet.",
     "public": "Public",
     "recipeCount": "{count} recipe",
     "recipeCountPlural": "{count} recipes",
diff --git a/apps/web/messages/fr.json b/apps/web/messages/fr.json
index 9f768d3..117ae42 100644
--- a/apps/web/messages/fr.json
+++ b/apps/web/messages/fr.json
@@ -562,7 +562,10 @@
     "tabFavorites": "Favoris",
     "favoritesCount": "{count} recette favorite",
     "favoritesCountPlural": "{count} recettes favorites",
-    "favoritesEmpty": "Aucune recette favorite pour l'instant — touchez le cœur sur une recette pour l'enregistrer ici."
+    "favoritesEmpty": "Aucune recette favorite pour l'instant — touchez le cœur sur une recette pour l'enregistrer ici.",
+    "favoritesEmptyTitle": "Aucun favori pour l'instant",
+    "exploreRecipes": "Explorer les recettes",
+    "emptyStateDescription": "Créez la vôtre, importez-la depuis une URL, ou laissez l'IA en générer une pour commencer."
   },
   "recipeNotes": {
     "title": "Vos notes personnelles",
@@ -730,6 +733,7 @@
     "removeConfirmTitle": "Retirer cet article ?",
     "removeConfirmDescription": "Retirer « {name} » du garde-manger ?",
     "empty": "Aucun article dans le garde-manger.",
+    "emptyDescription": "Ajoutez des articles manuellement, ou scannez un code-barres / une photo pour aller plus vite.",
     "expired": "Expiré",
     "expiresInDays": "Expire dans {days}j",
     "expiresOn": "Expire le {date}",
@@ -763,6 +767,8 @@
   "feed": {
     "title": "Fil d'actualité",
     "followEmpty": "Suivez des chefs pour voir leurs recettes ici.",
+    "followEmptyDescription": "Votre fil d'abonnements se remplit dès que vous suivez quelques personnes.",
+    "findPeople": "Trouver des personnes à suivre",
     "noNew": "Aucune nouvelle recette de vos abonnements.",
     "following": "Abonnements",
     "trending": "Tendances",
@@ -778,6 +784,7 @@
     "title": "Listes de courses",
     "subtitle": "Planifiez vos courses",
     "empty": "Aucune liste de courses",
+    "emptyDescription": "Générez-en une depuis un planning repas, ou créez-en une de zéro.",
     "listEmpty": "Vide",
     "generated": "Générée",
     "shareTitle": "Partager la liste de courses",
@@ -838,6 +845,8 @@
     "title": "Collections",
     "subtitle": "Organisez vos recettes favorites en collections",
     "empty": "Aucune collection pour l'instant",
+    "emptyDescription": "Regroupez vos recettes par thème, occasion, ou comme bon vous semble.",
+    "emptyCollection": "Aucune recette dans cette collection pour l'instant.",
     "public": "Publique",
     "recipeCount": "{count} recette",
     "recipeCountPlural": "{count} recettes",