Restaurant social media marketing is not just about posting a few pictures of food anymore—it’s about creating a space where your customers connect, trust, and get inspired to visit. Whether it’s sharing your signature dishes, showcasing a buzzing weekend vibe, or answering real-time questions, social media has become the go-to way diners engage with restaurants.

In this blog, you’ll uncover 21 practical tips to turn your social channels into powerful tools for growth. These are proven strategies, not just ideas, to help you attract customers, increase loyalty, and increase diners to your restaurants.

Food for thought🍽️

Every post you share is an invitation to your table. Make it count. From sparking conversations to showing off your kitchen’s creativity, these tips will help you create a lasting impression—online and in-person.

Why restaurant social media marketing is important?

Social media management is crucial in helping restaurants build their social media presence and connect with their target audience. Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have become the top social media platforms for showcasing food, ambiance, and customer experiences.

More than 70% of social media users say they check a restaurant’s social media profiles before deciding where to eat. This is why maintaining a consistent and engaging social media page is no longer optional. From fine dining to casual cafes, local restaurants that embrace social media are seeing higher engagement and foot traffic.

Here’s why it’s worth your time:

  • First impressions happen online: An engaging social media page on Instagram or TikTok can attract diners long before they enter your restaurant. A carefully curated Facebook Business Page can also effectively showcase your brand’s story and offerings.
  • Customers trust what they see: High-quality social media posts with stunning visuals and customer reviews build credibility and trust.
  • Real-time connection builds loyalty: Use direct messages to engage with customers, respond to queries, and create a strong connection with your desired audience.
  • Cost-effective marketing: Leverage tools like Meta Business Suite to track your ad spend and optimize paid social ads for better ROI. Whether you’re promoting events or running social media contests, it’s affordable compared to traditional marketing methods.

Social media isn’t just a tool—it’s the backbone of how modern restaurants connect with their audience and stay ahead of the competition.

Social media is shaping how customers discover and choose restaurants

Today, diners don’t just mindlessly scroll social media sites. They use social media to make informed decisions about where to eat. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are not just for entertainment—they’ve become integral to the restaurant marketing strategy of many businesses.

Here’s how social media channels influence customer decisions:

  • Visual discovery: High-quality photos and videos shared on your social media accounts spark cravings instantly. For example, a beautifully plated dish featured in an Instagram post can drive social media engagement and inspire a visit.
  • Influencer impact: Many diners use social media influencers to guide their dining choices. A local food blogger’s mention or tag on social platforms like TikTok can bring in hundreds of potential customers.
  • Social proof matters: User-generated content shared by loyal customers on business accounts builds authenticity and boosts credibility. Restaurants that repost user-generated content often see stronger connections with their audience.
  • Location-based discovery: Using geotags and local hashtags can help diners find your restaurant while exploring on their mobile devices. Many fine-dining restaurants leverage geotagging to attract tourists and locals alike.

Social media not only influences decisions but also drives action. When your content resonates, diners show up. Therefore, engaging your audience is more than just smart marketing; it’s the heart of your restaurant reputation management efforts.

Top benefits of restaurant social media marketing

Leveraging social media channels as part of your restaurant marketing strategy has become a non-negotiable for driving growth and fostering loyalty. By maintaining a strong social media presence, you can reach your desired audience and gain a competitive edge.

Here are the top benefits of marketing a restaurant with social media:

Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are ideal for promoting events and showcasing your brand to local businesses and food lovers. For example, posting about a weekend brunch special can increase foot traffic. Use meta business suite to track your campaign performance and maximize visibility.

2. Strengthens brand loyalty:
Follow brand guidelines that reflect your restaurant’s identity to create a consistent social media presence. For instance, Sweetgreen uses cohesive imagery and messaging across all social platforms to build trust and stay memorable.

3. Drives real-time engagement:
Social media lets you communicate directly with customers—whether it’s responding to direct messages, announcing specials, or running polls. This two-way social media engagement keeps your audience engaged and invested.

4. Provides cost-effective marketing:
Compared to traditional advertising, social media offers an affordable way to promote your restaurant. Organic content paired with targeted ads can deliver incredible ROI without stretching your budget.

5. Enhances your reputation:
Positive reviews, beautiful imagery, and user-generated posts build credibility. Customers trust what they see online, especially when it comes from real diners who’ve experienced your restaurant firsthand.

How to create a solid restaurant social media marketing strategy

Crafting a successful social media strategy for your restaurant requires aligning your brand’s identity with the preferences and behaviors of your audience. Here’s how to build a strategy that drives real results:

Understand your audience

Knowing your target audience is the cornerstone of any successful strategy. Dive into their preferences and behaviors:

  • Discover what excites them: Are they drawn to beautifully plated dishes, interactive contests, or sneak peeks into your kitchen? Identify content that sparks their interest.
  • Learn their behaviors: Use tools like Meta Business Suite to identify when your audience is most active. For example, fine dining restaurants might see higher engagement in the evening, while cafes may find mornings more effective.
  • Tailor messaging to match their needs: For example, if your audience loves family dining, highlight kids’ meal deals or family-friendly events on your business page

Choose the right platforms

Not every social platform works for all restaurants. Select platforms that align with your brand and audience:

  • Instagram: Perfect for sharing visual stories through Reels and carousel posts. A must for casual and fine dining restaurants alike.
  • TikTok: Ideal for playful, short-form videos like cooking hacks or day-in-the-life content.
  • Facebook: Great for community interaction, event promotions, and customer reviews.
  • Google Business Profile: Technically not social media, but sharing updates and photos here can boost your local search ranking. Choose 2-3 platforms where your audience is most active instead of spreading yourself thin.

Build a unique content strategy

Your social media content strategy should reflect your restaurant’s identity and engage your followers:

  • Spotlight your team: Share interviews or fun moments with your chefs, servers, and bartenders to add a human touch.
  • Seasonal highlights: Promote dishes and drinks that align with the time of year, like summer cocktails or holiday feasts.
  • Storytelling: Weave in narratives about your ingredients, recipes, or community involvement to create an emotional connection.
  • Engage with user-generated content: Repost user-generated content to build authenticity and community.
  • Interactive content: Use polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions to invite your followers into the conversation.

Be consistent with your posting schedules

Consistency builds familiarity and trust. Keep your audience engaged by maintaining a steady posting rhythm:

  • Develop a content calendar: Plan posts around key dates like holidays, restaurant events, and trending topics.
  • Stick to optimal posting times: Use Birdeye Social AI to determine when your followers are most engaged.
  • Adjust based on performance: Track which posts perform best and refine your schedule accordingly.
Check 40+ restaurant review examples and know what makes a great review

21 tips for restaurant social media marketing

Taking your social media game to the next level requires practical, creative, and proven strategies. These tips highlight how restaurant brands and restaurant owners can efficiently do social media management to captivate their audience, increase customer loyalty, and stand out in the restaurant industry.

These restaurant marketing social media examples will surely inspire you to integrate one (or a few!) for sure:

1. Highlight your best-selling dishes with professional visuals

Quality content is key to grabbing attention on social media. Use vibrant, high-resolution images or videos to showcase your signature dishes.

For example, restaurant brands like Chipotle uses close-up shots of burritos being made, paired with bold captions like “Unwrap happiness.” This approach emphasizes both visual appeal and the dining experience.

For example, Chipotle frequently posts high-quality images of their burritos and bowls, paired with witty captions, to engage followers.

2. Create behind-the-scenes videos

Bring your followers into your kitchen! Show off your team prepping ingredients, plating dishes, or sharing kitchen banter. This content fosters transparency and builds a personal connection with your audience.

Shake Shack often posts videos of team members making fresh batches of their signature fries or assembling burgers, inviting viewers to experience the process.

3. Host interactive Q&A sessions

Go live on Instagram Business account or TikTok to answer questions about your restaurant, from sourcing ingredients to cooking methods. For instance, share tips on how to pair wines with menu items. These sessions not only build trust but also make your followers feel valued.

Blue Hill at Stone Barns effectively uses Q&A sessions to engage diners interested in farm-to-table dining.

4. Share customer-generated content

Repost photos and videos that customers share while dining at your restaurant.

Starbucks excels at sharing customer photos of their coffee cups, often featuring handwritten notes or artistic doodles. This shows the brand values its community and encourages more followers to share their experiences.

5. Run exclusive social media contests

Create contests with enticing prizes, such as free meals or gift cards.

A great example of restaurant social media marketing is Domino’s Pizza, which frequently runs campaigns asking followers to comment on their favorite pizza toppings or tag friends for a chance to win a free pizza night.

6. Showcase your restaurant’s culture with team highlights

Introduce the people behind the scenes to humanize your brand. Post “A day in the life” videos featuring chefs, servers, or baristas.

For example, Sweetgreen frequently shares team member stories that align with its sustainability message, making the brand feel approachable and authentic.

7. Use location-based hashtags

Enhance discoverability by using hashtags tied to your area, such as #ChicagoEats or #AustinBBQ.

Joe’s Pizza NYC uses hyper-local tags like #NYCPizza to connect with locals and tourists looking for authentic slices in New York City.

8. Promote seasonal specials with countdowns


Create excitement around limited-time offers by sharing countdown posts. For example, Dunkin’ Donuts builds anticipation for seasonal drinks like Pumpkin Spice Latte with sneak peeks and countdowns, ensuring their followers mark their calendars.

9. Collaborate with local influencers


Team up with food bloggers or micro-influencers who have an engaged local audience. Eataly partners with chefs and influencers to create content showcasing their menu, reaching thousands of potential diners.

10. Host live cooking demos


Showcase your culinary expertise with live demos. Panda Express uses these opportunities to promote their wok-fired dishes, often including commentary from chefs to make the sessions interactive and educational.

Do restaurant review generation the right way with Birdeye

11. Share customer success stories


Celebrate your loyal diners by sharing their stories. For example, Krispy Kreme posts heartwarming photos of families enjoying their donuts, highlighting special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries.

12. Leverage Instagram features


Create Instagram Story Highlights for specific categories like “Weekly Specials,” “Events,” or “Customer Favorites.” The Cheesecake Factory organizes highlights to showcase menu categories, making it easy for viewers to explore what’s available.

13. Run polls and quizzes


Engage your audience with fun polls or trivia.

For example, Taco Bell often uses Instagram Stories to crowdsource new menu ideas or ask fans to vote for limited-time offers.

14. Promote user check-ins


Turn your diners into brand ambassadors by encouraging them to check in on social media while visiting your restaurant. Integrating this with a rewards program can incentivize participation.

For example, Buffalo Wild Wings offers loyalty points for social check-ins, creating a win-win for customers and the brand.


IHOP generated massive buzz with their #IHOb campaign, teasing their shift to burgers. This campaign sparked conversations across platforms, proving that an engaging hashtag can transcend traditional marketing efforts. Trending hashtags also make your content more searchable and appealing to social media algorithms.

16. Highlight local community involvement


Share stories about local events, charity work, or partnerships with nearby businesses.

Do you Panera Bread excels at their restaurant social media marketing game. They regularly share posts about its donations to food banks and involvement in local causes, aligning their brand with a sense of social responsibility. This not only builds goodwill but also deepens connections with your audience.

17. Offer behind-the-scenes glimpses of new dishes


Build anticipation for upcoming menu items by giving your followers exclusive previews. Share photos or short videos of your chefs experimenting with new recipes, or run a poll asking followers to guess the new dish.

Burger King frequently uses behind-the-scenes content to create excitement around product launches, keeping their audience engaged and curious.

18. Use humor in your posts


A witty and humorous tone can make your brand more relatable and entertaining. Wendy’s is a prime example, known for its cheeky Twitter roasts and playful banter with followers. Humor not only boosts engagement but also gives your brand a distinct personality that stands out in a crowded social media landscape.

Pro-tip: Be mindful of your audience and ensure your humor aligns with your brand’s voice.

19. Encourage followers to share their favorite orders


Start a trend where customers share photos of their favorite meals.

Five Guys encourages customers to post photos of their customized burgers, often resharing the most creative ones. This approach not only highlights menu versatility but also fosters a sense of community and engagement among followers.

20. Celebrate milestones publicly


Share heartfelt posts with a touch of celebration, like Pizza Hut, which often features exclusive deals or events to commemorate milestones. These posts create an opportunity to thank your loyal customers and invite them to celebrate with you.


Capitalize on popular audio tracks to make your content more discoverable and engaging. Chipotle often integrates trending sounds with their videos, such as recipe hacks or relatable dining moments. Staying in sync with platform trends ensures your content feels relevant and increases the likelihood of reaching broader audiences.

Key metrics to monitor when optimizing your restaurant social media marketing

Measuring the success of your restaurant’s social media strategy is as important as creating great content. Tracking the right social media metrics allows you to understand what’s working, refine your approach, and ultimately drive better results.

Here are the key metrics you should focus on:

1. Engagement rate

This metric measures the level of interaction with your posts, including likes, comments, shares, and saves. A high engagement rate indicates that your content resonates with your audience.

Birdeye Social AI analytics feature can help you get granular insights so you can:

  • Create custom reports that compare social performance across locations and regions
  • Track social reach, impressions, and audience engagement
  • Get in-depth insights into your competitors’ social performance
  • Track competitor social feeds and much more

2. Follower growth

While social media followers count isn’t the sole indicator of success, steady growth signals that your content is attracting new audiences. Keep an eye on the quality of followers, ensuring they align with your target demographic.

3. Click-through rate (CTR)

CTR shows how many users click on the links in your posts, whether it’s to visit your website, make a reservation, or check out an offer. A higher CTR indicates effective call-to-action placement and compelling content.

4. Reach and impressions

  • Reach: The number of unique users who see your post. It’s a clear indicator of your content’s visibility.
  • Impressions: The total number of times your content is displayed. This can include multiple views by the same user. Monitoring these metrics helps you assess the overall exposure of your brand.

Reach vs impressions: Which matters the most & when to track?

5. Conversion rate

This metric tracks how many users take a desired action, such as booking a table, ordering online, or signing up for your loyalty program. It’s the ultimate measure of how well your social media efforts translate into tangible business results.

6. Reviews and sentiment analysis

Monitor online reviews and comments to gauge customer sentiment. Tools like Birdeye can help you analyze reviews across platforms, offering insights into areas of improvement and customer preferences.

7. Video performance metrics

For video content, track metrics like view count, watch time, and audience retention to understand what keeps your viewers engaged. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok provide built-in analytics for these metrics.

FAQs about restaurant social media marketing

How often should restaurants post on social media?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but consistency is key. Aim for 3-5 posts per week on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. For TikTok, even 2-3 engaging videos per week can work wonders. Use analytics to identify what frequency resonates best with your audience.

What type of content works best for restaurant marketing on social media?

Content that is visually appealing, authentic, and engaging performs well. High-quality photos of food, videos of chefs in action, user-generated content, and behind-the-scenes stories are all great options. Interactive posts, like polls or Q&A sessions, can also drive engagement.

How can restaurants measure the success of their social media campaigns?

Track metrics such as engagement rate, reach, click-through rate, and conversion rate. Additionally, monitor qualitative factors like customer reviews and comments to gauge sentiment and effectiveness.

Is paid advertising necessary for social media marketing for restaurants?

While organic reach is valuable, paid ads can significantly boost visibility. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow highly targeted advertising based on demographics, location, and interests, making it easier to attract the right audience.

How can negative feedback be managed effectively?

Respond promptly and professionally to negative comments or reviews. Acknowledge the issue, offer a solution, and show that you value customer feedback. This demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction and can turn negative customer experiences into positive outcomes.

Birdeye makes restaurant social media marketing easier

Social media marketing is no longer a luxury—it’s necessary for restaurants looking to thrive in a competitive market. You can leverage platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to engage with customers, showcase your unique offerings, and build a loyal community.

This is where Birdeye Social AI can make all the difference. As an all-in-one platform, Birdeye simplifies social media marketing for restaurants by offering:

  • Social monitoring: Gain insights into what your customers are saying about you online to better tailor your strategies.
  • Analytics report: Track engagement, reach, and sentiment to measure the success of your campaigns and optimize your efforts.
  • Review management: Monitor and respond to customer reviews seamlessly across multiple platforms.
  • Automated posting: Save time with scheduled posts that keep your restaurant’s social media active and engaging.