10 Social Media Strategies for Restaurants to Boost Engagement

Running a restaurant is hard work. You focus on food, service, staff, and keeping customers happy. But that’s not enough.

If your restaurant isn’t active on social media, you might be missing out on new customers and losing touch with regulars.

Many restaurant owners feel stuck. They post once in a while but don’t see much engagement. Or they’re too busy to know what works and what doesn’t.

The good news is, you don’t need a huge budget or fancy camera to do well online. A few simple social media strategies can help you connect with people, build trust, and get more attention for your restaurant.

In this guide, we’ll go over ten easy marketing strategies to boost engagement and get people excited about your food and your story. Whether you’re just starting or want to improve your current posts, these tips can make a real difference.

How Restaurants Benefit From Social Media Marketing

Social media has completely changed how the restaurant industry does marketing. In the past, a restaurant business might rely on flyers, radio ads, or just word of mouth. Today, a strong restaurant’s social media strategy can reach hundreds or even thousands of people with one post.

Whether it’s a photo of a dish, a video of the chef cooking, or a behind-the-scenes look at the staff, these kinds of social media efforts help restaurants connect with both loyal diners and potential customers.

Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok have become key marketing channels for local businesses and fine dining restaurants alike. With the right approach, restaurants can effectively promote their food, atmosphere, and values while staying true to their brand guidelines.

Here are a few ways restaurants benefit from using social media:

Builds Brand Awareness

A good restaurant’s social media strategy helps people get familiar with the name, logo, and vibe of the place. Sharing photos, stories, and updates helps build the restaurant’s brand over time.

Attracts New Customers

Many potential customers discover places to eat through social media. One great post or a few paid social ads can bring in people who may have never heard of the restaurant before.

Shows Off Menu Items

Photos and short videos of tasty dishes catch people’s attention. Whether you run a casual café or a fine dining restaurant, showing what’s on the plate makes a big impact.

Creates Buzz With User Content

When customers share their own photos or videos and tag the restaurant, it spreads the word even more. These kinds of relevant posts feel more real and help reach new local audiences.

Helps Fill Slow Days With Promotions

Social media lets restaurants post last-minute deals, limited-time menus, or happy hour specials. These posts can quickly reach people nearby and boost traffic on slower days.

Connects With Regulars in a Friendly Way

Liking comments, replying to messages, and sharing customer posts helps restaurants stay close to their regulars. It makes the restaurant feel like part of the local community.

Gets Instant Feedback From Customers

Comments, tags, and reviews give quick feedback. This helps restaurants fix small issues fast, improve their service, and show customers they care.

10 Effective Social Media Strategies for Restaurants You Should Try Out

Want to get more people through your doors? These simple social media strategies can help your restaurant stand out, connect with customers, and keep them coming back.

1. Partner With Social Media Influencers to Get a Wider Reach

Working with a food influencer can help you reach new people who might never have heard of your restaurant. Influencer marketing is a simple and smart marketing tool that many restaurants now use to grow their audience and bring in more customers.

Start by looking for local influencers who already post about food. Check their comments, likes, and how they talk to their followers. You don’t need to go after huge names. Even someone with a smaller but loyal following can bring great results.

Reach out with a friendly message. Offer them a free meal in exchange for a post or a story. Ask if they’d like to try one of your best dishes or new menu items. Be clear about what you’d like them to share. A quick video or a nice photo with a few kind words can go a long way.

Make sure they know what makes your restaurant special. Tell them about your unique selling points. Maybe it’s a secret sauce, a family recipe, or a cozy outdoor space. The more personal the experience, the more their followers will pay attention.

How It Helps

When the influencer posts, more people will see your food, your space, and your name. It builds trust because the message comes from someone they already follow and like.

You can also repost their content on your own page. This gives you fresh content and shows that people enjoy what you offer.

Partnering with influencers is a smart way to grow your reach. It brings your food to a wider crowd, and it doesn’t take a big budget to get started.

Finding and connecting with the right influencers is the difficult part. That’s where Bulba comes in.

It’s an influencer marketing platform that gets influencers to reach out to you, not the other way around. Join Bulba now!

2. Take High-Quality Photos of Your Menu on Instagram

If you're not sharing photos of your food on Instagram, you're missing out. Most people check a restaurant’s Instagram before they even look at the menu. So your feed should give them a reason to visit.

The goal is to make someone stop scrolling and think, “I want that.” A clear, bright photo of your best dish can do more than a long caption.

You don’t need fancy gear to market your menu on Instagram. Your smartphone works just fine. Just make sure there’s good lighting. Natural light from a window works great. Avoid using the flash. It often makes food look dull and unappetizing. Try different angles. Overhead shots are good for flat dishes like pizzas. Side angles work better for tall items like burgers or sandwiches.

Keep your background simple. A plain table or wooden surface looks clean. You can add small touches like cutlery or drinks if they help. Just don’t clutter the photo. The food should always be the main focus.

Pair your photo with a short caption. Say what the dish is. Add a fun or inviting line like “Craving something cheesy? Meet our three-layer lasagna.” Then add a few relevant hashtags. Use ones that people in your area search for, like #NYCFood or #VeganToronto. This helps new people find your restaurant.

3. Post a Video Tour of Your Restaurant's Interior & Exterior Design on TikTok

People love to know what a place looks like before they visit. A short video showing your restaurant’s inside and outside can really help. It makes people feel more comfortable and curious. TikTok is a great place to share this kind of video.

Keep it simple. Use your phone to record a quick walk-through. Start outside. Show the front sign, the entrance, and maybe the outdoor seating if you have any. Then walk inside and show the space. Point your camera at the tables, lights, decor, and anything that makes your place special. If you have a cool mural, cozy corner, or open kitchen, make sure to show that too.

You don’t need to talk in the video unless you want to. You can just add music and some text on the screen. Write things like “This is what it’s like to eat here” or “Step inside our cozy pizza spot.” Keep the tone casual and friendly.

Make the video short. TikTok works best with videos under 30 seconds. If your space is bigger, you can split it into two clips, one for the outside and one for the inside.

Add a caption and a few hashtags. Try ones like #RestaurantTour, #TikTokEats, or a tag for your city. This helps more people find your video. You can also tag your location so locals see it.

People like to know what to expect, and a video tour helps them picture their visit. If they like what they see, they’re more likely to stop by.

4. Encourage Customers to Post Your Food Online

One of the best ways to get more people talking about your restaurant is through your customers. When someone posts a photo or video of your food, it helps spread the word. It also makes others want to try it too.

You can add a small sign on the table or menu that says something like “Loved your meal? Snap a pic and tag us!” This small reminder can go a long way. Make sure your Instagram or TikTok handle is easy to find.

Another tip is to run a simple promo. For example, you could offer a free drink or dessert when someone shares a post and tags your page. You can also ask them to tag friends in the comments of your own posts to help spread the word.

If someone shares a nice photo or video, repost it to your own account. This makes them feel noticed, and it shows others that your restaurant is popular. It also adds fresh content to your feed without much work.

People trust other people. When they see a friend or local foodie enjoying your food, they’re more likely to visit. So keep encouraging those tags, mentions, and shares.

5. Post on Social Media Regularly

If you want people to remember your restaurant, you need to show up often. That means posting on social media regularly. You don’t have to post every day, but you do want to stay active. If someone checks your page and sees your last post was months ago, they might think you’re closed.

Make a goal to post, say, at least two or three times a week. You can mix it up so it doesn’t feel like a lot.

One day, you can share a photo of a dish. Another day, post a behind-the-scenes video or a customer review. You can also share short updates like new hours, menu changes, or fun staff moments.

Planning ahead helps a lot. You can make a simple schedule for the week. Write down what you’ll post on each day. This makes it easier to stay consistent and avoid last-minute stress.

It’s also okay to reuse content in new ways. For example, if you posted a photo of your best seller last month, you can post a video of it being made next time. Or turn customer comments into a graphic and share it.

Regular posts keep your restaurant in people’s minds. The more they see you, the more likely they’ll think of you when it’s time to eat out.

6. Offer Raffle Discounts & Giveaways

One fun way to get more people to talk about your restaurant is by doing simple giveaways. You could offer a raffle discount to your followers, like a free dessert or a meal for two. Just ask them to tag a friend or share your post to join. It doesn’t have to be fancy. People love joining these things, especially if the prize is something tasty.

You can also set little goals. If your post hits 100 shares or your account reaches a new follower count, you could celebrate with a free drink night. It makes people feel involved and gives them a fun reason to share your content.

7. Reply to Comments on Your Posts Online

When someone takes the time to leave a comment on your post, don’t ignore it. Whether it’s a compliment, a question, or just a fun emoji, it’s a chance to connect. Replying shows that your restaurant is active and that you care about your customers.

If someone says they loved your food, say thank you. If they ask about your hours, answer them right there in the comments. If they tag a friend, jump in and say something like “Hope to see you both soon!” It’s small, but it makes a big difference.

People notice when a business replies. It makes your page feel more friendly and welcoming. It also helps more people see your posts, since platforms like Instagram and Facebook show posts with more activity to more users.

You don’t need to write long replies. A few words or even an emoji are just fine. What matters most is that you’re showing up and responding.

If you get a negative comment, stay calm and reply politely. Say sorry and offer to talk privately. People respect it when you handle things well.

Replying to comments keeps the conversation going. It turns followers into regulars and helps build trust online. So take a few minutes each day to answer those comments—it’s worth it.

8. Post Behind-the-Scenes/Day-in-the-Life Videos

“A day in the life” is a video trend on TikTok where someone records parts of their day to show what their routine looks like. These videos usually include morning habits, work tasks, meals, breaks, and evening plans. People post them to give others a look at their daily life, whether it’s at home, school, or work.

Of course, you can use this video to let people see what a full day looks like inside your restaurant.

Start with a clear title like “A Day in [Restaurant Name]” and share short clips from morning to night. Make sure to have a clear, easy-to-follow narration throughout the entire video, along with some fun, lo-fi music (or any music you think fits the aesthetic of your restaurant).

Begin with opening the doors, turning on the lights, and getting the place ready. Show your team cleaning the area, setting up tables, and checking supplies before the first guest arrives.

As the day goes on, film short scenes in the kitchen. Show ingredients being chopped, meals being cooked, and dishes being served. If your team is having fun or working together closely, show that too. You can also include a short clip of happy guests if they are okay with being filmed.

Toward closing time, show what happens behind the scenes. Share clips of the clean-up, dishes being washed, and meal prep for the next day. These small details give people a full view of what it’s like to run a restaurant.

Post the video on Instagram or TikTok. Use sample music and short text on the screen, like “Getting ready for lunch” or “End of the day prep.”

This type of post helps people feel connected to your business. They see the effort, the people, and the care behind each plate of food.

9. Urge Your Audience to Ask Questions/Send Inquiries via DMs

Not everyone wants to call or email a restaurant. Some people find it easier to just send a message on social media. That’s why it helps to tell your followers they can reach out through direct messages.

You can post a story or a regular post that says something like “Got questions? Send us a DM!” This makes it clear that your inbox is open. It also shows that you’re easy to talk to and ready to help.

People might want to ask about menu items, hours, reservations, group bookings, or even special requests. If you’re active in your direct messages, they’ll feel more comfortable reaching out. A fast and friendly reply can turn a curious follower into a paying customer.

You can also invite people to send suggestions or feedback. If someone had a great experience, they might send a kind message. If someone had a concern, it gives you a private place to respond and fix things.

Make it a habit to check your inbox a few times a day. Even a quick reply like “Thanks for reaching out. We’ll get back to you soon.” helps people feel heard.

Letting your audience know they can message you directly builds trust. It keeps the conversation going and shows that real people are behind your social media.

10. Create Eye-Catching Visuals That Promote Your Seasonal & Limited Offer Deals

When you have a seasonal dish, limited-time deal, or promoting an event, you want people to notice it right away. A good photo or graphic can help stop the scroll and get people interested. It’s not just about posting the offer. It’s about making it stand out.

Start with a photo of the actual item if you have it. Make sure the lighting is good and the dish looks fresh. If you don’t have a photo yet, you can use a simple graphic with bold text. Tools like Canva are great for this and easy to use.

Use clear words like “Only This Week” or “Summer Special” so people know it won’t last long. Put the name of the dish or offer in big letters. Keep it simple, but make it pop. Bright colors like red or yellow work well to grab attention.

Post it on your feed and also in your stories. Stories are great for quick updates and reminders. You can also pin the deal to the top of your Instagram profile so it stays visible while the offer is active.

Encourage your followers to tag friends and share the deal with others. You can even say something like “Tag a friend who needs to try this!” This spreads the word without paying for ads.

Seasonal items and short-term deals get people excited. A strong visual helps you reach more people and bring them in while the offer lasts.

How to Get Started With Influencer Marketing for Restaurants Using Bulba

If you run a restaurant and want more people talking about your food, Bulba makes inviting influencers to your restaurant easy. You don’t need an agency or a big budget. You just offer a free meal, and local food influencers create content that brings you new customers.

Here’s how to get started using actual features on Bulba:

Create Your Campaign

Start by creating your first campaign. You’ll enter your restaurant’s location so Bulba shows your offer only to nearby influencers.

Then, you write up your offer. Be clear about what’s included. For example, “starter, main, dessert, and two drinks each” lets influencers know exactly what they’ll receive.

Choose "Food" as Your Influencer Category

To target the right creators, choose “Food” as the category when setting up your campaign. This way, your offer only shows up to influencers who post about restaurants, meals, and dining experiences.

Set Filters to Pick the Right Influencers

Use filters to decide who can apply. You can set a minimum follower count and average view count, so only food influencers with real reach can see your offer. This helps you get quality content that actually gets seen by local audiences.

Pick the Content You Want

You can choose the type of content you want from influencers. Bulba lets you request Instagram reels, posts, stories, or TikTok videos. You can also ask for tags, hashtags, a location tag, or even be added as a collaborator so the post appears on your restaurant’s profile too.

Set Your Availability

Choose the dates and times influencers can book. Want one influencer per slot? Set up a Regular Collaboration. Hosting a tasting night? Create a One-Off Event. Running a weekly brunch special? Go with a Recurring Event.

Let Influencers Apply or Turn on Auto-Confirm

Once your campaign is live, qualified influencers can apply through the Bulba app. You can review each profile before accepting. Or, if you want to save time, turn on auto-confirm to approve influencers automatically when they match your filters.

Start getting real content from local food creators and bring more customers to your restaurant with Bulba. Sign up today!

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FAQs About Social Media Strategies for Restaurants

What is the 5-5-5 social media strategy?

The 5-5-5 social media strategy is a simple way for restaurant owners to stay active and organized with their restaurant’s social media content. It means posting five original posts, sharing five pieces of user-generated content, and leaving five comments or replies across different social media platforms each week.

This mix helps you stay visible, grow your social media presence, and connect with your local community online. It’s a great example of a balanced social media marketing strategy that encourages engagement, builds brand voice, and keeps your restaurant’s social media accounts fresh and up to date.

What are the 7 Ps of service marketing in restaurants?

In restaurant marketing strategy, the 7 Ps stand for product, price, place, promotion, people, process, and physical evidence. These help guide how a restaurant presents its menu items, service quality, brand voice, and customer experience.

For example, your product is your food and service, while promotion includes your social media strategy, like using social platforms to promote events, post high-quality photos, and share engaging videos.

Physical evidence can even include your restaurant’s Facebook page, Instagram stories, and online reviews, since they give customers a sense of what to expect. Together, these 7 Ps help shape a restaurant’s social media marketing efforts and overall brand.

For what three things do restaurants typically use social media?

Restaurants usually use social media to promote menu items, build customer loyalty, and attract new customers. A strong restaurant social media marketing plan includes sharing short form videos, showing behind the scenes moments, and highlighting local events. Many restaurant owners also host social media contests or repost user generated content to build a fun and welcoming community online. Social media posts can also help entice customers with special deals, share updates from multiple locations, or highlight trending hashtags that speak to your target audience.

What are the best social media platforms for restaurants?

The top social media platform for most restaurants is Instagram, especially for sharing high quality photos, short-form videos, and Instagram stories. It works well for showing off your food and connecting with social media users on their mobile devices.

Facebook is also very useful, especially for reaching older age groups, promoting events, and managing your restaurant’s Facebook business account. TikTok is becoming more popular, especially for reaching younger customers with engaging content and paid ads.

All of these social media sites help boost your restaurant’s social media presence, and with the right social media manager or social media management tools, you can keep your restaurant’s social media profiles active and full of quality content.

Different social media channels work better for different goals, so it's smart to choose the platforms where your target audience already spends time.