26 Social Media Posts for Restaurants that Propel Engagement and Sales
There’s a science behind creating social media posts for restaurants buzzing with likes, comments, and shares – but most importantly, it translates these virtual cheers into actual filling of seats.
A strategic approach aligned with the customer decision-making journey, best represented by a funnel model.
The customer Funnel
Imagine this funnel as a visual representation of how a random person who has never heard about your restaurants in social media, becomes your loyal patron. It breaks down the customer acquisition into three distinct stages:
Your social media posts should be well planned and tagged to any one of the below three stages of customer acquisition.
Stage 1: Create awareness
This is where you grab attention and pique the interest of a broad audience. Think of it as casting a wide net.
Stage 2: Nurture your leads
Now that you’ve captured awareness, it’s time to nurture their interest and build trust. Basically, this stage is where you move from quantity to quality.
Stage 3: Drive Action
At this point, the goal is to convert interest into action – motivating people to take the next step – be it “buy now” or “click here.”
That said, let’s lay a solid foundation in this guide.
Elements of High-Performing social Media Posts for Restaurants
Understanding the fundamental elements, like a chef understands the interplay of flavors and techniques will help you craft posts resonate with your audience and drive real-world results on Twitter (now X), Instagram, Facebook and others that
The ingredients of posts that do well for restaurants on social media are:
1. Know Your Audience
Sure, your culinary creations could silence the harshest critic, but without “getting” people that enjoy them most, your online presence might miss the mark.
In its basic form: It’s about knowing the age, interest, online behavior, sex, and even the lingo of your target audience. Are they young foodies obsessed with insta-worthy plating, or busy professionals seeking quick lunch options? Knowing their desires and pain points helps create content that resonates deeply, not just floats in the void.
2. Engaging Title and Caption (Copywriting)
Think of your captions as mini food stories and not a monologue. Instead of listing ingredients, go further – weave a tale! Did your grandma’s secret salsa recipe inspire your signature dish? Tell that story! People crave connection, and a sprinkle of personal anecdotes goes a long way.
FYI: Storytelling adds flavor and creates an emotional connection with audiences.
3. Appetizing Visuals
First impressions matter, and in the digital world, high-quality imagery is your amuse-bouche. Invest in gripping photos and fascinating videos that showcase your culinary artistry. Plus, the ambience that epitomizes the very core of your excellence.
4. Interactive Spices
Sprinkle in interactive elements like polls, quizzes, or Q&A sessions. There’s more: Encourage user-generated content by reposting customer photos and stories. Consider it a virtual dinner party – get your guests talking! And be sure to be swift with your response as well. Even the most extravagant feats can be less fun alone – engage with your audience to create a sense of community.
Check out this example on TikTok:
5. Hashtags
Use relevant hashtags that describe your cuisine, location, or vibe. See them like spices – a dash adds flavor, but too much overpowers the dish.
6. Tailor Your Talk to Your Tribe
Not all audiences are created equal. Are you targeting families with picky eaters? You may likely highlight your kid friendly options. Geared towards health-conscious individuals? Share fresh, health certified dishes. Speak their language, and they’ll come running for a bite. And in case you are wondering how you can tell what your audience wants? Refer to the first point on this list.
7. Play by the Platform’s Rules
Each platform has their rules set in stone, some are quirks – like instagrams focus on visuals and X’s knack for quick updates and musings. Be familiar with the guidelines to avoid not just social media faux pas but penalties. This is like learning proper table manners: different cultures have different etiquette, and social media platforms are no different.
8. Touch of Consistency
Establish a regular posting schedule and maintain a consistent branding and voice across platforms. This creates familiarity and fosters trust with your audience.
9. Cross-Promote Like a Pro
Don’t keep your social media presence siloed. Share your posts across platforms – like sending out multiple squad invites – the more places it reaches, the more likely it is to blow up due to more visibility, engagement, and shares.
10. Accessibility for All
See accessibility this way: you are setting a welcoming table – everyone deserves a seat, right? So, make sure people irrespective of abilities can enjoy your content.
Examples of the Best Social Media Posts for Restaurants
Stage 1: Create awareness Social Media Posts for Restaurants
1. Contest and Giveaways
Serve up sizzling contests or giveaways with a theme that’s a perfect match for your restaurant. Think photo showdowns, recipe throwdowns, or brain-teasing quizzes. The idea is to tempt participants with a delectable prize. Lay out the rules and deadline with absolute clarity while at it.
2. Partnerships and Collaborations
Imagine scrolling through Instagram and seeing your favorite brand teaming up with a cheese shop for say a Brand and Cheese Night?” Even if you weren’t necessarily looking for a cheese shop, the collab is likely to pique your interest, and most importantly, chances are good, you’d make a mental note of the cheese shop and check them out.
How-to: Reach out to local businesses that complement your offerings and create a joint offer, event, or challenge. Then share these on your social media handles and not forgetting to tag the partner.
Note that partnerships are multifaceted as our examples will show below:
And then, there is the influencer collaborations:
3. Local Event Participation
Your to-do: Identify upcoming local events that align with your value and business (farmers, music festivals, charity runs etc.) and see if you can participate. Offer samples, sponsor a booth, or run a contest related to the event. Lastly, ensure you share your foray on social media and use hashtags to reach a wider audience.
4. User-Generated Content (UGC)
Let’s be honest: we’ve all had the experience where a friend posts on their feed with captions like “Best. Burgers. Ever!” The outcome: It probably made you notice the vendor then wish you could get a bite too. As a restaurant, share posts related to your brand created by others to expand your reach to new audiences who never knew your businesses existed. Do not forget to tag the original content creator.
5. Best-Of Social Media Posts for Restaurants
The premise is simple: use this post type to showcase your standout dishes or perks with the purpose of building brand awareness and enticing new followership. Restaurants can create one by curating drool-worthy photos, videos, or carousels of the most popular products and sprinkle in some captions for effect.
Here is a perfect best-of video post on TikTok:
6. Posts on Social Causes and Advocacy
Show your heart (and maybe your restaurant’s special) by supporting causes people care about. This could be charities, crowdfunding, or simply awareness generation. Use these posts to gather goodwill and attract users of like minds.
7. Mouthwatering Food Photography
The post aims to “stop the scroll” and entice social media users with visually engaging images that will also spark interest and create a craving for the food.
Pro Tip: Use high-quality images, ensuring the subject is well-lit and properly presented using faltering angles. Give it an oomph with short, engaging captions that describe and highlight its unique features.
8. Food Tidbits
Educate and entertain people with fascinating tidbits about food, cooking techniques, or the history behind popular dishes. You could create engaging graphics or share the facts in a compelling copy alongside an attention-commanding image of one of your menu items.
9. Highlight Local Suppliers
Here’s your chance to kill two birds with a stone: share posts that spotlight your commitment to supporting local businesses and sustainable sourcing practices while highlighting the quality and freshness of your ingredients. Be assured, a good number of people from around the block will stop scrolling and take notice.
Post creation idea: Feature one of the local suppliers in a series of posts or stories, sharing their story, practices, and the products they provide. Include BTS footage or photos of your team interacting with the suppliers or farmers to add authenticity to your content.
10. New Location Announcement
Create a series of teaser posts leading up to the big announcement, hinting at the upcoming expansion and build anticipation. On the day of the announcement, share a visually striking post or video revealing the new facade along with details about the opening date, location, and any special promotions or events planned.
Here’s what we mean:
11. Trend Hacking
Every brand, not just restaurants on social media should be doing this! The short story: identify the appropriate “talk of the town” and create a content that aligns with it – put your spin on it ofcourse. Plus, be authentic!
What about this X post for an example?
And another related to Facebook and Instagram “going down:”
12. Holiday or Festive Cheer
It’s all about plugging into the festive spirit to create awareness for your brand. Some recommendation: Be genuine, and it doesn’t hurt to be generous – offer discounts and free drinks to invite people to create unforgettable memories at your establishment.
Take a cue from this Facebook posts:
Stage 3: Nurture your leads Social Media Posts for Restaurants
13. Awards and Recognition Post
Craft a celebratory post that speaks of the recognition received along with relevant details such as the awarding organization, category, and selection criteria. Augment your captions with portraits that capture the excitement or the award itself. End your post with gratitude to your fans and customers for their support and loyalty.
When someone who interacted with your brand sees this post you can bet they will feel a sense of pride and validation – making them feel even more connected to your brand.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss the opportunity to highlight your restaurant’s commitment to excellence.
Check out this reaction video to announce their Michelin star rating:
And a traditional style announcement:
14. Behind-the-Scene (BTS) Content
Leverage the opportunity to provide transparency and authenticity by offering followers an exclusive look at your kitchens operations, staff camaraderies, and meticulous attention to detail that sets your business apart.
15. “Meet the Team” Posts
Humanize your brand and build trust by introducing followers to the faces behind your operations. This includes chefs, servers, bartenders, and other staff members who contribute to the dining experience.
Keep it simple:
16. Customer Testimonial
As the name implies, make posts showcasing positive reviews about your restaurant. You could share these testimonials with or without a photo or video of the customer or their favorite dish (experience). Be genuine and don’t be overly salesy – let social proof “do the talking” while you score brownies points.
17. Interactive Posts
It’s “social” for a reason – engagement and two-way conversation. And this is where polls and direct through-provoking questions shine through. The topic could be related to food, dining experience, menu, or lifestyle. The important thing is you engage with followers and spark further conversation around the topic. Finally, be strategic in using polls to gather feedback from people regarding what they want or their experience relating to your services.
An example of a poll from Red Robin on X:
…and a users where asked to share their story here:
18. Facility Tour
Ever wish you could check out a favorite place without leaving the couch? Grant your followers this wish! Post videos and other content that allow users to scope out the ambience of your facility and premises before they even step foot in your restaurant. Why is this a good idea? It inspires people to envisage themselves enjoying the experience at your place – a good feeling they will likely want to bring to life.
19. Cooking Class or Educational Content
Whip up some excitement and establish your brand as an authority with hands-on cooking classes and other forms of educational content. Whether you’re teaching the secret to your popular pasta dish or sharing tips for perfecting the art of grilling, give followers a taste of what you do best. Live streaming is where it’s at for these types of posts.
20. Ingredient spotlight
Choose a standout ingredient from a menu and give it the spotlight it deserves. Share fun facts, nutritional benefits, or any selling point that showcase its importance. Now, you’ll make your followers nod with pride they’ve made the right choice – considering your restaurant.
21. Recipe special
The goal is to give your audience a taste of your culinary expertise and encourage them to check it out. Make sure to include clear instructions and high quality visuals for better grasp.
Pro Tip: Add a special twist that separates your recipe from the rest – a kind of way to say “ you can only get this from us, so come over.”
22. Product Highlight
Unlike an ingredient, this post captures the essence of a dish or service on your menu list. Of course, you want it compelling: use close-up photos, touch on unique preparation methods, or share interesting facts about the product or services. Do you have any popular or famous person who’s in love with the offering? Use this post to tell. The goal: focus on a specific offering and ignite interest for it.
Stage 3: Drive Action Social Media Posts for Restaurants
23. Limited-Time Offer
How-to: Create a post showcasing the limited time offer item paired with an irresistible graphics. Highlight the discounted price, the timeframe of the offer, any other perks, and a clear CTA.
Always: Use a sense of urgency in your caption with striking persuasive copy supported by bold standout graphical elements or emojis.
24. Mobile App Promotion
In today’s world, convenience wins!
For restaurants with mobile apps, do this on social media:
Create an interesting post promoting your restaurant’s mobile app and persuading readers on its benefits like convenience of door delivery with just a few taps from their mobile devices. Make your audience feel like “it’s like having a personal chef at your fingertips, ready to satisfy your cravings without any hassle.”
25. Early Bird Reservation Offer
Consider this scenario: A couple, eager to celebrate their anniversary in style, stumbles upon a post from your restaurant that offers an exclusive discount for reservations made before a certain date. Suddenly the decision becomes clear – they seize the opportunity to book their table early and secure their spot for an unforgettable evening of love and delicious cuisine. That’s the nut and bolt of what this post is about – getting more orders ahead of time. The examples below gets the information across clearly:
26. Menu ‘Combo’ Posts
Entice followers to take advantage of special price discounts by buying bundled items. Use great graphics and also point out the price difference compared to individual purchases.
Last Words: Beyond Random Social Media Posting
Restaurants should know that sporadic social media activity will not yield optimal results. The key is crafting strategic content tailored to each stage of the buyer’s journey with the goal of guiding potential customers toward becoming loyal patrons. And as far as we can tell, the examples of social media posts for restaurants in this article provides a good launchpad to your success.