Nearly 90% of customers visit a restaurant online before choosing where to dine.
Whether they are reading menus or looking for a local brunch joint, that initial Google search is where restaurant SEO becomes important.

If your restaurant isn’t on the list, they’re going somewhere else.

With online ordering increasing 300% faster than dine-in, your online presence is no longer a choice—it’s a must.

You don’t have to be an expert to make the most of this change—you just need to do it correctly.

This guide deconstructs strategies that actually work to put your restaurant at the top online, bring more diners into your doors, and increase business.

2. What Is Restaurant SEO?

Restaurant SEO is the technique of optimizing your restaurant’s online presence and website so that you appear when folks search for somewhere to dine in your neighborhood. That means higher Google rankings, being found on map listings, and showing up in searches for things like “Italian food near me” or “best rooftop café in [city].

It applies the fundamental concepts of SEO—such as keyword research, targeting the right keywords, local SEO, mobile optimization, and content marketing—to the restaurant business.

No matter if you have a casual diner or a fine dining establishment, SEO places your business on the digital map.

Why It Matters?

People are searching for food, and SEO is what helps them find yours. Here’s why restaurant SEO is worth your attention:

• More search visibility: SEO gets your restaurant in front of hungry customers who are searching for somewhere to eat locally.
• Higher, more relevant traffic: Rather than random visitors, SEO drives people who are already searching for your type of food, location, or atmosphere.
• More cost-efficient than advertising: Unlike ads that only last as long as the budget does, quality SEO creates lasting visibility and continues to drive traffic in the long term.

If your restaurant appears when it counts most—right when someone’s choosing where to dine—you’re much more likely to gain that customer

3. Restaurant SEO Strategies That Actually Work 

Ranking your restaurant online is more than a pretty website or mouth-watering food images. It’s about using SEO to match the way people search and choose where to dine. Below, we’ll provide step-by-step strategies to increase your visibility, bring in local eaters, and beat out the competition in search results.

1. Target the Right Keywords for the Right Audience 

The foundation of restaurant SEO starts with knowing exactly what your customers are typing into Google. Whether they’re searching for “best sushi near me” or “outdoor brunch spots downtown,” your goal is to show up for those specific phrases. That’s where keyword research comes in.

Start by thinking like your customer. What kind of food do you serve? Which location is your target? What makes your place different? Blend these answers into keyword phrases that reflect real-life search habits. Common patterns include:

• Cuisine + neighborhood (e.g., “Italian restaurant in Soho”)
• Dining needs (e.g., “kid-friendly restaurants near me”)
• Menu-based searches (e.g., “vegan pancakes downtown”)
  

Once you’ve brainstormed, plug your ideas into tools like Google Keyword Planner or Keyword Magic Tool in Semrush to dig deeper into search volume, keyword difficulty, and intent filters. You can also check Google’s autocomplete and People Also Ask boxes to find real user questions and phrasing. This helps you focus on realistic, intent-driven keywords — not just high-traffic ones.

Also, make sure you add such keywords in your menu descriptions as well. Apart from just enchanting the written content, it is also important to keep updating your complete menu occasionally. If you want to make the menu updating process faster, you can use these menu templates to ease your work.

2. Maximize Your Google Business Profile 

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is among the most effective tools for local search engine optimization (SEO). It makes your restaurant visible in Google’s local pack, Google Maps, and search listings — when potential customers are in the process of searching for places to dine.

Start by making sure your profile is:

• Claimed and verified
• Consistent with your name, address, and phone number (NAP)
• Categorized correctly (e.g., “Italian Restaurant,” “Coffee Shop”)
  

Once that’s done, improve it further with these steps:

Add Target Keywords Naturally

Include relevant keywords in your business description so Google understands what your restaurant offers. Mention your cuisine, services, or specialties — but keep it conversational. No keyword stuffing.

Share Google Posts Regularly

Google lets you publish updates, events, offers, or seasonal menus right on your profile. Use these posts to:

• Announce promotions
• Share new menu items
• Highlight events or limited-time specials
  

You can also add calls to action like “Reserve a Table” or “Order Online.”

Upload Quality Photos

High-quality images of your dishes, restaurant interiors, and even your team give your profile more personality — and better engagement.

Follow Google’s best practices:

• JPG or PNG format
• Between 10 KB and 5 MB
• Minimum size: 720 x 720 pixels
  

Fresh photos show potential diners what they can expect — and help you stand out in search.

3. Encourage and Manage Customer Reviews

Reviews do more than build your reputation—they directly impact how high your restaurant ranks in local search results. A strong review presence tells Google (and potential diners) that your restaurant is active, trusted, and worth visiting.

Make it easy for people to leave a review by:

• Including a direct link to your Google review page in emails or text follow-ups
• Adding a QR code on receipts that points to your review page
• Placing a “Leave a Review” button on your website or thank-you page
• Politely asking happy customers in person to share their feedback
  

Once those reviews come in, respond to them—every time. Express gratitude to customers for feedback and reply to concerns professionally when necessary. Google favors companies that are responding to reviews, and diners appreciate it when you’re both active and responsive.

Also, keep things consistent on all the big review sites where your business is listed. Keeping your details and tone aligned helps build credibility and can significantly improve your restaurant’s online reputation. 

4. Create Locally Relevant Content

Local content makes you come up in search of people in the area—and provides them with a reason to dine at your restaurant instead of another. Rather than writing only about your menu or deals, consider what locals are really looking for.

For instance, you might publish blog entries or FAQs on:

• “Best places for outdoor dining in [Your City]”
• “How to plan a birthday dinner at our restaurant”
• “What makes our brunch the favorite in town?”
  

You don’t have to be a writer—just pay attention to answering the types of questions people are already asking. Localized blog posts, event news, or even behind-the-scenes information on your team or ingredients can create more visibility and help your site connect with your audience.

Also, be sure to:

• Include local keywords (like your city or neighborhood) naturally throughout the content
• Mention nearby landmarks or events your audience might recognize
• Tie your content to seasonal happenings or local trends when relevant
  

This type of content tells search engines that your restaurant is a credible part of the local community. And it provides potential customers with more reasons to come—yes, for food, but also for an experience they can connect with.

5. Utilize Schema Markup

Schema markup is code that you implement on your website that makes it easier for search engines to know about your content. It’s like providing Google with a better image of what your restaurant does—so they can show your details more correctly in search.

With the right schema in place, you can enable rich results like:

• Your restaurant’s rating
• Menu details
• Opening hours
• Location and directions
• Reservation options
  

These extras can boost visibility and help potential customers make quicker decisions.

You don’t have to be a developer to implement schema. Tools like Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper can guide you step by step. Or, if your site is built on platforms like WordPress or Wix, SEO plugins often make schema setup even easier.

Some useful schema types for restaurant websites include:

• Restaurant
• LocalBusiness
• Menu
• Review
• OpeningHoursSpecification

Place the schema code in the <head> section of your website’s HTML. If you’re using a plugin, it’ll often handle this for you automatically.

Still, If you’re unsure where to start or find the setup too technical, it’s always a smart move to reach out to a developer who can help you implement it correctly.

6. Test Your Online Ordering System

Online ordering isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore—it’s something customers expect. But just adding it to your site isn’t enough. If the process is confusing or buggy, people will give up and order from somewhere else.

That’s bad for business and your search rankings. Google notices when users bounce quickly, and it favors websites that keep people engaged.

So, test your system—thoroughly. Whether you’ve built your own or used a third-party platform, it’s worth asking a few people to walk through the full process: browse, order, and check out. Watch where they get stuck or confused.

If you’re not confident in setting it up yourself, you can always work with a website builder or UX designer to make sure the experience is smooth and frustration-free.

A clean, easy-to-use ordering system keeps customers happy and helps your site perform better in search.

7. Build Backlinks from Local Websites

Backlinks—links from other websites pointing to yours—are one of Google’s most trusted ranking signals. But when those links come from local sources, like blogs or news sites in your city, they carry even more weight for restaurant SEO.

Start by building relationships within your local community. Reach out to:

• Local food bloggers for reviews or guest posts
• Event organizers who can list your restaurant as a sponsor or partner
• Nearby businesses or tourism sites open to collaboration
  

Think of backlinks as digital word-of-mouth. If reputable sites are linking to your restaurant, Google sees you as more credible—and rewards you in search results.

Need Help Building High-Quality Backlinks? At Outreach Monks, we specialize in securing powerful, local backlinks that drive results. Let us help your restaurant stand out in search—get in touch with our team today.

The number and type of backlinks you need can vary depending on your goals, competition, and location. A professional can guide you on what’s required—and make sure you get the kind of high-quality links that actually move the needle.

8. Ensure Mobile Optimization

Google uses mobile-first indexing—meaning it ranks your site based on its mobile version. If your website doesn’t perform well on smartphones, it could drop in search rankings, even on desktops.

Here’s what to focus on:

• Responsive design: Your site should adjust automatically to different screen sizes without layout issues.
• Fast load times: Compress images, reduce scripts, and keep design elements lightweight.
• Easy navigation: Buttons and links should be large enough to tap easily.
• Avoid pop-ups: Intrusive elements hurt the user experience and can increase bounce rates.

A smooth mobile experience not only supports your SEO—it helps users stick around and convert.

Conclusion

Getting found online doesn’t happen by chance—especially in the restaurant space. From optimizing your Google profile to making sure your site works great on mobile, the strategies you apply can directly influence who finds you and who walks through the door. Stay consistent, keep improving, and you’ll start seeing more local traffic and real results where it matters most.

Frequently Asked Questions