Top Social Media Marketing Tips to Boost Your Restaurant

In 2025, having a strong presence on social media is no longer optional for restaurants — it's a business necessity. Whether you’re running a cozy café or managing a fast-paced QSR, effective social media marketing can increase brand awareness, drive foot traffic, and supercharge delivery orders. That’s why we’ve curated 21 expert tips to help restaurant owners maximize visibility and sales with proven content strategies backed by real results.

And here's the best part — when paired with Skipli’s all-in-one Social Marketing tools, implementing these tips becomes quick and seamless. Let’s dive in!

1. Optimize All Your Social Media Bios

Your bio is often the first impression potential customers see. Include essential info like your location, hours, website, and a branded hashtag.

Pro Tip: Link to your Skipli-powered website so guests can easily place orders or book a reservation.

2. Post High-Quality Food Photos

Visual appeal matters. Invest in good lighting, plate your meals beautifully, and post drool-worthy shots regularly.

3. Use Reels and Short Videos

Short-form videos see higher engagement rates. Introduce your chefs, show food being prepared, or take viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour.

Skipli Tip: Use Skipli’s Social Marketing tools to sync these posts across all platforms instantly.

4. Share User-Generated Content (UGC)

Encourage guests to tag your location or use your hashtag. Repost their content (with permission) to build authentic engagement.

• Repost happy customer selfies
• Share stories or Boomerangs of guests enjoying your food

5. Leverage Local Hashtags

Use location-based hashtags to boost visibility among nearby food lovers. Think #SanFranciscoEats or #AustinTacos depending on your market.

6. Promote Limited-Time Offers

Urgency sells. Share your promotions, happy hour deals, or seasonal menus via social media.

7. Run Contests and Giveaways

Host weekly or monthly social contests. Ideas include:

• Photo contests (“Tag us with your favorite dish!”)
• Guess-the-ingredient games
• Free meal giveaways for shares & follows

8. Tell Your Brand Story

People love supporting businesses with heart. Share your origin story, your mission, and team introductions.

9. Go Live with Food Demos

Go live on Instagram or Facebook for cooking demos, Q&A sessions, or just to show a busy dinner rush. Give followers the inside scoop!

10. Highlight 5-Star Reviews

Don’t be shy about sharing your glowing reviews. Use visuals to draw attention to great guest experiences.

Pro Tip: Use Skipli’s 5-Star Reviews platform to automatically request and promote positive reviews on Google and Yelp.

11. Post at Optimal Times

Find when your audience is most active. Typically, around lunchtime (11 a.m.–1 p.m.) or early dinner (5 p.m.–7 p.m.) works best.

12. Create a Weekly Content Calendar

Plan posts in advance to stay consistent. Use themes like:

• Menu Monday – Weekly specials
• Behind the Scenes Tuesday
• Throwback Thursday – Early photos of your restaurant

13. Share Customer Milestones

Did a couple celebrate an anniversary at your restaurant? Snap a pic and share the joy (with consent).

14. Collaborate With Local Influencers

Partner with food bloggers or micro-influencers for reach and credibility. Offer a free meal in exchange for a post or story.

15. Promote Online Ordering

Use your social media to direct traffic to your Skipli-powered online ordering or delivery platform.

16. Use Instagram Highlights

Create highlights for:

• Menu
• New Items
• Customer Testimonials

This keeps essential info easily accessible to new followers.

17. Encourage Check-ins & Location Tags

Offer discounts when customers check-in on Facebook or Instagram. This boosts your brand’s reach through their network.

18. Track Analytics and Tweak Content

Monitor what’s working. With Skipli’s Social Marketing, review engagement metrics and ROI to refine your future posts.

19. Use Email & SMS to Cross-Promote

Promote your top-performing socials across your email list and SMS campaigns using Skipli’s integrated tools.

20. Add Social Proof to Your Website

Showcase your Instagram feed directly on your site. This gives new visitors a taste of your brand’s vibe.

21. Be Consistent and Authentically You

Don't just sell—connect. Use a friendly tone, respond to comments, and share your restaurant’s passion daily.

Level Up Your Restaurant’s Social Media Game with Skipli

If social media marketing feels overwhelming, don’t worry — Skipli is here to help. With our integrated Social Marketing solution, you can schedule, post, measure, and optimize your restaurant’s digital presence all from one dashboard.

Say goodbye to hours lost juggling platforms. Say hello to more engaged customers, brand growth, and full tables.

💬 Need help taking your social media strategy to the next level?
Schedule your free demo with a Skipli Marketing Expert or call us at (415)-610-9521.