Restaurant SEO: Fill More Tables with Search
When people search for "restaurants near me," your goal is to be at the top. Local SEO and Google Business Profile optimization are the keys to success.
Why Restaurant SEO Matters
84%
of diners research online first
"Near Me"
searches up 500% in 5 years
Top 3
local pack gets most clicks
People don't just search for restaurants—they search with intent to visit. "Italian restaurant downtown" or "best brunch near me" are searches from people ready to dine.
Key SEO Strategies
Google Business Profile
Your GBP is the most important asset for restaurant SEO. Optimize every element.
Review Management
Actively manage reviews across Google, Yelp, and food platforms to build trust.
Menu Optimization
Structure your online menu for search engines and make it easy to find.
Visual Content
High-quality food photography drives engagement and click-through rates.
Google Business Profile Optimization
Your Google Business Profile is the single most important factor for restaurant local SEO. Optimize every element.
Business Category
Choose the most specific category (e.g., 'Italian Restaurant' not just 'Restaurant')
Photos
Add 20+ high-quality photos of food, interior, exterior, and team
Menu
Upload your complete menu and keep it updated with current prices
Hours
Keep hours accurate including special holiday hours
Attributes
Select all relevant attributes (outdoor seating, delivery, reservations)
Posts
Share weekly posts about specials, events, and new dishes
Q&A
Proactively add and answer common questions
Booking Link
Add reservation link for direct booking from search
Review Management Strategy
Reviews are critical for restaurant discovery and rankings. Manage your reputation across platforms.
| Platform | Importance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Critical | Primary focus - affects local pack ranking | |
| Yelp | High | Major discovery platform for restaurants |
| TripAdvisor | Medium | Important for tourist areas |
| Medium | Social proof and recommendations | |
| Industry Apps | Medium | OpenTable, Resy, DoorDash ratings |
Review Response Tips
- • Respond to ALL reviews, positive and negative
- • Thank positive reviewers and invite them back
- • Address negative reviews professionally, offer to make it right
- • Never argue or get defensive publicly
Local SEO Checklist
Menu Optimization
Don't Do This
- • Menu only as PDF download
- • Menu as image file
- • Outdated prices or items
- • No menu on website at all
Do This Instead
- • HTML text menu searchable by Google
- • Menu schema markup
- • Current prices and availability
- • Descriptions with keywords
Common Restaurant SEO Mistakes
Not claiming or optimizing Google Business Profile
Fix: Claim, verify, and fully optimize GBP with photos, menu, and posts
Ignoring or not responding to reviews
Fix: Respond to all reviews within 24-48 hours, especially negative ones
Menu only as PDF or image
Fix: Create an HTML menu page that search engines can read
Inconsistent business information online
Fix: Audit and fix NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across all platforms
No website or outdated website
Fix: Maintain a mobile-friendly website with menu, hours, and contact info
Content Ideas for Restaurants
Beyond your basic pages, create content that builds your brand:
Restaurant Website Essentials
Hours
Always accurate, including holidays
Click-to-Call
Make it easy to call on mobile
Reservations
Online booking integration
Ready to Fill More Tables?
Get a customized local SEO strategy to put your restaurant at the top of search results.