7 secret marketing tips for restaurants and cafes

If your restaurant or café isn’t getting the attention it deserves, you’re not alone. The food scene is competitive, and having great coffee or a killer menu isn’t enough anymore. It is time to focus on smart work rather than hard work. A creative and doable marketing strategy is a perfect ingredient to stand out among the crowd! Whether you’re looking for fresh ways to attract locals, boost your Google ranking, or get people buzzing on social media, we’ve got you covered with our proven and practical ideas. So, let’s get started!

1. Build/Update Your Website to Boost Social Presence

If your restaurant or café doesn’t have a solid digital presence, you’re leaving money on the table. A clean, mobile-friendly website is your online storefront, and it’s often the first impression customers get of your business. So, having a responsive website with an updated menu, location, hours, contact info, and easy online booking or ordering (if applicable) is mandatory. Also, don’t stop there, your socials, especially Instagram and Facebook, should be linked properly as it allows people to check your vibe, food aesthetics, and reviews before they visit. That’s why digital marketing for cafes needs to be visual, consistent, and engaging.

Quick Wins

• Share behind-the-scenes moments (think: your barista at work or new dishes being plated).
• Use Instagram Stories or Reels to promote daily specials or events.
• Link your website and menu in your bio.
• Use local hashtags and geotags to increase visibility.

This will make it easy for people to find you, connect with you, and choose you.

Pro Tip: If your social media looks inactive or outdated, people may assume your café is too. Posting consistently, even 3 times a week, can make a big difference.

2. Boost Your Google Ranking (and Get Found Fast!) 

When someone’s craving coffee or looking for a place to eat nearby, where do they go first? Google, of course. If your café or restaurant isn’t showing up in those top 3 local listings, chances are, you’re missing out on foot traffic and potential regulars.

Improving your visibility on Google is one of the best marketing techniques for restaurants, and it’s easier than you think.

Quick Wins

• Fully complete your Google Business Profile: hours, address, contact info, and a link to your website.
• Upload fresh, high-quality photos of your space and food.
• Post weekly updates—menus, offers, events, or even behind-the-scenes shots.

Pro Tip: Google rewards consistency. Regular updates, new photos, and engaging with customer reviews help push your listing up in search rankings.

3. Host a Charity Event Day

Want a strategy that builds community and boosts visibility? Team up with a local nonprofit or cause and host a fundraising event. It’s one of those feel-good marketing tactics for restaurants that also brings in new faces, and people love supporting a business that gives back.

Quick Wins

• Set up the event on Facebook and your Google Business Profile.
• Tag the charity in your posts to reach their audience too.
• Snap and share photos of the event in action, as people love being part of something meaningful.

Pro Tip: Encourage attendees to post about the event and tag your café; it’s free social media marketing for cafes and spreads the word organically.

4. Run Ads to Build Brand Awareness

Want to make sure more people know you exist? Time to get the word out beyond your regulars. Sure, Instagram and Facebook ads are powerful, but don’t ignore good old-fashioned local marketing.

Quick Wins

• Try low-budget Facebook or Google ads targeting people within a few kilometers of your café.
• Place flyers or promo cards in local shops, gyms, or community centers.
• Sponsor a youth team, local event, or school function, it’s brand love in the right circles.

Pro Tip: Keep your messaging consistent. Your website, ads, and social posts should all reflect your café’s vibe and personality.

5. Directional Signage Still Works

Billboards, bus stops, sidewalk signs—they’re old-school, but they still pack a punch. When used right, they become part of a classic marketing plan example for a restaurant that never goes out of style.

Quick Wins

• Use big, clear text with one strong message like “Freshly Brewed Coffee – 200m Ahead!”
• Include your logo and an arrow showing exactly where to turn.
• Place signage where foot or vehicle traffic is heaviest during your peak hours.

Pro Tip: Combine outdoor signage with a special offer like “Show this sign for 10% off”, it gives people an extra nudge to stop by.

6. Get More Positive Reviews (and More Customers)

Reviews are your modern-day word-of-mouth. When new customers search for “best cafes near me,” a high star rating might be the reason they choose you over the competition.

Building up your reviews is one of the easiest ways to get more customers in a restaurant.

Quick Wins

• Train your staff to casually ask happy customers for reviews.
• Use table cards or receipts with a QR code linking directly to your Google or Yelp page.
• Rotate your focus: one month, ask for Google reviews; next month, switch to online travel platforms to get more traction globally.

Pro Tip: Respond to all reviews, good and bad. It shows you care, and Google loves active profiles.

7. Build Local Partnerships

You don’t have to go it alone! Partner with other small businesses around you like salons, co-working spaces, or real estate offices. It’s a genius move in restaurant marketing techniques because it builds a two-way street traffic.

Quick Wins

• Offer a stack of “Free Coffee on Us” cards for their clients.
• Set up cross-promotions like a discount at the café for salon customers and vice versa.
• Team up for events or giveaways to double your exposure.

Pro Tip: Choose partners whose audiences are similar to yours, like professionals, students, or busy parents, to make the most impact.

Bonus Secret: Run a Social Media Competition

Looking to spice up your social media marketing for cafes? Competitions are fast, fun, and insanely shareable. They’re also a great way to increase your visibility, get user-generated content, and attract new followers.

Quick Wins 

• Offer a prize that fits your brand, like a free brunch, coffee for a week, or a foodie gift basket.
• Keep the entry simple: “Tag a friend and tell us why they deserve to win.”
• Promote the contest in-store and on your website to boost participation.

Pro Tip: When the contest ends, feature the winner on your feed and thank everyone who joined. It helps nurture a loyal community that sticks around after the giveaway.