15 Content Ideas for Restaurants

Struggling to find content to post or not sure what will get engagement? I get it. It’s hard enough to run a restaurant, let alone stay on top of social media content and keep it consistent. Here are 15 content ideas you can use in your restaurant and rotate them on a monthly basis so you don’t have to think about what to post next! With the right planning, you’ll be set month over month with this strategy!

1. Behind-the-Scenes Content

• Show chefs preparing signature dishes or bartenders crafting unique cocktails.

• Share stories about sourcing ingredients (e.g., "Our tomatoes come from a local farm just 30 minutes away!").

• Highlight the staff—celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, or just introduce the team to add a personal touch.

2. Food Porn (High-Quality Food Photography)

• Post mouthwatering photos and videos of your best-selling dishes.

• Feature seasonal or new menu items with a focus on textures, colors, and close-ups.

• Use natural lighting to keep images authentic and vibrant.

3. Customer Spotlights & User-Generated Content (UGC)

• Repost content shared by diners (with permission).

• Highlight positive reviews or stories from happy customers.

• Create a branded hashtag (e.g., #EatsAt[YourRestaurantName]) to encourage guests to tag you.

4. Interactive Posts

• Create polls, quizzes, or questions in Stories (e.g., "Which pizza topping should we add next?").

• Run a caption contest with photos of your dishes.

• Host a “Choose Our Special” voting campaign where customers vote for their favorite dish to feature for the week.

5. Educational & Entertaining Content

• Share short, entertaining how-to videos (e.g., "How to make our signature mojito").

• Post food tips, such as wine pairings or the origins of specific dishes.

• Bust common myths or share fun facts about certain ingredients or cuisines.

6. Seasonal & Thematic Posts

• Create posts tied to holidays, seasons, or local events (e.g., a spooky Halloween dessert or Super Bowl specials).

• Offer discounts for tagging friends or sharing your post during specific events.

7. Day in the Life / Real-Time Updates

• Post Stories showing a day in the life of the restaurant team.

• Share real-time content about what’s happening at the restaurant (e.g., “It’s a packed house tonight—check out this energy!”).

8. Showcase Your Unique Selling Points (USPs)

• Highlight what makes your restaurant unique—whether it's farm-to-table dining, a special cooking technique, a themed decor, or signature dishes.

• Share testimonials about your service or atmosphere.

9. Promotions & Giveaways

• Announce special offers or limited-time menu items.

• Run a giveaway where followers like, comment, and tag friends for a chance to win a free meal or experience.

10. Lifestyle Content

• Pair dishes with lifestyle imagery (e.g., a brunch spread with coffee, books, and flowers).

• Appeal to specific lifestyles, like families, couples, or solo diners.

11. Collaborations

• Partner with local influencers, food bloggers, or photographers to create content.

• Highlight partnerships with local suppliers or businesses.

12. Storytelling

• Share the history of your restaurant or the inspiration behind your menu.

• Tell the story of how your chef or founder fell in love with food.

13. Video Content

• Create short Reels or TikToks of the food preparation process or plating.

• Film “food ASMR” videos, like the sizzle of a steak or a spoon cutting through a dessert.

  • Food ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) refers to content that uses high-quality audio to capture and emphasize the satisfying, relaxing, or stimulating sounds associated with food. These sounds can include:

    • Cooking Sounds: The sizzle of meat on a grill, the bubbling of soup, or the crunch of chopping vegetables.

    • Eating Sounds: Crunching, slurping, or chewing sounds from people eating different foods.

    • Plating Sounds: The clinking of utensils, pouring of sauces, or arranging of dishes.

    Food ASMR is particularly popular on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, where creators use sensitive microphones to amplify these sounds for viewers who find them soothing, entertaining, or oddly satisfying.

    It’s often used by food brands and restaurants to create engaging social media content, giving followers a sensory experience that showcases the texture, freshness, and appeal of their dishes.

• Showcase the customer dining experience with testimonials or casual table-side interviews.

14. Local Pride

• Post about local events, festivals, or community activities your restaurant is part of.

• Collaborate with nearby businesses to create a sense of community and cross-promotion.

15. Engage with Followers

• Reply to comments, questions, and tags.

• Share follower posts in your Stories and thank them for visiting.

• Host Q&A sessions (e.g., “Ask our chef anything about Italian cuisine!”).