Restaurant Marketing with Google: The Free Tools That Fill Tables

73% of diners search Google before choosing where to eat. Your Google presence IS your first impression — before the menu, before the ambiance, before the first bite.

Here's how restaurants can use Google's free tools to fill more tables with less ad spend.

The Restaurant Google Stack

Restaurant-Specific GBP Optimization

Primary category: Restaurant (or specific: Italian Restaurant, Pizza Restaurant, etc.)

Secondary categories: Add all that apply — Bar, Café, Catering Service, Takeout Restaurant, Delivery Restaurant

Critical fields restaurants miss:

• Menu link: Add your full menu URL. Google displays it prominently
• Reservation link: Connect your reservation system (OpenTable, Resy, etc.)
• Online ordering link: Direct orders through your own site, not just UberEats
• Special hours: Holiday hours, brunch hours, happy hour — set them all
• Attributes: Outdoor seating, wheelchair accessible, family-friendly, BYOB, dog-friendly

The Photo Strategy That Fills Seats

Food photography drives restaurant visits more than any other factor on GBP. Upload:

• 10+ food photos — Signature dishes, well-lit, plated beautifully
• Interior photos — Show the dining room, bar area, patio
• Team/chef photos — Put faces behind the food
• Exterior photo — Help customers recognize your building
• Event photos — Group dinners, live music, private events

Pro tip: Upload new food photos every week. Seasonal menu items, daily specials, and new cocktails all deserve photos. Fresh visual content signals an active, thriving restaurant.

Reviews: The Restaurant Lifeline

Restaurant reviews are the most-read category on Google. Diners read an average of 6 reviews before choosing a restaurant.

Collecting reviews in a restaurant setting:

• Place an NFC review stand at the host stand or by the payment terminal
• Add a QR code to the bottom of receipts
• Train servers to mention: "If you enjoyed your meal, tap your phone here to share the love"
• Add the review link to your WiFi login splash page

Restaurants with NFC tap-to-review stands at the payment counter report 3x the review volume of those relying on verbal requests.

Google Posts for Restaurants

Restaurants have an unfair advantage with Google Posts because food content is inherently engaging. Post:

• Monday: This week's specials
• Wednesday: Feature a signature dish with a mouth-watering photo
• Friday: Weekend event announcement or reservation CTA
• Saturday: Behind-the-scenes kitchen photo or chef spotlight

Physical Marketing that Drives Google Engagement

• NFC Review Stand at the payment counter — turns every diner into a potential reviewer
• Reservation Reminder Cards — physical cards for group bookings reduce no-shows
• Window decals with your Google review count — "300+ 5-star reviews on Google"

FAQ

How do restaurants get more Google reviews?

NFC stands at payment counter + QR on receipts + trained staff = 3x more reviews.

Does Google ranking affect restaurant revenue?

Yes. 1-star increase = 5-9% revenue increase. Local Pack placement drives foot traffic.

What photos should restaurants upload?

10+ food photos, interior, exterior, team, and events. Update weekly with seasonal items.

What To Do Next

• CAN-TAP Pro Bundle — NFC review stand for your payment counter
• All NFC Review Products — Table stands, cards, and counter displays
• Review Pro Subscription — Monitor food reviews across all platforms