If you run a restaurant, you already know how competitive things have become. Whether you’re tucked away in a quiet town or running a busy spot in the city, being visible online is no longer optional, it’s essential. Implementing a strong Local SEO Strategy for Restaurants can make all the difference in helping your business stand out and attract more local customers.
Most people now search for places to eat using their phones, typing in things like “best tapas near me” or “vegan brunch in London”. If your venue doesn’t show up in those searches, you’re likely missing out on dozens of new customers every week.
Local SEO is the key to being found. It’s not just about ranking on Google, it’s about getting in front of hungry locals ready to walk through your doors. At CJ Digital, we live and breathe hospitality. We’ve built this agency to support the kind of places we love to visit, bars, cafes, bistros, street food trucks, and everything in between.
This guide will walk you through how to create a local SEO strategy that actually works in 2025. We’ll keep it simple, practical, and tailored for real restaurant owners, not marketing geeks.
Why Local SEO Matters More Than Ever in 2025?
The way people find restaurants has changed massively over the past few years. It’s no longer just about word of mouth or being listed in a guidebook. Now, it’s about showing up when someone grabs their phone and searches for a place to eat nearby. And let’s be honest, if your restaurant isn’t appearing in those local searches, your competitors are getting the bookings instead of you.
Google is smarter than ever, but it’s also more local than ever. When someone searches “Thai restaurant near me”, Google looks at loads of local signals to decide who shows up first. That includes your location, reviews, website content, and even how fast your site loads on mobile. If your online presence isn’t set up properly, Google’s just going to ignore you.
And let’s not forget reviews. These days, people won’t even try a new place without checking the ratings first. A strong local SEO strategy helps get more positive reviews in front of the right people, and that builds trust fast.
Step 1: Claim & Optimise Your Google Business Profile
This is the first place most people will see your restaurant online, so make it count.
Claim your Google Business Profile if you haven’t already. Then, update it with all the essentials: opening hours, menu, phone number, booking links, and a few solid photos of your food and venue.
Pick the right business category (like Thai restaurant or Pizza place), and make sure your name, address, and phone number match what’s on your website.
Ask happy customers to leave reviews, and always reply, especially to the bad ones. It shows you care.
A sharp, up-to-date profile helps you show up in local searches and gives people a reason to choose your place over the one down the road.
Step 2: Optimise Your Website for Local SEO
Your website needs to work just as hard as your front-of-house team. If it’s not clear, fast, and set up for local search, Google won’t give it much love, and neither will potential customers.
Start with the basics. Make sure your restaurant’s name, address, and phone number are on every page, ideally in the footer. Keep the info the same everywhere online. If your site says one thing and your Google listing says another, it’ll confuse both people and search engines.
Next, use keywords that reflect what you do and where you are. For example, if you run a sushi bar in Manchester, use phrases like “Sushi Restaurant in Manchester” in your page titles, headings, and meta descriptions.
Create a dedicated page for each location if you’ve got more than one branch. That helps Google know exactly where you are and who you’re trying to reach.
Also make sure your website works well on mobile. Most people will be browsing while out and about, looking for somewhere to eat right now. If your site takes ages to load or the menu is hard to read, they’ll bounce.
Step 3: Create Locally Relevant Content
If you want Google to notice you, you’ve got to give it something worth showing. That’s where local content comes in.
- Start by thinking about what your customers are searching for. It’s not always just about food, it could be “best brunch spots in Leeds”, “romantic restaurants in Brighton”, or “vegan-friendly places in Glasgow.” Writing blog posts or guides around these topics helps you show up in those searches.
- You could also talk about local events, new menu launches, seasonal specials, or stories behind your dishes. People love a peek behind the scenes, it builds trust and makes your place feel more personal.
- Keep it natural. Write the way you speak, and always tie it back to your local area. You’re not just selling food, you’re part of the community. Show that off.
Step 4: Get Local Backlinks
Think of backlinks like online word of mouth. When other websites link to yours, it tells Google your restaurant is trusted and worth showing in search results.
Start close to home. Reach out to local blogs, food writers, event pages, and even your suppliers. If someone features your place in a “Top 10 Eats in London” list or mentions your latest pop-up, that link helps your SEO and brings real people to your site.
You can also get listed on local directories, just make sure they’re legit. Skip the spammy ones and focus on trusted sites like local chamber of commerce pages, tourism websites, or food-focused platforms.
Hosting or sponsoring a local event? That’s another chance to earn a link when they mention your restaurant on their site. It’s not about chasing hundreds of links. A few solid, local ones go a long way.
Step 5: Encourage & Manage Online Reviews
Good reviews are gold. They help your Google ranking and they influence where people decide to eat. Most diners won’t book a table without checking reviews first.
Make it easy for happy customers to leave one. A quick ask at the end of a meal, a little reminder on the receipt, or a follow-up email can do the trick. You don’t need to beg, just be honest and polite.
When someone does leave a review, reply to it. A simple thank you shows you care. If it’s a bad one, take a breath and respond calmly. People understand that things go wrong. What matters is how you handle it.
The more reviews you get, and the better they are, the more likely you’ll show up in local search when people are looking for a place to eat.
Step 6: Track Your Results & Make Improvements
- Monitor your website’s performance: Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to see how well your site is doing.
- Check your Google Business Profile insights: Look at how often your profile shows up in searches and how people are interacting with it. If clicks are low, it might be time to update photos, change your business description, or add more details.
- Experiment and tweak: SEO is an ongoing process. Test different keywords or phrases on your website. Try different ways of asking for reviews and see what gets the best response.
- Stay on top of updates: Local SEO evolves, so keep checking and improving. Small changes over time can make a big difference in visibility and bookings.
Step 7: Make Sure Your Website Loads Fast
In today’s world, people want things now. If your website takes too long to load, they’ll be gone before they even see your menu.
- Keep images small: High-quality images are important for showcasing your food, but large files can slow down your site. Use compressed images that look great without taking forever to load.
- Choose a fast hosting provider: A good hosting service can make a big difference in how quickly your website loads. If your host is slow, your website will be too.
- Minimise unnecessary elements: Things like pop-ups, too many plugins, and large scripts can slow your site down. Keep it simple and easy to navigate.
- Test your speed regularly: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to check how fast your site is. If your score is low, look for ways to improve.
How CJ Digital Can Help Your Restaurant Stand Out?
At CJ Digital, we take a tailored approach to local SEO that’s as unique as your restaurant. We focus on quality over quantity, ensuring that every strategy is custom-built to help your venue get noticed by the right local audience.
Our hospitality expertise means we understand the nuances of the industry and know what works best for driving traffic to restaurants. Whether it’s optimising your website, boosting your Google profile, or creating engaging content, we’re here to make sure your restaurant gets the exposure it deserves.
Let’s talk about how we can get more eyes and feet into your venue!
Conclusion
A solid local SEO plan is key to bringing more customers to your restaurant, and it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following the right steps, you can build an online presence that drives real, local traffic.
Ready to see how it works? Reach out to CJ Digital today, and let’s get your restaurant the attention it deserves!