Whilst standard search engine optimisation (SEO) tactics like adding keywords to your meta descriptions and using alt text on images are essential, they’re often not enough to get you noticed. For restaurant owners and marketing managers eager to elevate their eatery’s online presence, the team at KIJO (we’re a web design agency in London) has compiled 12 unique and unconventional strategies for optimal restaurant SEO. 

Whether you’re working with a website or restaurant SEO agency or managing it all in-house, these tips will help your dining experience stay ahead.

Related Read: The 6 Best Websites in Luxury Restaurant Website Design

What is Restaurant SEO?

Restaurant SEO is the process of optimising your website and online presence to appear prominently in search engine results pages (SERPs). This helps attract more organic traffic from diners searching for a meal near them, a specific cuisine, or even unique, luxury dining experiences. SEO for restaurants involves blending traditional optimisation techniques with a creative, localised approach to cater to search engines and hungry customers alike.

12 Innovative Restaurant SEO Tips for a Competitive Edge

Here are our 12 unique restaurant SEO tips.

1. Use Hyper-Local Keywords That Reflect Dining Intent

Generic phrases like “restaurants near me” are highly competitive. Instead, focus on hyper-local and niche keywords that cater to specific dining intents. Examples include:

• “Best rooftop brunch spots in Manchester”
• “Vegan-friendly tapas bar near Camden Market”
• “Family-friendly Italian restaurants in Birmingham city centre”

Use tools like Google Trends and AnswerThePublic to find trending searches that match your restaurant’s niche. Optimising for these terms can make you stand out in local search results.

2. Create Seasonal and Event-Based Content to Boost Your Restaurant SEO

Restaurants thrive on seasonal demand. Build content hubs around themes like:

• “Top Christmas Dinner Spots in Leeds”
• “Romantic Valentine’s Day Restaurants in Edinburgh”
• “Where to Watch the Rugby with Pub Food in Cardiff”

Not only does this help with seasonal SEO, but it also drives traffic from diners planning their outings. Collaborate with a talented website or restaurant SEO agency to ensure your campaigns align with high-traffic periods.

3. Optimise for Voice Search

With the growing use of voice assistants, diners are asking questions like:

• “What’s the best Indian restaurant near me?”
• “Where can I get late-night pizza delivery in Glasgow?”

Create content that answers these conversational queries directly. Structured data and FAQs can make your website more voice-search friendly.

4. Use Schema Markup to Highlight Menus and Events

Schema markup helps search engines better understand your website’s content. Use restaurant-specific schema to feature:

• Menus with pricing and dietary options (e.g., vegan, gluten-free)
• Opening hours, including holiday variations
• Events like wine tastings, live music, or cooking classes

Rich snippets in search results make your listing more engaging and clickable!

5. Create Interactive and Visual Content

Diners eat with their eyes first, so use interactive features like:

• Virtual tours of your dining space
• “Build your own dish” configurators for online ordering
• Videos of signature dishes being prepared

Not only do these assets improve user engagement, but they also increase the likelihood of earning backlinks, a key component of SEO for restaurants.

6. Build a Food Blog for Long-Tail Keywords to Bolster Your Restaurant SEO

Launch a blog that shares culinary tips, recipes, or insights into your restaurant’s story. Examples:

• “How We Perfected Our Artisan Pizza Dough”
• “5 Secret Ingredients Behind Our Famous Cocktails”
• “Pairing Wines with Classic British Dishes: A Beginner’s Guide”

Blog posts give you an opportunity to target long-tail keywords, improve dwell time, and showcase your expertise.

7. Tap Into Sustainability as an SEO Angle

Many diners prioritise eco-conscious businesses. So, you could:

• Dedicate pages or blog posts to your sustainability initiatives, such as “Our Zero-Waste Policy” or “Locally Sourced Ingredients.”
• Optimise content for searches like “sustainable restaurants near me” or “eco-friendly dining in London.”
• Highlight partnerships with local farms or green certifications on your website.

8. Optimise for Mobile-First Experiences

Most website searches happen on mobile devices, particularly for out and about diners looking for their next spot to eat. Make sure your website:

• Loads quickly on all devices
• Has easy-to-read fonts and intuitive navigation
• Features clickable phone numbers and online booking buttons

Google prioritises mobile-friendly websites, so this optimisation really does directly impact your rankings.

9. Leverage Reviews and Testimonials

Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. Showcase these testimonials on your website to build trust and improve local SEO rankings. 

KIJO Pro Tip: Always respond to reviews — even negative ones — to demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction.

10. Partner with Nearby Businesses for Cross-Promotion

Cross-promotions generate backlinks and increase exposure.

• Collaborate with local event spaces, hotels, or tour operators.
• Offer exclusive packages, like “Dinner and a Show” deals with local theatres or art spaces.
• Write joint blog posts or share backlinks to boost SEO for both businesses.

11. Showcase User-Generated Content (UGC)

UGC fosters authenticity and engagement, improving SEO and brand trust. Encourage diners to tag your restaurant in social media posts, feature their photos on your website or a dedicated gallery page, and/or run contests where customers can submit their photos or videos to win discounts or free meals.

12. Optimise Your Restaurant’s Menu Pages for Search Intent

Many customers search specifically for menu details.

• Add detailed descriptions of dishes, including keywords like “vegan-friendly,” “gluten-free,” or “best seafood pasta.”
• Use structured data to highlight menu items for rich snippets in search results.
• Create downloadable PDFs of your menu for easy access and sharing.
•  Incorporate dynamic menus that adjust based on seasonal specials or promotions.

Take Your Restaurant SEO to the Next Level

Like we said, restaurant SEO isn’t just about keywords; it’s about connecting with your audience in meaningful ways. From creating interactive content to optimising your menu pages and capitalising on seasonal trends within your content marketing, these creative strategies will help your restaurant stand out online.

Whether you’re DIY-ing your restaurant SEO or working with a restaurant SEO agency, these tips will give you the edge you need to attract more diners. So, are you ready to make your restaurant the go-to spot in your area?

Book a Complimentary Consultation with KIJO’s Head of Partnerships

Need expert SEO guidance on your restaurant SEO, website design, or considering your next digital project? Book a complimentary, 30-minute consultation with our Head of Partnerships & Co-Founder, Kirk Thompson. Let’s bring the vision of your brand to life — book your free consultation via the link below:

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