The easiest Instagram content for a restaurant is already written for you: your Google reviews. Beyond that, food photos, behind-the-scenes shots, and short videos of your kitchen work well. Here are specific ideas you can use this week.
Quick summary:
- Post your best Google reviews as branded graphics
- Photograph one dish per week in natural light
- Show your kitchen or team behind the scenes
- Share a cooking tip or ingredient story
- Repost customer photos (with credit)
- Announce specials and events
Post your Google reviews
A customer who wrote “best brunch spot in the city” just gave you an Instagram post. You did not have to photograph anything, write anything, or come up with an idea. The content exists and it is more convincing than anything you could write about yourself.
Turn the review into a branded graphic with your restaurant’s photo as the background, your colors, and the star rating. Prizz does this automatically if you paste your Google Maps link. Or you can make them in Canva using a testimonial template.
Aim for one review post per week. Over time, your feed builds a pattern of happy customers, which is exactly what someone checking your Instagram before making a reservation wants to see. Read our full guide on how to share Google reviews on Instagram.
Photograph one dish per week
You do not need a professional photographer. One dish, near a window for natural light, on a clean surface. Take the photo from a 45-degree angle (not directly above unless the dish is flat, like a pizza). Make sure the plate fills most of the frame. Wipe any drips off the rim.
A single good food photo per week is more effective than five mediocre ones. Quality over quantity. The dish should be one that photographs well and that you want to sell more of.
Show your kitchen and team
People connect with faces and process. A 15-second video of your chef plating a dish. A photo of your team before service. Your barista pouring latte art. A pile of fresh produce that arrived this morning.
Behind-the-scenes content works because it feels exclusive. Your customers eat at the table. Showing them the kitchen is like a backstage pass. It builds a personal connection that food photos alone cannot.
Share a cooking tip or ingredient story
You know things your customers do not. Which olive oil is worth buying. How to properly season a cast iron pan. Why your pasta water should taste like the sea. Share one tip per week.
These posts position you as someone who genuinely knows food, not just someone running a business. They get saved and shared because they are useful beyond your restaurant.
Repost customer photos
Check your tagged photos regularly. When a customer posts a photo at your restaurant and tags you, share it to your story or repost it to your feed (with credit). This is free content that also encourages other customers to tag you, which creates more free content.
Announce specials and events
New seasonal menu item, live music night, holiday hours, a special tasting event. These are straightforward posts that serve a practical purpose. Keep them clean: a good photo of the dish or event, the essential details (date, time, price if relevant), and a clear call to action (“Book your table” or “Walk-ins welcome”).
How often to post
Three to four times per week is ideal for a restaurant. A good weekly mix: one food photo, one review post, one behind-the-scenes or team shot, one tip or announcement. For a detailed breakdown, see our post on how often restaurants should post on Instagram.