Overhead shot of hands holding a smart phone taking a photo of tasty restaurant food for Instagram

By Eric Tress, Contributor

In today’s world, foodies flock to restaurants that tantalize their taste buds – and their Instagram feeds.

With over two billion users (and still growing), Instagram is a goldmine for restaurants looking to boost engagement and stand out from the crowd.

High-quality food photos and videos are the new currency of cravings, influencing where hungry customers spend their money. Millennials, a major dining force, crave shareable experiences, and Instagram provides the perfect platform to showcase your restaurant’s mouthwatering dishes and vibrant atmosphere.

Ready to turn your restaurant into an “Insta-darling?” Here are some irresistible Instagram post ideas to get you started!

Why Use Instagram for Your Restaurant?

Here’s why Instagram is a must-have in your marketing arsenal.

Massive reach: Tap into a global network of potential restaurant guests, with a significant portion being young adults who heavily rely on social media for purchasing decisions.
Visual power: Mouthwatering food presentations shot perfectly for Instagram can make your restaurant stand out and leave a lasting impression.
Social proof: People are heavily influenced by social media, especially Millennials who love to share their experiences online. This creates a powerful “buzz” that can drive customers to your restaurant.

Ready to transform your restaurant’s online presence? Keep reading for irresistible Instagram post ideas guaranteed to boost engagement!

1. Engage with Your Restaurant’s Followers

Stunning visuals are crucial on Instagram. However, great visuals are just the first step to bringing in people to your page. Interaction is what keeps them coming back.

Respond to comments promptly, answer questions in detail, and join relevant conversations. This builds a community and shows you care.

Every interaction is an opportunity to build a relationship. By fostering a sense of community and rewarding engagement, you’ll turn casual followers into loyal customers who rave about your restaurant.

2. Showcase Your Daily Specials

Hand holding a smartphone taking photos of restaurant menu specials for Instagram marketing

Instagram Stories are perfect for showcasing your daily specials! Here’s how to make them irresistible.

High-quality food videos: Film short, captivating videos highlighting the day’s special dishes. Focus on close-ups of ingredients, the plating process, and the final presentation.
Chef’s spotlight: Feature your chef! Show them preparing the special or adding a finishing touch. This personalizes the experience and connects diners with your culinary talent.
Descriptive captions: Don’t just say “special” – tell a story! Use descriptive language to paint a picture of the flavors and textures. Mention key ingredients and cooking techniques. Here’s an example.

**Seared Scallops with Coconut Curry Glaze & Mango Salsa **

Our chef’s special today is a taste of the tropics! Perfectly seared scallops are bathed in a creamy coconut curry glaze, bursting with warm spices and a touch of sweetness. A vibrant mango salsa adds a refreshing twist, with pops of juicy fruit and a hint of lime. Come savor this island-inspired dish before it’s gone! #DailySpecial #SeafoodLovers #EatLocal

Call to action: End with a clear call to action (CTA). Invite viewers to “Try our special today!” or “Mention this story for a discount.”

3. LIVE Q&A Session with Your Chefs

A restaurant manager filming two restaurant chefs making a dish while streaming on Instagram Live

Hosting a live session with your chef adds an interactive element to your Instagram page. Make it more enticing by having your chef cook a unique dish live.

Be open to your followers’ questions, and have the chef answer their questions about the dish or any other related topic. How you answer and interact with your followers will determine whether you convert them into customers and build long-lasting relationships.

4. Build Interactive Polls

Two hands bursting through a yellow wall, one giving thumbs up and the other thumbs down

Harness the power of Instagram polls to boost engagement and get valuable feedback from your audience. Here are some examples of how you can use IG polls.

Feeling indecisive about a new dish? Ask your followers to weigh in with a poll!

For example: “Battle of the Burgers: Classic Cheeseburger vs. Spicy Chipotle Mayo? Vote now!”

This not only creates a fun interaction but also helps gauge interest in potential menu additions.

Planning a special-themed menu? Let your followers pick the focus! Create a poll with options like

“Taco Tuesday Tussle: Al Pastor vs. Carnitas”

“Wing it Wednesday: Classic Buffalo vs. Garlic Parmesan.”

This builds excitement and encourages participation.

Feeling generous? Offer a limited-time discount or exclusive appetizer to those who vote in your poll. This incentivizes participation and rewards your engaged followers.

5. Guest Testimonies and Spotlight

A group of young friends taking a selfie at a fancy chic restaurant for Instagram

Showcasing positive customer experiences is a powerful way to build trust and credibility. Here’s how to leverage testimonials and feedback.

User generated content (UGC): Repost customer photos featuring your delicious dishes and happy faces! Be sure to tag the original poster and ask permission before sharing.
Spotlight stellar reviews: Share positive quotes or excerpts from online reviews. Highlight the things your customers love most about your restaurant.
Be open to improvement: Don’t shy away from constructive criticism! Acknowledge negative feedback and showcase how you’re addressing the issue. This demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction.
Run “Testimonial Tuesdays”: Dedicate a weekly story segment to featuring customer testimonials. Encourage diners to share their experiences using a specific hashtag (e.g., #LoveYourRestaurant).

6. Flash Discouns and Deals

An iphone taking a photo of a tasty restaurant dish

Instagram Stories are perfect for announcing exciting limited-time offers (LTO) and driving traffic to your restaurant.

Promote the deal: Create eye-catching videos or photos showcasing the discount, freebie, or flash sale. Use clear, concise language to explain the offer and its timeframe.
Call to action: Tell viewers exactly what you want them to do!

“Try our new dessert for 20% off today only!”

“Swipe up to redeem your free appetizer!”

Delivery delight: If you offer delivery, mention it! Make it convenient for followers to take advantage of the offer from the comfort of home.
Early bird specials: Reward your loyal customers with exclusive “early bird” booking discounts. Announce these deals on Stories and encourage reservations.
Countdown to cravings: Build excitement with Instagram’s countdown sticker! Announce an upcoming flash sale or new menu item with a captivating countdown.

Limited-time offers create a sense of urgency and encourage immediate action. By using captivating visuals, clear calls to action, and creative features, you can turn Instagram Stories into a powerful sales tool.

7. Showcase Your Seasonal Menu

Overhead shot of an autumn-based dish soup being held by two hands in an orange sweater.

Keep your audience engaged by highlighting the seasonal magic! Here’s how.

Sneak peek posts: Spark excitement with behind-the-scenes glimpses of your seasonal menu updates. Film short videos of your chefs creating new dishes or capturing close-ups of fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Ingredient spotlight: Showcase the bounty of the season! Feature photos or videos of vibrant fruits, vegetables, or other seasonal ingredients you’re using in upcoming dishes.
Seasonal highlights: Is it pumpkin spice season? Highlight your new fall-inspired latte or create a poll asking followers what flavors they’d like to see on the menu.

Foodies love the novelty of seasonal flavors. By keeping your menu dynamic and using Instagram Stories to create a buzz, you’ll keep your audience coming back for more!

8. Share Behind the Scenes Content

Two restaurant employees filming themselves with menu specials

We all crave authenticity, and Instagram Stories offer a perfect platform to give your audience a glimpse into the heart of your restaurant. Here are some post ideas to showcase your unique story.

Kitchen capers: Take your followers on a behind-the-scenes tour! Film your chefs creating culinary masterpieces, from prepping ingredients to plating the finished dish. Highlight their passion and skill.
Meet the team: Put a face to the name! Introduce your team members, showcasing their personalities and the roles they play in creating a fantastic dining experience.
From farm to fork: Do you source fresh, local ingredients? Show your audience where it all begins! Share snippets of your visits to farms or purveyors.
The story behind the plate: What inspired you to open your restaurant? Do you use your grandma’s recipes from the old country? Let your followers in on your culinary journey! Share your story, the challenges you’ve faced, and your triumphs.

People don’t just connect with food – they connect with you, your team, and the human stories behind it all!

9. Food Challenge

Food challenges are a fun way to boost engagement and get your followers excited about your restaurant. Here’s how to create a winning challenge.

Design a challenge that’s unique, creative, and showcases your signature dishes
Film a teaser video about your food challenge concept and ask your followers for feedback
Sweeten the deal with exciting prizes. You can offer free meals, merchandise, or a chance to be featured on your social media to those who complete the challenge.
Promote your food challenge using captivating visuals and relevant food hashtags.

A well-designed food challenge can be a powerful marketing tool. By focusing on creativity, engagement, and fun, you can generate excitement, attract new customers, and solidify your restaurant’s image as a place for delicious food and good times!

Final Thoughts on IG Post Ideas to Boost Your Restaurant’s Engagement

By implementing these Instagram post ideas and fostering engagement, you’ll cultivate a loyal following that goes beyond likes and comments. You’ll build a community of passionate fans who are excited about your restaurant, eager to try your new dishes, and more likely to spread the word.

A thriving Instagram presence translates to more reservations, increased brand awareness, and a restaurant that stands out from the crowd.

However, creating fun and engaging IG posts is a big undertaking that can take away from the time needed to run your restaurant. Consider engaging a digital marketing agency to help you market your restaurant.