Local SEO for Restaurants: 5 Ways to Rank Higher & Get More Orders

If you're running a restaurant in a competitive city or neighborhood, visibility in local search isn’t optional—it’s essential. Whether customers are searching for “best brunch near me” or “tacos in Brooklyn,” showing up in those results can directly impact your foot traffic and online orders.

This guide outlines how to improve your local SEO for restaurants, rank higher in Google Maps and search, and convert local searches into loyal customers.

Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the single most important local SEO asset your restaurant has. This free listing powers your appearance in Google Maps and the local pack (the top 3 listings on search results).

To optimize your profile:

• Use your real business name (no keyword stuffing)

• Choose the correct primary category (e.g., “Mexican restaurant”)

• Add accurate address, phone, hours, and website

• Upload high-quality food, interior, and exterior photos

• Enable “Order Online” and “Reserve” links if available

Don’t forget to update your holiday hours and respond to reviews—these signals improve visibility and build trust.

Enhance On-Site SEO for Location Relevance

Google rewards websites that reinforce their local presence. Ensure your restaurant’s website includes:

• Location-specific landing pages (e.g., /locations/brooklyn)

• City and neighborhood names in title tags, H1s, and meta descriptions

• Embedded Google Maps and “Order Now” CTAs

• Local schema markup (e.g., LocalBusiness, Restaurant, PostalAddress)

• Photos and alt tags referencing your city or area

This makes it easier for Google to connect your site with relevant local searches.

Encourage Customer Reviews and Interactions

Reviews do more than build social proof—they help SEO too. Restaurants with frequent, high-quality reviews tend to rank higher in local packs.

Best practices:

• Ask for reviews via email or SMS after a successful order

• Include QR codes on receipts or signage for easy access

• Respond to every review—positive or negative—with thoughtful replies

• Use keywords naturally in responses (e.g., “Thanks for loving our burgers in Astoria!”)

User-generated content and engagement are strong signals of a trustworthy, active business.

Build Local Backlinks & Citations

Backlinks from locally relevant websites (e.g., news outlets, food blogs, chambers of commerce) help reinforce your authority in your city or neighborhood.

Tactics to try:

• Sponsor a community event or sports team and request a website link

• Partner with local influencers or food writers

• Get listed on restaurant directories and review platforms (Yelp, TripAdvisor, OpenTable)

Also ensure your restaurant’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all listings—this avoids confusing Google or customers.

Use Social Media & Local Content Strategically

Social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok don’t just drive engagement—they also support SEO when used with local intent.

Tips:

• Geotag posts and stories

• Promote neighborhood-specific events or specials

• Link your ordering page in bio and posts

• Repost content from happy customers tagging your location

1. What is local SEO for restaurants?

Local SEO is the practice of optimizing your restaurant’s online presence to show up in local search results, such as Google Maps and “near me” searches, to attract nearby customers.

2. How can I improve my restaurant’s local SEO rankings?

3. Do reviews really help my restaurant’s SEO?

4. Should I create separate pages for each restaurant location?

5. Can platforms like Sauce help with local SEO?

Own Your Local Search Presence

The restaurants that win in local SEO don’t just optimize once and hope for the best—they show up consistently in search, on social, and through customer interactions. By optimizing your Google Business Profile, enhancing your site, and engaging your community, your restaurant can rise in rankings and become the go-to spot for nearby diners.

Platforms like Sauce can further amplify your presence by integrating your branded ordering system with your local SEO strategy—ensuring customers not only find you, but order directly.