Restaurants: 15 Instagram post ideas that bring in customers

Why Instagram matters so much for restaurants and food businesses

Instagram is the number one social network for restaurants and food businesses. Photos of dishes are among the most shared content on the platform, and many diners (locals, tourists and expats alike) check a restaurant's feed before booking a table. Yet many restaurateurs keep posting the same plate shots without a strategy. Here are 15 post ideas that drive engagement and bring real customers through your door.

Behind the scenes and the human side

1. The chef in action: film the prep of a signature dish in a short video (Reel). "Behind the scenes" content drives 3x more engagement than classic plate photos.

2. Meet the team: a portrait of each team member with a personal anecdote. Customers love putting a face to the service they receive.

3. Fresh produce arrivals: the morning market, the fish delivery, herbs being picked. It reinforces your image of freshness and quality.

Dishes and products

4. The dish of the day, close up: with natural light, a top-down angle and a description that makes mouths water. Always mention the star ingredients.

5. Before/after cooking: raw ingredients, then the finished dish. A highly engaging carousel format.

6. The simplified recipe: share the recipe for a side or simple starter. It sounds counter-intuitive, but customers who try your recipe at home are even more eager to taste the original version.

Engagement and interaction

7. The story poll: "Which dessert for February's menu?" with two options. Polls drive interaction and involve your followers in your decisions.

8. The photo contest: invite customers to photograph their dish with a dedicated hashtag. The best shot wins a free meal.

9. Showcase customer reviews: take a screenshot of a 5-star review and create an elegant visual around it. That's powerful social proof.

Value-added content

10. Food and wine pairings: suggest a wine for each dish on your menu. That's expert content positioning your restaurant as a culinary reference, and it helps customers make an informed choice.

11. Upcoming events: live music, themed nights, cooking workshops, Sunday brunch, a special Valentine's menu. Build the excitement and announce them well in advance to maximise bookings.

12. New products, menus and the restaurant's evolution: present new dishes with high-quality photos and tempting descriptions, and show how your décor, menu or terrace changes through the seasons.

Formats that perform

13. The timelapse Reel: setting up the restaurant sped up, from empty morning to packed evening. Hypnotic and very shareable.

14. The educational carousel: "5 things you didn't know about Neapolitan pizza" or "How to enjoy a cheese board". Informative content that builds audience loyalty.

15. The customer repost: share the best photos taken by your customers (with their permission). It's authentic and encourages others to tag you. Create a dedicated hashtag for your restaurant and mention it on your menu.

Grow your Instagram presence with Voxtya

Want more visibility on Instagram and more customers through the door? Voxtya can help. Our all-in-one platform for local businesses lets you:

• Manage your Google reviews and reply to customers with AI-suggested replies you check before posting
• Build a website and take commission-free bookings
• Plan and publish your social media posts and improve your local SEO

With Voxtya, you can easily share your Instagram content on your website and your other social accounts, and reach a wider audience. Our social media features page shows the studio in detail.

A real-world example: Le Bistrot du Marché in Lyon

Le Bistrot du Marché in Lyon used Voxtya to improve its online presence and attract more customers. In 3 months, it gained 47 Google reviews and increased its revenue by 15%.

FAQ

What is Voxtya?

Voxtya is an all-in-one platform for local businesses that helps you manage your Google reviews, build a website, take commission-free bookings and post on your social media.

How much does Voxtya cost?

Each service costs €29/month, a combo of 2 related services €49/month and the Suite of all 6 €119/month. You only choose the services your business needs.

How can I try Voxtya?

You can try Voxtya free for 30 days, with no commitment. Sign up on our website to get started.

Want to know more about how Voxtya can help you attract more customers and grow your business? See our plans and pricing and learn more about our Google reviews software.

Further reading: Google Business posts · QR code menu · Voxtya vs Malou · Free visibility check.