People these days don’t pick up menus or walk into restaurants on a whim. They open Instagram. They scroll through TikTok. They see food that makes them hungry, and before you know it, they’re looking for a way to order.
That’s your cue.
If you run a restaurant and have an online food ordering system, social media is where you need to live. That’s where your customers hang out. It’s where they get ideas for what to eat tonight. And if your food shows up on their feed at the right time, they’ll order, right there and then.
Why Social Media Matters for Restaurants
You’ve probably noticed that people don’t really search for food anymore. They see food.
Someone posts a video of your butter chicken steaming hot, and suddenly, people are in your DMs asking, “Do you deliver in my area?” That’s the magic of social media for food ordering.
Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok have made it ridiculously easy for customers to order. You can literally drop a link to your restaurant ordering system, stick an “Order Now” button on your profile, or even add stickers in your stories.
All it takes is one tap. Hungry → Click → Checkout. Simple as that.
Show Your Real Food, Not Stock Photos
The truth is, people can spot fake stuff a mile away. Those over-edited photos with perfect lighting? They don’t hit the same anymore.
What works now is real. Messy tables, steam from the kitchen, your chef tossing noodles, your team laughing during the rush hour. That’s what people love seeing.
When you show what actually happens behind the counter, people feel connected. They trust you. They believe your food’s good because they can see it, not because you told them.
And always make sure your online food ordering system link is easy to find. Don’t make people hunt for it.
Don’t Be Scared of Paid Ads
A lot of restaurant owners say, “Oh, I tried posting, it doesn’t work.” Yeah, because the algorithm’s not always on your side.
You post one amazing reel, and it gets buried in a day. That’s where ads help. Even £5–10 a day can make a big difference if you do it right.
Target locals, target foodies, target night owls, the people who actually order. Facebook and Instagram make that easy. If it feels too much, hire a digital marketing agency for restaurants. They’ll help you run simple ads that actually bring in orders, not just likes.
Let Customers Do Some of the Work
The best kind of marketing? Your customers.
If someone posts a picture of your food and tags you, repost it. Say thank you. Give them a discount on their next order. Little things like that go a long way.
That’s Restaurant Social Media Marketing in action, real people showing real food. And guess what? People trust that a lot more than fancy ads.
When they see others using your restaurant ordering system and raving about your dishes, they’ll want to try it too.
Work with Local Foodies
Forget those big influencers with a million followers; they don’t care about your area.
Look for local food bloggers, people who actually visit your area’s restaurants. Invite them over. Let them film, taste, chat, and post. If they genuinely like your food, that one post can bring you a wave of new customers.
The best part is when they’ll show how simple it is to order through your online food ordering system, free promotion that feels organic.
Keep Things Moving with Offers
Everyone loves a good deal. Run a few offers and make them sound urgent.
“Free side with orders before 8 PM.”
“Weekend family deal – only on online orders.”
“Half-price starters tonight.”
That kind of stuff gets people talking and ordering fast. It’s one of the easiest effective restaurant promotions you can do.
And make sure those posts have big, clear photos and your ordering link front and centre. Don’t just say “call us”, people want to click and eat.
Actually Talk to People
Some restaurants post and then vanish. That doesn’t work.
You’ve got to reply to people. Comment back. Thank them for tagging you. Answer questions quickly. Social media isn’t a billboard, it’s a conversation.
When people feel you’re listening, they’ll come back. It’s like good service, just online.
Watch the Numbers (But Don’t Stress About Them)
You don’t need to be a data nerd. Just pay attention.
Check what kind of posts bring in orders. Maybe it’s the video of your chef flipping bread or that post about your weekend deal. Do more of that.
If you ever get busy or confused, a digital marketing agency for restaurants can help with analytics, ads, and all that technical stuff. But for most restaurants, it’s about consistency more than perfection.
Wrapping It Up
Social media is where your customers live. It’s where they talk, scroll, and decide what to eat next.
When you use social media for food ordering properly —real posts, real offers, real interactions —your restaurant stands out. You don’t need to post daily or hire a big agency. Just be consistent, keep it real, and make ordering easy.
Your online food ordering system shouldn’t sit there waiting. Bring it to life online. Every photo, every reel, every story, it’s another chance for someone hungry to find you.
FAQs About Social Media and Food Ordering
- What’s the best social platform for my restaurant?
Start with Instagram and Facebook. They’re visual, and people actually engage there. - How often should I post?
3–4 times a week is fine. Just don’t disappear for weeks and expect people to remember you. - Are ads worth it?
Yeah, if you do them right. Even small budgets can work if you target properly. - Should I hire a marketing agency?
If you’re short on time, yes. A digital marketing agency for restaurants can take care of content and ads so you can focus on food. - What kind of content makes people order?
Videos of food being made, quick offers, happy customers, and behind-the-scenes moments. Keep it natural, not staged.
