Learn how to get your restaurant to the top of Google — and bring in more direct orders without paying commissions.
Did you know that Google is the #1 source of new customers for restaurants?
Restaurant SEO drives more direct online orders than any other marketing channel — far more than social media, ads, or flyers combined.
And the best part: it’s not as hard as you think. Unlike Instagram, where you need to post every day, SEO is something you set up once and it keeps working for you 24/7.
If you’ve ever tried to learn SEO and found it confusing, it’s not your fault. Most guides are written for marketers — not for busy restaurant owners who just want more sales.
Here’s the good news: restaurant SEO is actually much simpler than it seems. In this guide, you’ll learn the three big wins that we use at RAY to help restaurants rank higher on Google, attract more local traffic, and get more direct online orders — without paying commissions.
What Is Restaurant SEO?
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the process of getting your restaurant to appear first when people search for food near them.
When someone types “best tacos in Miami” or “pizza near me,” SEO helps Google recommend your restaurant at the top of the results.
Restaurants with good SEO get more clicks, more bookings, and more online orders. If you offer direct ordering, SEO helps you increase sales without giving away 30% to delivery apps.
Do All Restaurants Need SEO?
It depends on your business model.
If you’re a fine dining concept, SEO is helpful but not essential.
If you do takeout or delivery, SEO is absolutely critical.
Thousands of people are searching for food near you right now. If your restaurant isn’t showing up in those searches, your competitors are taking those sales.
Across all our clients at RAY, we see the same pattern: Google consistently drives more traffic and more revenue than any other source.
So let’s look at the three most powerful SEO wins you can implement right now.
The 3 Big Wins of Restaurant SEO
These are the most effective, beginner-friendly strategies to improve your Google ranking and grow your direct sales.
1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is the foundation of your local SEO. It’s often the first thing potential customers see when they search for restaurants nearby.
A complete and optimized profile tells Google that your business is trustworthy — and increases the chances of showing up first.
Here’s your checklist:
Verify your contact info (NAP). Your name, address, and phone number must be 100% consistent across all platforms — Google, Facebook, Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc. This consistency helps Google confirm that your restaurant is legitimate.
Add high-quality photos. Show your space, your top dishes, and your team. You don’t need a professional photographer — clear, well-lit smartphone photos are perfect.
Complete your attributes. Include everything that applies: delivery, parking, vegetarian options, outdoor seating, wheelchair access, etc. The more details you provide, the more often Google will recommend you.
Add your menu. Upload your menu directly to your Google profile. When people search for specific dishes or cuisines, Google uses that info to match your restaurant to those searches.
Ask for Google reviews (not Yelp). Google reviews are the single most important local ranking factor in 2025. With RAY, you can automatically request reviews from customers after every order or reservation.
Pro Tip: Keep your profile active. Update photos, post weekly specials, and reply to reviews. Google rewards active, engaged businesses.
2. Add Cuisine Keywords to Your Homepage
Once your Google profile is optimized, the next step is to make sure your website tells Google what kind of food you serve and where you’re located.
That’s where keywords come in — the exact words people use when they search for restaurants like yours.
Example: if you run an Italian restaurant in Lima, make sure your homepage includes phrases like:
“The best Italian restaurant in Lima.”
Yes, it’s that simple — and incredibly effective.
Restaurants that use the right keywords on their homepage often double their local organic traffic within a few weeks.
Here are some ideas:
| Type of restaurant | Recommended keywords |
|---|---|
| Italian | pasta, pizza, lasagna |
| Mexican | tacos, birria, guacamole |
| Japanese | sushi, ramen |
| Thai | pad thai, curry |
| Pizzeria | wood-fired pizza |
| Burger joint | gourmet burgers |
| Poke | poke bowl |
Where to include them:
- In your main headline (H1)
- In your page description (meta tag)
- In the body text of your homepage
Pro Tip: Don’t overuse keywords. Use them naturally — write like you’re describing your restaurant to a new guest.
3. Add the Features Your Customers Actually Want
Google tracks how visitors behave on your website. If people visit your site and leave quickly, that’s a bad signal — it tells Google that your site isn’t helpful.
But if visitors stay longer, explore your pages, or make a reservation, that’s a positive signal.
That’s why the best restaurant websites make it easy for users to do what they came for.
Here’s what to include:
Online reservations. If you take reservations, make it simple. Don’t make guests fill out long forms or call. Integrate tools like OpenTable, Resy, or use RAY’s built-in reservation system to streamline bookings.
Online ordering on your own domain. Never send your visitors to third-party platforms like Uber Eats or DoorDash. If someone clicks “Order Online” and leaves your site, Google thinks your website failed to meet their needs. With RAY, orders stay on your domain — improving your SEO and keeping your margins.
Text-based menus (not PDFs). Avoid uploading your menu as a PDF or image. Those formats are hard to read on mobile and invisible to Google. A text-based menu loads faster, improves user experience, and helps your SEO rankings.
Pro Tip: Every action users take on your website — reading your menu, making a reservation, placing an order — sends Google positive signals that help you climb higher in search results.
Common SEO Mistakes Restaurants Should Avoid
Linking your “Order Online” button to another website. If your online ordering links out to a different domain, Google sees people leaving your site immediately — and ranks you lower.
Using heavy, oversized images. Slow websites frustrate users and hurt your SEO. Compress your images with tools like TinyPNG and aim for load times under 2 seconds.
Uploading your menu as a PDF or JPG. Google can’t read text inside images. Use real text on your website so your menu items appear in search results.
Avoiding these mistakes alone can boost your Google ranking and increase the time visitors spend on your site.
Advanced SEO Tips for Restaurants
Once you’ve nailed the three big wins, you can take your SEO to the next level with these strategies we use at RAY for our top-performing clients.
Build backlinks. Ask local directories, blogs, or community sites to include a link to your restaurant’s website. Every backlink acts as a vote of confidence for Google.
Add ALT text to your photos. Instead of leaving file names like “IMG_345.jpg,” use descriptions like “vegan tacos at [Restaurant Name].” This helps Google understand what your photos represent and reinforces your keywords.
Create more pages on your website. Don’t stick to a one-page website. Add an “About Us” page, a “Menu” page with text-based dishes, a “Reservations” page, an “Order Online” page, and an “Events” or “Promotions” page. The more content you provide, the more reasons Google has to recommend you.
Start Today: SEO Is Your Biggest Growth Opportunity
SEO is the biggest untapped growth channel for most restaurants. While others focus on social media, those who invest in SEO get long-term, steady results — with less effort.
And the best part: you don’t need to code or hire a marketing agency. With tools like RAY, you can automate your SEO setup, optimize your website, and start getting results in weeks.
✅ Optimize your Google profile
✅ Add cuisine keywords to your website
✅ Keep online orders on your own domain
Start today with RAY and get your restaurant to the top of Google. Drive more direct orders, keep your profits, and attract new customers — without paying commissions.
