How to Create Viral Restaurant Reels and TikToks that Drive Customers
Short-form video content has become one of the most effective ways for restaurants to attract new customers. With millions of people scrolling through Instagram Reels and TikTok daily, a well-crafted video can make your restaurant go viral overnight. But what makes a restaurant video successful? The key lies in using the right techniques to grab attention, showcase your food, and encourage engagement.
In this guide, we’ll break down the key ingredients of a successful restaurant Reel or TikTok and how you can use them to boost your online presence.
The Key Ingredients of a Successful Restaurant Reel
Not all food videos perform well, some generate thousands of views, while others barely get noticed. To maximize engagement and visibility, your videos should include the following essential elements.
1. Start with Eye-Catching Visuals
Food content is all about aesthetics. If your video doesn’t look delicious, people will scroll past. Here’s how to make your restaurant’s dishes stand out:
• Use natural lighting – The best food shots are taken in daylight. If filming at night, use soft lighting to avoid harsh shadows.
• Capture food in motion – Show the steam rising from a fresh plate, cheese stretching from a pizza slice, or a bartender pouring a colorful cocktail.
• Use close-ups and slow-motion – Highlight the juiciest parts of your dish. A slow-motion shot of a sizzling steak or a spoon breaking into a creamy dessert can make all the difference.
Pro Tip: Invest in a ring light or LED softbox to enhance food presentation, especially in low-light environments.
2. Hook Viewers in the First 3 Seconds
With social media, you have only a few seconds to convince someone to stop scrolling and watch your video. A strong hook is essential.
Examples of attention-grabbing hooks:
• “This is the best taco in [city], here’s why!”
• “POV: You just found a hidden food gem.”
• “Would you try this insane sushi roll?”
Ways to make your opening engaging:
• Use movement – Start with a dynamic shot of a dish being plated or a drink being poured.
• Add text overlays – Highlight a bold statement or a question to intrigue viewers.
• Tease something exciting – Keep viewers hooked by hinting at a reveal later in the video.
Pro Tip: Avoid starting with a static shot of a plate—opt for movement to grab attention instantly.
3. Use Trending Sounds and Music
Audio is just as important as visuals when it comes to TikTok and Instagram Reels. Using trending sounds can significantly boost your video’s reach, as platforms prioritize content featuring popular audio tracks.
How to find trending sounds:
• Instagram Reels – Look for songs with the upward arrow symbol.
• TikTok’s Discover Page – Check the “Trending Sounds” section.
• Follow popular food creators – Take note of the sounds they use and incorporate them into your videos.
Ways to use audio effectively:
• Sync video transitions with the beat of the song.
• Use a voiceover to describe your dish or tell a story.
• Use text-to-speech or captions for added engagement.
Pro Tip: Try different styles—some videos work best with music only, while others benefit from narration.
4. Keep It Short and Sweet
Short-form videos thrive on quick, engaging content. While Instagram Reels and TikToks can be up to 90 seconds long, shorter videos (10-15 seconds) tend to perform best, especially for food content.
Tips for keeping videos concise:
• Cut out unnecessary pauses or long introductions.
• Use quick cuts and fast-paced editing to maintain energy.
• Get straight to the point—show the best part of your dish within the first few seconds.
Pro Tip: If your video is longer, make sure every second adds value. If a section drags, trim it down.
5. Add Captions and On-Screen Text
Not everyone watches videos with sound. Adding captions ensures your message gets across and makes your video more accessible.
Ways to use text effectively:
• Add captions for voiceovers or talking segments.
• Highlight key points with bold text (e.g., “This burger is a must-try!”).
• Include a call-to-action (e.g., “Tag a friend who needs to try this!”).
Pro Tip: Instagram and TikTok offer auto-captioning tools—use them to save time.
6. Encourage Engagement with a CTA (Call to Action)
If you want viewers to take action, tell them what to do next. A compelling CTA can drive comments, shares, and even visits to your restaurant.
Examples of effective CTAs:
• “Tag someone who would love this dish!”
• “Drop a 🔥 emoji if you’d try this!”
• “Follow for more must-try restaurants!”
Pro Tip: Questions encourage engagement. Try asking, “What’s your favorite comfort food?” to spark conversation.
Case Study: A Restaurant That Went Viral with Reels
Let’s look at how a restaurant successfully used short-form video content to increase its visibility.
Example: A Café’s Viral Pancake Reel
A small brunch café posted a 15-second Instagram Reel showcasing their signature soufflé pancakes. The video included:
• A close-up of the pancakes jiggling.
• A slow-motion syrup drizzle.
• A trending audio track.
• A CTA: “Would you try this? Let us know in the comments!”
The result?
• Over 250,000 views in one week.
• A 40% increase in reservations for the weekend.
• Over 1,200 new followers gained from one post.
This proves that the right strategy can turn a simple video into a powerful marketing tool.
Start Creating Engaging Reels for Your Restaurant
Short-form videos are a game-changer for restaurant marketing. By using visually appealing shots, trending sounds, strong hooks, and engagement-driven CTAs, you can attract new customers and increase your brand’s visibility.
Start by creating a simple 10-second video featuring your best-selling dish, follow the strategies outlined in this blog, and watch your engagement grow.
Want expert help in crafting high-performing restaurant videos? Contact us today for a social media strategy that drives real results!
In this guide, we’ll break down the key ingredients of a successful restaurant Reel or TikTok and how you can use them to boost your online presence.
The Key Ingredients of a Successful Restaurant Reel
Not all food videos perform well, some generate thousands of views, while others barely get noticed. To maximize engagement and visibility, your videos should include the following essential elements.
1. Start with Eye-Catching Visuals
Food content is all about aesthetics. If your video doesn’t look delicious, people will scroll past. Here’s how to make your restaurant’s dishes stand out:
• Use natural lighting – The best food shots are taken in daylight. If filming at night, use soft lighting to avoid harsh shadows.
• Capture food in motion – Show the steam rising from a fresh plate, cheese stretching from a pizza slice, or a bartender pouring a colorful cocktail.
• Use close-ups and slow-motion – Highlight the juiciest parts of your dish. A slow-motion shot of a sizzling steak or a spoon breaking into a creamy dessert can make all the difference.
Pro Tip: Invest in a ring light or LED softbox to enhance food presentation, especially in low-light environments.
2. Hook Viewers in the First 3 Seconds
With social media, you have only a few seconds to convince someone to stop scrolling and watch your video. A strong hook is essential.
Examples of attention-grabbing hooks:
• “This is the best taco in [city], here’s why!”
• “POV: You just found a hidden food gem.”
• “Would you try this insane sushi roll?”
Ways to make your opening engaging:
• Use movement – Start with a dynamic shot of a dish being plated or a drink being poured.
• Add text overlays – Highlight a bold statement or a question to intrigue viewers.
• Tease something exciting – Keep viewers hooked by hinting at a reveal later in the video.
Pro Tip: Avoid starting with a static shot of a plate—opt for movement to grab attention instantly.
3. Use Trending Sounds and Music
Audio is just as important as visuals when it comes to TikTok and Instagram Reels. Using trending sounds can significantly boost your video’s reach, as platforms prioritize content featuring popular audio tracks.
How to find trending sounds:
• Instagram Reels – Look for songs with the upward arrow symbol.
• TikTok’s Discover Page – Check the “Trending Sounds” section.
• Follow popular food creators – Take note of the sounds they use and incorporate them into your videos.
Ways to use audio effectively:
• Sync video transitions with the beat of the song.
• Use a voiceover to describe your dish or tell a story.
• Use text-to-speech or captions for added engagement.
Pro Tip: Try different styles—some videos work best with music only, while others benefit from narration.
4. Keep It Short and Sweet
Short-form videos thrive on quick, engaging content. While Instagram Reels and TikToks can be up to 90 seconds long, shorter videos (10-15 seconds) tend to perform best, especially for food content.
Tips for keeping videos concise:
• Cut out unnecessary pauses or long introductions.
• Use quick cuts and fast-paced editing to maintain energy.
• Get straight to the point—show the best part of your dish within the first few seconds.
Pro Tip: If your video is longer, make sure every second adds value. If a section drags, trim it down.
5. Add Captions and On-Screen Text
Not everyone watches videos with sound. Adding captions ensures your message gets across and makes your video more accessible.
Ways to use text effectively:
• Add captions for voiceovers or talking segments.
• Highlight key points with bold text (e.g., “This burger is a must-try!”).
• Include a call-to-action (e.g., “Tag a friend who needs to try this!”).
Pro Tip: Instagram and TikTok offer auto-captioning tools—use them to save time.
6. Encourage Engagement with a CTA (Call to Action)
If you want viewers to take action, tell them what to do next. A compelling CTA can drive comments, shares, and even visits to your restaurant.
Examples of effective CTAs:
• “Tag someone who would love this dish!”
• “Drop a 🔥 emoji if you’d try this!”
• “Follow for more must-try restaurants!”
Pro Tip: Questions encourage engagement. Try asking, “What’s your favorite comfort food?” to spark conversation.
Case Study: A Restaurant That Went Viral with Reels
Let’s look at how a restaurant successfully used short-form video content to increase its visibility.
Example: A Café’s Viral Pancake Reel
A small brunch café posted a 15-second Instagram Reel showcasing their signature soufflé pancakes. The video included:
• A close-up of the pancakes jiggling.
• A slow-motion syrup drizzle.
• A trending audio track.
• A CTA: “Would you try this? Let us know in the comments!”
The result?
• Over 250,000 views in one week.
• A 40% increase in reservations for the weekend.
• Over 1,200 new followers gained from one post.
This proves that the right strategy can turn a simple video into a powerful marketing tool.
Start Creating Engaging Reels for Your Restaurant
Short-form videos are a game-changer for restaurant marketing. By using visually appealing shots, trending sounds, strong hooks, and engagement-driven CTAs, you can attract new customers and increase your brand’s visibility.
Start by creating a simple 10-second video featuring your best-selling dish, follow the strategies outlined in this blog, and watch your engagement grow.
Want expert help in crafting high-performing restaurant videos? Contact us today for a social media strategy that drives real results!