Running a restaurant in Australia is tough these days. Doesn’t matter if you’re tucked away in Hobart or right on Sydney Harbour if people can’t find you online, you’re basically invisible. Gone are the days when word of mouth and a prime location were enough. Now? You need to show up when people Google “best pizza near me” or “top cafes in Fitzroy.”
That’s where SEO for restaurants comes in. I know it sounds dry, right? But it doesn’t have to be. Think of SEO like the secret sauce that gets people through your doors before they’ve even seen your menu.
I’ve worked with enough Aussie restaurant owners to know most of you don’t have time to mess around with this stuff. You’re flat out running the place. So here’s the simple, no-BS version of how to get your restaurant showing up online and actually standing out.
First thing: Get your Google Business sorted
If you do ONE thing, make it this. Google Business Profile is that little box that shows up when someone searches for you. It’s got your opening hours, photos, reviews and all that.
Claim your listing. Make sure your address, phone number, and hours are bang on. Upload some good photos not blurry shots from 2017. And please, for the love of food, keep it updated.
If your hours change for holidays? Update them. Got a new seasonal menu? Post about it. Google loves fresh info, and customers do too.
Reviews aren’t just for bragging rights
Aussies love reading reviews, it’s just how we are. We don’t trust a place unless a bunch of other people have said it’s good first.
So ask your happy customers to leave a Google review. Don’t be weird about it. A simple “Hey, if you enjoyed your meal, we’d love a quick review on Google” works wonders.
And yeah, you’ll get the occasional cranky one. Don’t ignore them, reply, own it, and show you care. People notice.
Your website needs to pull its weight
Too many restaurants in Australia still have websites that look like they were built in 2009. If your site’s slow, doesn’t work on mobile, or has an out-of-date menu, people will just bounce.
You don’t need anything fancy. Just make sure it:
- Loads fast
- Works on phones (because that’s where people are searching)
- Has your up-to-date menu IN TEXT not a scanned PDF!
- Makes it easy to book or call you
And sprinkle in some local phrases naturally like “best tapas bar in Newcastle” or “vegan friendly café in Fremantle” just how people would search. That’s your SEO doing its thing.
Blog if you can but don’t overthink it
I get it, blogging sounds like something influencers do between Pilates sessions. But hear me out.
If you’ve got the time (or someone on your team who can write), chuck up some posts about your food, your suppliers, the local area, or special events. Stuff like “5 must-try craft beers in Brisbane” or “What makes our sourdough the best in Melbourne.”
Google eats that content up. Plus, it helps locals and tourists find you when they’re Googling around.
Local links are like gold
If local blogs, tourism sites, or event pages link to your website, that’s SEO gold. Google sees that as a thumbs-up.
Get involved in community events, food festivals, anything local. If there’s a write-up, ask if they’ll link to your site. Even sponsoring the local footy team can score you a link from their site.
Social media helps but tie it back to your site
Instagram is huge for hospo in Australia no surprise there. But don’t just post and hope. Include your location in every post, tag your city or suburb, and chuck your website link in the bio.
When people find you on Insta, make it easy for them to hit your site and book a table.
Track what’s working
Use Google Analytics. Yeah, I know, more techy stuff but honestly, it helps you see if people are actually visiting your site, what pages they like, and where they’re coming from.
If no one is landing on your “special” page, it may be time to rewrite you or promote you more on social media.
Don’t overcomplicate it
SEO for restaurants doesn’t have to be some massive project. Start with:
- Google Business Profile claims it, update it.
- Get your website up to scratch.
- Ask for reviews.
- Get local links where you can.
- Post on social, tag locations, and link back to your site.
That’s it.
You don’t have to hire a sophisticated SEO agency unless it is a great operation. If you have the basics covered, you are already ahead of half of the restaurants in your city.
Final thought
At the end of the day, SEO is just about being visible to people when they’re hungry and searching. And in Australia, where brunch is practically a religion, you want to be the place that pops up when someone types “best avo toast in Melbourne.”
So get your online house in order. It’s not rocket science, just another tool in your kit to keep the tables turning.