In 2026, you can’t talk about social media without bringing up TikTok.
That’s because TikTok is a hugely popular (and successful) platform for creators and businesses alike — including restaurants and cafes!
But why is TikTok so successful? How do you get started on the platform? And does TikTok for restaurants and cafes actually generate results?
This blog is designed to answer all of those questions and more.
Craver’s comprehensive guide to TikTok for restaurants and cafes covers everything you need to know about why the platform deserves your attention, how to start posting on TikTok (including content ideas!), and how to tell whether your TikTok efforts are paying off.
Let’s dive in!
Why TikTok is a game-changer for restaurants and cafes
So, what is it about TikTok that’s so appealing to restaurants and cafes?
Well, as it turns out, there’s a lot.
- TikTok is a popular (and rapidly growing) platform — Last year, TikTok had 130M users across the United States. According to Statista projections, that number is expected to exceed 200M by 2029!
- TikTok has a huge influence on dining decisions — In an MGH survey, 50% of respondents cited TikTok as the #1 influence in “driving their restaurant choices,” exceeding food-specific platforms like Yelp.
- TikTok is a hotspot for young foodies doing research — 17% of guests in a Toast survey said they use TikTok the most for discovering restaurants. And, of those TikTok-lovers, 60% were <18 years old.
- TikTok reaches new, non-local audiences — 56% of respondents in an MGH survey said they’ve travelled farther than normal to visit a TikTok-featured spot (and 29% said they’d be willing to if they haven’t already).
- TikTok has limited constraints (and unlimited potential) — Besides sticking to short-form video, there aren’t many “rules” for TikTok. MGH survey respondents said they’re “driven by food, fun, and buzz”… but that can look like anything!
A mini case study in TikTok for restaurants and cafes
If you’re still not sure about TikTok for restaurants and cafes, take a look at Dee Pizza.
Opened in 2017 in Denbighshire, Wales, Dee Pizza saw a “massive boost” in traffic after they started posting on social media. The pizza shop quickly became known on TikTok for their “first is free” series — an initiative where the first customer of every day gets a free meal — and has since reached almost 200K followers on the platform.
Since then, people have travelled from all over the UK to try out Dee’s Pizza — no matter how long the drive or the wait outside.
“People are willing to travel from Edinburgh,” said Angel Angelov, owner of Dee’s. “We had a gentleman from Birmingham [put] his kids to bed and [drive] for two hours just to have a pizza.”
And that is the power of TikTok for restaurants and cafes.
TikTok content ideas for restaurants and cafes
Now that you’ve got an idea of the potential of TikTok for restaurants and cafes, it’s time to get the ball rolling on content creation. Here are a few popular TikTok concepts to keep in your back pocket as you’re planning your first few videos.
| Content Idea | Examples |
| A Day in the Life | “A day in the life of a restaurant manager” at The Henry Restaurant“ A day in my life as a barista” at Cafe Quiquiriqui |
| Staff Picks | Staff pick coffee from Fresh Pots Coffee Bar Staff picks from Dwyer’s Garden Cafe |
| Menu Hacks/Secret Menu Items | Giant taco menu hack by Taco Bell Frothed milk hack by Cheeky Grin Coffee |
| Customer Reactions/Challenges | Flex for your float by A&W Restaurants Customer interview by Tablon Coffee |
| Follow a New Trending Audio or Video Format | “This or that challenge” by The Golden Chip “Thanks, you too” by Sweet Coffee Official |
| Pick a Tried-and-True Video Format | “The sound of a Barista” ASMR video by Tarine Cafe “Chef prep work” behind-the-scenes video by Askal |
→ Pro tip: Make sure your videos are a mix of topical, trend-based ideas and timeless, evergreen content. That way, your content keeps your restaurant relevant and covers the basics at the same time.
TikTok tips and tricks for restaurants and cafes
Creating TikTok content for your restaurant or cafe can feel super overwhelming at first. Where do you start? What should you do first? What actually matters?
Here are seven of our top tips and tricks to help make those first few videos a little easier.
- Add your business info/links to your TikTok profile — A completed profile makes it easy for people to connect with you. Link other social media accounts (like Instagram!) and your website, add your menu and your address… anything someone might need to find you off-platform.
→ Pro tip: Only businesses can add links to their TikTok profiles, so make sure to fully read the “About TikTok Business Accounts” help page before creating your account!
- Keep your content authentically you — Trends are a good way to stay relevant, but make sure your content is authentic to you. Show off your business’s unique personality, highlight your staff, and give people a taste of what to expect if (or when!) they come visit.
- Create videos that are TikTok-friendly — Your videos should follow the format that works best on TikTok. Film in natural light, use quick cuts, add captions and music, and keep videos between 30-60 seconds long. (That length is the sweet spot, according to Buffer!)
→ Check out our blog “The Best Restaurant Social Media Campaigns” for content ideas, and “Why Restaurant Social Media Marketing Fails” for social media best practices!
- Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable — Not all content needs to be perfectly polished. Don’t be afraid to film genuine moments, show behind-the-scenes/in-the-moment content, and share stories. Being genuine and vulnerable is a great way to connect with viewers.
- Engage with (and target) your local community — TikTok has a very wide reach, but the most likely people to visit are the ones closest to you! Get in front of your community by using local hashtags (e.g., #VancouverCafes) and collaborating with local food influencers.
→ For more information on influencer marketing for restaurants, check out our two-part series: “Restaurant Influencers Explained: How to Find the Perfect Partner” and “The Ultimate Guide to Influencer Marketing for Restaurants.”
- ✔ Remember that you don’t have to break the bank — You don’t have to spend a ton of money on TikTok to find success. Some of the best content will come from you and your staff just being yourselves and doing what you do best. Don’t overthink it!
How to measure the success of TikTok for restaurants and cafes
Once your restaurant or cafe has a few TikToks under its belt, you’ll probably want to
- Look at your videos’ key metrics — After you post a TikTok, keep an eye on key metrics like views, shares, saves, and comments. The higher these numbers are, the more engagement your TikTok got (and more engagement is always good).
- Use TikTok Studio to monitor results — TikTok Studio is a great tool because it displays all of your growth and engagement in one spot. It’s also got “Inspiration” and “Knowledge for you” sections to help you stay on top of TikTok features and trends!
- Keep an eye out for real-world impact — Getting engagement on TikTok is great… but it’s even better when TikTok generates real business for your restaurant or cafe. Don’t forget to measure the real-world impact your content is having on your business!
→ Pro tip: For easier real-world tracking, try creating a TikTok-exclusive coupon code or discount. That way, when someone visits in person and uses that code, you’ll know 100% that they came from TikTok!
Your guide to getting started on social media
Now that you understand the power of TikTok for restaurants and cafes, it’s time to get the ball rolling on your social media — and luckily, we’ve got just the resource to help you get going.
Our Beginner’s Guide to Social Media Marketing is for owners, operators, and
managers who want to ramp up their social media marketing efforts but need more guidance on
where (and how) to start.
The Guide is designed to help you with:
- The basics of social media marketing for restaurants and cafes
- High-level strategies to guide your social media marketing efforts
- Engaging your audience and building community on social media
…and more.
Ready to get started?
FAQ
Posting on TikTok 3-5x a week is the sweet spot for maximizing engagement, but the exact number doesn’t matter as much as consistency does. Try to stick to a regular filming/editing/posting schedule so your audience knows when to expect posts from you.
