- February 25, 2026
- Marketing
- 0 Comments
Marketing your restaurant isn’t just about posting food pics anymore. It’s about making people feel like your restaurant is the place to be now. Connecting with your audience now matters more than just getting more likes on your social media post with food pics.
And that’s all because of TikTok.
Let’s be honest. If someone told you five years ago that the app where teenagers danced and did makeup tutorials on would determine where people eat dinner, you wouldn’t believe them. Yet here we are in 2026, and TikTok has completely transformed how Australians discover restaurants, cafes, pubs, and hotels.
That viral burger video? It’s driving more foot traffic than your billboard ever did. Welcome to the new reality of hospitality social media trends 2026.
Why TikTok Works for Restaurants
Here’s a number that should make every hospitality owner pay attention: 73% of Australians now use short-form video content to decide where they’re eating next. That’s not a typo.
Nearly three-quarters of your potential customers are scrolling through TikTok and Instagram Reels before they even think about checking Google reviews.
TikTok works brilliantly for restaurants because food is inherently visual and emotional. Nobody scrolls past a perfectly seared steak or a cocktail being dramatically lit on fire.
The platform’s algorithm is designed to push engaging content to new audiences, which means even venues with zero followers can reach thousands of potential customers overnight. For social media marketing for cafes and restaurants, there’s simply nothing else that offers this kind of organic reach in 2026.
The beauty of short form video for hotels, pubs, and restaurants is that it captures the experience of your venue in ways photos never could. The sizzle of a pan, the buzz of a packed Friday night, the genuine smile from your barista, all of these moments create emotional connections that translate directly into booked tables for your venue.
How To Get Started On TikTok
Getting started is easier than you think, and you don’t need fancy equipment. Your smartphone is more than capable of shooting scroll-stopping content. Download the app, set up a business account using your venue’s name, and fill out your bio with your location, what you serve, and a link to your booking platform.
Don’t overthink your first few posts. The algorithm needs content to learn what works for your audience, so your job initially is simply to start posting. Perfection is the enemy of progress here, and authenticity always performs well on TikTok.
Organic TikTok Marketing
What Kind of Content To Create
The golden rule of TikTok marketing for restaurants Australia is simple: just keep it real. Audiences can smell inauthenticity from a mile away, and overly produced content often underperforms compared to genuine behind-the-scenes moments.
You can try showing your kitchen team during a busy service, film your barista’s latte art process or your bartender’s favourite cocktail recipe, or really just anything that shows your restaurant’s uniqueness.
These authentic glimpses into venue life are exactly what viewers crave.
Video ideas for your restaurant don’t need to be complicated. Trending sounds paired with simple concepts often perform best. A time-lapse of your venue transforming from empty to packed, a “day in the life” of your head chef, or even just a satisfying video of plating up your signature dish can accumulate serious views.
Posting and Engagement
Building community through interaction is where the magic happens. Posting content is only half the equation. You need to engage with your audience like they’re already guests walking through your door.
Reply to every comment, ask questions in your captions so they would engage with your video, and duet or stitch videos from customers who tag your venue. This two-way conversation signals to the algorithm that your content sparks engagement, which means more reach. You should aim to post at least three to four times weekly to maintain momentum and stay visible in your followers’ feeds.
Tracking Metrics
Understanding how to go viral as a restaurant requires paying attention to what’s actually working. TikTok’s built-in analytics show you which videos perform best, when your audience is most active, and what content drives profile visits.
Track your views, engagement rates, and follower growth weekly. When something performs well, analyse why and create more content in that style. When something flops, don’t stress about it too much, just learn and move forward.
Leverage TikTok to Get More Customers This 2026
Video content for pubs, restaurants, and cafes isn’t optional anymore. It’s where your customers are making decisions, and venues that embrace this reality are filling tables while others wonder where their bookings went.
Ready to get more tables filled in your restaurant this 2026? Book a strategy call with us and we’ll delve deeper into social media marketing beyond just TikTok. We’ll build a comprehensive video framework tailored to your venue, your audience, and your goals. Let’s turn those views into bookings.
