Running a restaurant is tough—especially when you’re competing with dozens of other eateries in your area. You could have the best food in town, but if people don’t know about it, your tables stay empty. That’s where Instagram Ads come in.
Instagram isn’t just for influencers and fashion brands. It’s a goldmine for restaurants—if you know how to use it right. Most restaurants post basic food pics and hope for the best, but the ones that stand out use clever strategies to make their ads irresistible.
In this guide, I’ll share untold tips and tricks to create Instagram ads that don’t just get likes—they get customers walking through your door.
Why Instagram Ads Work for Restaurants (And Why Most Fail)
Imagine this: Sarah is scrolling through Instagram, hungry but undecided. She sees a generic burger ad—just a plain photo with a “20% Off” sticker. She scrolls past.
Then, she sees a sizzling slow-mo video of a juicy burger, cheese melting, crispy fries being dipped in sauce, and a happy customer taking the first bite with a smile. The caption says: “The burger you’ve been craving is just 5 mins away. Tap to see today’s secret special!”
Which one makes her click?
Most restaurant ads fail because they’re boring, salesy, or forgettable. The best ones trigger emotions—hunger, nostalgia, excitement—and make people feel like they’re missing out if they don’t visit.
Untold Instagram Ad Tips for Restaurants
1. Use “Mouth-Watering” Triggers (NLP Hack)
Our brains react to certain words and visuals before we even realize it. Instead of saying “Try our pizza,” use neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) triggers like:
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“The last slice is always the best… do you dare to save it?”
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“Warning: Our spicy wings might ruin other wings for you.”
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“The cheesiest pull you’ll ever experience. Tag your cheese-loving friend!”
These phrases create curiosity and urgency, making people stop scrolling.
2. Behind-the-Scenes Content (People Love Stories)
A simple photo of a dish is forgettable. But a short clip of your chef hand-tossing pizza dough or caramelizing sugar on a crème brûlée makes people feel connected to your brand.
Example: “Meet Carlos—our head chef who’s been perfecting this pasta recipe for 12 years. One bite, and you’ll taste the difference.”
3. User-Generated Content (UGC) Ads
People trust real customers more than polished ads. Run ads featuring:
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Customer reviews (video testimonials work best)
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Tagged posts from diners enjoying your food
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“Takeover” ads where a loyal customer shares their experience
Pro Tip: Offer a free dessert for customers who post a story tagging you—then repurpose their content in ads!
4. Limited-Time “Secret Menu” Ads
Create exclusive Instagram-only offers to drive urgency:
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“Comment ‘SECRET’ for today’s unlisted special!”
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“First 50 people to DM us get a free appetizer.”
This makes followers feel like VIPs and encourages immediate action.
5. Carousel Ads That Tell a Story
Instead of one image, use a carousel ad to take viewers on a journey:
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First slide: Close-up of sizzling fajitas
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Second slide: Hands assembling the perfect bite
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Third slide: A happy customer’s reaction
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Fourth slide: “Your turn—reserve a table now!”
This keeps people engaged longer and increases conversions.
Final Trick: Retarget Hungry Scrollers
Ever looked up a restaurant but didn’t book? That’s where retargeting ads come in.
Run ads targeting:
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People who engaged with your posts
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Visitors to your website
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Users who watched your videos but didn’t click
Example ad: “We saw you drooling over our lasagna… First slice is on us if you book tonight!”
Ready to Fill Your Restaurant?
Instagram ads work—but only if you do them right. Stop posting boring food pics and start using psychology, storytelling, and urgency to turn scrollers into customers.
Which tip will you try first? Let me know in the comments!
(P.S. Need help? DM me “RESTAURANT” for a free ad strategy call!)