If you’re a restaurant owner and you’re not using TikTok yet, you’re missing a massive opportunity to attract customers, build brand awareness, and—most importantly—go viral. With over 1 billion active users worldwide, TikTok has become one of the most powerful tools for restaurants looking to stand out in a highly competitive market.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through why TikTok marketing for restaurants is essential, what types of content perform best, how to leverage hashtags, challenges, and trends, and how to use TikTok ads effectively. Whether you’re looking to master the best restaurant TikTok strategies or want to learn exactly how to go viral on TikTok as a restaurant, you’re in the right place.
Why Restaurants Should Use TikTok
TikTok has completely transformed how restaurants engage with their audience. You don’t need a huge marketing budget to make a big impact. With creativity, consistency, and a smart strategy, your restaurant can reach thousands—or even millions—of people.
1. Unmatched Organic Reach
Unlike other social platforms, TikTok gives new accounts the chance to go viral with zero followers. If your video is engaging, it has the potential to appear on the For You Page (FYP) and be seen by millions.
2. Connect with Gen Z and Millennials
These two demographics love food content, and they’re not just looking for good food—they’re looking for shareable, aesthetic, and memorable experiences. TikTok is the perfect place to showcase your ambiance, menu, and personality.
3. Authenticity Drives Sales
TikTok users value realness. They want to see behind the scenes, meet your team, and feel like they’re part of your story. That authenticity builds trust and drives customer loyalty.
4. Real-World Business Impact
Restaurants across the country have seen massive boosts in foot traffic and sales after just one viral video. A small diner in California, for example, reported a 3x increase in reservations after their dessert video hit 2.8 million views.
Types of Content That Work Best
Posting consistently is important, but knowing what to post is what makes the difference. Here are the top-performing content types for restaurants—these are the foundation of the best restaurant TikTok strategies:
1. Behind-the-Scenes Kitchen Action
People love seeing how dishes are made. Whether it’s a sizzling grill, a hand-crafted cocktail, or a freshly baked pastry, behind-the-scenes content adds excitement and builds appreciation for your craft.
2. Quick Tips and Easy Recipes
Share short, snackable recipes or kitchen hacks. This type of content provides value while also showing off your culinary skills. Plus, it positions your brand as an authority in the food space.
3. Before-and-After Shots
Show a dish going from raw ingredients to beautifully plated. Or a time-lapse of your restaurant transforming before a big event. These visual payoffs are satisfying and highly shareable.
4. Customer Reactions
Nothing sells your food better than real, unscripted customer reactions. Ask for permission to film someone tasting your signature dish and capture the moment.
5. Trending Challenges and Dance Videos
Jump on popular challenges, but make them your own. Get your staff involved in a dance trend, or create a unique spin that fits your vibe—like a “chef’s dance break” between orders.
6. Storytelling and Fun Facts
People connect with stories. Share fun facts about your restaurant’s origin, the inspiration behind a dish, or a funny kitchen moment. These personal touches humanize your brand.
7. Partner with Local Influencers and Food Creators
Local influencers already have your ideal audience. Invite them for a tasting or collab video. Their audience trusts them—and that trust can drive traffic to your restaurant instantly.
Hashtags, Challenges, and Trends
To truly master TikTok marketing for restaurants, you need to understand how to ride the wave of trends, challenges, and hashtags. These tools help boost visibility and push your content into the feeds of users who are ready to engage.
Strategic Hashtag Use
Hashtags help the TikTok algorithm understand your content—and help users find it. Here’s how to use them effectively:
- Combine broad hashtags like #foodie, #restaurantlife, and #cheflife with
- Niche-specific hashtags like #veganlasvegas, #ramenlovers, or #brunchspot
- Add location-based hashtags such as #LasVegasEats or #VegasFoodies
- Limit to 3–5 well-chosen hashtags per post to avoid clutter
Pro tip: Create your own branded hashtag so people can tag your restaurant when posting their own content!
How to Leverage Challenges
TikTok challenges are one of the fastest ways to go viral. You can either jump on trending challenges or create your own. For example, challenge customers to finish a giant burger in 3 minutes for a chance to win a free meal—and film their reactions!
To launch a successful challenge:
- Keep it simple, fun, and easy to replicate
- Use a catchy song or sound
- Offer an incentive like a prize or repost
- Promote the challenge on other platforms (Instagram, email, etc.)
Ride the Trend Wave
Trending sounds, filters, and video formats are constantly changing. Keep an eye on the Discover page and the For You Page for trends that can be adapted to your restaurant.
Ask yourself: “How can I make this trend relevant to our food, staff, or brand personality?”
TikTok Ads for Restaurants
While TikTok offers incredible organic potential, paid advertising can take your reach and results even further. Whether you’re launching a new menu item or promoting a special event, TikTok Ads for restaurants are a powerful tool.
Types of TikTok Ads
- In-Feed Ads
These look like regular TikToks and appear as users scroll. You can add CTAs like “Reserve Now” or “Order Online.” - TopView Ads
Your video appears the moment someone opens the app—perfect for big announcements or limited-time offers. - Branded Hashtag Challenges
Create a sponsored challenge and invite TikTokers to join. Ideal for engagement and brand awareness. - Spark Ads
Boost existing posts (even from creators) that are already performing well. A great option to scale content that’s already gaining traction.
How to Build an Effective Ad
- Keep it short—15 to 30 seconds is ideal
- Grab attention in the first 3 seconds
- Use trending sounds and on-screen text
- Add a clear CTA (e.g., “Visit us today,” “Book a table”)
- Test multiple versions to see what works best
Budgeting for TikTok Ads
TikTok offers flexible ad budgets. You can start with as little as $20/day and scale as you see results. For restaurants in high-traffic areas like Las Vegas, paid TikTok ads can offer excellent return on investment when paired with smart targeting.
Bonus Tips: How to Go Viral on TikTok as a Restaurant
Now let’s get to the golden question: How to go viral on TikTok as a restaurant?
Here are some proven tips:
- Post consistently (at least 3–5 times per week)
- Use great lighting to make your food pop
- Hook viewers in the first 3 seconds
- Feature real people—faces boost engagement
- Use trending music to increase reach
- Reply to comments—TikTok favors engagement
- Track analytics using TikTok Business tools
Also, pay attention to when your audience is most active and post during those windows. Test different content formats to see what resonates.
Final Thoughts
TikTok isn’t just a trend—it’s a powerful marketing platform that can transform your restaurant’s visibility, reputation, and revenue. Whether you’re looking to showcase your dishes, engage new customers, or simply entertain your community, TikTok gives you the tools to make it happen.
By embracing the best restaurant TikTok strategies, from authentic content creation to paid ads and influencer partnerships, your restaurant can stand out in even the most competitive markets—like Las Vegas.
Why Choose Strattz for Restaurant Marketing in Las Vegas?
When it comes to helping restaurants stand out and thrive, Strattz is the marketing agency you can trust. Here’s why:
Expertise
At Strattz, we specialize in restaurant marketing, staying ahead of industry trends to create strategies that attract diners and keep them coming back. From increasing foot traffic to building brand loyalty, we know what it takes to succeed in Las Vegas’ competitive food scene.
Customized Solutions
We don’t do cookie-cutter strategies. Strattz works closely with you to create marketing plans tailored to your restaurant’s unique needs, ensuring your story and dishes connect with the right audience and drive results.
Measurable Results
Our data-driven approach means you’ll always know what’s working. We provide clear analytics to track your success—whether it’s filling tables, creating buzz, or turning first-time visitors into regulars.
Partner with Strattz to elevate your restaurant’s marketing, attract loyal customers, and grow your business. Let us help you take the Las Vegas dining scene by storm.
