By: Untappd Team
February 10, 2025
To succeed and grow your restaurant, bar, or brewery you need to stand out in local search results. Whether someone is searching for the “best craft beer near me” or “top-rated seafood restaurant in [your city],” Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) helps your business appear at the top of those search results.
With 81% of consumers using Google Search and Maps to find local businesses, and nearly 90% of customers choosing a business on the first page of search results, optimizing your online presence is essential.
This guide will walk you through Local SEO strategies tailored for restaurants, bars, and breweries, covering Google My Business, website optimization, online reviews, local backlinks, and more.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a step-by-step action plan to increase your search rankings, attract more local customers, and grow your business.
What We’ll Cover in This Piece:
What is Local SEO and Why Does It Matter?
Optimizing Your Google My Business (GMB) Listing
On-Page SEO for Restaurants, Bars, and Breweries
Local Citations and Directory Listings
The Power of Online Reviews and Reputation Management
Building Local Backlinks for Higher Search Rankings
How to Optimize for Voice Search & “Near Me” Queries
Using Social Media to Boost Local SEO
Technical SEO & Website Performance for Local Businesses
Tracking Success: Measuring Your Local SEO Performance
Conclusion: Your Local SEO Action Plan
What is Local SEO and Why Does It Matter?
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO is the process of optimizing your online presence so that your restaurant, bar, or brewery ranks higher in local search results. It helps businesses appear in:
- Google’s Local Pack (Map Results)
- Organic Search Results
- Google Maps Searches
Why Does Local SEO Matter?
- More Customers: 76% of people who search for a local business on their phone visit within 24 hours.
- Higher Revenue: Local searches lead to higher conversion rates than traditional ads.
- Stronger Brand Awareness: Appearing in search results builds trust and recognition.
With Local SEO, you’ll outshine competitors and bring more people through your doors.
Optimizing Your Google My Business (GMB) Listing
Your Google My Business (GMB) profile is the most important Local SEO tool. It determines how your business appears in Google Search & Maps.
How to Optimize Your GMB Listing
- Claim & Verify Your Business: Go to Google My Business and follow the steps to verify ownership.
- Use Your Exact Business Name: Ensure your name is consistent across all listings.
- Add a Complete Address & Contact Info: This should match what’s on your website and social media.
- Choose the Right Business Category: Example: “Brewery” or “Bar & Grill.”
- Write a Compelling Business Description: Highlight unique aspects of your business (e.g., “Award-winning craft beers with locally sourced ingredients”).
- Upload High-Quality Photos & Videos: Restaurants with photos receive 42% more requests for directions on Google.
- Keep Business Hours Updated: Ensure your holiday and weekend hours are accurate.
- Enable Online Reservations & Ordering: If available, link directly to your booking system.
Bonus Tip:
Post updates regularly (e.g., new menu items, events, or promotions) using the Google Posts feature.
On-Page SEO for Restaurants, Bars, and Breweries
To rank higher in local search results, your website must be optimized for search engines and user experience. One of the most critical aspects of Local SEO is on-page optimization, which involves structuring your website content so that Google and potential customers can easily find and understand it.
Three of the most important on-page SEO elements are title tags, meta descriptions, and headers:
- Title Tags – These are the clickable headlines that appear in Google search results. A well-optimized title tag should include your primary keyword and location, such as “Best Craft Brewery in Denver | [Your Business Name]”.
- Meta Descriptions – This is the short description beneath the title tag in search results. It provides a quick summary of your page’s content and should include enticing language that encourages users to click, such as “Enjoy handcrafted IPAs and stouts at [Brewery Name], Denver’s top-rated brewery with a lively beer garden.”
- Headers (H1, H2, H3, etc.) – Headers help structure your content and make it easier to read. Search engines use headers to understand your page’s topic, so using keywords in H1 and H2 tags (e.g., “Farm-to-Table Dining in Austin” or “Locally Sourced Ingredients”) can improve rankings.
By optimizing these elements, your restaurant, bar, or brewery’s website will be more search engine-friendly, increasing its visibility in local search results and attracting more customers.
Creating Location-Specific Content
- Blog Posts: Write about local food pairings, beer festivals, or behind-the-scenes brewery tours.
- City Landing Pages: Example: “Best Happy Hour in Los Angeles” (if you have multiple locations).
Adding Schema Markup for Local Businesses
Schema markup helps Google understand your business details. Add structured data to include:
- Business name, address, and phone number (NAP)
- Menu links
- Online reservations
- Customer reviews
Use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper to implement this easily.
Local Citations and Directory Listings
When customers search for a restaurant, bar, or brewery, they often turn to online directories and review platforms like Google Maps, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Facebook. These listings, known as local citations, play a crucial role in Local SEO by reinforcing your business’s credibility and improving search rankings. A citation is any online mention of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP)—and the more consistent and accurate your citations are across the web, the more trustworthy your business appears to search engines like Google.
Your business should be listed on reputable local directories like:
Ensure your Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) are consistent across all platforms.
The Power of Online Reviews and Reputation Management
In the food and beverage industry, customer reviews can make or break your business. Whether someone is searching for the best craft brewery in town or a top-rated seafood restaurant nearby, online reviews heavily influence their decision. In fact, 87% of consumers read online reviews before choosing a local business, and businesses with higher ratings tend to rank better in Google’s Local Pack and search results. But reviews aren’t just about star ratings—they also provide valuable feedback, build trust, and enhance your restaurant, bar, or brewery’s reputation.
Why Reviews Matter for SEO
- Businesses with more positive reviews rank higher in Google’s Local Pack.
- 87% of customers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
How to Get More Reviews
- Ask customers politely to leave a Google or Yelp review.
- Use QR codes on menus linking to your review page.
- Respond to ALL reviews (good & bad) professionally.
Building Local Backlinks for Higher Search Rankings
Backlinks—links from other websites to yours—are one of the most powerful factors in boosting your search rankings. When reputable local websites, food bloggers, news outlets, or business directories link to your restaurant, bar, or brewery’s website, search engines see it as a vote of confidence, signaling that your business is trustworthy and relevant. The more high-quality local backlinks you earn, the higher your website will rank in Google’s search results, making it easier for customers to find you.
How to Get Local Backlinks
- Partner with local food bloggers.
- Sponsor local events and ask for a website mention.
- Get listed on local news websites and magazines.
- Pay for a backlinking service
- This may be the easiest and quickest option to get your page organically ranked, but can also be the most expensive. Some popular backlinking providers are:
How to Optimize for Voice Search & “Near Me” Queries
With the rise of voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, more people are searching for restaurants, bars, and breweries using voice search. In fact, nearly 50% of all searches are now voice-based, with many of them including “near me” queries—such as “Where’s the best craft brewery near me?” or “What restaurants are open now?” These searches are often made on mobile devices by customers looking for immediate recommendations, making voice search optimization essential for local businesses.
How to optimize your website for voice search queries:
- Conversational Keywords: Example: “Where’s the best brewery with outdoor seating near me?”
- FAQ Pages: Answer common questions directly on your website.
- Mobile Optimization: Ensure fast page speeds and mobile-friendly design.
Using Social Media to Boost Local SEO
Social media isn’t ust a tool for engaging with customers—it also plays a crucial role in Local SEO. When social media is combined with powerful website, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok help increase your restaurant, bar, or brewery’s online visibility, drive website traffic, and generate valuable local signals that search engines use to rank your business. By geotagging posts, sharing user-generated content, and encouraging online interactions, you can strengthen your local presence and attract more customers searching for places to eat and drink in your area.
How to utilize social media to boost your local SEO:
- Post geo-tagged content on Instagram and Facebook.
- Share Google My Business updates.
- Encourage user-generated content (e.g., customer photos, food and beer reviews).
Technical SEO & Website Performance for Local Businesses
A well-optimized website isn’t just about great content—it also needs to be fast, secure, and mobile-friendly to rank well in local search results. Technical SEO focuses on improving the behind-the-scenes elements of your website, ensuring that search engines can easily crawl, index, and display your site to potential customers. Factors like page speed, mobile responsiveness, structured data, and site security (HTTPS) all play a role in determining how well your restaurant, bar, or brewery appears in local searches.
How to improve your technical SEO to rank your site higher:
- Optimize for Speed: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights.
- Mobile-Friendly Design: Over 70% of local searches happen on mobile.
- Secure Your Site with HTTPS: Google prioritizes secure websites.
Tracking Success: Measuring Your Local SEO Performance
To ensure your Local SEO efforts are paying off, it’s crucial to measure and analyze your performance. By regularly tracking key metrics such as search rankings, website traffic, conversion rates, and local engagement, you can identify areas for improvement and fine-tune your strategy. Tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and local rank trackers provide valuable insights into how well your restaurant, bar, or brewery is performing in local searches and how customers are interacting with your website.
Key Metrics to Track
- Google My Business Insights (views, clicks, calls)
- Organic traffic growth (Google Analytics)
- Keyword rankings (SEMRush, ahrefs)
- Customer review trends
Conclusion: Your Local SEO Action Plan
Achieving local search success for your restaurant, bar, or brewery requires a comprehensive and ongoing strategy. By implementing the Local SEO tactics we’ve covered—such as optimizing your website’s on-page elements, building local citations, encouraging reviews, and leveraging social media—you’ll be well on your way to improving your search rankings and attracting more customers. The key is to stay consistent, monitor your results, and adjust your approach as needed.
To dominate local search, implement these key strategies:
- Claim & optimize your Google My Business listing
- Improve your website’s on-page SEO
- Get listed on local directories
- Encourage positive reviews
- Build local backlinks
- Optimize for mobile and voice search
By focusing on Local SEO, you’ll increase visibility, attract more customers, and grow your restaurant, bar, or brewery in 2025!
Other Content You May Enjoy
To succeed and grow your restaurant, bar, or brewery you need to stand out in local search results. Whether someone is searching for the “best craft beer near me” or “top-rated seafood restaurant in [your city],” Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) helps your business appear at the top of those search results.
With 81% of consumers using Google Search and Maps to find local businesses, and nearly 90% of customers choosing a business on the first page of search results, optimizing your online presence is essential.
This guide will walk you through Local SEO strategies tailored for restaurants, bars, and breweries, covering Google My Business, website optimization, online reviews, local backlinks, and more.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a step-by-step action plan to increase your search rankings, attract more local customers, and grow your business.
Read More
In today’s digital world, having a well-designed, functional website is essential for restaurants, bars, and breweries. It goes beyond having social media. A great website can help attract new customers, showcase menus, accept reservations, and even drive online sales. But one of the most common questions business owners ask is: How much should a website cost in 2025?
The answer depends on several factors, including the type of website, features, complexity, and whether you choose a DIY solution or hire a professional web developer. Costs can range from a few hundred dollars for a basic website to tens of thousands for a fully customized, feature-rich platform.
This guide will break down website costs for restaurants, bars, and breweries, helping you understand the pricing landscape and choose the best solution for your business
Read More
Trivia nights have become an incredible marketing strategy for bars, restaurants, and breweries to draw in crowds and engage with new customers. With the recent collaboration between Geeks Who Drink, Timeplay, and the iconic television show Jeopardy!, businesses now have an exciting opportunity to host the Jeopardy! Bar League. This partnership combines the global brand recognition of Jeopardy! with Timeplay’s cutting-edge technology and the fun of live trivia from the experts at Geeks Who Drink.
In this piece we’ll cover what this new collaboration between these two trivia powerhouses is and how you can bring this unique experience to your venue.
Read More
In today’s world, both websites and social media platforms are crucial for a brewery, bar, or restaurant’s online presence. However, consumer habits show distinct preferences for each, depending on the context of their search or interaction.
In this guide, we’ll go over the basics, walk you through how to leverage these tools effectively, and show you how understanding these trends can help your venue better meet your customers’ expectations.
Read More
As a restaurant, bar, brewery, or any venue with a food and beverage program, having a modern, functional, and aesthetically pleasing website isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
No matter the size of your business, your new potential customers often interact with your website first—and first impressions matter.
In this piece, we’ll explore the top website trends shaping the online presence of hospitality businesses in 2025. These trends will help your venue stand out and attract more customers while creating a unique and modern experience to establish the perfect guest experience from start to finish.
Read More
For bar owners, hospitality managers, and small business owners, selecting the right gin brands is more than just filling the shelves—it’s about curating a distinctive customer experience. Gin has soared in popularity, becoming a staple of modern cocktail culture. With its complex botanical infusions, gin offers versatile, memorable flavors that can attract a wide range of customers. But with so many choices available, which brands should you prioritize to bring out the best in your gin menu?
This guide explores the seven best gin brands that have proven themselves through quality, craftsmanship, and unique flavor profiles. By understanding what makes each brand special, you and your staff will be better equipped to create a standout gin selection that delights your patrons, reinforces your brand’s reputation with a robust gin drinks menu, and helps you continue crafting classic and innovative gin cocktails.
Read More
