Restaurant Marketing: Attracting “Foodies” to Your Restaurant
Restaurants are always looking for ways to attract new customers, and one group that has become particularly important to cater to are foodies. These are people who are passionate about food and are always on the lookout for new and exciting culinary experiences. To attract foodies to a restaurant, it’s important to focus on restaurant marketing efforts. There are some marketing strategies for restaurantsthat can be used to more successfully attract foodies.
Unique offerings
One of the most effective ways of marketing a restaurant is to offer foodies something unique that they can’t find anywhere else. This could be a special ingredient, a new cooking technique, or a fusion of different cuisines. For example, the restaurant Chikarashi in New York City offers poke bowls with a Japanese twist, while Vandal in Las Vegas offers globally-inspired street food.
Interesting flavors
Foodies are always on the lookout for new and interesting flavor combinations. To attract them, restaurants need to experiment with their menu and come up with dishes that are unexpected and delicious. For example, The Aviary in Chicago offers cocktails that are infused with smoke and served in unique vessels. Meanwhile, The Halal Guys in New York City offers Middle Eastern street food with a spicy twist.
Aesthetically pleasing dishes
Foodies love to take pictures of their food and share them on social media, so it’s important to make sure that the dishes are aesthetically pleasing. This could mean adding colorful ingredients, arranging the food in a unique way, or using interesting serving dishes. For example, The Bao in New York City offers steamed buns that are filled with colorful ingredients and served in a bamboo steamer. On the other hand, Sugar Factory in Las Vegas offers over-the-top milkshakes that are topped with candy and other sweets.
Local ingredients
Another way to attract foodies is to use local ingredients in the dishes. This shows that the restaurant cares about sustainability and supporting local farmers. It also allows restaurants to offer dishes that are unique to their area. For example, Husk in Charleston, South Carolina sources all of its ingredients from local farms and offers Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
Food tours and tastings
Foodies love to explore new restaurants and try new foods, so offering food tours or tastings can be a great way to attract them. This allows them to sample a variety of dishes and learn about the history and culture behind the cuisine. For example, Old Town Food Tours in San Diego offers walking tours of the city’s best restaurants and food vendors, while Devour Tours in Spain offers culinary tours of Barcelona and Madrid.
Collaborations with influencers
Influencers are social media personalities with large followings, and they can be a great way to reach new audiences and attract foodies. By collaborating with influencers, restaurants can get their restaurant in front of their followers and show off their unique dishes and offerings. For example, The Butcher’s Daughter in New York City regularly collaborates with food and lifestyle influencers to showcase their plant-based dishes and drinks.
Interactive events
Interactive events can be a great way to attract foodies and create a memorable experience. This could mean hosting a cooking class, a wine or beer tasting, or a chef’s table dinner. For example, The Spotted Cheetah in New York City, a pop-up restaurant created by Cheetos, offered a multi-course menu featuring the iconic snack food and hosted
