The Top 7 Social Media Platforms UK Restaurants Should Focus on in 2025

Social media has evolved far beyond just sharing snapshots of latte art or burger stacks. In 2025, it’s your digital shopfront, your community builder, and your most cost-effective marketing channel. Whether you’re running a brunch spot in Brighton or a fine-dining restaurant in Leeds, a strong presence across the right platforms can drive footfall, repeat business, and online orders.

But here’s the key: you don’t need to be everywhere—just in the right places. Here are the top 7 social media platforms restaurants in the UK should focus on in 2025, with strategies tailored to each.

Still the king of food visuals

If your food doesn’t look good on Instagram, does it even exist? With over 30 million users in the UK, it remains the go-to platform for discovering new restaurants, drooling over dishes, and planning that next meal out.

Best features for restaurants:  

• Reels and Stories for behind-the-scenes and trending content
• In-app reservations and menu links
• Location tagging and hashtag discovery
• Customer tagging and resharing user content

Content ideas:

• Show off your dishes and plating
• Introduce your chef or team
• Share Reels of new menu launches, happy hours, or seasonal specials
• Highlight customer posts and reviews

Pro tip: Use a consistent filter or style to establish a strong brand identity. And don’t forget to add links to your Foodhub ordering page or website in your bio.

Viral potential for food and fun

The fastest-growing platform in hospitality marketing, TikTok is where creativity thrives. With over 20 million UK users (mostly under 35), it’s a powerful channel for reach, authenticity, and viral momentum.

Best features for restaurants:  

• Short-form video (15–60 seconds)
• TikTok Shop for direct ordering integration
• Trending audio and challenges

Content ideas:

• Chef challenges (“make a burger blindfolded”)
• Day-in-the-life content
• “Hidden gems” angle if you’re in a lesser-known spot
• Reviews and food hacks from creators

Pro tip: You don’t need high production—just personality, good lighting, and trending audio. Utilize captions and hashtags to increase visibility and discovery.

Still valuable for local engagement and events

While younger diners may have moved to TikTok, Facebook remains one of the most important platforms for event marketing, local SEO, and community engagement, especially for audiences 30+.

Best features for restaurants:  

• Events (launches, pop-ups, live music)
• Reviews and check-ins
• Facebook Groups and local pages
• Facebook Ads (great for retargeting and local reach)

Content ideas:

• Promote weekend events or special menus
• Run polls or quizzes to engage fans
• Post photos with customer tags to increase reach
• Share links to your Foodhub ordering site

Pro tip: Maintain your Facebook page with updated hours, a link to your ordering platform, and high-quality images—it often shows up in search results alongside Google.

For building long-term brand value

While YouTube requires more effort than other platforms, the payoff is in depth and longevity. It’s the second-largest search engine (after Google), and video content has a long shelf life.

Best features for restaurants:  

• Channel subscriptions and playlists
• Video SEO for discoverability
• Shorts (60-second vertical videos)

Content ideas:

• Full-length kitchen tours or team intros
• “Making of” recipe breakdowns
• Highlights from events, workshops, or tastings
• Customer interviews or testimonials

Pro tip: Embed your YouTube content into your Foodhub website or blog. It keeps visitors engaged longer and boosts SEO.

For real-time updates and customer service

Despite rebranding as X, Twitter remains a valuable tool for restaurants, especially for fast-paced communication, witty branding, and customer interaction.

Best features for restaurants:  

• Real-time updates and replies
• Local trend engagement
• Customer shoutouts and quick responses

Content ideas:

• Share witty menu puns or memes
• Promote last-minute deals or cancellations
• Join UK-wide trends (e.g. #NationalBurgerDay)

Pro tip: Be reactive and consistent. Monitor mentions, respond quickly, and pin a tweet with your ordering link or most recent promotion.

The underdog for long-term traffic

Often overlooked, Pinterest works like a visual search engine—and it's especially effective for food, recipes, and design inspiration. It can drive steady, organic traffic to your website and menu pages.

Best features for restaurants:  

• Pin boards for menus, recipes, and interiors
• Rich pins with direct links
• Seasonal trend discovery

Content ideas:

• Seasonal recipes or food styling
• Mood boards for restaurant interiors
• Visual menus or wine pairings

Pro tip: Pinterest content can last for months, sometimes even years. Optimise pin titles and descriptions with relevant keywords (e.g., “Best brunch spots in Manchester”).

For partnerships, hiring, and brand credibility

While not a typical marketing platform, LinkedIn is ideal for B2B interactions, hiring staff, and sharing your restaurant's business journey.

Best features for restaurants:  

• Company pages and job listings
• Founder or chef updates
• Thought leadership (e.g., sustainability or food sourcing)

Content ideas:

• Celebrate milestones (“5 years in business”)
• Showcase staff achievements or training
• Network with suppliers or food tech companies

Pro tip: Use LinkedIn to connect with Foodhub, industry partners, or suppliers. It adds credibility and demonstrates your active involvement in the hospitality community.

Not every platform is for everyone. Here's a simplified guide.

Focus on 2–3 platforms where your audience is most active and where you can consistently create content.

If you're directing people to third-party apps with high commission fees, your social success could be costing you.

With Foodhub, you get:

• A branded website and app with your own domain
• Low commissions on orders—meaning you keep your profits
• Easy linking from all social platforms to your online ordering page
• Promotional tools to share exclusive discounts and coupons (like TRYFH)
• In-app engagement analytics and campaign tracking

Social media success in 2025 doesn’t mean being on every channel—it means showing up consistently where it counts, sharing your story, and giving people a reason to visit, order, and return.

Whether it’s a viral TikTok, a heartfelt Instagram Reel, or a thoughtful LinkedIn post, your restaurant’s story deserves to be told—and shared.

Looking to Build a Stronger Digital Presence and Boost Online Orders?

Partner with Foodhub to create your own branded restaurant site and app—with no commissions, no hidden fees, and full support from day one.