- Show the food, the room and the people. Daily specials and short kitchen videos beat stock photos.
- Timing matters: post before people decide, for example before lunch and in the late afternoon.
- Keywords like MENU and TABLE send your menu and reservation link in a DM.
- Be precise about allergens and prices, and ask guests before you post them.
- Moonya can turn your menu and website into posts you approve, and add your own food photos.
Why social media matters for restaurants and cafes
Restaurant social media has a short job: make someone hungry, show them the place is real and alive, and make the next step (menu, reservation, directions) easy.
It also works as a live notice board. Regulars check your profile for opening hours, today's special or whether you are open on a holiday. A fresh feed answers that before they call.
What to post: 12 ideas
Use these as a menu, not a checklist. Pick a few that fit, repeat the ones that get comments and saves, and drop the rest.
Feed posts and carousels
- Today's special. One photo, the name, the price and when it is available.
- Menu highlights. A carousel of five dishes with one line each about what makes them good.
- Meet the supplier. The bakery, farm or roaster you buy from, and why.
- Weekly events. Live music, quiz night, brunch hours, set menus.
- Seasonal menu launch. New dishes, with a clear start date.
Short Reels
- Kitchen in motion. Plating one dish from start to finish.
- Morning prep. Opening the doors, bread out of the oven, first coffee.
- Chef explains a dish. Thirty seconds on where it comes from and how it is made.
- Guest favorite countdown. Top three dishes this month.
Stories
- Tables available tonight. A quick note with the reservation link.
- Sold out or still available. Daily bakes, limited dishes.
- Poll for next special. Let regulars choose between two options.
Comment-to-DM keywords
A comment-to-DM automation sends a private message when someone comments a keyword. Ask for the keyword on the post and in the caption, keep one keyword per offer, and send what you promised.
| Keyword | Post that asks for it | What the DM sends |
|---|---|---|
| MENU | Any food post | Link to the current menu and opening hours |
| TABLE | “Weekend tables are going fast” post | Reservation link or phone number |
| BRUNCH | Brunch menu carousel | Brunch hours, menu and reservation link |
| EVENT | Post about a private event or party space | Event menu PDF and a contact form |
| ORDER | A takeaway or delivery post | Your ordering link and pick-up times |
Meta's rule: a private reply goes only to the person who commented, once, within 7 days of the comment (Meta: Private Replies). The full setup is in our comment-to-DM guide.
How Moonya runs it
Moonya is a social media autopilot for small businesses. It does the first draft of the work, and you stay in charge of what gets published.
- It learns your restaurant from the website. Paste the website and the Brand Brain picks up the services, offer, audience, voice and brand colors. You can correct or add anything.
- It prepares posts on a schedule. Post automations create carousels (3 to 10 slides), single image posts, Stories and short videos in the brand colors and fonts, in the language you post in. You can upload your own photos and videos to the Gallery and use them too.
- You approve. By default nothing is published until you approve it. Approve, edit or skip each draft on your computer or phone.
- It publishes. Approved posts go out to the networks you connect: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads, YouTube, Pinterest, Google Business, and X as a paid add-on.
- DMs answer the keyword. Comment-to-DM automations for Instagram and Facebook send the link when someone comments your keyword. Starter includes 1, Pro 10 and Agency up to 1,000.
Video without a film crew. Moonya makes Reels from your own photos or clips with a voiceover, from AI images or from ready-made footage, adds captions to a video you recorded, and can create an AI presenter who talks to the camera, animated explainer videos and animated ads. You see the script and the credit price before anything renders. Some video formats unlock once the trial ends and the plan is paid. For food, Reels from your own photos and clips work best; AI images are better for announcements and event posters than for the dishes themselves.
Plans: Starter $29, Pro $79 and Agency $199 per month, each with a 7-day trial for $1. See the pricing page.
Rules and cautions
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules differ by country, so check with your professional body or a local advisor when in doubt.
- Allergens and ingredients. If a post names ingredients, make sure it is accurate. Do not say a dish is free of an allergen unless you can guarantee it, and point people to staff for allergy questions.
- Alcohol promotion. Rules for advertising alcohol differ a lot by country and platform. Avoid encouraging heavy drinking, and check local rules before running drink promotions.
- Guests in photos. Ask before posting guests, especially children. Empty or blurred backgrounds are safer for busy dining room shots.
- Prices and offers. Make sure posted prices and offer dates match what the staff will honor at the table.
Keep reading
Go deeper with 30 Instagram post ideas for local businesses, how to make Instagram Reels without filming yourself and how often should a small business post on Instagram in 2026. Comparing tools? See Moonya vs Buffer and Moonya vs Metricool.
FAQ
What should a restaurant post on Instagram?
Real food photos and short kitchen videos, daily specials, the room and the team, events and practical information like opening hours. Make the next step (menu, reservation) easy to find.
When should a restaurant post?
Before people decide where to eat. Many restaurants post late morning for lunch and late afternoon for dinner, then check their own Instagram insights to see when their followers are most active.
Should restaurants use AI images of food?
It is better to show your real dishes. Guests expect the plate they ordered to look like the photo. Use designed slides or AI images for announcements, events and text-based posts instead.
What comment-to-DM keyword works for a restaurant?
MENU for the current menu, TABLE for reservations, and a specific word such as BRUNCH or EVENT for one offer. The DM should send the link and opening hours.
Can Moonya post to Google Business as well?
Yes. Moonya publishes to Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads, YouTube, Pinterest, Google Business, and X as a paid add-on. You choose which networks each post goes to.
How much does Moonya cost for a restaurant?
Starter is $29 per month, Pro $79 and Agency $199. Every plan starts with a 7-day trial for $1, and you can cancel anytime.