Introduction
With more than a decade of experience in hotel revenue management, I’ve seen firsthand how a thriving restaurant can do more than just feed in-house guests—it can become a destination in its own right. A well-run restaurant doesn’t just support your existing operations—it actively contributes to your hotel’s profitability, branding, and guest satisfaction. But in today’s competitive hospitality environment, knowing how to attract tourists to your restaurant takes more than good food. It takes strategy.
Whether you’re managing a five-star beachfront resort or a boutique city hotel, drawing in non-resident diners (especially tourists) can multiply your income streams. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share seven tried-and-tested tactics that can help you increase tourist footfall, enhance guest experience, and boost your bottom line.
1. Create a Memorable Concept and Atmosphere
Shape a Unique Identity That Tourists Will Remember
When it comes to how to attract tourists to your restaurant, it all begins with the brand. Tourists are drawn to novelty, authenticity, and a memorable experience. Whether your venue showcases regional cuisine, boasts historic charm, or offers a quirky atmosphere, your unique brand is what sets you apart. Much like effective hotel room sales techniques, it’s about presenting your offering in a way that speaks to travellers’ desires—experience, comfort, and a story worth sharing.
Find Your Hook: Is your restaurant sourcing ingredients from local farms? Do you focus on a particular cooking style or culinary heritage? Whether it’s a native bush tucker menu or a modern Aussie-Asian fusion, identify your niche and own it.
Build Around a Theme: Themed restaurants are making a comeback, especially those that offer immersive cultural experiences. A Greek taverna vibe by the beach or an outback-style grill in a country setting can leave lasting impressions on tourists looking for something unique.
Design a Visual Escape: Invest in visual appeal. Tourists are heavily influenced by Instagram and TripAdvisor photos. Think mood lighting, ambient music, stylish tableware, and eye-catching presentation. Use local materials and art for authenticity and to enhance the guest experience.
Real Example – Pelican Grill, Florida: Once a dull hotel restaurant, the Pelican Grill underwent a coastal makeover with nautical decor, open-air seating, and a seafood-focused menu. Within months, they saw a 200% rise in non-guest diners, many of them tourists.
2. Craft a Tourist-Friendly Menu That Sells
A compelling menu is more than just a list of meals—it’s your frontline sales tool. Understanding how to attract tourists to your restaurant through food means balancing local flavour with wide appeal.
Cater to Every Dietary Need
Tourists come from all backgrounds, with varied preferences and restrictions. Offering gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, halal, and kid-friendly options ensures no one feels left out.
Pro Tip: Use symbols and simple language to mark dietary options clearly. Offer translations or multilingual menus if you serve international tourists.
Champion Local Cuisine
Tourists love trying local food—but they want it done well. Incorporate regional dishes or local ingredients into your offerings. Feature “Taste of [Region]” menus or chef’s specials inspired by local history or produce.
Seasonal and Sustainable
Update your menu seasonally to reflect what’s fresh and available. Not only does this support local producers, but it also gives returning tourists something new to try.
Real Example – La Trattoria, Italy: Tucked inside a city hotel, La Trattoria reinvented its tourist appeal with rotating seasonal menus, a vegan tasting experience, and a “Taste of Tuscany” dinner event that drew bookings months in advance.
3. Market Like a Pro—Online and Offline
You can have the best food and atmosphere in the world, but if no one knows about it, it won’t matter. Effective marketing is crucial when figuring out how to attract tourists to your restaurant.
Optimise Your Digital Presence
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Website & SEO: Make sure your restaurant’s name appears in search results when tourists Google “best restaurants near me” or “where to eat in [city].” Include keywords, updated menus, and contact info.
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Social Media: Post mouth-watering photos, behind-the-scenes clips, and staff stories. Run geo-targeted ads on platforms like Instagram and Facebook to catch nearby travellers.
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Review Platforms: Keep profiles updated on TripAdvisor, Google, and Yelp. Encourage guests to leave honest reviews, and respond to them—both good and bad.
Collaborate with Influencers and Travel Bloggers
Partnering with content creators can significantly increase your visibility among tourists. Offer them a free meal or invite them to a tasting night in exchange for a feature.
Real Example – The Cliff House, NSW: A coastal restaurant partnered with local whale-watching tour operators and Instagram influencers. They offered bundled “dine-and-sail” packages, resulting in a 35% uptick in tourist bookings during peak months.
4. Deliver Impeccable Service—Every Time
Service is what turns a one-time tourist visit into a glowing online review—or a return trip. Many visitors choose dining venues based on service as much as the food, making hospitality a key piece in your puzzle of how to attract tourists to your restaurant.
Train Your Team with the Tourist in Mind
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Local Knowledge: Teach servers to offer sightseeing tips or recommend other local businesses. This positions your venue as a helpful, insider-friendly space.
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Multilingual Options: If your area sees a lot of international travellers, consider having staff or materials in languages like Mandarin, Spanish, or Japanese.
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Personalisation: Remember guest names or preferences if they return during their stay. Surprise and delight moments—like a free dessert for honeymooners—go a long way.
Handle Feedback Like a Pro
Mistakes happen. What matters is how you respond. Train staff to address complaints promptly and positively. Use constructive feedback to improve and thank customers who take the time to share.
5. Use Tech to Your Advantage
Tourists are digital natives, so tech plays a big role in how to attract tourists to your restaurant today.
Offer Online Booking and Mobile Access
Make it easy for travellers to secure a spot before they arrive. Use platforms like OpenTable or Resy, and link your booking engine to your website, Google profile, and social media.
Mobile-Friendly Menus and Payments
Digital menus that work on phones, QR code ordering, and contactless payment options add convenience, especially for international guests unfamiliar with local currency or tipping culture.
Delivery and Click-and-Collect
Some tourists prefer to eat in their hotel rooms or by the beach. Partner with delivery apps or offer direct online ordering for pickup.
Real Example – City View Café, Melbourne: After adding online bookings, mobile menus, and Uber Eats delivery, City View saw a 50% boost in tourist orders and improved customer satisfaction.
6. Host Experiences and Events
Hosting special events is a fantastic way to generate buzz and attract tourists. Events offer a sense of occasion and create moments that travellers want to share.
Run Cultural Nights and Live Entertainment
Feature local musicians, host a themed food night (like “Outback BBQ Thursdays” or “Wine & Jazz Fridays”), or showcase traditional cooking methods.
Offer Cooking Classes or Demos
Food tourism is on the rise. Hosting a hands-on gnocchi-making class or a wine-and-cheese pairing can turn your restaurant into an activity, not just a meal.
Celebrate Seasonal Festivities
From ANZAC Day BBQs to Christmas in July events, tapping into cultural or local holidays gives tourists an excuse to join in.
Real Example – Riverboat Restaurant, Brisbane: Their monthly jazz and seafood night quickly became a must-attend for tourists. With live music and chef-led oyster shucking demos, they sold out weekly through the summer.
7. Collaborate with the Local Community
No restaurant is an island. The most successful venues forge partnerships that help amplify their visibility. Community collaboration is a powerful tactic in learning how to attract tourists to your restaurant.
Team Up with Hotels and Tour Operators
Offer “stay and dine” packages, or provide referral cards to local concierges. Cross-promotions help all parties grow.
Support Local Suppliers
Feature local wines, cheeses, produce, or crafts—and shout it from the rooftops. Tourists increasingly value sustainability and community support.
Join Tourism Boards or Local Events
Participate in food festivals or city-wide dining programs. These initiatives often come with built-in publicity and foot traffic.
Real Example – Town Square Café, Adelaide: By switching to locally sourced ingredients and partnering with city walking tours, they increased walk-in traffic by 40% over six months.
Final Thoughts
Mastering how to attract tourists to your restaurant isn’t about gimmicks—it’s about creating a welcoming, unique, and reliable experience that resonates with travellers. From your concept and menu to your service, marketing, and partnerships, every touchpoint is an opportunity to turn tourists into raving fans.
A tourist won’t remember every meal they had on holiday—but they will remember that one place with the cracking atmosphere, the local wine, and the staff who gave them tips for tomorrow’s adventure.
