Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is, for many customers, your restaurant’s first “page”: it shows up on Google Maps and in search with your hours, photos, reviews, menu and buttons to call or order. It’s free and it belongs to you. This guide walks through each part in the order that matters most for a restaurant.
1. Claim and verify your profile
Search for your restaurant on Google Maps. If you see “Own this business?”, the profile is unclaimed. Claim it with a business Google account (not an employee’s personal one) and complete whatever verification Google asks for. If someone else manages your profile, ask them to add you as owner: you should always be the owner, and agencies only managers.
2. Name, category and address
- Name: your real restaurant name, with no added keywords (“El Sol Tacos – Best Tacos in Town” breaks Google’s guidelines).
- Primary category: as specific as possible: “Salvadoran restaurant”, “Taco restaurant”, “Mexican restaurant”. You can add secondary categories, such as “Caterer”.
- Address and pin: make sure the pin is on your door.
3. Hours and special hours
Nothing frustrates customers more when it’s wrong. Set your regular hours and, before every holiday, your special hours. Our restaurant dates calendar sends you reminders.
4. Menu, ordering and reservations
- Add a link to your menu (a page that reads well on a phone) and, if you can, your main dishes directly on the profile.
- If you take online orders, check which links appear under “Order”. Google sometimes shows delivery apps even when you have your own system; you can set your preferred link from the profile.
5. Attributes
Attributes say things like “takeout”, “delivery”, “wheelchair accessible”, “accepts credit cards” or “good for kids”. Fill them in: they help customers and Google understand what you offer.
6. Photos
Upload your storefront (so people recognize you when they arrive), dining room, signature dishes and team. Real, recent photos beat stock images. Practical guide: food photos with your phone.
7. Description
Up to 750 characters. Say what cuisine you serve, since when, what makes you different and whether you serve customers in Spanish and English. No links or promotions.
8. Reviews and posts
Reply to reviews regularly (templates here) and post updates: seasonal dishes, events, special hours. Ideas in 12 posts for your restaurant.
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