Restaurants and Cafes in Montreal: Must-Do Marketing Strategies to Get More Clients in 2025.
JANUARY, 21 / 2025
Let’s face it: Montreal’s restaurant and café scene is cutthroat. If you think great food and cozy decor are enough to keep your tables full, think again. You’re competing against hundreds of spots, all vying for the same customers.
The ones that win? They aren’t just serving up good food—they’re marketing geniuses.
Here’s the harsh truth: in 2025, if your marketing strategy isn’t dialed in, you’ll be another empty dining room.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. I’m about to show you exactly what’s working right now to help restaurants and cafes like yours stand out, attract more clients, and dominate the scene.
The ones that win? They aren’t just serving up good food—they’re marketing geniuses.
Here’s the harsh truth: in 2025, if your marketing strategy isn’t dialed in, you’ll be another empty dining room.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. I’m about to show you exactly what’s working right now to help restaurants and cafes like yours stand out, attract more clients, and dominate the scene.
Table of Contents:
- Explode Your Visibility with a Perfect Google My Business Profile.
- Unlock the Power of Micro-Influencers to Skyrocket Your Social Media in 2025
- Turn Visitors into Bookings with a Website That Sells.
- Build an Irresistible Loyalty Program That Brings Customers Back for More.
- Master Email Marketing to Fill Your Tables Fast.
- Outrank Competitors with Local SEO Secrets.
- Host Events That Have Everyone Talking.
- Use Chatbots to Deliver Personalized Service That Converts.
1. Nail Your Google My Business (GMB) Profile
Before anyone walks through your doors, they’re Googling you. If your GMB profile isn’t optimized, you’re basically invisible.
What to Do:
Pro Tip: Update your GMB profile weekly. Post about promotions, events, or seasonal specials to keep it active and fresh.
What to Do:
- Claim and Complete Your Profile: Add your address, phone number, business hours, website, and photos.
- Add Irresistible Photos: Showcase your best dishes, your ambiance, and your team. Make it look like the place everyone wants to be.
- Encourage Reviews: Ask your best customers to leave detailed reviews. More reviews = more trust.
Pro Tip: Update your GMB profile weekly. Post about promotions, events, or seasonal specials to keep it active and fresh.
2. How Micro-Influencers Can Transform Your Restaurant’s Social Media Game in 2025
Does the world of social media feel weird to you? Don’t make it weirder by posting content that gets ignored. If you’re a food expert and not a social media expert, that’s alright—but you need to learn how to leverage your resources.
About five years ago, everyone wanted to become an influencer.
The good news? Now there are so many micro-influencers that their rates have dropped significantly. These are people with smaller but highly engaged followings, and here’s the kicker—they’re always looking for inspiration for their next post.
Invite them to eat for free at your restaurant, and if they post a story about it? You’ve just landed the cheapest deal in marketing. A single story might cost you $15–$30 worth of food, compared to typical influencer marketing stories that can range anywhere from $150–$1,000 or more for larger creators.
Why Micro-Influencers Work:
How to Find Micro-Influencers:
Pro Tip:
Use tools like Collabstr or Influencity to find micro-influencers who match your brand and have followers that fit your target audience.
About five years ago, everyone wanted to become an influencer.
The good news? Now there are so many micro-influencers that their rates have dropped significantly. These are people with smaller but highly engaged followings, and here’s the kicker—they’re always looking for inspiration for their next post.
Invite them to eat for free at your restaurant, and if they post a story about it? You’ve just landed the cheapest deal in marketing. A single story might cost you $15–$30 worth of food, compared to typical influencer marketing stories that can range anywhere from $150–$1,000 or more for larger creators.
Why Micro-Influencers Work:
- Authenticity: People don’t like being sold to. Micro-influencers feel like a recommendation from a friend, making their content more relatable and trustworthy.
- Native Praise: If your food is truly good, they’ll give you the most natural and glowing compliments on their platforms—and that’s marketing gold.
How to Find Micro-Influencers:
- Search Locally: Use Instagram and TikTok to search for hashtags like #MontrealFoodie or #MTLRestaurants.
- Check Engagement: Look for influencers with 1,000–10,000 followers and high engagement rates (e.g., likes and comments).
- DM Them Directly: A simple invite like, “We’d love to host you at [restaurant name] in exchange for an honest review or story” works wonders.
Pro Tip:
Use tools like Collabstr or Influencity to find micro-influencers who match your brand and have followers that fit your target audience.
3. Create a Website That Converts Visitors Into Bookings
Your website isn’t just a place to list your menu—it’s your most powerful sales tool. If it’s outdated, slow, or confusing, you’re losing customers.
Here’s What You Need:
Here’s What You Need:
- Online Reservations and Orders: Use tools like OpenTable or Resy to make it easy for people to book a table. Offer online ordering for takeout.
- Mobile Optimization: Over 70% of visitors will check your website on their phones. Make sure it looks flawless on mobile.
- Clear CTAs: Every page should have a bold, visible call-to-action like "Reserve Your Table Now" or "Order Online Today."
4. Build a Loyalty Program That Keeps Customers Coming Back
Getting a new customer is hard. Keeping them? That’s where the money is. Loyalty programs are proven to boost repeat visits.
How to Set It Up:
How to Set It Up:
- Use a digital loyalty program like Square Loyalty or Belly to track points and rewards.
- Offer meaningful perks, like a free dessert after 5 visits or 10% off their 10th order.
- Make it personal: Send exclusive offers to loyal customers on their birthdays or anniversaries.
5. Master Email Marketing
Email marketing is still king. Why? Because it’s direct, personal, and insanely effective when done right.
How to Use Email Marketing:
Pro Tip: Use tools like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign to automate emails and track performance.
How to Use Email Marketing:
- Collect Emails Everywhere: Offer discounts or free drinks in exchange for signups.
- Segment Your List: Send tailored emails based on customer behavior (e.g., frequent diners vs. new visitors).
- Send Regular Offers: Announce specials, events, or limited-time deals to keep customers coming back.
Pro Tip: Use tools like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign to automate emails and track performance.
6. Leverage Local SEO to Dominate Nearby Searches
Most of your customers are searching for “restaurants near me.” If you’re not showing up, your competitors are.
What to Do:
What to Do:
- Use location-based keywords like “best Italian restaurant in Plateau-Mont-Royal” on your website and social media.
- Get listed on all local directories (Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc.).
- Optimize your website’s meta titles and descriptions with local keywords
7. Host Unforgettable Events
Want to fill your restaurant on slow nights? Host events that make your place the talk of the town.
Event Ideas:
Pro Tip: Promote your events heavily on social media and through email to ensure they’re fully booked.
Event Ideas:
- Themed dinners (e.g., wine and cheese nights, live jazz evenings).
- Cooking classes led by your chef.
- Exclusive tasting menus for loyal customers.
Pro Tip: Promote your events heavily on social media and through email to ensure they’re fully booked.
8. Get Personal with Chatbots and Messaging
Customers expect instant answers. AI-powered chatbots and messaging tools can help you deliver.
How to Use Them:
How to Use Them:
- Set up a chatbot on your website to answer FAQs (e.g., “What are your hours?” or “Do you take reservations?”).
- Use WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger to communicate directly with customers for bookings or questions.
The Bottom Line: Stop Playing Small and Start Standing Out
In 2025, the restaurants and cafes that win in Montreal aren’t just serving good food—they’re dominating the marketing game.
The strategies above aren’t just suggestions—they’re must-dos if you want to pack your tables, grow your brand, and leave your competition in the dust.
Ready to take your marketing to the next level?
At Mont-Royal Digital, we help restaurants and cafes stand out and thrive in Montreal’s competitive market.
Want To Know More?
Book your Free 45-minute strategy call Today!
And let’s create a plan tailored just for you.
Text author: Zakaria Naciri
