The short answer: A complete restaurant Google Business Profile has an accurate name, address, and phone number; specific categories; correct regular and holiday hours; a current menu; working ordering and reservation links; fresh photos; completed attributes; and replies to reviews. Work through this checklist once, then do the monthly check at the end.
1. The basics
Your name, address, phone number, and website need to be exactly right and exactly the same everywhere they appear online.
- Business name matches your sign. Don't add extra words like "Best Food Downtown." Keyword-stuffed names break Google's guidelines and are a common cause of suspensions.
- Address is exact, and the map pin sits on your actual entrance.
- Phone number is one that gets answered during open hours.
- Website link goes to your homepage, or to the right location page if you have several.
2. Categories
Your primary category tells Google what kind of restaurant you are, so make it as specific as you honestly can.
- Choose a specific primary category, like "Pizza restaurant," "Coffee shop," or "Brewpub" instead of just "Restaurant."
- Add secondary categories only for things you really are, such as a bar, caterer, or brunch spot.
- Don't add categories for things you don't offer. It confuses customers and can hurt you.
3. Hours
Wrong hours are the fastest way to lose a customer, so set regular, extra, and holiday hours.
- Regular hours for every day, including split lunch and dinner shifts.
- Extra hours where they differ, like brunch, happy hour, takeout, or delivery.
- Special hours for holidays and planned closures, added ahead of time.
If your hours are already wrong, follow how to fix wrong restaurant hours on Google.
4. Menu
Customers want to see the food and the prices before they decide, so your menu should be one tap away and up to date.
- Link to a menu page on your own website. A web page works better than a PDF on phones.
- Where Google allows it, add menu items and photos directly to your profile.
- Update prices and dishes when your menu changes.
Stuck with a PDF menu? A real menu page is one of the most common restaurant website fixes I make.
5. Ordering and reservation links
Make sure the order and reserve buttons on your listing go where you want them to go, ideally to your own direct links.
- Add your direct online ordering link and your reservation link.
- Check which ordering options show on your listing, and set your preferred provider where Google allows it.
- Tap every button on your phone to make sure it works.
6. Attributes
Attributes are the quick details people filter by, like takeout or outdoor seating. Fill in every one that applies.
- Service options: dine-in, takeout, delivery, curbside pickup
- Amenities: outdoor seating, Wi-Fi, parking, good for kids or groups
- Accessibility: wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and restroom
- Planning and payments: reservations, accepted payment types
Some attributes come from customer feedback, so check them now and then.
7. Description
Use your business description to say what you serve and what makes you different, in plain words.
- Mention your cuisine, signature dishes, and neighborhood.
- Keep it under Google's 750-character limit, and put the most important details first.
- Don't include links, prices, or promotions. Those belong in posts.
8. Photos
Photos sell the food before anyone walks in. Add real, well-lit photos and keep adding new ones.
- Your logo and a strong cover photo
- The outside of your restaurant, so people recognize the entrance, by day and at night
- The dining room, bar, and patio
- Your most popular dishes and drinks
- Your team, if they're comfortable with it
- No stock photos, and no heavy filters
9. Reviews
Reply to every review, and ask happy guests to leave one, but never pay or reward people for reviews.
- Reply to new reviews within a few days, especially the negative ones.
- Ask for reviews with a QR code on receipts or table tents, or in a follow-up email.
- Don't offer discounts or freebies for reviews, and don't ask only your happiest guests. Both go against Google's policies.
- Report reviews that break Google's policies, like spam or fake reviews.
10. Posts and updates
Posts keep your listing active and show guests what's new.
- Share specials, events, new dishes, and seasonal menus.
- Use offers with start and end dates for limited-time deals.
- Aim for at least one post a month.
11. Access and security
Make sure you, not a former employee or old agency, own your listing.
- You're the primary owner of the profile.
- Staff and partners are added as managers. Don't share passwords.
- Remove access for anyone who's left.
- Turn on 2-step verification for the Google account.
12. Your monthly check
A quick monthly check catches most problems before they cost you customers.
- Look up your restaurant on your phone, the way customers see it.
- Confirm hours, holiday hours, and the menu link.
- Review and reject any wrong suggested changes.
- Reply to new reviews.
- Add a few new photos and one post.
- Search for duplicate listings of your restaurant.
Rather hand it off? This checklist is what I work through in Google Business Profile management for restaurants.
Want me to run this checklist for you?
Get a free restaurant marketing audit. I'll check your Google listing against this list and tell you exactly what's missing.