On a single road in Dhanmondi, there are more than thirty places to eat. A new burger place opened there last year with a beautiful interior and a great menu. For two months, it was half empty on weekdays. Then the owner did three simple things: fixed his Google Maps listing, posted a Reel of the cheese pull every day for two weeks, and invited five local food bloggers. By month four, there was a queue on Thursday nights.
Restaurant marketing in Bangladesh is about being seen, being chosen and being remembered. This guide covers each step.
Step 1: Get found on Google Maps
When people search “restaurant near me”, “best biryani in Old Dhaka” or “cafe in Gulshan”, Google shows a map with a few places. That map is your most valuable shop window.
See our full guide to ranking on Google Maps in Bangladesh.
Step 2: Make food content people crave
Food is visual. Reels and short videos of sizzling, pouring, cutting and steaming dishes stop scrolls. Show:
- The signature dish being made.
- Close-ups of texture: crispy, juicy, cheesy.
- Real customers enjoying the food (with permission).
- The chef and team, with personality.
- The space at its best time of day.
Use daylight or warm, even light, and shoot on a phone. Our product photography guide has tips that apply to food too.
Step 3: Plan your weekly content
Step 4: Work with food bloggers the smart way
Food bloggers and reviewers have big influence in Bangladesh. To get value:
- Choose bloggers whose followers live near you.
- Check real engagement: comments asking about location and price are a good sign.
- Invite them on a normal day, so they see the real experience.
- Ask for honest reviews. Fake hype backfires.
- Track with a special dish name or code.
Read our influencer marketing guide for more.
Step 5: Use local ads
Facebook and Instagram ads targeting people within a few kilometres work well for restaurants. Use:
- Reels of your best dishes.
- Lunch offers for nearby offices.
- Weekend family platter offers.
- Messages campaigns for table bookings and catering.
Step 6: Delivery apps and direct orders
Delivery apps like Foodpanda bring reach and convenience but charge commissions. A balanced approach:
- Use delivery apps for discovery and convenience.
- Keep app menus updated with great photos and clear descriptions.
- Include a small card in delivery bags inviting customers to follow your page or order directly next time.
- Offer direct ordering by phone or WhatsApp for regulars and catering.
Step 7: Turn first-time guests into regulars
- Collect contacts with permission: WhatsApp list for offers and new dishes.
- Simple loyalty: a free dessert on the fifth visit.
- Birthday offers for registered guests.
- Remember regulars: staff greeting by name is powerful marketing.
Step 8: Manage reviews and complaints
Reply to every review on Google and Facebook. Thank good reviewers by name. For complaints, apologise, take it to private messages and fix it. Future guests read your replies and judge how you treat people.
Promotion ideas that work in Bangladesh
| Idea | Best for |
|---|---|
| Office lunch combos | Weekday traffic |
| Family platters | Weekends and Fridays |
| Iftar and Sehri menus | Ramadan |
| Student deals | Near universities |
| Birthday and party packages | Bookings and groups |
| Rainy day specials | Monsoon delivery |
Common mistakes
- Wrong hours or no menu on Google Maps.
- Dark, blurry food photos.
- Paying bloggers with mostly out-of-area followers.
- Discounting so much that every table loses money.
- Ignoring negative reviews.
Menu design for online orders
Whether on delivery apps, your website or a WhatsApp menu, the way you show your menu affects orders:
- Use real photos of every popular dish.
- Put best sellers and high-margin items at the top.
- Write short, tasty descriptions: what is in it, how spicy, portion size.
- Offer combos for one, two and families.
- Keep prices and availability updated, especially during Ramadan.
Catering and corporate orders
Offices, schools and events can bring large, steady orders. Market them separately:
- Create a simple catering menu with per-person prices.
- Build a short page or PDF with photos and minimum order details.
- Reach out to nearby offices with a free tasting.
- Use LinkedIn and Google search ads for “office lunch catering Dhaka”.
- Follow up after every event and ask for repeat bookings.
Measuring restaurant marketing
| Metric | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Calls and directions | Google Business Profile |
| Table bookings | Booking system or WhatsApp |
| Delivery orders by app | Delivery app dashboards |
| Direct orders | Phone, WhatsApp, website |
| Review count and rating | Google and Facebook |
Ask new guests how they heard about you. A simple tally sheet at the counter shows which marketing really fills tables.
Handling a bad night online
Every restaurant has bad nights: a late order, a cold dish, a rude moment. When it ends up online, respond quickly, apologise sincerely, invite the guest back and fix the root cause in the kitchen or service. A thoughtful reply can turn a critic into a regular, and it shows every future reader that you care.
Delivery apps vs your own orders: the real numbers
Delivery apps bring new customers. They also take a large commission. Here is a simple example of the same Tk 1,000 order through two channels. Commission rates vary by deal, so use your own.
| Line | Delivery app order | Direct order (Facebook/WhatsApp) |
|---|---|---|
| Order value | Tk 1,000 | Tk 1,000 |
| Commission (example rate) | − Tk 250 | Tk 0 |
| Delivery cost | Included in commission | − Tk 80 (own rider or courier) |
| Food and packaging cost | − Tk 400 | − Tk 400 |
| What you keep | Tk 350 | Tk 520 |
The lesson is not “leave the apps”. Use apps to find new customers. Then give those customers a reason to order directly next time: a menu card in the bag with your WhatsApp number and a small direct-order discount.
Photos that make people hungry
Food photos decide a lot of orders. You do not need a studio. You need good light and a little care.
- Shoot near a window in daylight. Avoid yellow tube lights.
- Shoot from above for platters and thalis. Shoot from the side for burgers and drinks.
- Show steam, sauce and texture. Take the photo within a minute of plating.
- Keep the background clean: a wooden table, a plain cloth.
- Use the same style across your menu so it looks professional.
Our budget product photography guide has more tips that work for food too.
Promotions calendar for restaurants in Bangladesh
| Moment | Idea |
|---|---|
| Ramadan | Iftar platters, family sehri packs, pre-order system |
| Eid | Family feast boxes, catering for home gatherings |
| Pohela Boishakh | Panta-ilish and Bengali platters |
| Valentine’s and anniversaries | Set menus for couples |
| Exam results days | Celebration offers for students and families |
| Winter | Pitha festivals, hot drinks, rooftop evenings |
Plan each one at least three weeks ahead so photos, ads and stock are ready.
Does your promotion actually make money?
Buy-one-get-one and “20% off this week” offers fill tables, but a full restaurant can still lose money if the offer eats the margin. Use your average bill and food plus packaging cost to check:
If the required increase looks unrealistic, try offers that cost you less: a free drink or dessert with a main course, a set menu that pushes higher-margin items, or a weekday-only deal to fill slow hours instead of discounting your busiest nights.
The Dhanmondi burger place, a year later
The restaurant now has hundreds of Google reviews, a WhatsApp list of regulars, and a Thursday “cheese night” that sells out. They still post a dish Reel every day. Their busiest days come from people who first saw them on Maps or in a Reel and then came back with friends.
Restaurant marketing in Bangladesh rewards consistency and real food stories. Get found on Maps, show your food beautifully, partner with the right bloggers and look after your regulars. If you want a team to run it, see our social media services and local SEO.
- A complete Google Maps listing is your most important shop window.
- Post short food videos often.
- Choose food bloggers with local, engaged followers.
- Balance delivery apps with direct orders and loyalty.
- Reply to every review, good or bad.
Your questions, answered
What is the best way to market a new restaurant in Bangladesh?
Start with a complete Google Business Profile, great food photos and Reels, a few honest food blogger visits and a launch offer for nearby offices and residents.
Are food bloggers worth it?
They can be, if their audience is local and engaged. Check comments, reach and past restaurant posts, and track results with a code or dish.
Should I join delivery apps?
Delivery apps bring reach but charge commissions. Many restaurants use them for discovery and also build their own direct ordering for repeat customers.
How do I get more Google reviews?
Ask happy guests at the table with a QR code, train staff to ask politely, and reply to every review.
Amanat has managed $4M+ in Google and Meta ad spend for brands in the UK, USA, Australia and Bangladesh since 2020. He holds 20+ certifications, including Digital Marketing Strategy from Harvard Business School Online. More about Amanat
