SEO for restaurants and sodas in Costa Rica: filling tables from Google

"Restaurant near me", "where to have lunch in Grecia", "restaurant with a view in Escazú", "typical breakfast in La Fortuna", "pizza open now". Food searches are some of the most local and urgent there are: the person is hungry, nearby and will decide within minutes. Whoever shows up on the map with good photos, the right hours and good reviews gets the table.

This guide covers what to do so your restaurant, soda (a small local eatery) or café shows up in those searches.

1. Your Google Business Profile: your main shop window

For a restaurant, the Google profile is often seen more than your own website. Complete it carefully (step by step in our Google Business Profile guide):

• The exact category: "Costa Rican restaurant", "Café", "Seafood restaurant", "Pizza restaurant". Add secondary categories only if they genuinely apply.
• A pin right at your entrance, with a clear reference to find you.
• Real hours, including public holidays and Easter week. Arriving to find it closed is one of the most common causes of bad reviews.
• Attributes: dine-in, takeout, delivery, vegetarian options, wheelchair access, parking, English spoken, payment methods such as SINPE Móvil.
• Ordering and reservation links, if you use them.

2. Your menu, in text and up to date

Many people decide by the menu. Publish it:

• On your website, as text, not just a photo or PDF. Google can read text and connect your restaurant to searches like "fish casado" or "chifrijo".
• On your Business Profile, in the menu section.
• With current prices, or at least ranges. Old prices create distrust and bad reviews.
• With your signature dishes highlighted and a short description of each.

3. Photos that make people hungry

Photos are the first thing customers look at. Upload your own, current photos regularly:

• Your best-selling dishes, in good natural light.
• The atmosphere: tables, terrace, the view.
• The storefront, so people recognize it when they arrive.
• Your team at work.

You don't need a professional photographer: a modern phone, window light and a well-plated dish work very well. Avoid photos from the internet: customers and Google recognize them.

4. Reviews: the deciding factor

Between two nearby restaurants, people usually choose the one with better and more recent reviews. Ask naturally: when you bring the bill, with a QR code on the table, or in a message after a delivery order. Reply to all of them, including negative ones, calmly and without arguing. More in Google reviews.

Remember: offering a dessert or a discount in exchange for a review breaks Google's rules.

5. A simple website that helps people decide

You don't need a big site. These pages are enough:

• Home with what makes you special, your address, hours and a WhatsApp or call button.
• Menu in text.
• Reservations or orders, if relevant.
• How to get there, with a map and landmarks.
• Events or groups, if you host birthdays, companies or weddings: it's a frequent search.

The site should load fast on mobile, because almost all these searches happen on the street. Use Restaurant structured data with your address, hours and cuisine type.

6. Tourists and English searches

In tourist areas, a large share of your customers search in English: "best restaurant in Tamarindo", "typical Costa Rican food near me", "vegan restaurant Puerto Viejo". If you serve them:

• Have your menu in English too.
• Mark "English spoken" on your profile.
• Reply to reviews in the language they were written in.

More ideas for tourism businesses in SEO for tourism.

7. Be where people search for food

Besides Google, make sure your details (name, address, phone and hours) are the same on Waze, Apple Maps, your social media and any delivery platforms you use. Differences confuse customers and Google.

Common mistakes

• Menu only as a photo or PDF, or with old prices.
• Outdated hours on public holidays.
• Few photos, or photos from the internet.
• Keywords added to the restaurant name on your profile ("Doña Ana's Soda – best casado in Cartago"): it breaks the rules and can get the profile suspended.
• Not replying to reviews.
• A slow mobile site, or no call button.

Frequently asked questions

Does a small soda need a website?

It's not essential: a complete Google profile can bring plenty of customers. But a simple site with the menu in text helps you show up in more searches and answer questions before people arrive.

How often should I upload photos?

Whenever the menu changes or you have new dishes, and generally on a regular basis. Recent photos show the business is active.

Are Google profile posts worth it?

Yes. They're useful for announcing seasonal dishes, special hours or events.

Let us help you fill tables

Our Local SEO plan looks after your profile, photos, reviews and website pages. See our prices or tell us about your restaurant.