How to Run Ads for Restaurants in Mumbai

Mumbai, the financial and entertainment capital of India, is one of the biggest food hubs in the country. The city has a buzzing food scene catering to millions of food lovers daily, from iconic street food vendors to luxurious fine-dining restaurants. With more than 20,000 restaurants, the highly competitive food industry in Mumbai has turned bakery and restaurant owners into astute marketers who rely on Restaurant Ads in Mumbai to attract more footfalls, increase online orders, and build long-term brand loyalty.

This exhaustive guide provides insights into data-driven advertising techniques, digital marketing strategies, and offline promotions to help Mumbai’s restaurants maximize their exposure and return on investment

Understanding the Mumbai Restaurant Market

Mumbai’s food scene is estimated to be growing at a rate of 17%, with a whisk in the wind for digital food discovery and online orders. With a young working population, international travellers, and tech-savvy customers, creative, multi-channel restaurant marketing strategies must be devised.

Key Market Insights (2023-24)

Consumer Behavior in Mumbai

• 82% of users search for restaurants online before heading out.
• 60% of online orders for food are a result of Zomato & Swiggy’s advertisements.
• Among restaurant-goers in Mumbai, 35% are inspired by Instagram & Facebook ads.
• There have been 52% Year-over-year growths on Google for “best restaurants in Mumbai”.

Popular Restaurant Segments in Mumbai

• Street Food & Casual Dining – Places in Juhu, Bandra, and Marine Drive are always spacious and crowded. Who can resist the urge to eat an array of delicious street foods? 
• Fine Dining & Luxury Restaurants – People who are looking for a fancy experience head down to Lower Parel, Colaba, and Powai. Think fancy decor and higher prices this time. 
• Cloud Kitchens & Online Food Delivery – These are booming, growing about 25% each year! Fast food, biryani, and sushi are the big sellers for delivery. Super convenient for a night in.
• Cafés & QSRs – Malad, Goregaon, and Andheri are filled with many people at their various cafes and quick-bite places. A perfect venue for a coffee or snack. 

Top Food Zones in Mumbai

• Bandra & Juhu – This place is known for trendy cafes, nightlife, and nice restaurants. Good if trying to impress one, or just looking for an entertaining night. 
• Colaba & Marine Drive – The mix of fancy dining and amazing street food gives you all kinds of experiences. 
• Lower Parel & BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex) – A reptile house for business lunches and high-class dinners. Lots of corporate types, so many fancy restaurants.
• Powai & Andheri – Prominent places for youth and quick-service eateries. 

Related: How to Run Ads for Restaurants in Chennai

Defining Your Target Audience for Restaurant Ads

To understand which ads shall reach the paying customers with actual purchase intent or interest toward food, a restaurateur must know his clients first. Mumbai has a diverse audience with varied preferences and ways of dining out.

Key Audience Segments

Corporate Professionals & Office Goers

• Preferred Food: Lunch combos, corporate meal plans, power breakfasts  
• Best Ads: Google Search Ads, LinkedIn Promotions, Zomato/Swiggy Ads  
• Best Locations: Lower Parel, BKC, Andheri East  

College Students & Millennials

• Preferred Food: Cafés, fast food, sushi, street food  
• Best Ads: Instagram reels, YouTube shorts, WhatsApp Promotions  
• Best Locations: Bandra, Malad, Powai, Ghatkopar  

Families & Traditional Diners

• Preferred Food: Indian cuisine, multi-cuisine spots, thalis  
• Best Ads: Facebook Ads, Google Maps Promotions, Local Newspaper  
• Best Locations: Marine Drive, Dadar, Sion  

Tourists & Luxury Food Enthusiasts

• Preferred Food: Seafood, heritage restaurants, high-end buffets  
• Best Ads: YouTube Ads, Google Travel Promotions, influencer partnerships  
• Best Locations: Colaba, Juhu, Nariman Point  

Best Digital Advertising Platforms for Restaurants Ads in Mumbai

With fast-paced lives and internet-dominant living in Mumbai, online ads give the best ROI to restaurant marketing.

Google Ads (PPC Advertising)

Google Ads provide restaurants the opportunity to target customers actively searching for dining options.

Best Google Ads Strategies

Search Ads (Text Ads)

• High-performing keywords
• Best restaurants in Mumbai (12,500 searches/month)
• Seafood restaurants in Mumbai (5,600 searches/month)
• Rooftop cafés in Mumbai (3,900 searches/month)

Google Display Ads (Banner Ads)

• Retargets website visitors with attractive food images & specials.
• Example: A rooftop bar in Bandra can have:
  “Sunset Drinks & Dinner – Book Your Table at XYZ Rooftop Café!”

Google Maps Ads

• Increases foot traffic by appearing above others in Google Maps searches.
• Example: A fine dining restaurant in Colaba can run a Google Maps ad:
• “Exclusive Seafood Platter – Reserve Your Table Now!”

Facebook & Instagram Ads (Meta Ads)

Meta platforms prove extremely efficient for food promotion in Mumbai, more for the millennials and Gen Z.

Best Facebook & Instagram Ad Strategies

Reels & Stories Ads

• Most suited for the promotion of new menu launches, discounts, and food festivals.
• Example: A dessert cafe in Andheri may run an Instagram Story Ad 
• “Try Our Special Oreo Cheesecake – Only ₹299 Today!”

Lead Generation Ads

• Prefers for fine dining, buffet promotions, and event bookings.
• Example: A Japanese restaurant in BKC may run a lead-gen ad 
• “Exclusive Sushi & Sake Pairing – Reserve Your Spot!”

WhatsApp Click-to-Chat Ads

• Best for direct booking and home delivery promotions.
• Example: A biryani outlet could run a WhatsApp ad:
  “Order Authentic Dum Biryani Now – Click to Chat!”

YouTube Ads (Video Marketing)

YouTube is the most powerful medium in Mumbai for the promotion of restaurants.

Best YouTube Ad Strategies

Skippable Video Ads

• Perfect for fine dining, luxury buffets, and high-end cafes.
• Example:  A fine-dining steakhouse running a 30-second commercial video 
• Live cooking demonstrations.
• Customer testimonials & elegant ambience.

Bumper Ads (6-Second Non-Skippable Ads)

• Best for fast food, takeaways, and quick-service restaurants.
• Example: “Craving Tandoori Chicken? Order Now & Get 20% Off!”

YouTube Shorts Ads

• Contributes to viral marketing and behind-the-scenes kitchen content.
• Example: A pizzeria in Juhu could create a 10-second YouTube Shorts Ad showcasing its special wood-fired pizzas. 

Optimizing Google My Business (GMB) & Local SEO for Restaurants

An updated Google My Business profile with quality images and the latest information about the business will enhance a restaurant’s visibility when locals search. Other strategies such as geo-targeted keywords and backlinks will help bring in more walk-in and online orders.

Google My Business (GMB) Optimization

A fully optimized GMB profile will make certain that your restaurant is rated highly on local searches.

GMB Optimization Tips

• Upload quality pictures- of your food, interiors, and the ambience.
• Have your customers leave reviews- those restaurants with a 4.5+ rating finish higher.
• Update offers and business hours- for example, “10% off on dinner buffets valid this week!” 

Offline Advertising Strategies for Restaurant Ads in Mumbai

Even in today’s digital world, offline marketing remains very important for the restaurant industries in Mumbai to access local audiences and drive brand awareness. 

Newspaper & Magazine Advertisements

Newspapers remain one of the best ways to reach the customer in Mumbai, especially families, professionals, and the elderly.

Best Newspapers for Restaurant Ads in Mumbai

The Times of India – Mumbai Edition

• Good for fine dining, buffet, and events promotion.  
• Circulation: 3.2 million copies daily.

The Hindustan Times – Mumbai Edition

•   Most suitable for multicuisine joints, cafes, and brunch deals.  
•   Circulation: 2.1 million copies daily.

Mumbai Mirror & Mid-Day

•   Most suitable for street food joints, budget dining, and nightlife offers.

Types of Newspaper Ads for Restaurants

• Classified Ads – Cost-effective. Recommended for any promotional offers, like specials and limited-time offers.
• Display Ads – Full-page or half-page ads about openings, buffets, and branding.

Example Newspaper Ad:

“Taste Mumbai’s Best Unlimited Seafood Buffet – 20 Percent Off This Weekend at XYZ Restaurant, Colaba!”

Check Out: How to Run Ads for Restaurants in Bengaluru

Billboards & Hoardings

With one of the highest traffic densities in India, billboard ads become very effective for brand recall and footfalls.

Best Locations for Restaurant Billboards in Mumbai

1. Bandra & Juhu Beach – Suitable for casual dining cafes and nightlife promotions.
2. Marine Drive & Colaba Causeway – Seafood and heritage restaurants, fine dining.
3. Lower Parel & BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex) – Siting for corporate dining and upscale buffets.
4. Powai & Andheri Link Road –Suitable for young professionals and fast-casual restaurants.

Billboard Advertising Costs in Mumbai

• Marine Drive, Bandra, BKC: ₹10-15 lakh/month.
• Andheri, Malad, Ghatkopar: ₹5-10 lakh/month.
• Outer Suburbs (Vasai, Virar, Navi Mumbai): ₹2-5 lakh/month.

Example Billboard Message

“Looking for Mumbai’s best tandoori chicken? Come today to XYZ Restaurant in Bandra!” 

Flyers & Brochures Distribution

Flyers and brochures are very affordable means to reach specific neighbourhoods or corporate blocks in hyperlocal restaurant marketing.

Where to Distribute Flyers?

1. Shopping Malls & Movie Theaters – R City Mall, Phoenix Market City, Oberoi Mall.
2. Corporate Offices & IT Parks – Mindspace Malad, BKC, Powai Business District.
3. Metro Stations & Bus Stands – Andheri, Dadar, Ghatkopar, CST, Churchgate.

Example Flyer Message

“Enjoy 15% Off Your First Meal at XYZ Restaurant in Powai!”

See It Here – How to Run Ads for Restaurants in Kolkata

Influencer Marketing & Community Engagement

Collaborating with Mumbai-based food influencers and bloggers can amplify our credibility and outreach. Food festivals, engaging Twitter polls, and supportive participation in community events will help us develop a more candid connection with all our clientele. This will, in turn, create buzz about us.

Alliance with Top Notch Food Influencers from Mumbai

Working with local food bloggers is a good idea should you need to let Mumbai know of your restaurant. Understandably active on social media, so this is immediate exposure for you. It is a great strategy to get some buzz and contact would-be customers.

Leading Food Influencers in Mumbai

• Mumbai Foodie: With 1.2 million followers on Instagram, this person is a Mumbai Foodie. They post wonderful reels and food vlogs, so they are certainly up to date.
• The Binge Mumbai: This profile with over 700K followers highlights low-cost meals and current trends. Perfect for those searching for fantastic deals.
• Eats India: With over 500k followers, Eats India posts on more upscale eateries and fine dining opportunities. This could be a good pick if your venue is high-end.

Example Influencer Campaign

Consider a new sushi restaurant in BKC collaborating with Mumbai Foodie for an Instagram reel entitled, “Is this the best sushi in Mumbai? See the full review!”. 

Hosting Community Events & CSR Marketing

Restaurants that actively work with the local community can build long-lasting customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.

Ways to Engage with the Community

1. Sponsor Local Festivals (Ganesh Chaturthi, Eid, Diwali, Christmas).
2. Host Influencer and Customer “Food Tasting Nights.”
3. Collaborate with NGOs for community food donation drives.

Example Campaign

A Bengali restaurant in Vashi offers a Durga Puja special:

“Experience Durga Puja with Authentic Bengali Flavors – Special Thali at Just ₹399!”

Retargeting Strategies for Restaurants in Mumbai

Various customers happen to check a restaurant’s website or social media for reasons other than making a booking or ordering. Retargeting will help bring them back to convert them into paying customers.

Google Display Retargeting

• How It Works: Serves ads to users who visit your website without completing a booking or order.
• Example:
  • A fine-dining restaurant in Bandra can retarget users with an ad:
    “Still Thinking About That Wagyu Steak? Reserve Your Table Now!”

Facebook & Instagram Retargeting

• Dynamic Ads – Show users dishes they previously viewed.
• Lookalike Audience – Reach New Customers Who Mirror Your Past Diners.

Example Retargeting Ad

A BBQ restaurant in Andheri can run a retargeting ad:
“Unlimited BBQ Buffet at ₹899 – Reserve Your Table Today!”

WhatsApp Retargeting (Click-to-Chat Ads)

• WhatsApp is the most popular business communication tool in Mumbai.
• WhatsApp Ads allow direct engagement & instant bookings.

Example WhatsApp Ad

A dessert café in Juhu can run a WhatsApp promotion:
“Buy 1 Get 1 Free on Sundaes – Click to Chat & Redeem Offer!”

AI-Powered Restaurant Marketing & Chatbots

All the restaurant’s marketing automation tools adhere to AI for automated booking, retargeting customers, and increasing customer service.

AI Chatbots for WhatsApp & Facebook Messenger

• Best for: Taking bookings, sourcing answers for common queries, offering discounts.
• Popular AI Chatbots: WhatsApp Business API, ManyChat, TARS Chatbot.

Example AI Chatbot Campaign

A fine-dining restaurant in Colaba can use a chatbot for:

• Automated table booking confirmations.
• Sending exclusive offers & discounts via WhatsApp.

Must See: How to Run Ads for Restaurant in Ahmedabad

Key Statistics for Restaurant Ads in Mumbai

Digital marketing is a must for the hugely competitive restaurant market in Mumbai, with users using online reviews as more than 75 percent of their customers know where they want to eat. Social media ads, influencer collaborations, and online listings on platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy guide customer attention and influence sales. 

Consumer Behavior

• 82% of Mumbaikars find restaurants through either Google or Instagram.
• 60% of food orders stem from advertisements operated by Zomato and Swiggy.
• 35% of diners defended their decision or choice through Instagram Reels and Facebook posts.

Growth in Digital Advertising for Restaurants

• WhatsApp marketing gives restaurants three times more bookings.
• Instagram Reels gain 50% more engagement than static food posts. 

Conclusion – Restaurant Ads in Mumbai

To compete and grow in the restaurant industry of Mumbai, businesses need to adopt a multi-channel marketing strategy.

• Google Ads & Local SEO
• Facebook & Instagram Ads
• Influencer Marketing
• Retargeting (Google, Facebook, WhatsApp)
• Offline Marketing (Newspapers, Billboards)
• AI Chatbots & WhatsApp Marketing