Running a restaurant or a café takes all your time. When service is busy, the last thing on your mind is picking up a phone to film a video. You know you should post, but finding good Reels ideas for restaurants feels like an extra job.
The good news is that you do not need scripts or actors. Good vertical videos for TikTok and Instagram Reels show what already happens in your business every day: the food, the coffee, the space and the hands that make it all happen.
We are a team of four based in Kordelio, Thessaloniki, and we film videos for restaurants and cafés in the city. Here are ten practical ideas, grouped so you can plan them easily.
From the kitchen and the bar
Making food and drinks is naturally interesting to watch. Even if your team is shy, you can film just their hands, the ingredients and the equipment.
- Morning prep before opening: the quiet work before the doors open, like stretching dough, cutting vegetables or the coffee machine warming up.
- How a signature dish or drink is made: three or four short clips of your best-known item, from start to finish. For Mr Khinkali, one of the few Georgian restaurants in Thessaloniki, our videos show how khinkali is made and how it is eaten.
- A close-up of the plating: hold the camera close as the chef adds the final sauce, herbs or garnish. Keep the movement steady and let the food fill the vertical screen.
- The dish leaving the pass: the moment a hot plate lands on the pass and is picked up for a table. It shows the real pace of your kitchen.
Your menu and your news
Social media is a practical way to tell people what is cooking today or what has changed on the menu.
- The dish of the day: the finished plate in good light, with a short line of text on screen saying what is in it.
- A new item on the menu: when you add a new dessert, burger or cold drink, give it its own short video. Show it being made, then the result on a table.
- A regular routine, like the first coffee of the day: the espresso pouring into the cup and the milk being steamed. It is a familiar moment that suits morning posts.
The people and the place
Before someone visits a new place, they like to know what the room feels like and who will welcome them. If customers do not want to be filmed, film before opening or keep the camera on your staff and the space.
- The team: a quick hello from the chef in the kitchen or the barista behind the bar. No speech needed, just a smile while they work.
- The space at different times of day: a few seconds of morning light on the tables, then a few seconds of the evening lighting. It shows the mood of the place without needing a crowd.
- A short tour for first-time visitors: walk slowly from the street, through the door and up to the counter or a nice table, so new guests know what to expect.
Turning ideas into a monthly routine
Having ideas is one thing; filming them every week is another. Our social media video service turns this into a simple monthly routine, so you do not have to think about it during service.
Usually one organised shoot a month gathers the material for all the month’s videos. For Sushaki, for example, we film every month in their sushi shops in Thessaloniki, and for Michelangelo Pizza we have filmed and posted their videos since 2022. Anna, our client success manager, agrees the shoot day and time with you, so filming does not disturb your service or customers.
On the day, Antonis, our founder and creative director, comes to your place. He directs, films and later edits all the TikTok and Reels videos himself. Anna then sends them to you for approval, so nothing goes live until you are happy. Finally, Costas runs Meta ads to show your videos to people near your place, and you get one clear monthly report.
Frequently asked questions
What if our customers or staff do not want to be on camera?
That is completely fine and very common. We never need to film customers who do not want it. Antonis focuses on hands at work, the ingredients, the cooking, the coffee equipment and the details of your space. That still gives plenty of material for a full month of videos.
Will the filming get in the way of the kitchen?
No, because we plan around your quieter hours. Before every shoot, Anna agrees a day and time that works for your kitchen and front of house. We usually gather the whole month’s material in one organised visit, so we are not in your space every week with a camera.
How much do your monthly video and ad packages cost?
We work month to month with no contracts, and prices exclude 24% VAT. Launch is €290 for four videos plus Meta Ads. Grow is €510 for eight videos plus Meta Ads. Scale is €700 for twelve videos plus Meta and Google Ads, and Thrive is €850 for the same plus SEO Basic.
Who edits the videos and runs the ads?
We are a small team of four, so you always know who is doing the work. Antonis directs, films and edits all the vertical videos himself. Anna manages your schedule and sends you the videos for approval. Costas sets up and runs the ads and prepares your clear monthly report.
Ready to plan your next shoot?
If you want regular videos for your restaurant or café without taking time away from the kitchen, let’s talk. We start with a free 30-minute call to hear about your business and see which package fits. Book it on our contact page.