Many restaurant owners assume customers know where they are located. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. Confusing directions, missing location information, outdated maps, and poor communication can result in lost sales, late arrivals, canceled reservations, negative reviews, and frustrated guests.
This guide explains how to clearly communicate your restaurant's location across every customer touchpoint — online, in print, through staff, and beyond — so guests can find you quickly and easily, no matter where in the world they are coming from.
The Essential Information Every Restaurant Should Provide
Every location description you publish should include the following core elements:
Information Type | What to Include | Example |
Exact Address | Street number, street name, suburb/district, city, postal/zip code, country | 123 Main Street, Downtown District, Springfield, 62701, USA |
Nearby Landmarks | Well-known buildings, intersections, or features nearby | Opposite City Mall, next to Central Bank, behind Riverside Hotel |
Parking Information | Lot location, cost, validation, overflow, accessible/handicap bays | Free parking behind the restaurant; paid garage across the street |
Entrance Instructions | Floor level, access point, building entry details | Second floor of the shopping center; use the elevator next to the supermarket |
GPS / Navigation Links | Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, Bing Maps | Direct clickable links are tested regularly |
What3Words Address | A precise 3-word location code useful in areas where street addresses are unreliable | ///table.lamp.river |
GPS Coordinates | Latitude and longitude for international guests or GPS-only navigation | -25.7461, 28.1881 |
Public Transport | Nearest bus stop, train/metro station, tram line | 2-minute walk from Central Station, Exit B |
Accessibility Information | Wheelchair access, step-free routes, accessible parking, lifts | Wheelchair accessible via the rear entrance on Park Lane |
International tip: Always include your country name and international phone dialing code in any address you publish online. Guests traveling from abroad or discovering you on global platforms may not be familiar with your local context.
Where to Publish Your Directions
Restaurant Website
Your website is often the most trusted source of location information. Ensure each section is complete:
Page | What to Include |
Homepage | Address, phone number (with country code), quick map link |
Contact Page | Full address, clickable map, parking details, landmark descriptions, operating hours, phone number, public transport info |
Reservation Page | Directions summary, parking instructions, navigation links, accessibility notes |
About / Find Us Page | Detailed written directions from major entry points (e.g., from the airport, city center, highway) |
Additional website tips:
Embed a live Google Map (not a screenshot) so guests can interact with it
Include a "Get Directions" button that opens the guest's preferred map app
Add a brief written description of what to look for when arriving (signage color, building features, flags, etc.)
Make sure your site is mobile-friendly — most guests check directions on their phones
Google Business Profile
Many customers never visit your website. Your Google Business Profile is frequently the first result they see.
Ensure the following are always correct and up to date:
Element | Action Required |
Business name | Matches your signage exactly |
Address | Correct street address, including floor/unit if applicable |
Pin placement | Drag the pin to your exact entrance, not the center of the building |
Business hours | Updated for public holidays and seasonal changes |
Parking information | Listed in the business description or attributes |
Photos | Include exterior shots, signage, parking entrance, and the view from the street |
Service area | Set if you offer delivery |
Phone number | Include the international dialing code |
Website link | Points to your current website |
Review this listing at least once a month. Google sometimes suggests edits from the public that can inadvertently change your information.
Other Online Listings and Directories
Beyond Google, your restaurant may appear on platforms customers use to discover and navigate:
Platform | What to Check |
TripAdvisor | Address, map pin, phone number |
Yelp | Address, directions section, parking notes |
OpenTable / Resy / Quandoo | Address shown on confirmation emails |
Zomato / Foursquare | Accurate pin placement, hours, and address |
Apple Maps / Bing Maps | Claim your listing and verify your address |
Hotel concierge platforms | If near hotels, ensure your info is on local concierge recommendation tools |
Tourism/city guide websites | Especially relevant for restaurants in tourist destinations |
Social Media Profiles
Location information should be visible on every social media profile you maintain:
Platform | Where to Add Location |
Business page address field, About section, map tab | |
Bio, location tag on posts, Highlights (create a "Find Us" Highlight) | |
TikTok | Bio link and location tag on content |
X (Twitter) | Bio and pinned post if relevant |
Company page address (relevant for corporate dining and catering) | |
YouTube | About section and in-video descriptions |
Best practice: Create a permanent Instagram or Facebook Highlight called "Find Us" or "Location" that includes your address, a screenshot of your map, parking tips, and a short video or photo of your exterior and entrance.
Reservation Confirmations
Every reservation confirmation — whether by email or SMS — should include:
Full address (with country for international guests)
Nearest landmark
Parking instructions
Contact phone number
A clickable navigation link (Google Maps or Waze)
Accessibility information if the guest has indicated a need
What to look for on arrival (signage, building color, flags)
Never assume guests already know where you are — even repeat visitors may be coming from a different direction or bringing new guests.
Delivery Platforms
Verify your location details regularly on all delivery and ordering platforms:
Platform Type | Action |
Delivery apps (e.g., Uber Eats, DoorDash, Mr D, Deliveroo) | Confirm the address and entrance point for drivers |
Pickup ordering platforms | Include any special pickup entrance or instructions |
Third-party marketplaces | Check after any renovation, relocation, or signage change |
Many restaurants forget to update addresses after relocating or remodeling, causing missed deliveries and poor driver ratings.
Printed Materials
Material | What to Include |
Menus | Address, website, phone number |
Flyers | Map graphic, landmark references, QR code linking to Google Maps |
Brochures | Complete directions section with written and visual directions |
Business Cards | Full address, website, phone number with country code |
Table Tents / Coasters | QR code linking to your Google Maps listing or website |
Packaging (takeaway boxes, bags) | Address and website so new customers can find you again |
Receipts | Address, website, and phone number at the bottom |
Places Restaurants Often Forget
Many restaurants overlook location information in these touchpoints:
Overlooked Touchpoint | Recommendation |
Email Signatures | Every staff email should include the restaurant name, full address, phone, and website |
Gift Vouchers / Gift Cards | Include address, website, and expiry information |
Event Advertisements | Always include address, parking info, and map link — event guests may never have visited |
Catering Materials | Potential clients often want to visit before booking; include directions on all catering documents |
Recruitment Advertisements | Job applicants need to find you, too; include the address, landmark, and parking |
Loyalty Program Emails | Remind guests where you are in every communication |
WhatsApp Business Profile | Add address and map link to your profile |
Google Maps Q&A Section | Monitor and answer common location questions proactively |
Invoices and Supplier Documents | Include the address for consistency and professional correspondence |
Online Booking Widget | Ensure the widget embedded on your site shows the address and directions |
Writing Great Direction Descriptions
The way you write directions matters as much as where you publish them.
Avoid vague descriptions like:
"Located on Main Street."
Use specific, layered descriptions like:
"We are located at 123 Main Street, opposite City Mall and next to Central Bank. Free parking is available in the lot behind the restaurant — enter via Oak Avenue. Use the glass doors facing the main road. We are on the second floor; take the elevator next to the pharmacy."
Principles for great written directions:
Principle | Detail |
Layer your cues | Combine street address + landmark + parking + entrance in one description |
Use universally recognizable landmarks | Avoid obscure references; use banks, malls, major hotels, petrol stations |
Give approach directions | Briefly explain from key entry points: from the highway, from the city center, from the airport |
Describe what guests will see | Mention signage colors, building features, flags, or awnings |
Use distance, not time | "200 meters past the traffic light" is more reliable than "2 minutes away." |
Include what NOT to do | , e.g., "Do not follow GPS into the back alley — use the main entrance on Main Street." |
Write for a first-time visitor | Assume the guest has never been in the area before |
International and Multilingual Considerations
If your restaurant attracts international guests or tourists, additional steps are important:
Consideration | Action |
Country code on phone numbers | Always display, e.g., +1, +44, +27 before the number |
Currency in parking info | Specify the local currency for paid parking |
Multilingual directions | Offer directions in key languages your guests speak (Spanish, French, Mandarin, German, etc.) |
What3Words | Register your entrance location at what3words.com — widely used in parts of Africa, the UK, the Middle East, and by emergency services |
Time zone clarity | If communicating reservation times to international guests, specify the time zone |
Local transportation apps | Reference locally used navigation apps (e.g., Kakao Maps in South Korea, Baidu Maps in China, Yandex Maps in Russia) in addition to Google and Apple Maps. |
Staff Training
Every employee should be able to confidently give directions at any time.
Every staff member should know:
The restaurant's full address
Two or three nearby landmarks
Parking options (free, paid, overflow)
Public transportation access
Building entrance instructions
What to say when someone calls asking for directions
Recommended practices:
Create a one-page Location Cheat Sheet and display it at every phone station (see below)
Run brief direction quizzes during onboarding and periodically thereafter
Role-play direction calls during staff training
Phone Direction Script (Example)
"Thank you for calling [Restaurant Name]. We are located at 123 Main Street, opposite City Mall, next to Central Bank. Free parking is available behind the restaurant — enter from Oak Avenue. If you're using Google Maps, search for [Restaurant Name], and the pin will take you directly to our entrance. Can I help you with anything else?"
Creating a Location Cheat Sheet
Prepare a simple one-page document and post it at every reception point, host stand, and phone station.
Section | What to Include |
Full Address | Street, suburb, city, postal code, country |
GPS Coordinates | Latitude and longitude |
What3Words | Three-word address |
Landmarks | 3–5 nearby recognizable points |
Parking | Free/paid, location, overflow options, accessible bays |
Public Transport | Nearest stops, lines, and walking time |
Navigation Links | Short URLs or QR codes for Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps |
Direction Scripts | Written scripts for phone calls |
Common Questions | e.g., "Where do I park?", "Which entrance do I use?" |
After-Hours Contact | Number to call if a guest is lost on the night |
Common Mistakes Restaurants Make
Mistake | Why It's a Problem |
Using an outdated address | Guests are directed to the wrong location |
Incorrect Google Maps pin placement | GPS leads guests to the wrong entrance or building |
Providing only a street name, no number | Guests cannot find the exact location |
Not listing landmarks | Guests miss the turn or entrance |
Ignoring parking instructions | Guests arrive stressed and late |
Assuming GPS is always accurate | GPS often points to the wrong entrance, especially in complexes |
Not training staff | Inconsistent directions confuse guests who call ahead |
Missing location on social media | Guests cannot find directions from their preferred platform |
Forgetting the event and catering guests | First-time visitors have no context for finding you |
Not updating delivery platforms after moving | Drivers consistently go to the wrong location |
No international dialing code on phone numbers | International guests cannot call |
No accessibility information | Guests with mobility needs arrive unprepared |
Not testing map links | Broken links frustrate guests who trust your website |
No exterior photos online | Guests don't recognize the building when they arrive |
Restaurant Location Audit Checklist
Use this checklist regularly — at least every three months, and after any change to your address, entrance, or parking.
# | Item | Status |
1 | Address is correct on the website (all pages) | ☐ |
2 | The embedded map is live and correctly pinned | ☐ |
3 | The address is correct on Google Business Profile | ☐ |
4 | Google Maps pin on the correct entrance | ☐ |
5 | Address correct on Apple Maps | ☐ |
6 | The address is correct on all social media profiles | ☐ |
The address | ☐ | |
8 | All navigation links are tested and working | ☐ |
9 | Parking instructions published and accurate | ☐ |
10 | Landmarks listed on all key touchpoints | ☐ |
11 | Staff trained and tested on giving directions | ☐ |
12 | Location Cheat Sheet posted at all phone/host stations | ☐ |
13 | Reservation confirmations include full location info | ☐ |
14 | Printed materials (menus, flyers, cards) updated | ☐ |
15 | Delivery platform listings verified | ☐ |
16 | Event and catering materials include directions | ☐ |
17 | Email signatures include the address | ☐ |
18 | Gift vouchers include the address | ☐ |
19 | Exterior and entrance photos available online | ☐ |
20 | International dialing code on the phone number | ☐ |
21 | Accessibility information published | ☐ |
22 | What3Words address registered and published | ☐ |
23 | Multilingual directions available (if applicable) | ☐ |
24 | WhatsApp Business profile includes the address | ☐ |
Final Thoughts
Giving directions is not simply providing an address. It is helping customers arrive confidently, quickly, and stress-free. Every place your restaurant appears — online, in print, on social media, and through staff interactions — should consistently communicate where you are and how guests can reach you.
The easier you are to find, the more customers you will serve. Location clarity is not a minor operational detail; it is a direct driver of revenue, reviews, and the first impression every new guest forms of your restaurant.