By the Third Eye Marketing team · Updated 14 October 2026 · 6 min read
The short answerShow real food, real people and real process in the first two seconds, keep each reel under 30 seconds with captions on screen, post consistently, and reuse every reel on your website, Google profile and ads. Quality light and a clear hook matter more than expensive gear.
The rules that matter
- Hook in two seconds: the most interesting shot first.
- Captions on screen: many people watch without sound.
- One idea per reel: a dish, a drink, a person, a moment.
- Consistency beats perfection: two or three a week for a month tells you what works.
Fifteen ideas
1. The pass
A plate going from kitchen to table in one smooth shot.
2. The pour
A signature drink or chai being made, close up.
3. Prep before service
Hands, knives, spices: the craft people do not usually see.
4. First bite
A real guest’s reaction, with their permission.
5. Meet the chef
Twenty seconds: who they are and the one dish they love.
6. Three dishes to order
Your recommendations with the story behind each.
7. A day in the life
Open to close at speed.
8. Behind the bar
Building a cocktail or mocktail step by step.
9. Ingredient spotlight
Where it comes from and what it does for the dish.
10. Before and after the rush
The room empty, then full.
11. Staff favourites
What the team eats and drinks.
12. Event teasers
Live music, festivals, private dining set-ups.
13. Seasonal specials
The limited dish, why now, how long.
14. Answer a question
“Is it spicy?” “Do you take reservations?” One clear answer each.
15. Thank you
A short thanks to regulars with real moments, with permission.
Filming tips
- Shoot near a window or in soft, warm light; avoid harsh overhead light.
- Hold the phone vertically and steady; use a cheap tripod or lean it on something.
- Wipe the lens, clean the plate rim and style the food before filming.
- Film more than you need and cut hard.
Make each reel work harder
Post it on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube Shorts, embed it on your website, add the best frames to your Google profile, and use top performers as ads. That is how content becomes part of an ecosystem instead of a one-off post. See our photo and video service and reels we have made for clients.
Sources
- Practical guidance based on our in-house production work for restaurant clients; no statistical claims are made.
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