How do you get your restaurant into Google AI Overviews? (Checklist)

You might be noticing it: you are getting fewer clicks from Google, even though you still seem to rank at the top.

That is because Google increasingly shows an answer right away. Those AI Overviews pull the most important info together. If your core details (hours, menu, reservations, location) are incorrect somewhere or hard to find, Google is more likely to use a different source.

The good news: you can fix the basics in 30 minutes. With a few simple updates to your website and your Google profile, you increase the chance that your restaurant is used as a source. This article is intentionally practical: a checklist, common mistakes I see, and a mini plan for a busy hospitality workweek.

What are Google AI Overviews (and why they take your clicks)

At the top of the search results, Google sometimes shows a block with a short answer, generated from information Google trusts. That block takes up a lot of space. And yes: it can mean people click through to websites less often.

What does a guest see, and what do they still click?

Imagine someone searches for "Italian restaurant in Utrecht with gluten-free" or "tapas near me". Google may show an overview at the top with:

• a short explanation (for example what to look for)
• a few suggestions or options
• opening hours, location, sometimes how busy it is
• sometimes buttons to call, start directions, or book

So what do guests still click? Usually actions: call, directions, book, view the menu. That is why it matters so much that your core info is correct everywhere and that booking or contacting you is simple.

When do they show up most (local + explanatory searches)

You will see AI Overviews most often for:

1. Local searches
   Examples: "restaurant near me", "brunch in Haarlem", "paella in Barcelona city center".

2. Explanation questions (typed the way people actually ask)
   Examples: "does this restaurant have vegan options", "can I park at the restaurant", "how late is the kitchen open".

These are the exact questions guests ask your team too. The difference is that Google now answers them upfront.

Where does Google get those AI texts from? (explained simply)

Google does not just make the answer up. It pulls pieces of information from sources it considers reliable. Think of your website, your Google Business Profile, reviews, and sometimes other sites that mention you.

Google wants the best short answer plus proof

For Google, what matters most is:

• Clarity: is the answer stated explicitly?
• Reliability: does it match other places (Google profile, reviews)?
• Freshness: are hours and menu up to date? Especially around holidays and vacation periods.

If your site says "open until 23:00" but your Google profile says "22:00", that is an easy reason for Google to trust you less.

Why clear headings, lists, and facts win

AI Overviews love bite-sized information. Just like a guest who wants to quickly know:

• Where exactly are you located?
• What are the opening hours (including holidays)?
• What kind of cuisine?
• Can I make a reservation?
• Are there allergens or vegan options?

Headings, short questions with short answers, and lists make it easier for Google to use your text as a source.

Checklist: make your restaurant site AI-proof (without tech jargon)

This comes down to one thing: make it easy for guests and Google to find your key info fast.

Create 1 page that answers everything: menu, hours, location, parking, allergens

Create (or improve) one clear page you could describe as: "Everything you need to know." At minimum, include:

• address (including neighborhood or a recognizable landmark)
• phone number
• opening hours plus "kitchen open until ..."
• link to the menu (preferably on the site itself, not only as a standalone photo)
• parking: street, garage, paid zone, bike racks
• allergens and options like gluten-free, vegan, halal (if you offer it)
• takeaway and delivery (if you do it)
• reservations: how it works, and until what time it is possible

A small seasonal trap: adjust your opening hours and kitchen hours around holidays and vacation periods (even if you only deviate for one day). That is exactly when people search more and Google checks consistency more aggressively.

Write in question form (the way guests search)

Add a block with questions you hear every day. For example:

• "Do you have vegan options?"
• "Do you have a kids menu?"
• "Can my dog join us on the terrace?"
• "Can I come with a group?"
• "Do you have gluten-free options?"
• "Can I book last minute?"

The closer you stay to natural spoken language, the better.

Put short answers directly under the question (2-3 sentences), then extra detail

Put the answer first. For example:

Do you have vegan options?
Yes. We always have at least 3 vegan dishes and we can adapt certain dishes. Let us know when you book so we can take it into account.

After that, you can add more detail: which options, what you cannot guarantee, and how to inform your team.

Use bullet points or steps for practical things (reservations, takeaway, delivery)

If something happens in steps, write it that way. For example:

Reserve in 3 steps

1. Choose a date and time.
2. Share the number of guests and any allergies.
3. You will receive confirmation right away.

And honestly: a slow or unclear reservation flow costs revenue immediately. If you want to tighten this up, consider a clear, guest-friendly online reservation system that creates less hassle for your team.

Google Business Profile: often your fastest win

Many hospitality businesses get most of their visibility not from the website, but from the Google profile. Especially now that AI Overviews often lean on local information.

Consistent name, address, phone number plus the right category

Check this as if you are being audited:

• is your name written the same everywhere (website, Google, socials)?
• is your address correct down to the street number?
• is your phone number correct and clickable on mobile?
• do you have the right category (restaurant, pizzeria, tapas bar, lunch spot)?

Small differences feel harmless, but Google does not like uncertainty.

Opening hours, holidays, and services (takeaway, delivery, terrace)

This is a big pitfall during busy periods: Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Easter, summer rush, local events, school holidays. Set holiday hours well in advance.

Also tick your services:

• takeaway
• delivery
• terrace
• wheelchair accessible (if it is accurate)

Photos plus updates/posts (short, current)

You do not need a photo shoot every month. But you do need:

• 10 to 20 strong photos of food, interior, terrace, and your storefront (so people can recognize you)
• occasional updates: "new menu", "winter specials", "Valentine’s", "live music Friday"

Current feels more trustworthy. And the more trustworthy you look, the more likely you are to be used as a source.

Reviews and reputation: AI trusts proof (not just good copy)

AI Overviews do not only want your story, they also want proof that it is true. Reviews are pure gold for this.

How to guide reviews toward usable details

Do not just ask, "Would you leave a review?" Ask something specific, such as:

• "Which dish did you like best?"
• "Was it calm or more lively?"
• "Was parking easy enough?"
• "How was the service with allergies?"

That way you get reviews with the words people actually search for (and that Google can recognize patterns in).

Replying to reviews: what works and what does not

Do:

• thank them briefly
• repeat one detail ("Glad you enjoyed the pasta")
• for criticism: stay calm and offer a solution

Do not:

• argue
• attack people
• post the exact same template reply under every review

A human reply shows you are real. That is exactly the kind of trust Google leans on too.

Structured data (schema): only what is useful for hospitality

This sounds technical, but think of it as labels you attach to your website so Google understands what is what faster.

What it is in plain language

Your website contains text. You instantly recognize: this is the address, these are the opening hours, this is the menu.
Google mostly sees words. With schema, you tell Google: this part is the address, and these are the opening hours.

Minimum: Restaurant or LocalBusiness plus menu, hours, reservations

For restaurants, the minimum that usually makes sense is:

• type: Restaurant (or LocalBusiness)
• opening hours
• link to the menu
• reservations (where and how)

If you feel your site currently has these basics scattered (or different in five places), it is often smarter to fix the foundation with a restaurant website built for clarity from day one for guests and for Google.

Common mistakes (duplicate, outdated, not visible on the page)

This usually goes wrong in three ways:

• Duplicate: you have two different sets of opening hours on different pages.
• Outdated: your menu changed months ago, but the site still shows the old menu.
• Not visible: you add labels for things that are not actually on the page. What you mark up must also be readable on the page.

Frequently asked questions and objections

• "Does this cost a lot of money, or can I do it myself?"
  You can often handle the basics yourself: clean up your Google profile, create a clear info page, and write a solid FAQ. If your website is old or you cannot get it tidy, it may cost money to set it up properly. Start with quick wins.

• "How much time does this really take?"
  Budget 30 minutes for the first cleanup (hours, phone, category). Then 2 to 3 hours to write your FAQ and information page properly.

• "Does this work if I have a Wix/WordPress site?"
  Usually yes. The platform matters less than whether you can present your information clearly and keep it current.

• "Should I worry that AI will keep guests away?"
  Some people read the answer and click less. But if your info is accurate and appealing there (menu, vibe, reservations), you win the guest who wants to decide fast.

• "What if Google mostly shows platforms anyway?"
  Platforms are often shown, especially in popular cities and for high-intent, busy searches. But you can still win with clear first-party info and a strong reservation path. If you are unsure how much you should rely on platforms, read this comparison: custom website vs platforms.

Quick 7-day approach (mini plan)

Day 1-2: Clean up your Google profile

• check name, address, phone number
• select the right category and services
• add opening hours plus holidays
• add 10 strong photos (storefront, interior, signature dishes)

Day 3-4: FAQ plus an all-in-one information page

• create 1 page with all practical info
• add 8 to 12 questions in natural language
• answer each question with a short response first (2-3 sentences)

Day 5: Reviews and replies process

• set a standard way to ask for reviews (a small card with the bill or a QR code on the receipt)
• agree who replies and when (for example twice a week, 15 minutes)

Day 6-7: Schema plus a consistency check

• have schema set up properly (or check if your builder can do it)
• verify your opening hours and menu are not contradictory anywhere
• test reservations on mobile: can you finish in under 1 minute?

When it is better to bring in help (and what I check for you)

Signals: lots of pages, multiple locations, old site, unclear reservation flow

Bring in help if this sounds familiar:

• you have multiple locations and everything is mixed up
• your website is old and nobody dares to touch it
• your menu exists only as a photo or a file that opens poorly on mobile
• reservations require detours, or guests drop off
• you have many pages with conflicting information

What you get in a short audit (priority list, quick wins, fixes)

In a short check, I focus on what has immediate impact:

• is your core info correct everywhere (site plus Google profile)?
• which page is missing the answers guests actually search for?
• where do guests drop off during booking?
• which changes are quick, and which are foundational?

Book a free 30-minute consultation: I will review your restaurant site + Google Business Profile and you will get a short priority list (what first, what later) to improve your chances of showing up in AI Overviews.