What Type of Posts Get the Most Engagement in Food Influencer Marketing? 📲🍔
In the restaurant world, not all influencer posts are created equal.
If you’re investing in influencer marketing, you want content that actually gets engagement—likes, comments, shares, and saves that drive real buzz (and real reservations).
So what types of posts perform best in 2025? Let’s dig into the content formats that are serving the highest ROI right now. 🍽️⚡
🎥 1. Short-Form Video (Reels + TikToks)
No surprise here—short videos dominate on both Instagram and TikTok.
Whether it’s a juicy burger being sliced in slow-mo or a behind-the-scenes kitchen moment, short-form video is consistently the most engaging content format for restaurants.
Hot stat: Reels get 67% more engagement than traditional Instagram posts on average.
What works:
- Bite shots 🍕
- Menu reveals 🧾
- ASMR cooking (yes, still popular!) 🔥
- Day-in-the-life of a chef 👨🍳
- First-person dining POV 🎥
Tip: Ask creators to post a reel and repurpose it for stories to double exposure.
📸 2. Carousel Posts (Swipe-Worthy Food Shots)
Static photos still have power—especially when bundled into carousels.
Think:
- Dish #1 ➡️ Dish #2 ➡️ Dessert ➡️ Ambiance ➡️ Menu
- Or a “first bite to last bite” series
Why they work: The swipe interaction keeps users engaged longer, and Instagram’s algorithm rewards that 👀
Pro tip: Add a call-to-action on the last slide (“Which dish would you order?”) to encourage comments 💬
🔄 3. Instagram Stories with Stickers
Stories may disappear in 24 hours, but they pack a punch for engagement—especially when they include interactive elements:
- Polls (“Which drink would you try?”)
- Emoji sliders (“Rate this pour 🍷”)
- “Tap to see more” series
According to Instagram Business, stories with stickers see 83% higher engagement than those without.
Tip: Stories are also a great place to include links to reservations or promo codes. Pair with a UTM for easy ROI tracking.
🎤 4. “Talking to Camera” Reviews
Authenticity sells. When a creator talks directly to their audience while showing off your food, it feels real—not scripted.
- “Here’s what I thought of this new spot in Chicago…”
- “I’m not usually into fried chicken, but this?!”
These videos spark trust and lead to higher conversions—even if they’re not perfectly polished. 🤳
🍳 5. Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) Content
People love to see what goes on before the plate hits the table.
- Chef plating moments
- How the pasta’s made
- Early morning market runs
- Kitchen crew intros
BTS builds emotional connection and humanizes your restaurant brand.
Add trending audio or captions to boost discoverability 📈
📈 Bonus: What’s NOT Working Anymore
Some content types are dropping in performance:
- Plain text posts: No visuals, no traction
- Overly curated feeds: Feels like ads = less engagement
- Low-effort reposts: Always repurpose with a fresh caption or crop
And the biggest miss? Not including a call to action (like “tag a friend” or “drop a 🔥 if you'd try this”).
Mustard Tip: How to Know What Actually Works for You 📊
Not every restaurant sees the same results. That’s why Mustard tracks:
- Engagement rate by content type
- Click-throughs from stories vs. reels
- Best-performing creators by post format
Want to know if reels or carousels are converting better for your brand?
👉 Track campaign performance in Mustard
Final Thoughts 🍝📲
The most engaging food influencer content in 2025 is:
- 🎥 Short-form video (Reels/TikToks)
- 📸 Swipeable carousels
- 🔄 Interactive stories
- 🎤 Authentic video reviews
- 🍳 Behind-the-scenes shots
Want to make sure you’re getting the highest ROI from your next influencer collab? Choose creators who know how to create these formats—and use Mustard to manage the whole process from post to performance.
👉 Start your next influencer campaign with Mustard
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