Google Reviews: Why They Matter for UK Restaurants’ E‑Reputation
In the UK, online reviews are now one of the most influential factors in restaurant choice. According to a BrightLocal UK survey, 87% of British consumers read online reviews before choosing a local business, with restaurants among the most-reviewed and most-checked sectors.
Reviews are no longer an afterthought — they’re often consulted before even reading the menu. And just like in the US, star ratings heavily influence footfall and bookings. A restaurant with a rating below 4 stars will often be skipped in search results, while a consistently high rating with recent reviews acts like social proof at scale.
Even more critically, local SEO — how your restaurant appears on Google Maps and local search — is heavily influenced by review volume, freshness and star rating. A study by Moz indicates that Google review signals account for over 15% of local ranking factors, making them a key visibility driver.
In the UK market, Google has overtaken legacy platforms like TripAdvisor, Yelp and OpenTable as the dominant place where consumers check reviews. A 2023 report from Ignite Hospitality noted that Google accounts for the majority of review visibility for restaurants, as consumers increasingly find venues through Google Maps and Search.
While TripAdvisor still plays a role for tourist-heavy areas, especially for hotel-restaurant hybrids, Google reviews are what people see first — and often the only ones they consult.
Yelp and Facebook are much less used in the UK for restaurants. Meanwhile, platforms like OpenTable or ResDiary are used primarily for bookings — not reviews.
Real Example: Boosting Google Reviews with sunday’s QR Code
One way restaurants have responded to the importance of reviews is by making it easier for guests to leave them. sunday — the QR-code payment solution — has enabled UK restaurants to prompt guests at the point of payment, leading to remarkable growth in review volume.
“In just six months, we’ve received over 3,000 five-star Google reviews, and a staggering 80% of them come from guests who paid with sunday.” — Marco Mendes, Co-founder, MJMK
“One of the best features is how it encourages customers to leave 5-star reviews on Google. The simple process guides happy customers to share their feedback quickly, which has helped my business grow online visibility and attract new patrons.” — GianMarco Carlà, Operations Director, Big Mamma
This demonstrates how streamlining the review flow doesn’t just build reputation — it drives real business outcomes, from improved discoverability to increased bookings and customer return.
Best Practices for UK Restaurants Managing E‑Reputation
✅ Claim & Optimise Your Google Profile
Make sure your Google Business Profile is claimed and fully filled out — hours, photos, menu, reservation link, etc.
Google pulls these directly into Maps and Search — so this profile is your homepage for many diners.
Use high-quality photos, update your menu frequently, and encourage customers to add photos in their reviews.
✅ Encourage Reviews (the Right Way)
The best time to ask for a review is immediately after a great experience. sunday makes this frictionless at the end of the meal.
Add QR codes on table talkers or the receipt (non-intrusive but visible).
Never offer discounts in exchange for reviews — it violates Google’s policy and can lead to review suppression.
✅ Monitor Reviews Daily
Use the Google Business app or tools like Feed It Back or sunday’s built-in dashboard to track feedback in real-time.
Set up alerts for new reviews. Fast response (especially to bad ones) shows you care and protects your rating.
✅ Respond to Every Review — Yes, Every One
96% of consumers read business responses, so replying isn’t optional — it’s public brand-building.
Thank positive reviewers. For negative reviews, stay calm, empathetic, and offer to resolve privately.
Even a 3-star review can become a loyalist if they feel heard.
✅ Learn and Adapt
Use aggregated feedback to train your team, adjust your offer, or revise your service flow.
For example: if multiple diners mention long waits for drinks, investigate bar service speed or shift timings.
Consistently acting on reviews shows diners you care — and improves the experience over time.
Conclusion
In the UK, Google reviews are now a core pillar of restaurant success. They determine visibility, shape customer perception, and drive booking decisions. With sunday, restaurants can transform every happy diner into a public advocate — just by making the review process simple, intuitive, and well-timed. Whether you’re running a single bistro in Brighton or a high-street chain across London, your digital reputation starts (and often ends) on Google.
Actively managing it isn’t just good marketing — it’s survival.
Find out more today
Drop us your details below and we’ll reach out within the next 24h
4min
4min
