He cited the recent testing of six samples belonging to the Empire Group of Restaurants, which turned out to be unsafe due to the use of banned synthetic colouring.

“Despite repeated warnings, the restaurant group continued to use the unsafe colouring agent. Only after legal notices were sent did the colour go from red to yellow,” the health minister told reporters during his weekly media briefing.

There was no response from the Empire Group of Restaurants.

According to the minister, better quality food and drugs can become the norm only if people insist on quality goods.

“Yes, the government needs to do its part and tackle this legally, but people too should cultivate quality conscious as culture,” he said.

The minister also said the health department held a video conference on July 30 with cooking oil manufacturers to insist that the trans-fat level should not exceed 2 per cent.

“We told them that if it exceeds 2 per cent, strong action will be taken against them,” he added.

Dinesh Gundu Rao said the oil manufacturers were also urged to sell used cooking oil (UCO) to manufacturers like Pyrene Industries, which converts UCO into biodiesel.

According to 2024-25 data, 28,73,124 litres of UCO were used to manufacture biodiesel and soap, he said.

“We want this figure to increase substantially so that UCO does not go back into the market for cooking purposes,” he added.

Rao said the Karnataka government has merged the enforcement division of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (ASU) medicines under the AYUSH Department, as well as the existing AYUSH drug testing laboratory in Bengaluru, with Drug Control Division of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department for better functioning of the Health Department.

According to him, the government’s proposed app to control drug safety is expected to be functional by the end of this month.

“With this app, we can immediately withdraw defective drugs, as we can track at distributor level. So, we can put an immediate stop to further sale of that drug,” said the minister.

He said, once the app is in force, they will expand its scope. “Next will be to take it to the pharmacy level. We want to onboard every pharmacy on the app,” he added.

At present, the recall procedure takes two days, he said, citing the recent recall of nearly 40 lakh drugs in two days.

“This too, we had made a breakthrough with the help of a software. Earlier, it used to take nearly 30 days to recall batches of failed drugs from the market,” he added.

The minister also said work is progressing at expected pace in bringing the private ambulances and mobile medical units under the ambit of Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act. “We will be coming out with an amendment soon,” he added.

There’s always something magical about eating out in Goa. But lately, Goa’s food scene has been cooking up something extra special. From breezy beachside haunts to flavour-packed kitchens, these new restaurants are rewriting what it means to dine in Goa. So, whether you’re here for the weekend or lucky enough to call this coastal paradise home, here are some fresh spots you’ll want to check out.

Best New Restaurants In Goa

1. Lento

Hidden in Saligao, Lento feels like a beautiful ruin slowly reclaimed by plants and patience. Designed by Dishant Pritamani, it’s a café that invites you to pause, relax, and enjoy simple, honest food. The food here is soulful and made with a lot of love by Chef Jyoti Singh. Try the Sunrise Congee, a comforting rice bowl with mushrooms and coconut sauce, or the McPav, a playful take on a chicken burger, made with juicy homemade patties and soft Goan pav. The coffee, made from beans grown in Karnataka’s Salawara Estate and crafted by an award-winning barista, is subtle and lingering. 

Where: next to The Second House, Muddavaddi, Saligao, Goa
When: 9 am – 6 pm

2. House Of Telugu

If you’re craving bold flavours and a deep dive into Telugu culture, head straight to House of Telugu in Vagator. Started by the team behind Sanctuary Bar & Kitchen, this new restaurant in Goa brings homestyle comfort food, royal feasts, and street favourites under one roof. The menu is full of flavour-packed gems like Golkonda Kodi and Stuffed Mirchi Bajji is crunchy, tangy, and full of personality. Seafood lovers will love the Andhra Tawa Fish and the Bheemavaram Royyala Pulao, full of prawns and spices from the Konaseema region. To go with the food, try cocktails like the Mayabazar or the Konaseema Kiss.

Where: Panchayat road, H.no: 1615, Grand Chiwar, Amani Hotel lane, off Anjuna, Vagator, Goa
When: 12 pm – 4 pm; 7 pm – 11:30 pm
Cost: ₹1,000 (For two)

3. Morjim Culture

Morjim Culture is a new all-day destination that offers a little bit of everything. Whether you’re an early bird looking for your morning coffee or someone who wants to dance under the stars, this is your spot. In the morning, it’s all about fresh brews and feel-good food. As the sun sets, Morjim Culture turns into a sundowner paradise, where you can enjoy dishes like Golden Kataifi Prawns, Vietnamese Beach Bowl, or Shrimp Tortellini in lemon butter sauce. Pair it with cocktails like the Irish Maid or the refreshing Hey Honey. When night falls, head into Unculture, their hidden speakeasy bar and try the Spro’groni, a twist on a Negroni with coffee, or the spicy Raw Mango Picante.

Where: JPPC+3QF Gawade Wada, Morjim Culture, H# 763/A, Pernem, Gawde Vaddo, Morjim, Goa
When: 7 am – 11 pm
Cost: ₹2,200 (For two)

4. Toula Bar & Kitchen

Toula Bar & Kitchen brings together two rich food cultures, Mediterranean and Asian, in one beautiful space. The space is chic yet relaxed, perfect for a date night, a long dinner with friends, or even a quiet lunch by yourself. You might find sushi rolls paired with Mediterranean herbs or a classic hummus dish topped with soy-glazed mushrooms. The cocktail menu at this new restaurant in Goa is inspired by emotions and experiences, offering drinks that surprise and delight. It’s a dining experience that brings together different cultures, ideas, and people.

Where: H No. 124, Survey No. 52/5 & 52/8, 10/2, near Holiday Inn, Candolim, Goa
When: 12 pm – 12 am
Cost: ₹1,000 (For two)

Also Read: 10 Raksha Bandhan Menus Across India That Bring Back Shared Plates, Fights, And Fond Memories

5. Sivana Beach Goa

If you’ve been dreaming of a perfect beach day in Goa, Sivana Beach might just be your new favourite place. The sunsets here are magical, and they pair beautifully with their refreshing cocktails. One dish you simply must try is the Coconut Jam & Dark Chocolate Toastie. If you’re in the mood for something savoury, go for the Portuguese Prawns. Don’t miss the Truffle Mozzarella Fagottini either; it’s a dish made for slow afternoons. Sivana is the kind of place you’ll want to keep coming back to.

Where: Ashwem Beach Road, inside Leela Cottages, Morjim, Mandrem, Goa
When: 7 am – 1:30 am
Cost: ₹2,500 (For two)

6. Albayli

If you’re someone who loves places that feel warm and welcoming, Albayli is going to win your heart. This is a place where you can sip on cocktails, play a game of pool with friends, or curl up in a comfy corner with a book and your favourite dish. Their Thai Green Chicken Curry is rich, creamy, and perfectly spiced, served with soft jasmine rice. Or if you’re craving something more Indian, try the Albayli Murg Makhanwala. Whether you’re going solo or with a bunch of friends, this is one of those places where you come for a quick meal and end up staying much longer.

Where: No. 511 (4), Ward No, House, 1, Vagator, Goa
When: 12 pm – 4 am
Cost: ₹1,800 (For two)

7. Kai Boré

Kai Boré (which means “so good” in Konkani) is the kind of place that instantly puts you in a good mood. Whether you’re a local or a traveller, there’s something here to surprise you at this new restaurant in Goa. Start off with the Squid Butter Garlic or the Prawns Tempura. The Cheese Cigars are another hit, crunchy outside, cheesy inside, and perfect for sharing. Kai Boré is not fancy or over-the-top; it’s chill, friendly, and full of flavour. 

Where: Alex Residency, Colva – Benaulim Rd, Povacao, Seraulim, Benaulim, Goa
When: 11:30 am – 3:30 pm; 7 pm – 11 pm

8. Junta de Xacutti

If you’re in the mood for something truly Goan, then you need to check out Junta de Xacutti in Margao. This new restaurant is bringing back the flavours of old Goan kitchens. Their menu is full of traditional dishes like prawn-stuffed squids, Mori Ambottik (shark curry), Thambdi Bhaji (red amaranth), and Moshkacheo Sango (drumstick and prawn curry). The chefs don’t serve the same menu every day; they change it up, bringing in different Goan classics depending on what’s fresh and available. Whether you’re a local looking for that taste of home or a traveller wanting to experience real Goan food, this is the place to go.

Where: Adolfo mansion, Bernardo F Costa Road, opp. Dogears bookshop, Pajifond, Madgaon, Goa
When: 11:30 am – 11:55 pm
Cost: ₹900 (For two)

These new restaurants are the perfect additions to Goa’s ever-evolving food scene!

Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied and Sivana Beach Goa/Instagram

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First Published: August 04, 2025 8:55 PM

A restaurant’s digital presence is nearly as important in the visually driven digital age as the smells coming from its kitchen. Being active on social media means you can attract potential customers. And Instagram is the best medium for doing this. You can present mouthwatering food and create a lively community. Instagram has developed into a potent marketing tool that is more than just a photo-sharing app, particularly for the food and beverage sector.

Understanding Instagram marketing for restaurants in India and other countries involves more than just sharing eye-catching images; it also includes creating a calculated strategy that converts likes into repeat business and reservations. The top ten restaurant Instagram marketing techniques are described in this in-depth article to help your business expand rapidly and stand out in a congested industry.

1. Master the Art of High-Quality Food Photography and Videography

Instagram can show dishes that are a feast for the eyes, and your food should be the main attraction. Photos that are blurry and poorly lit are a common mistake. A significant difference can be achieved by investing in professional food photography, knowing the fundamentals of food styling, and utilizing natural lighting.

Pay Attention to Appetizing Visuals: Take note of your food’s distinctive plating, texture, steam, and vivid colors. When possible, use natural light, and make sure your backgrounds are simple and uncluttered so that the food is the main attraction.

Beyond the Plate: Don’t stop at merely completed meals. Display foaming coffees, freshly chopped ingredients, sizzling pans, or expertly made cocktails. These “process” photos have the potential to be really captivating.

The Key Is Consistency: Create a recognizable visual aesthetic that captures the essence of your company, whether it’s sleek and contemporary or rustic and homey. As a result, the stream becomes unified and identifiable.

For restaurants in India, where a variety of cuisines create a riot of colors and textures, having excellent visuals is essential to drawing in customers and emphasizing the genuineness of your goods.

What’s new: How to Brand your Restaurant?

2. Leverage Instagram Reels for Maximum Reach and Engagement

Reels are now the one Instagram feature that provides unmatched organic reach. Algorithms love short-form, lively videos, which can greatly increase your exposure to new viewers.

Behind-the-Scenes Magic: Display snippets of your kitchen as it works, a chef fervently creating a specialty dish, or the vibrant atmosphere during busy times. The “making of” their favorite cuisine is something that people adore.

New Menu Item Reveals: Use captivating, fast cuts and popular music to introduce new dishes. Create suspense and give the audience a preview.

Highlights of the Chef and Staff: Present your group! You can engage with your audience and personalize your company by creating brief, entertaining videos of your servers, chefs, or bartenders.

Food Challenges & Trends: Engage in popular audio challenges or design your own culinary challenges tailored to a particular restaurant to promote user involvement.

Quick Tutorials/Tips: Give a brief wine-food pairing hint or a quick recipe hack that draws inspiration from your cuisine.

Use Trending Audio: To make your reels more discoverable, include popular songs and sounds.

Optimize for Local Discovery: To show up in “Near You” suggestions, always include geo-tags and location stickers in your reels.

Reels often work best for restaurants from mid-morning to early afternoon (10 AM – 2 PM) and again in the evenings (7 PM – 9 PM) on weekdays, when customers are often planning their meals or unwinding.

3. Craft an Optimized and Engaging Instagram Profile

Your Instagram profile serves as your digital storefront. Make the most of your initial impression with potential customers.

Compelling Bio: A compelling bio should identify the type of restaurant you are, the cuisine you provide, and your unique selling point. Include relevant keywords (for example, “Best Italian Food in Your City” or “Vegan Cafe”).
Link in Bio: Make effective use of the link in your bio. Send customers to your online ordering platform, reservation page, website, or special campaign. Tools like Linktree can assist you in managing various links.

Contact Information: Ensure that your contact button functions properly, allowing users to phone, email, or get directions immediately.

Branded Highlights: Use Instagram Story Highlights to organize critical information such as your menu, daily offers, customer testimonials, behind-the-scenes content, events, and FAQs. Create unique, branded covers for these highlights to keep the look consistent.

Read new: How to Choose Restaurant’s Location?

4. Engage Actively with Your Audience

Instagram is more than just a means for broadcasting; it’s a social network. Building a devoted community and telling the algorithm that your material is valuable requires active engagement.

React Promptly: Give prompt, sincere responses to direct messages (DMs) and comments. Express gratitude to clients for their praise and properly handle their issues.

Pose Questions: In your captions, promote conversation by posing queries about dietary restrictions, favorite foods, or dining experiences.

Run Polls and Quizzes in Stories: To engage followers, collect preferences (e.g., “What’s your favorite spice level?”), and promote a sense of community, use interactive Story stickers.

Go Live: Conduct live cooking demonstrations, behind-the-scenes tours, or even Q&A sessions with your chef. This fosters genuineness and a closer bond.

5. Leverage User-Generated Content (UGC)

Your greatest marketers are your customers. It’s genuine, reliable, and extremely impactful when they post pictures or videos of their meal at your restaurant.

Promote Tagging: Put discreet signs on tables, menus, or in “Instagrammable” locations around your restaurant to invite customers to tag your account (@yourrestaurantname) and use your custom hashtag (#YourRestaurant).

Repost with Credit: Always get consent before reposting excellent user-generated content on your feed or Stories, making sure to tag the original creator. In addition to offering new information, this gives clients a sense of worth and inspires others to contribute.

Conduct Contests: Hold competitions where patrons can enter to win a meal or a discount by tagging your business in their finest food photos.

Know more: How to Survive in Reviving Restaurant Markets?

6. Collaborate with Local Food Influencers and Bloggers

Influencer marketing is revolutionary, particularly in the food sector. Popular local community pages, micro-influencers, or even local food bloggers can expose your restaurant to a large, relevant audience.

Find Relevant Influencers: Seek out people who have a devoted local following and whose content complements the brand of your business.

Provide Experiential Opportunities: Ask them to join you for a free lunch, a sample, or a first look at a new menu.

Set Clear Expectations: Clearly define your expectations by talking about the kind of content they will produce (posts, reels, and stories) and the main points you want them to make.

Emphasis on Authenticity: Influencers’ sincere enthusiasm and reviews have a greater impact than excessively promoted content.

7. Utilize Instagram Ads for Targeted Reach

Instagram’s powerful advertising platform enables highly targeted campaigns that can greatly increase your reach and encourage particular activities, even though organic reach is still crucial.

Targeting Options: Utilize Instagram Ads to connect with prospective clients based on demographics (gender, age), preferences (food, eating out, particular cuisines), and—most importantly—location (e.g., clients in the 5–10 km radius of your restaurant).

Campaign Goals: Specify your goal, such as increasing direct messages, website clicks (for online purchases or reservations), or profile visits.

Carousel ads: In a single ad, promote several dishes or other facets of your restaurant, such as the atmosphere, specialty cocktails, or dessert selection.

Retargeting: Retargeting is the practice of reminding people who have already interacted with your content or visited your website to become paying clients.

8. Run Engaging Contests and Giveaways

Contests are a great way to increase follower numbers, increase interaction, and create talk about your restaurant.

Define Clear Rules: Clearly outline the requirements for entry, such as liking the post, tagging friends, following your account, and sharing to Story.

Provide Interesting Rewards: Free meals, gift cards, special dining occasions, or small-group catering are all excellent sources of motivation.

Variety of Contests: Try “tag a friend” giveaways, caption contests, photo contests, or restaurant trivia.

Frequency: Avoid going overboard. Periodically hold competitions to keep things interesting without undervaluing your products.

Know this: How to Manage your Restaurants’ Brand Identity?

9. Optimize for Local SEO with Hashtags and Geotags

Local visibility is crucial for a business. Instagram provides easy-to-use yet powerful solutions to guarantee that you appear in local searches.

Location Tags: In every post and story, make sure to provide the actual address of your restaurant. Your content will show up when users look for local locations.

Local Hashtags: Use a combination of general and specific local hashtags. Examples: #FaridabadFoodies, #BestRestaurantsInFaridabad, #HaryanaEats, #IndianCuisineFaridabad, #WhatsCookingFaridabad.

Branded Hashtag: Make your restaurant’s hashtag distinctive and promote its usage.

Relevant Niche Hashtags: Use hashtags that are relevant to your food, ingredients, or dining experience. (e.g., #PaneerTikka, #VeganOptions, #FineDining, #CasualEats).

10. Maintain a Consistent Posting Schedule

Maintaining your audience’s attention and appeasing the Instagram algorithm depend on consistency.

Create a Content Calendar: Arrange your posts ahead of time, describing the week’s or month’s themes, recipes, and promotions. This guarantees a constant supply of new material.

Optimal Timing: Use Instagram Insights to find out when your particular audience is most active. In India, the ideal times for restaurants on Instagram are generally between 9 AM and 1 PM on weekdays (for lunchtime planning) and between 7 PM and 9 PM (for dinner planning/post-dinner scrolling). Try different things and make adjustments.

Use a Variety of Content Formats: Don’t only share pictures. To keep your feed interesting and dynamic, incorporate reels, stories, carousels, and occasionally live videos.

Quality over Quantity: Although regularity is crucial, never sacrifice the standard of your material in the name of frequency. Three average posts are not as good as one excellent one.

Check out: How to Win Restaurant Business during Slowdown

Your Restaurant’s Digital Growth Engine

Having a good Instagram presence is now essential to restaurant success in the cutthroat culinary scene of India or any other country. Your restaurant can turn its Instagram profile into a potent tool for drawing in new clients, cultivating devoted followings, and eventually generating substantial revenue growth by carefully implementing these ten tactics, which range from eye-catching images and dynamic reels to strategic partnerships and data-driven insights. Adopt these strategies, share your distinctive culinary tale, and see how your brand grows online.