WHAT'S
WORKING
NOW.
Six quick reads on the social media trends that matter for Australian restaurants and cafés in 2026. Plain advice from the Chadwah Creative team, with something to try each week.
SENDS ARE THE NEW LIKES
Instagram now cares most about whether people watch your reel to the end and send it to a friend. Here is what that means for your venue.
SOCIAL IS THE NEW SEARCH
Young diners look for places to eat on TikTok and Instagram before they open Google. And Google now shows Instagram posts in its results too.
AI IS PICKING WHERE PEOPLE EAT
More diners now ask ChatGPT or Google's AI where to eat. AI can only recommend you if it can find good, up-to-date information about you.
REAL BEATS POLISHED
Feeds are full of slick ads, and people scroll straight past them. Quick, behind-the-scenes content feels like a post from a friend. It still needs to look good, though.
BE ORIGINAL OR BE INVISIBLE
Instagram is pushing down accounts that mostly repost other people's content. Your own kitchen is the best source of reels you will ever have.
CREATORS AND REGULARS ARE YOUR MEDIA
People trust people more than brands. Working with local creators, and sharing what your guests post, is now a core part of hospitality marketing.
LET US
HANDLE IT.
Chadwah Creative shoots reels, photos and social content for Sydney restaurants, cafés and food brands. See our work or get in touch.