The way customers decide where to eat has changed dramatically over the past few years. It’s no longer about flipping through menus, checking long review threads, or browsing endless lists of restaurants. Instead, people rely on fast, simple search patterns driven by cravings, convenience, and specific needs at the moment they are hungry.

Understanding how customers search today helps restaurant owners make better decisions about visibility, menus, and online placement. Here is a clear look at what diners are doing in 2025 and how your restaurant can match these patterns.

1. Customers Rarely Search by Restaurant Name Anymore

Years ago, customers typed a restaurant’s name directly into search engines.
Today, that only happens when:

• They already know you

• They already decided to visit you

• They want to confirm hours or address

But when discovering new places, customers use broader, intention-based searches.

Examples include:

• “Tacos near me”

• “Best pizza in my area”

• “Breakfast sandwiches Staten Island”

• “Seafood restaurant near Holmdel”

• “Italian restaurants open late”

If your online presence is not tied into these food-style terms, you simply do not appear in a large portion of searches.

2. Food Cravings Drive the Majority of Searches

The biggest shift in customer behavior is craving-based discovery.

Instead of picking a restaurant and then deciding what to eat, customers now decide what they want first and then search for restaurants serving it.

Common craving-driven searches include:

• Birria

• Chicken cutlet sandwiches

• Sushi rolls

• Burgers

• Acai bowls

• Steak and seafood

• Breakfast and brunch

Restaurants that are only searchable by name or generic category lose out on this major source of traffic.

3. Location-Based Searches Are More Precise Than Ever

Customers no longer type in broad city names.
They search by specific neighborhoods or cross-streets.

Examples:

• “Near Richmond Valley”

• “Near Dongan Hills”

• “Near Holmdel Road”

• “Near Eatontown circle”

People want convenience — usually within 5 to 10 minutes of where they are standing.

WhereYouEat’s neighborhood mapping system helps place your restaurant into these micro-areas automatically.

4. Searches Connected to Events Are Increasing

Customers often eat based on events, promotions, and seasonal needs.

Frequent searches include:

• “Mother’s Day specials”

• “Thanksgiving catering”

• “Valentine’s Day dinner”

• “Office catering near me”

• “Party trays for 20 people”

• “Birthday dinner restaurants”

Restaurants that appear in these event-driven searches see strong traffic during peak times.

5. Customers Want Quick Information, Not Long Research

Diners expect to see:

• Menu

• Photos

• Hours

• Prices

All within the first few seconds.

If this information is missing or outdated, customers often move on immediately.
This is why structured menu pages, clean galleries, and accurate info matter more than long reviews.

6. Customers Discover Through Multiple Sources

Modern restaurant discovery comes from a combination of:

• Search engines

• Local directories

• Food-style searches

• Photo-based browsing

• Seasonal specials

• Trending cuisine pages

WhereYouEat connects your restaurant into this discovery cycle using a combination of:

• Menu pages

• Categories

• Neighborhood placement

• Articles

• Event guides

• Search-term enhancements

This multi-path approach is what allows customers to find your restaurant even when they weren’t looking for you specifically.

7. Visibility Determines Where You Appear

Some restaurants only appear when a customer searches their name.
Others appear when customers search:

• Cuisine

• Neighborhood

• Food type

• Style

• Events

• Catering

• Seasonal searches

The difference comes from how many content pieces connect back to the restaurant and how well the restaurant is positioned in the local search ecosystem.

To request improved visibility or additional placement, restaurant owners can use the simple request page at GET.WhereYouEat.com.

Final Thought

Customers in 2025 search based on cravings, convenience, and immediate needs—not by scrolling endless lists or remembering restaurant names.
Restaurants that align with these modern patterns gain stronger visibility, more new customers, and better long-term discovery.

Understanding how people search is the first step.
Making sure your restaurant appears in these searches is the next.