The Hidden Goldmine in “Best of” Google Searches: How Smart Restaurants Win Traffic & Sales

Introduction

Search engines are the front door to your restaurant. Customers don’t start with menus or websites. They pull out their phones and type “best tacos near me” or “best brunch in Chicago.” In seconds, Google decides who makes the list—and who gets ignored.

For restaurant executives and marketers, this is not background noise. “Best of” Google searches are the highest-intent, highest-converting queries in local search. When someone searches “best,” they’re not browsing. They’re hungry, impatient, and ready to spend money.

Restaurants that appear in these lists capture a disproportionate share of traffic and reviews. Those that don’t get buried. The good news: placement isn’t random. With the right strategy, you can influence how your restaurant ranks, build authority in your market, and turn search visibility into measurable revenue.

What Are “Best of” Google Searches?

“Best of” searches are local intent queries like:

• Best pizza near me

• Best sushi in Miami

• Best rooftop bars NYC

• Best brunch Chicago

These differ from generic “restaurants near me” searches. Instead of asking for options, the user is demanding the top options. Google interprets this intent as ranking-driven, which is why results show curated “best of” lists and Local Pack entries.

To win these searches, Google looks for strong local authority, robust Google Business Profiles (GBP), and a steady flow of positive reviews. Unlike paid ads, this visibility is organic. Once you rank, the traffic is consistent without continuous ad spend.

How “Best of” Searches Work in Google

For restaurants, the Local Pack—the map with three highlighted listings—is the most valuable placement. Getting into that pack is heavily influenced by:

• GBP completeness: Accurate business info, categories, hours, menus, attributes, and reservation links.
  

• Rating: Quality is non-negotiable. Restaurants with ratings below 4.0 rarely appear. In competitive markets, the effective cutoff is closer to 4.5 stars and above. A 4.7 average with strong review volume will almost always outrank a 4.2.
  

• Review volume: Quantity signals authority. A restaurant with 500 reviews looks more trustworthy than one with 50, even at similar ratings. Volume also dilutes the impact of occasional negative reviews.
  

• Engagement signals: Clicks on photos, calls, and direction requests reinforce relevance.
  

• Proximity: Google balances quality with location, weighting nearby options slightly higher for mobile users.

  
  

The algorithm also incorporates behavioral data. Profiles that consistently attract clicks, hold customer attention, and generate reviews signal trust. The sweet spot—a 4.5+ rating with high review volume and engagement—creates the profile of a “best” restaurant in Google’s eyes.

Why “Best of” Matters for Restaurants

The impact is measurable. Research shows 90% of diners research a restaurant online before dining—more than any other business type.

“Best of” queries are not top-of-funnel. They’re high urgency. When someone types “best tacos near me,” they’re not planning for later. They’re looking to eat right now. That immediacy makes these searches especially valuable.

The payoff compounds:

• Traffic: You appear at the exact moment customers are making same-day decisions.
  

• Reviews: More visibility drives more walk-ins, which fuels more reviews.
  

• Revenue: “Best” customers are less price-sensitive, choosing based on quality and availability.

Consider a restaurant that ranked in the top 3 for “best pizza in Denver.” Within 90 days, they saw a 22% increase in walk-ins traced to Google Maps direction clicks. That’s direct, same-day revenue from a single high-value query.

Common Mistakes Restaurants Make

Despite the upside, many restaurants weaken their chances of ranking in “best of” searches. The most common mistakes include:

• Incomplete Google Business Profiles: Missing hours, outdated phone numbers, or no menu links reduce visibility.
  

• Weak review strategy: Few recent reviews, or ignored negative reviews, signal neglect.
  

• Low-quality photos: Stock or blurry images don’t perform. Customers expect authentic food and atmosphere shots.
  

• Wrong business categories: Broad categories like “restaurant” instead of “Mexican restaurant” limit relevance.
  

• Ignoring posts and updates: GBP posts keep profiles fresh; inactivity signals stagnation.
  

• Poor keyword use: Skipping “best” phrasing or local keywords misaligns with search intent.
  

Each of these errors is fixable. Addressing them can dramatically improve visibility in high-value searches.

The Value to Restaurants

The ROI of dominating “best of” searches is clear:

• Traffic growth: A single top placement drives measurable foot traffic.
  

• Higher average tickets: Customers searching “best” expect premium experiences and spend more.
  

• Review flywheel: More customers bring more reviews, which further strengthens rankings.
  

• Competitive advantage: Once entrenched in the top 3, competitors face steep barriers to overtake you.
  

For example, if “best brunch in Chicago” drives 15 extra tables per week at an average $50 ticket, that’s $39,000 in annual revenue from one query. Replicate that across five or six queries, and the financial case becomes undeniable.

Conclusion

“Best of” Google searches are not optional. They’re the most valuable real estate in local search. Restaurants that dominate them capture the highest-intent customers, generate more reviews, and create a durable growth engine.

The formula is straightforward: complete your GBP, generate consistent reviews, upload authentic photos, align descriptions with local search intent, and monitor results. Momentum compounds, and the earlier you build it, the harder it becomes for competitors to catch you.

The opportunity is sitting in front of you. The restaurants that act now will own the “best of” category in their markets. Those who hesitate will end up watching from the sidelines.