What each one costs, when each one works best, and a simple way to split a small budget, for restaurants, cafés, bars, and food trucks across Tampa Bay.
The short answer
They do different jobs. Google ads reach people who are already hungry and searching, like "brunch near me" or "tacos in Wesley Chapel". Facebook and Instagram ads reach locals who were not looking for you yet, which is how you fill a slow Tuesday or launch a new menu. Restaurant clicks cost about $2.05 on Google and about $0.45 on Facebook. Most restaurants should get their free Google Business Profile right first, use Google ads to catch people ready to eat, and use Facebook and Instagram to create demand.
Think about how someone ends up at your table.
Google captures demand that already exists. Facebook and Instagram create new demand. That one difference explains most of what follows.
LocaliQ, working with WordStream, publishes yearly benchmarks from thousands of ad campaigns. Their 2026 numbers for the Restaurants & Food category:
| Metric | Google search ads | Facebook traffic ads |
|---|---|---|
| Average cost per click | $2.05 | $0.45 |
| People who see the ad and click | 6.83% | 2.68% |
| Clicks that become a lead or action | 8.05% | Not reported |
| Average cost per lead | $30.57 | Not reported |
For comparison, the average across all industries is $5.42 per click on Google and $0.60 on Facebook. Restaurants pay less than most businesses on both platforms, and Facebook restaurant ads get clicked more often than average (2.68% versus 1.93%), because food photos and videos do well in the feed.
Do not compare the two cost-per-click numbers directly. A Google click usually comes from someone choosing where to eat right now. A Facebook click comes from someone who liked the look of your food and may visit next week, or never. Cheaper clicks are not always cheaper diners.
| Google ads | Facebook & Instagram ads | |
|---|---|---|
| Who sees it | People searching for food like yours | Nearby people who match your audience |
| Best for | Diners ready to eat, visitors, catering | Slow nights, launches, events, regulars |
| What you need | A strong Google profile, a fast menu page | Great photos and short videos |
| How fast it works | Same day, once people are searching | Builds over days and weeks |
| What to measure | Calls, directions, reservations, orders | Offer redemptions, reservations, orders |
Here is what the 2026 averages work out to. Treat it as a rough starting point, not a promise: your food, location, photos, and offer all move these numbers.
| Monthly ad spend | Google clicks (at $2.05) | Facebook clicks (at $0.45) |
|---|---|---|
| $300 | about 145 | about 665 |
| $600 | about 290 | about 1,330 |
| $1,000 | about 490 | about 2,220 |
Because restaurant clicks are cheaper than in most industries, a single location can often start with a smaller budget than a contractor would. The right amount depends on your restaurant, your area, and what you want more of. We set it with you after the free review and adjust once real results come in.
Likes and views are easy to show and hard to pay the rent with. Track things that end with someone eating your food:
That is how we approach it with our clients: ad spend paid straight to Google and Meta from your own accounts, a flat management fee quoted in writing, and monthly reports in calls, reservations, and orders. See how we work with Tampa Bay restaurants, our paid advertising service, and our social media management.
Straight answers
Boosting is a quick way to get a good post in front of more locals, and it is fine for small tests. Ads Manager gives you more control: a tight radius around your restaurant, a clear goal such as calls or directions, and the ability to test two versions against each other. Once you spend regularly, move to Ads Manager.
Per click, Facebook is much cheaper: about $0.45 for restaurants versus about $2.05 on Google search in 2026 benchmarks. But the people clicking are doing different things. A Google click usually comes from someone already looking for a place to eat, so fewer clicks can still bring in more diners.
It varies by restaurant, location, and goal. Clicks for restaurants cost less than in most industries, so a single location can often start smaller than a contractor would. We set the number with you after a free review, then adjust based on real calls, reservations, and orders.
Not always. Posts mostly reach people who already follow you. Ads reach nearby people who have never heard of you. If your regulars keep you full, keep posting. If you have slow nights or you just opened, a small local ad budget fills the gap faster than posting alone.
We'll look at your Google listing, social pages, and any ads you run, and tell you where a small budget would do the most good. Free, and no pressure.