Loving Your Local Restaurant Beyond Dining

February is the month of love, and we are showing love to our local restaurants. These places are more than just spots to grab a meal; they are community hubs, cultural staples, and homes to hardworking service industry professionals. While dining out is always a great way to show your love, there are many ways to love your local restaurant besides sitting down for a meal. This month, let’s go beyond the plate and explore meaningful ways to uplift the local spots we love.

Why Supporting Local Restaurants Matters

Local restaurants bring life to our neighborhoods, offering unique flavors, jobs, and a sense of belonging. However, many of these establishments face challenges like rising costs, staffing shortages, and stiff competition from big chains or food delivery apps that take hefty commissions.

Every small action of support, whether it's a review, a share, or a kind word, helps them stay open, thrive, and continue serving the community. So, how can we show them some extra love this season?

Ways to Love Your Local Restaurant

1. Spread the Word

The easiest way to show love to your favorite local restaurant is to go digital. 

✅Leave a Positive Review – Post a glowing review on Yelp, Google, or TripAdvisor to help attract new customers.

✅Share on Social Media – Tag them in your foodie photos and use local hashtags to boost their visibility.

2. Engage with Their Content

Restaurants work hard to promote their menus, specials, and events online. Show some support by:

👍 Following their social media pages

💬 Liking, commenting, and sharing their posts

📩 Subscribing to their newsletter to stay updated on promotions and events

3. Purchase Gift Cards

Buying a gift card is a great way to support a restaurant! They make great gifts and help provide immediate revenue to the business. Consider buying one for yourself or a friend because everyone loves good food!

• Great for gifts or future meals, helping provide the restaurant with immediate revenue.

• Encourage others to do the same, especially for holidays and birthdays.

4. Order Directly

Third-party delivery apps take a big cut of restaurant profits sometimes up to 30%! If possible, order directly from the restaurant. This ensures that your money goes straight to the business, helping them stay profitable.

5. Tip Generously

Restaurant workers put in long hours to provide great service. If you can, consider leaving a little extra when tipping it can make a big difference in supporting the hardworking staff.

Join the Movement—Be a Local Food Advocate

Beyond personal support, consider advocating for restaurant workers and small businesses.

• Support initiatives that push for fair wages and better working conditions in the hospitality industry.

• Engage with organizations like Service!, which provides grants, resources, and community events to help local restaurant workers thrive.

• Encourage others to make small changes like dining local, tipping well, and spreading the word about independent restaurants.

Love Your Local, Every Day

Supporting local restaurants isn’t just about dining in it’s about fostering a community where they can thrive. By leaving a review, attending an event, ordering directly, or simply showing appreciation, you can make a real impact on the businesses that make our neighborhoods special.

This February, challenge yourself to go beyond the plate. Pick one or two of these actions and start spreading the love today. ❤️