34 viral Instagram Reels made by restaurants
These Instagram Reels produced by simple restaurants are all great examples of how simple ideas, when done right, can go viral.
You will see, and maybe you will be surprised, but it's almost never about beautiful dishes. That's too boring for IG users. You need to hook them with something else when they scroll their Reels.
In most of the examples below, they use familiar situations, funny twists, or smart little surprises that feel real, even if they're staged. It's enough to make people laugh.
You can learn from them, and also, you should know that if you stuck on IG and you need us to take a look at your account, we can do it.
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- Viral content ideas made by restaurants
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- Viral content marketing ideas made by restaurants
Utter Waffle, 22M+ views
🧨 Read our detailed analysis of this viral content here
In this Instagram Reel from the restaurant UtterWaffle, we see a woman saying “he's paying” and they turn out to be strangers, works because it plays with your expectations.
At first, you think you're watching a couple argue … something you've seen before, something you understand. But then the video flips the script and gets you hooked.
That's what we call a schema violation: your brain thinks it knows the story, but then it gets caught off guard. It's a classic Instagram trick to increase watch time and retention rate.
We always see this kind of pattern when we study and decrypt viral content.
Also, that surprise creates an emotional reaction, and that makes people remember it, rewatch it (more watch time), and send it to others (and when it's shared, the algorithm sees it as a positive sign).
For your restaurant, the takeaway is to use familiar situations, like paying the bill, ordering, or being on a date, but find a way to twist it in a surprising and smart way. You have to switch it fast though, or viewers will get bored and won't watch your Reel until the end.
Bar West Midtown, 7.7M+ views
🧨 Read our detailed analysis of this viral content here
This Reel from the food place Bar West Midtown shows a woman in full rage flipping stuff, and a man awkwardly copying her with no clue why.
The hook is the emotional contrast … her big reaction vs. his flat one. So it starts well
That caption, “When you have no idea why your work bestie is mad but you still show support,” is relatable for many people … so a lot of people stick and retention rate goes up.
It's one of the classic viral formats we have noticed.
Plus, the setting is calm, which makes the chaos funnier. People love seeing big reactions in unexpected places. It's like your brain says: “Wait, what?” and stays to figure it out (more watch time).
As a restaurant owner, you could use contrast too … loud emotions in quiet places, or exaggerated behavior in a chill environment, to create that same effect.
Mikuni Sushi, 9M+ views
🧨 Read our detailed analysis of this viral content here
This viral Instagram Reel was made from the sushi place Mikuni Sushi is very similar to the waffle video: a fake couple fight, same kind of misdirection.
But here, it works again because of how quickly it builds conflict. The moment she says, “He's paying,” you're already pulled in the storytelling so you keep watching.
You wonder if they're dating, if it's a prank, or if he's going to pay. It creates what we call a “curiosity gap” (this strategy is used in 80% of Instagram Reels).
That confusion makes people watch until the end (watch time and retention rates go up, which makes the Reel go viral). The twist is that they don't know each other is short, clean, and funny.
But what really helps is how normal everything looks: sushi, nice lighting, casual clothes. That normal setting makes the ”joke” land harder (keep that in mind if you want to replicate this Reel).
So, one more time, for your restaurant content, you could take ordinary restaurant moments (like sharing a dish, splitting a check) and build short stories around them with a twist at the end that flips what people thought was happening.
Monarch, 6M+ views
🧨 Read our detailed analysis of this viral content here
This Instagram Reel from MonarchKitchen, with the loud rock music coming from the kitchen is low-production and it still got 6M+ views.
It's not just showing music playing … it's telling a story through the effect the music has on the rest of the space.
That's why people relate and comment (one more time, you have to make jokes that are relatable for a big part of your audience, or it won't works): they've lived it, or they find it funny that a kitchen's vibe can mess with the entire room.
If you want to do something similar, think about what behind-the-scenes feelings spill into the customer space … tension, chaos, even joy. Show both sides in one story.
Monarch (again), 14M+ views
🧨 Read our detailed analysis of this viral content here
Again from Monarch.
This Reel is about new hires trying to pour sauce into a tiny hole (it's a weird situation, that's the hook here) instead of taking the whole lid off.
What makes this nice to watch isn't just the mistake, it's how seriously they take it. The Titanic music adds fake drama to something that's clearly silly. And the reveal of the unimpressed manager makes the whole scene funnier … and people give it a like
It's all about building tension in something very low-stakes. That's why people laugh: it's a fake big moment about something small.
You can do this too for your restaurant's Instagram account. Think about a silly mistake that happens in your kitchen (something harmless but goofy) and shoot it like it's a huge deal, with music and reaction shots. That's the contrast that works.
Eat Little Pisces, 2.8M+ views
🧨 Read our detailed analysis of this viral content here
This Instagram Reel from EatLittlePisces (where the owner holds up a lid as problems hit him) is viral because it uses a metaphor in a visual way.
It's not just “running a business is hard”. It's “here's what that feels like.” The pot lid as a shield, the upbeat music, the clever edit … it all creates a mini moment that feels personal but funny.
The key here is emotional honesty wrapped in a creative idea. It's not complaining. It's showing struggle in a way that makes people say, “That's so true.” That connection is powerful (people want to share it, they also leave comments, all of these are positive signs for the algorithm).
So if you run a restaurant, think about how you can turn your daily frustrations into a short, clever visual. Something small, like a leaky fridge or late delivery, turned into a playful scene people recognize and connect to (make it relatable, one more time).
Gordo's, 22M+ views
🧨 Read our detailed analysis of this viral content here
This Reel from Gordo's, where the staff “trains” a rude customer with a spray bottle (that's a weird thing to see, so people get hooked and keep watching the Reel), works because it takes something service workers wish they could do, and plays it out.
It's a fantasy. It's an exaggeration. But it's based on something very real: being ignored or treated poorly.
That emotional release is why people love it. It's not just funny … It feels satisfying (so you will like and comment, as a viewer). Also, the acting is good but not fake. It feels like real banter, so it lands better.
If you're making content for your restaurant, try to pick a small frustration that your staff experiences, and exaggerate it in a way that's playful, not angry.
Gordo's (again), 12M+ views
🧨 Read our detailed analysis of this viral content here
Another IG Reel from Gordo's, this time about coworkers who hate the same person.
It works because it taps into a very specific social bond: shared dislike. It's not something people talk about often, but everyone understands it.
In general, if you make an Instagram Reel that points out a common habit or behavior people have but don't usually talk about, it will really connect with viewers and could go viral. But it's hard to do.
Add in the dramatic Star Wars music and serious facial expressions, and it turns a normal moment into something epic and absurd.
That contrast makes people stop and stay.
If you want to do something like this for your own restaurant, pick those small, unspoken relationships that form at work … team dynamics, inside jokes, power struggles … and turn them into short, funny stories with exaggerated music or tone.
Bamilami, 5.2M+ views
🧨 Read our detailed analysis of this viral content here
This IG Reel from Bamilami shows a woman saying “Can I give you a tip?” and then saying “Get in shape”.
It works because it shocks you … but in a playful way. It sets you up for something kind (you get hooked, and you want to know what's the tip, so you stay, and watch time increases) and then switches it with something blunt. That surprise triggers a real reaction: you either laugh or cringe.
Either way, you feel something. And that's the point.
People don't share boring … They share what makes them feel. Also, the setup looks real. It's shot in their shop, with real people, so it feels more personal than a skit.
If you want to try this for your own restaurant's Instagram page, think about what kind of joke you can make that's slightly edgy but still clearly a joke. You need to walk the line carefully … make sure people know it's light-hearted.
Coalition Steak and Seafood, 1.4M+ views
In this Reel, Coalition grabs attention instantly with a seafood platter stacked with lobster and king crab (that's an impressive dish!).
But what really locks you in is the continuous pour of golden butter. That glossy, slow-motion stream is pure food porn. That's probably why people stop and stare.
The action isn't rushed. The butter keeps flowing, and your brain stays engaged, waiting for the “final shot”, which is the shrimp. That slow build boosts watch time and keeps people watching until the end. It's a simple loop that works well for IG.
The caption helps too: “'Tis the Season for a Seafood Platter Date.” It turns the visual into a suggestion. People start tagging their partners. That's what makes it shareable, we think.
The Reel becomes more than just a food video, it becomes kind of an invitation for a date. That's how you get more comments and shares, which helps it go viral.
The music is upbeat but not loud. It adds energy without distracting from the visuals. And the local tag (Alpharetta, GA) makes it actionable … people can go there if they want.
Casa Del Sol, 6.5M+ views
It's a simple trick but it worked here (to be honest, we are surprised).
This Reel wins in the first second. The text says “This initial owes you a tequila shot”, and instantly, you're looking for your letter. That's the hook. You're not just watching. You're part of it.
Then the bartender draws a letter “S” in salt. That small moment turns the video into a game: if it's your friend's name, you tag them.
It's good because people (and the algorithm too) love content that lets them involve their friends.
The idea is smart and easy because it's super easy to copy, and every new letter means a whole new audience.
And of course, it's about tequila. That already sets a casual, fun vibe. The music fits that too, upbeat and festive. People watch, tag, laugh, and plan to come in for a drink. And because it's shot inside a real restaurant with a real bartender, it feels personal and local.
The Viral Food Truck Exchange, 2.5M+ views
In this Instagram Reel from Flavor Hive Restaurant, we see a customer who drove 16 hours with a broken leg to try their "bring your own bag" challenge. The hook works because it creates immediate empathy and curiosity.
The vendor Amgad's authentic personality drives the whole thing. His mix of Arabic and English, plus his genuine care for the customer, makes viewers feel like they're watching a real moment of human kindness. When he says "I wanna you eat, I wanna you strong," it hits different than typical food truck banter.
What makes this go viral is how Amgad turns a simple transaction into a story. The customer's dedication (16 hours with a broken leg) gives emotional weight that keeps people watching. Plus, Amgad's energy and cultural authenticity create a character people want to share with friends.
The Chip Bag Feast, 30M+ views
This Instagram Reel from Flavor Hive Restaurant shows their signature move: cutting open a Flamin' Hot Cheetos bag and filling it with chicken, rice, and vegetables like it's a bowl.
The novelty factor is huge here.
People expect food in containers, not snack bags. This breaks the pattern and makes viewers stop scrolling to figure out what they're seeing. The visual of hot food steaming inside a chip bag is weird enough to grab attention immediately.
The POV camera angle puts viewers right in the customer's shoes, which boosts engagement. You feel like you're the one ordering this strange creation.
People probably comment because they're curious about taste, price, and whether they can bring any bag. The sheer amount of food packed into that bag also triggers a "good value" reaction that makes people want to try it.
A Viral Food Sensation, 2.1M+ views
Chef Susur Lee from Lee Restaurant showcases his "Cheeseburger Spring Roll" in this Instagram Reel. The authority factor is strong - he's a known chef talking about a dish that's been on his menu for 15 years.
The concept itself is a pattern interrupt. "Cheeseburger Spring Roll" combines familiar comfort food with an unexpected format, which creates immediate curiosity. When he describes the ingredients as "Canadian Angus beef" and "aged cheddar," it signals quality and makes the fusion feel intentional, not gimmicky.
What pushed this viral was probably the controversy around the dark fryer oil visible in the video. Even though it wasn't the main point, it sparked tons of comments debating food safety, which massively boosted engagement metrics.
The Caviar Cheeto Conundrum, 84M+ views
This Instagram Reel from Flavor Hive Restaurant shows a customer bringing $200 caviar to put in his Flamin' Hot Cheetos bag. The extreme contrast between luxury and street food creates immediate shock value.
It's one of the classic viral formats we have noticed. The $200 price tag amplifies everything - it's not just unusual, it's expensive and wasteful or brilliant, depending on your view. This polarization drives comments from people either amazed or annoyed by the display.
The customer's confident presentation and the vendor's genuine surprise make the interaction feel authentic. The "caviar bump" moment where they both taste it adds a human connection that keeps viewers invested in watching the whole process unfold.
The Dark-Colored Cow, 30M+ views
This Instagram Reel from La Catrachita Restaurant starts with a cow falling off a building, then cuts directly to birria tacos being made. The shock value is immediate and extreme.
The abrupt transition from animal accident to food preparation creates dark humor that some people find hilarious and others find disturbing. This emotional whiplash makes viewers rewatch the cut multiple times to process what just happened, which boosts watch time significantly.
The controversy drives engagement. Comments range from people laughing at the "ground beef" jokes to others calling it tasteless. This split reaction creates debate in the comments section, which algorithms interpret as high engagement.
From Highway Hazard to Hot Plate, 22M+ views
Another Instagram Reel from La Catrachita Restaurant using the same formula: cow jumps from moving trailer, immediate cut to birria tacos. The pattern works again because of the shocking juxtaposition.
This pattern keeps popping up in our breakdowns of viral content. The setup with concerned voices and genuine panic makes the first part feel real, which amplifies the absurdity of the cut to appetizing food footage.
The implied narrative (though not literal) that the fallen cow becomes the tacos taps into edgy humor that's highly shareable.
People send this to friends with "you won't believe this" energy, which drives the viral spread.
The "Chorizo Surprise" Taco, 3.2M+ views
This Instagram Reel from Taqueria El Sabrosito shows a large sausage on a small tortilla with white sauce, creating obvious phallic imagery. The audio includes the slip "tacos de pito" before correcting to "chachicha."
The text overlay "SEND THIS TO THAT ONE HOMIE WHO WOULD EAT THIS" directly instructs viewers to share, which drives the viral mechanics. The innuendo is so obvious it becomes the main hook - people share it precisely because it's crude and funny.
The brevity helps completion rates stay high. The joke lands quickly and people can rewatch to catch the audio slip or just enjoy the absurdity. The direct call-to-action makes sharing feel natural rather than forced.
The Sizzle of Luxury on the Grill, 1M+ views
This Instagram Reel from SGC Chicken & Seafood shows lobster-topped oysters cooking on a grill with visible flames. The luxury ingredients and dramatic cooking process create immediate visual appeal.
The fire element taps into primal attraction - humans are naturally drawn to flames. Combined with the sizzling sounds and steam, it creates an almost ASMR-like experience that's satisfying to watch repeatedly.
At just 5 seconds, the video delivers maximum sensory impact per second. The combination of oysters and lobster signals expensive, special-occasion food, which triggers aspirational sharing among viewers who want to experience or recommend this level of indulgence.
The 80 Oyster Challenge Unpacked, 5.7M+ views
This Instagram Reel from Wright Brothers shows a woman eating 80 oysters with an on-screen counter tracking her progress. The extreme quantity immediately creates curiosity about whether she can actually finish.
The counter is brilliant for retention. Each increment acts like a mini-reward, gamifying the experience and giving viewers a clear reason to stick around until she hits 80.
People get invested in seeing the number climb to completion.
The ÂŁ1 per oyster deal adds a smart angle - it makes the challenge seem financially strategic rather than just gluttonous. This detail probably drives comments about finding similar deals and makes the feat more relatable for bargain-hunters.
The Enormous Platter, 102M+ views
This Instagram Reel from Third Wave Burgers & BBQ shows a massive breakfast platter with the text "If you had 45 minutes to finish this platter, who would you call?" The direct engagement prompt is the main viral driver.
For us, it looks very familiar, because it's a proven format we've documented many times. The question immediately makes viewers think of specific people in their social circle, which triggers tagging behavior that algorithms love.
The sheer size of the platter creates visual hyperbole that's inherently shareable. The 45-minute time limit adds gamification, turning food into a challenge that people want to discuss and debate in comments.
The Colossal Cow Leg Conundrum, 5.2M+ views
This Instagram Reel from Third Wave Burgers & BBQ shows two men presenting a massive smoked cow leg, with one asking "what should we do with it?" The extreme size creates immediate shock value.
The open-ended question drives engagement by inviting creative responses. Instead of just showing food, they create a challenge for viewers to solve, which encourages comments and makes people feel like participants rather than passive viewers.
The "21 hours" smoking detail emphasizes the effort involved, which triggers appreciation for craftsmanship. The brief preparation montage satisfies curiosity about the process while the enthusiastic reactions make the content feel authentic and entertaining.
The Kebab That Broke the Mold, 36M+ views
This Instagram Reel from Third Wave Burgers & BBQ features a woman pulling a large bone from the center of a massive kebab. Her genuine surprise reaction becomes the emotional hook that drives engagement.
The "Thor's Hammer" branding creates memorable mythology around the food item. The bone extraction provides a satisfying reveal moment that answers the curiosity built up by the unusual size and construction of the kebab.
The underlying phallic symbolism (evident in comments) adds another layer of engagement that broadens appeal beyond just food enthusiasts. This creates multiple reasons for people to share - some for the food novelty, others for the innuendo humor.
The "Meat Tsunami" Effect, 7.3M+ views
This Instagram Reel from Third Wave Burgers & BBQ starts with "Anyone order this?" over an empty kitchen pass, then reveals a massive BBQ platter sliding into frame. The curiosity gap drives initial engagement.
The kitchen audio with the table number mix-up ("Table 35... Table 2!") adds authentic restaurant atmosphere while creating a simple engagement hook.
People latch onto "Table 35" in comments, making it a shared reference point.
The visual abundance and glistening presentation trigger food cravings, while the brevity ensures high completion rates. The professional kitchen setting adds credibility to the spectacle.
The Mythical Meat Mountain, 1.3M+ views
This Instagram Reel from Third Wave Burgers & BBQ shows their "Thor's Hammer burger" being assembled and eaten. The mythology behind the name creates instant memorability beyond just "big food."
The genuine enthusiasm from both presenters makes the extreme indulgence feel celebratory rather than gluttonous. Their visible enjoyment and exaggerated reactions provide vicarious satisfaction that encourages likes and shares.
The pop culture reference ("Thor's Hammer") makes the concept immediately understandable and taps into existing positive associations. This branding strategy differentiates it from generic oversized food content.
The Pizza Ritual and the "Shark Bite", 1.6M+ views
This Instagram Reel from All Star Pizza Bensalem shows a ritualistic pizza stacking process followed by the customer's dramatic "SHARK BITE!" and energetic dance. The theatrical performance elevates simple eating into entertainment.
The contrast between the deadpan staff and the enthusiastic customer creates comedy through their opposing energy levels. The ceremonial preparation builds anticipation for the payoff moment when he actually takes the bite.
It's a recurring element we've seen in multiple viral case studies. The "SHARK BITE!" becomes a memorable catchphrase that people can reference and repeat, making the content more quotable and shareable.
The Charred Charmer, 46M+ views
This Instagram Reel by Juan Gabriel Perez shows a completely burnt pizza being retrieved from a wood-fired oven. The text "POV: Your 'crispy pizza' is ready" sets up the ironic humor immediately.
The extreme visual of the glowing, ember-like pizza creates shock value while the ironic caption frames it as comedy rather than failure. This benign violation theory makes the disaster funny instead of concerning.
The relatability factor is huge - everyone has overcooked something, but this takes it to an almost cartoonish extreme. The pile of other burnt pizzas in the background suggests this might be intentional, which adds to the absurdity and discussion potential.
The Hypnotic Pizza Turn, 22M+ views
This Instagram Reel by Juan Gabriel Perez shows a Neapolitan pizza being rotated in a wood-fired oven with flames dancing in the background. The fire element creates primal visual attraction that's hard to ignore.
The skilled pizza turning demonstrates craftsmanship while the close-up shots showcase the bubbling cheese and developing crust char. This sensory appeal triggers cravings and appreciation for traditional cooking methods.
The brief duration makes it perfect for looping, which boosts watch time metrics. However, the content also sparked debate about hygiene and cooking methods in comments, which drives engagement through controversy about stone-cooked pizza.
The Sizzle and the Sell, 12M+ views
This Instagram Reel by Juan Gabriel Perez offers an extreme close-up view inside a wood-fired oven with multiple pizzas cooking among dancing flames. The immersive perspective puts viewers right in the action.
The combination of fire and food triggers multiple senses simultaneously - the visual appeal of flames, the implied sounds of crackling, and the food's appetizing appearance. This sensory density creates strong engagement in a very short timeframe.
The brevity ensures viewers watch multiple times, either by choice or through auto-looping. The perceived authenticity of wood-fired cooking adds aspirational value that encourages sharing among food enthusiasts.
The Floor Pizza Inspection, 4.5M+ views
This Instagram Reel by Juan Gabriel Perez shows a pizza falling on the kitchen floor, then a chef seriously inspecting it by lifting one edge. The unexpected reaction creates comedy through subverted expectations.
Instead of immediately discarding the fallen pizza, the careful inspection suggests he's checking if it might still be salvageable. This absurd optimism in the face of obvious disaster creates humor that's both relatable and ridiculous.
The laugh track reinforces that this is meant to be funny rather than concerning. The brevity and clear visual gag make it easily shareable as a quick comedy moment that most people can understand regardless of language.
The "Tag-a-Friend" Pizza Challenge, 6M+ views
This Instagram Reel from Gabriel Pizza shows a staff member revealing a pepperoni letter "J" on a pizza, saying "If your friend's name starts with this letter, they owe you a pizza." The direct social prompt drives viral mechanics.
The letter "J" is strategically chosen because it's extremely common (John, James, Jennifer, Jessica), which maximizes the number of viewers who can participate. This broad applicability increases tagging potential significantly.
The challenge format transforms passive viewing into active social interaction.
People immediately think of friends whose names start with "J" and feel compelled to tag them, which creates the sharing behavior that algorithms prioritize.
A Viral Pizza Prank, 1.3M+ views
This Instagram Reel from Gabriel Pizza features two men of different heights, with text building to "SEND THIS TO SHORTER THAN YOU! THEY OWE YOU A FREE PIZZA!!" The height difference becomes the comedic hook.
The sequential text reveal creates anticipation as viewers wait to see the complete message. The universal nature of height differences means almost everyone has someone shorter they could tag, making the target audience very broad.
The presence of Brady Tkachuk (recognizable NHL player) adds celebrity appeal for sports fans, which amplifies reach within those communities. The playful teasing about height provides a lighthearted way to engage friends socially.
The Salad Experiment, 5.5M+ views
This Instagram Reel from Gabriel Pizza shows a man looking distressed about his "third attempt at making a salad," then reveals he's holding a pizza slice. The misdirection creates immediate comedy through subverted expectations.
The setup taps into universal struggles with healthy eating versus cravings for indulgent food. His genuine-looking distress makes viewers empathize before the punchline reveals the absurd "solution" to his salad problem.
The continued sad music over the appetizing pizza shot creates comedic contrast that amplifies the humor. The relatability of choosing pizza over salad makes this highly shareable among people who recognize their own food choices in the joke.
The Ramen Dare, 1M+ views
This Instagram Reel from RakiRaki Ramen & Tsukemen shows beautiful ramen with text "Send this to the cutest girl you know. She owes you ramen." The direct dating prompt combined with appealing food creates dual engagement drivers.
The instruction leverages flirtation and compliments (calling someone "cutest") while providing a low-stakes way to initiate interaction. The ramen "debt" gives a clear goal that feels more like a date invitation than a random message.
The food presentation with the noodle pull and perfect soft-boiled egg creates strong visual appeal that makes the "reward" more desirable. The gentle music enhances the romantic undertone of the message, making it feel charming rather than demanding.
Napolify's Resources
- More than 500 viral content pieces analyzed
- Case Studies of viral accounts (Tiktok, Instagram and Facebook)
- Free Marketing Tools & Calculators
- Latest Tiktok Trends
More blog posts
- Viral content ideas made by restaurants
- Viral Tiktok videos made by restaurants
- Viral content marketing ideas made by restaurants