5 min read · Updated October 18, 2026
Google reviews for restaurants, cafés and bakeries
In food service, the window to ask for a review is short: a few seconds between the bill and the door. Here’s how to make the most of it, at the counter and in the dining room.
At the counter: café, bakery, quick service
- Next to the payment terminal. It’s the one spot where every customer stops, phone or credit card already in hand.
- When handing over the order, one line: “If you enjoyed it, a quick review helps us a lot!”
- For takeout, a small card on the pickup counter, where people wait.
In the dining room: table service
- With the bill: the card in the bill folder, or shown at payment.
- On every table, in a small stand: customers see it while they wait.
- The server mentions it in one line, when the customer thanks them for the meal.
Peak hours matter. If your stats show most taps come between noon and 2 pm, the lunch team should know the card best.
The line, in English and French
“If you enjoyed it, a quick Google review helps us a ton — it takes ten seconds!”
« Si vous avez aimé, un petit avis Google nous aide énormément — ça prend dix secondes ! »
What not to do
- Offering a dessert, a coffee or a discount in exchange for a review: Google forbids it, even for “an honest review”.
- Showing the card only to tables that look happy: Google forbids asking only satisfied customers.
- Asking staff or family to write reviews.
Replying to reviews
Say thanks and mention a detail (“Thank you, glad you enjoyed the soup of the day!”). For criticism, reply quickly and calmly, and invite them back or to write to you. Future customers read the replies as much as the reviews.