A customer opens ChatGPT and asks: “What’s the best Italian restaurant near me?”
Within seconds, the AI provides a shortlist of names… and that’s where the battle for visibility begins.

Appearing in those first ChatGPT recommendations is the new frontier for restaurant discovery. It’s no longer just about ranking on Google Maps or TripAdvisor. OpenAI’s conversational assistant is already influencing millions of dining decisions every day.

At Sorbey.co, we help restaurants save time and strengthen their online presence. In this article, we explain:

• How ChatGPT selects its answers.

• The key factors that determine whether your restaurant shows up in its recommendations.

• Concrete steps to optimize your listings, reviews, and reputation.

• How Sorbey automates this process so you can stay ahead.

The future of dining isn’t just in the dining room or kitchen — it’s also in how AI recommends your restaurant. Let’s explore how to leverage this revolution.

1. Why ChatGPT recommendations matter

Consumer behavior is changing rapidly. In 2023, Google was still the go-to option. In 2025, a growing share of users prefers asking AI directly:

• “Which vegetarian restaurants do you recommend?”

• “Where can I get brunch in NYC’s East Village?”

• “Give me the best Japanese restaurants near me.”

ChatGPT responds with a curated list of restaurants. If you’re not in that list, you’re invisible to these high-intent customers.

Key takeaway: Being recommended by ChatGPT means capturing attention at the exact moment a customer is ready to book.

2. How ChatGPT gathers restaurant data

Unlike Google, ChatGPT doesn’t crawl the web in real time. It relies on:

• Public sources: Google Maps, Yelp, TripAdvisor, TheFork/OpenTable.

• User-generated content: reviews, local blogs, media coverage.

• Structured sources: Google Business Profiles, open datasets, API integrations.

👉 If your information is incomplete, inconsistent, or outdated, ChatGPT may simply skip your restaurant.

Sorbey insight: ChatGPT doesn’t invent rankings. It amplifies what’s already visible and consistent online.

3. From traditional SEO to AI visibility

For years, the holy grail was ranking on Google’s first page. Today, AI discovery is just as critical.

• Google = search results pages.

• ChatGPT = a single, synthesized answer.

That means less shared visibility and more polarization: either you’re mentioned, or you’re invisible.

4. Key factors that influence ChatGPT recommendations

Our research shows ChatGPT favors restaurants with:

• High review volume (200+ reviews on Google Maps minimum).

• Recent, positive ratings (≥ 4 stars average).

• Consistent data (hours, address, menu aligned everywhere).

• Brand mentions in local blogs, articles, and “best-of” lists.

• Fresh photos and engaging descriptions.

Sorbey tip: Restaurants that gain 20+ fresh reviews in 3 months are 2.5x more likely to appear in ChatGPT’s answers than stagnant competitors.

5. Optimizing your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is the backbone of your visibility. To maximize your chances:

• Fill out every section (hours, phone, website, menus).

• Upload high-quality photos regularly.

• Post updates and seasonal menus.

• Ensure consistency between Google, Facebook, TripAdvisor, and Yelp.

👉 One inconsistent opening hour across platforms can make ChatGPT overlook your listing.

6. Reviews: the #1 driver of recommendations

ChatGPT heavily relies on ratings and reviews:

• A steady stream of new reviews signals activity and reliability.

• Responding to all reviews (positive and negative) shows strong reputation management.

• Keywords in reviews influence AI descriptions (“romantic ambiance”, “fast service”, “family-friendly”).

With Sorbey.co, restaurants automate review monitoring and responses — saving up to 5 hours per month — while ensuring a fresh, positive reputation across platforms.

7. Structured data & Schema markup

AI prefers structured data. Adding Schema Markup (Restaurant, Menu, OpeningHours) to your website makes it easier for ChatGPT to parse and surface your details.
👉 Example: a JSON-structured menu is far more accessible than a static PDF.

8. Local SEO fuels AI visibility

ChatGPT cross-checks with local SEO signals. That means:

• Being cited in “best-of” neighborhood blog posts.

• Earning backlinks from local media, event pages, and directories.

• Creating geo-focused content on your site (pages for neighborhoods or districts).

9. Content marketing that feeds AI discovery

Build content that AI can use when forming answers:

• Blog posts: “Top 5 brunch spots in Brooklyn”.

• PR: Features in local food magazines.

• Influencer partnerships: Social media content that generates buzz and mentions.

10. Social signals & brand buzz

ChatGPT also interprets perceived brand authority:

• Active Instagram/TikTok accounts with strong engagement.

• Local hashtags (#NYCBrunch, #Paris10).

• Frequent mentions in geotagged posts and community discussions.

11. Common pitfalls to avoid

• Inconsistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone).

• Outdated menus on certain platforms.

• Ignoring multilingual searches when tourists make up a large share of traffic.

• Not replying to negative reviews, which drags perception down.

12. Advanced tip: test your own ChatGPT visibility

Try asking ChatGPT yourself:

• “Best Italian restaurant in [city].”

• “Where can I get brunch in [neighborhood].”

Check whether your restaurant appears. If not, analyze who does — then reverse-engineer their online presence (review volume, media mentions, consistent info).

13. Case study: a restaurant winning with ChatGPT

A Paris bistro doubled its visibility in 6 months by:

1. Updating its Google Business Profile weekly.

2. Collecting 50 authentic new reviews in 3 months.

3. Publishing guest articles on two local food blogs.

Result: +18% reservations via Google Maps, and now consistently recommended by ChatGPT in its area.

14. How Sorbey.co helps

At Sorbey.co, we help restaurants:

• Automate review management (collection + responses).

• Ensure data consistency across all platforms.

• Track visibility on Google Maps and ChatGPT.

• Save time with tools that handle the repetitive work.

Our promise: put your restaurants on the map — and in AI recommendations.

15. Quick Takeaways

• ChatGPT is a restaurant discovery channel today, not tomorrow.

• Your visibility depends on 3 pillars: reviews, data consistency, local authority.

• The same actions improve both Google Maps and ChatGPT rankings.

• The future of discovery = Local SEO + AI visibility.

• Sorbey makes it easy by automating and systematizing the process.

Conclusion

Today’s diners don’t just search on Google. They ask ChatGPT. And its answers directly shape their dining choices.

If your restaurant isn’t in the first recommendations, you don’t exist.

The levers are clear:

• Collect fresh, positive reviews.

• Keep your data consistent and structured.

• Build local buzz and online mentions.

At Sorbey.co, we turn this into a simple, automated process. You save time, boost visibility, and ensure your restaurant makes the list — not the footnotes.

👉 Request a free audit today to see if your restaurant already appears in ChatGPT.

FAQ

Q1: Can you pay to appear in ChatGPT results?
No. ChatGPT doesn’t sell ad slots. Visibility depends on reviews, data accuracy, and reputation.

Q2: How long before I see results?
Typically 6–8 weeks after improving reviews and fixing data inconsistencies.

Q3: Do recommendations vary by language?
Yes. Tourists ask in English, Spanish, Chinese, etc. Your data should be multilingual.

Q4: Does ChatGPT only use Google Maps?
No. It cross-references multiple sources: Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, blogs.

Q5: What’s the most common mistake restaurants make?
Ignoring negative reviews or letting outdated info linger — both reduce visibility dramatically.