18 Mother’s Day ideas for restaurants: specials, promos, dishes

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There’s no day quite like Mother’s Day. It’s an opportunity for children to show love to the one who brought them into the world. It’s also one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants, so making everything as special as possible is a great way to bring in both new and returning diners—and build the rapport that turns them into regulars.

There are multiple ways to make Mother’s Day specials and events work for your restaurant. Creating the right ambiance, menu options, and availability are all crucial steps to making your Mother’s Day celebration shine.

Let’s find out what you can do to make your restaurant Mother’s Day weekend-ready with extra special ideas.

18 ideas to create the best, most seamless Mother’s Day at your restaurant

Mother’s Day diners generally won’t be walk-ins. You’ll be serving families of thoughtful siblings, dads, co-parents, or grandparents who have made reservations in advance to treat Mom to her favorite tacos, lobster tails, or french toast.

Whether you’re planning a three-course Mother’s Day dinner or a casual brunch, let’s get into 18 promotional techniques, menu planning ideas, and event plans to make Mother’s Day a meal that turns diners into regulars.

1. Get reservations squared away

Because Mother’s Day is so busy, many diners will know they need to make reservations to celebrate Mother’s Day right. This is where you can really make a splash with promotions: Run a social media campaign before Mother’s Day. Offering promotions on all social media platforms, including Yelp Connect, is an excellent way to get people to book ahead of time. Not only can you help guarantee your covers on that day, but you’ll also be able to plan ahead for your inventory and menu offerings.

If you’re concerned about no-shows, you don’t have to be if people book with Yelp: Yelp Guest Manager customers have average no-show rates below 10%.*

2. Book live music

Giving your guests the chance to enjoy some live music while they enjoy a Mother’s Day meal is a great incentive that could get your place booked over your competition. Pairing music with a pop-up wine bar could give your restaurant a cool, relaxed vibe for families with adult children looking for an evening out.

A daytime-appropriate band could also be a hit for the brunch crowd. Think about the demographic of your dine-in customers and source a band that can be enjoyed by the whole family (especially moms). Unless your restaurant already has a reputation as a music venue, it’s probably best to keep the tunes low-key. Moms hear enough blaring sounds from PAW Patrol every day—it’s their time to chill.

3. Freshen up your dining room and menu design

Since Mother’s Day always lands on a Sunday, offering a Mother’s Day brunch gives you lots of opportunities to do a temporary revamp of your space. For your restaurant specials to really pop, make sure that you let as much light into your place as possible and offer outdoor seating if you can.

Make your guests’ Sunday brunch special with an overall color theme. Pastel colors work well during the springtime and a floral theme is always a safe bet. Deck your restaurant out with balloons, signage, and heart-shaped floral arrangements to complete your look. Create an exclusive Mother’s Day menu with fresh springtime entrees, and design it to match your new decor.

4. Offer a coupon or deal

A great incentive for families is a gift card incentive or a family bundle coupon. Big groups will appreciate a discount on what could be a spendy meal, and it could encourage them to book a table. Promote these well in advance!

Try $5 kid’s menu meals for Mother’s Day or a $30 gift card when you book a Mother’s Day reservation.

5. Try a prix fixe menu

Not everyone has the means to take their mom and others out to dinner without a clear indication of what the bill is going to be. So, let guests know ahead of time how much they can expect to spend with a prix fixe menu. For example, you could offer a brunch menu that includes a drink, a choice of fresh-baked quiche, topping-loaded waffles, or signature pancakes, and a side of either breakfast potatoes, bacon, or fruit. Prix fixe doesn’t have to be bougie food!

You can also upsell add-on cocktails like bloody marys and mimosa flights. Now you buy those items in bulk, and voila: brunch is served.

Oh, and make sure that your prix fixe menu design reflects your chosen color scheme and theme.

6. Offer takeout options for on-the-go families

It may sound strange to offer takeout or curbside pickup, but people lead busy lives. Mom might want the family to pick up food to-go and stay cozy at home, or have a park picnic to enjoy the sunshine. You might not be able to offer your full menu on delivery apps or for online orders, but make sure most things on your menu work well for both carryout and dine-in.

7. Plan unique dishes

Going out for Mother’s Day could mean moms get themselves a special meal they don’t ordinarily have at any old family meal at home. So what can that look like?

This largely depends on your geography and demographic, but consider one-off dishes that are unique to Mother’s Day. Fresh seafood can be an excellent choice if you have access to the good stuff, as can top-quality meats and salads. Fresh, innovative takes on classics can be a big hit.

Letting your chefs show off can make Mom feel special. Consult your chefs for their opinions—they definitely have some.

8. Promote drink pairings

Few things make a meal more special than a unique drink pairing with each course. If you have a deep wine or cocktail list, this is great news. Even if you don’t, creating a refreshing sangria to match a starter or featuring a sparkling wine for dessert can attract plenty of attention.

Non-alcoholic options are a must as well for mothers who don’t drink or are pregnant—let your bartenders have fun with mocktails, like an alcohol-free mimosa flight. Mom needs more than just water on Mother’s Day!

9. Extend the day

To improve your profits and provide flexibility to your diners, you could extend your restaurant Mother’s Day specials to an extra day on either side or even to a full week.

Many people work on weekends, so some may not be able to get Sunday off for Mother’s Day. Stretching your offers across several days can help people give their mothers a special day even if it’s not on the official Mother’s Day.

10. Prepare Mother’s Day gifts

A small but meaningful gift can go a long way towards endearing yourself to diners and turning them into regulars.

What can this look like? A fresh flower for moms could work if you have the budget. Maybe you happen to have a garden on your property that you’re able to pick from, or perhaps a local florist is willing to strike a deal with you if you promote their business.

Free appetizers, takeout croissants, or other freebies of the sort can also help endear you to mothers and families alike. A complimentary mimosa is a pleasant way to welcome mom and make her feel special.

A casual loyalty program in the form of a bonus card (who doesn’t love a punch card?) or a discount on future visits can also work. Not only will you have given your diners something special, you’ll have incentivized them to return.

Another restaurant deal that could go over well is a free glass of wine or dessert for Mom next time she comes in. This is an easy and cost-effective way to show appreciation and get people to return.

11. Make family-style dishes

Mother’s Day is all about family. Think about ways that you can create meals that suit your niche that will allow families to eat together and have some fun at the table.

What about a big sharing basket of buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes on the side? Steakhouses could serve a meat platter featuring prime rib, beef tenderloin, and filet mignon. Setting up a carving station with favorites like roast turkey or lamb will please the whole family.

For a seafood eatery, oysters on the half shell, fresh grilled fish, or any variation of lobster dish are likely hits.

12. Spruce up your brunch menu

The ever-popular brunch hour on Mother’s Day gives you a good opportunity to play up your A.M. menu items. Feature a special brunch menu that caters to all.

Moms that like to eat healthy will go for a local take on a frittata or seasonal fresh fruit, and maybe even an eggs benedict with avocado swapped for the ham. For the moms that prefer something heartier, try a fun departure from American breakfast with a similarly carb-heavy English breakfast with unlimited sides of hash browns. This is best served with a proper cup of tea, of course.

A Mother’s Day brunch buffet can improve efficiency and provide a range of options for all to enjoy. Consider an omelet station, a section for custom bellinis, and a range of baked goods like cinnamon sugar donuts, pretzels, and other goodies.

13. Have strong lunch and dinner menus

Mother’s Day lunch and dinner will vary widely depending on the style of your restaurant. Some of the most searched-for items on search engines for Mother’s Day meals include surf & turf, Italian favorites like lasagna and fettuccine alfredo, roasted chicken, and tacos. There’s a good chance that families coming to your restaurant are hoping for something adjacent to these genres, but let your unique menu shine above all else.

Additionally, be sure to represent your area. Local flair is an excellent way to attract and retain diners: People are increasingly interested in just what the flavors of their area really are. Local restaurants can help make themselves truly “local” by tapping into specific regional cuisines and traditions.

14. Focus on desserts

Desserts should be one of the prime focuses of Mother’s Day. This can be a time for your chefs to truly shine, especially if you have a pastry chef.

Consider offering desserts you can’t easily make at home, like crème brûlée, strawberry cheesecake, tiramisu, artisan ice cream, and so on. Dessert is an excellent way to leave your diners with a good taste in their mouth—quite literally. Serve an excellent dessert after a top-notch meal, and you’ll be remembered fondly.

15. Offer unique Mother’s Day drink events

Keeping Mother’s Day fun and offering special events can set a restaurant apart from competitors. So what can that look like?

Consider an idea like a mixology class. Restaurants with a strong bar section can set space aside for moms and probably adult children to up their cocktail game together. Mixologists can lead a session where the participants create new cocktails and share them—and Mom gets to go home and tell everyone about her new invention.

Similarly, a wine tasting session gives customers an opportunity to flex their palates and savor your wares. At the same time, it provides restaurants an opportunity to show off their wine menu and knowledge.

For sessions like this, it’s wise to require booking in advance and set aside specific time slots (1.5 to 2 hours) to avoid overbooking and allow opportunities to cycle in multiple groups.

16. Partner with local businesses

Many moms will have a restaurant as just one of their stops on Mother’s Day—so team up with other likely businesses to promote package deals and present a united front to customers. Florists, spas, hairdressers, clothing shops, and other gift shops can all benefit from united Mother’s Day promotions.

Consider offering discounts based on receipts—e.g., if a customer brings a receipt from a florist to your restaurant they get a free dessert or 25% off drinks. Other businesses can do the same with receipts from your restaurant.

17. Add a photo opportunity area

Set up a cute backdrop or booth for families to capture memories, encouraging social media shares. This could be a designated spot in the restaurant designed specifically for photos: an appealing corner, an entryway, a patio, or a quieter section of the dining room. Decorate it with a Mother’s Day theme in mind: floral arches, cascading greenery, or a backdrop with Mother’s Day message banners. Consider also including chalkboards or whiteboards for custom messages as well as accessories like boas or flower crowns.

If you want to go all out with this idea, consider hiring a professional photographer, offering guests a free digital download or a printed Polaroid with an optional upcharge for more services. Alternatively, set up a ring light and a camera or phone and create a competition for best/cutest/funniest photo as voted by social media users.

18. Offer a Mother’s Day contest or giveaway

A contest or giveaway can be a fantastic way to drum up excitement, boost engagement, and draw in customers. The concept is simple: Offer a prize that appeals to moms or families, tie it to your restaurant’s brand, and promote it strategically to maximize participation and buzz.

The price should be enticing but manageable. Think a free Mother’s Day brunch for a family of four, a gift card, or a pampering package like a meal paired with a spa package. You can go all-out if you want with a Mom’s VIP experience with a reserved table and special dishes not available on the normal menu.

For a social media contest, ask participants to post a photo or story about their mom or themselves as a mom with a tag to your restaurant’s account. They can share a favorite memory or explain why their mom deserves a treat. Winners can be picked randomly or by social media user votes. Start this competition at least two weeks before Mother’s Day.

For an in-house contest entry, place entry forms on tables or at the host stand a week or two before Mother’s Day. Guests drop their name and contact info into a jar for a drawing. Consider tying it to a purchase, e.g., “enter with any $30+ purchase.”

For a nomination-style entry, invite people to nominate a deserving mom via email or a form on your website, sharing a short story. You pick the winner based on creativity or heartstrings, announcing it publicly for feel-good vibes.

Make Mom’s day unforgettable

Mother’s Day is the mother of all opportunities for restaurants. You can help make Mom happy, provide a bustling shift for your servers, and win new customers who will come back soon.

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