15 Google Review Response Examples for Every Situation
Writing unique responses to every Google review is one of the most impactful things you can do for your online reputation. But staring at a blank text box and trying to find the right words for the fifteenth time this week gets old fast.
Here are 15 real-world examples organised by business type and review sentiment. Use them as starting points and adapt them to fit your voice.
Restaurant and café review responses
Review: "Best brunch in town! The eggs benedict was perfect and the coffee was outstanding."
Response: "Glad you loved the eggs benny, Lisa! Our chef takes real pride in getting that hollandaise just right. The coffee's from a local roaster we've been working with since we opened. Hope to see you again soon."
Review: "Booked a table for 7pm and still waited 25 minutes. Food was cold when it arrived. Won't be coming back."
Response: "Hi Tom, sorry about the wait and the food temperature. That's not the standard we set for ourselves. I've spoken with the kitchen team about this. We'd love the chance to make it up to you. Drop us a message at hello@example.com if you'd be open to giving us another try."
Review: "Nice atmosphere and good cocktails, but the pasta was overcooked and portions were small for the price."
Response: "Thanks for the honest feedback, Rachel. Really glad you enjoyed the cocktails and the vibe. We hear you on the pasta and portions. I've passed this to our head chef. Appreciate you letting us know rather than just not coming back."
Salon and barbershop review responses
Review: "Amy did an amazing job on my colour. Exactly what I asked for and she was so friendly!"
Response: "Amy's going to love hearing this! She's brilliant with colour. Thanks for trusting us with it, Kate. See you at the next appointment."
Review: "Cut was fine but I waited 20 minutes past my appointment time. No apology either."
Response: "Hi Dan, that's not on. You booked for a reason and we should respect your time. I've had a chat with the team about keeping to schedule. Sorry about the lack of apology too. Hope you'll give us another chance."
Dental practice review responses
Review: "Dr Patel was so gentle and explained everything clearly. I'm usually terrified of the dentist but felt completely at ease."
Response: "That's wonderful to hear, Sophie. Dr Patel always takes the time to make sure patients feel comfortable. Nervous patients are very welcome here. Thanks for choosing us."
Review: "Receptionist was rude and dismissive. Charged me for a missed appointment I wasn't told about."
Response: "Hi Mark, sorry to hear this. That's not the experience we want anyone to have. I'd like to look into the missed appointment charge for you. Please call the practice and ask for the practice manager directly so we can get this sorted."
Tradesperson review responses
Review: "Arrived on time, did a brilliant job on the boiler install, and left the place spotless. Highly recommend."
Response: "Cheers Mike! Glad the install went smoothly. We always try to leave things as we found them. Give us a shout if you need anything down the line."
Review: "Good work in the end but had to chase for a start date three times. Communication could be better."
Response: "Fair point, Steve. We were stretched thin that week but that's no excuse for poor communication. Glad the work itself was up to standard. We've tightened up our scheduling since. Thanks for the honest feedback."
Hotel and B&B review responses
Review: "Stunning views from the room and the breakfast was incredible. Staff couldn't have been more helpful."
Response: "So glad you enjoyed the views and the breakfast, Anna! We're lucky with the location and the kitchen team works hard on those morning spreads. We'd love to welcome you back."
Review: "Room was clean but the heating didn't work and nobody fixed it during our two-night stay."
Response: "Hi Paul, really sorry about the heating issue. Two nights without it is not acceptable. We've since had the system serviced and it's working properly now. I understand this affected your stay and I apologise. Please get in touch directly and we'll make this right."
Gym and fitness review responses
Review: "Great facilities and the personal trainers really know their stuff. Only downside is how busy it gets at 6pm."
Response: "Thanks for the kind words about the team, Jess. They work hard to stay on top of their game. We know the 6pm rush can be intense. We're looking at extending peak hours and adding more evening classes. Appreciate the feedback."
General tips for writing your own responses
- Always use the reviewer's first name. It immediately makes the response feel personal.
- Reference specific details. If they mentioned a dish, a staff member, or a service, mention it back. This proves you actually read their review.
- Keep it under 80 words. Long responses look defensive, especially on negative reviews.
- Match your brand voice. A craft brewery should sound different from an accountancy firm.
- Never copy the same response twice. Google and customers both notice duplicate replies.
- Respond within 24 hours. Speed signals that you care.
How to respond faster without sacrificing quality
If you receive more than a few reviews per week, writing unique responses for each one takes real time. Many business owners either fall behind or resort to copy-pasting the same generic reply.
StellarReply solves this by using AI to draft personalised responses based on each review's content, your business type, and your preferred tone. You approve every reply before it goes live, keeping the personal touch without the time investment.
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