21 Best Restaurant Instagram Accounts Owning It

We also really, really love food (as evidenced by this recent quote from one of our team members: "We're all about creating memorable dining experiences. And we believe an Instagram account is a way for operators to give you a glimpse of what you can expect when you visit our restaurant.")

Beautiful food pics have been a staple of Instagram since its inception, but the best restaurant Instagram marketing goes beyond pretty pictures.

• "Restaurant Instagram accounts are a great way to showcase your food, connect with your customers, and drive traffic to your restaurant,” says Elana Kroon, Eat App’s Senior Content Manager.

The best accounts engage their audience with creative content and compelling brand storytelling. And, of course, it goes without saying we also advocate for great restaurants to integrate their reservation system's booking widget with their Instagram account. But more on this topic here. 

So without further ado, here are 21 of our favorites, in no particular order:

1. Eleven Madison Park

New York City | @elevenmadisonpark 

Eleven Madison Park (New York City) is a Michelin-starred restaurant with stunning food photography and behind-the-scenes content.

Their Instagram account is a feast for the eyes, with close-up shots of their beautifully plated dishes, as well as photos of the kitchen and the chefs at work.

Related content: 15 Creative Instagram Post Ideas for Your Restaurant

They also share behind-the-scenes content, such as videos of the farmers who supply their ingredients and photos of the restaurant's interior. This gives followers a behind-the-scenes look at the restaurant and its commitment to quality.

Follow them here. 

2. Bestia 

Los Angeles | @bestiala

The food at this celebrated Italian LA joint, Bestia is so mouthwatering that it's hard to resist. Just look at the number of excited comments and the engagement rates on their Instagram page.

They are off the charts! This is exactly what your restaurant's Instagram page should evoke: a frenzy for food. Make visitors your fans by treating them to high-quality pictures of your delicious dishes.

Follow them here. 

3. Via Carota

New York City | @viacarota 

We love it when brands go custom on Instagram. Italian food hotspot Via Carota is a great example of this.

The restaurant's Instagram account has a high-resolution look and feel that makes the food look even more delicious.

Related content: Top 21 Restaurant Influencers to Follow

The content on the page glorifies the restaurant's offerings, from pasta dishes to desserts. It is filled with outstanding aesthetics and an inspirational atmosphere. And the food photography is simply exquisite.

Follow them here. 

4. Noma Restaurant

Copenhagen | @noma_restaurant

Noma Restaurant (Copenhagen) is a world-renowned restaurant known for its innovative and experimental cuisine.

Their Instagram account is a great way to see what Noma is up to, with photos of their latest dishes, as well as photos of the restaurant's garden and the ingredients they use.

They also share videos of their chefs in action, giving followers a glimpse of the creative process.

Follow them here. 

5. Alfred 

Los Angeles | @alfreda 

A restaurant that collaborates with sneaker brands? Count us in! Alfred in LA definitely knows a thing or two about branding.

And you should take note of how they approach Instagram to get their brand message across. The content is diverse, the posts are regularly updated, the profile makes good use of Stories, and it's very pleasant to look at. A perfect recipe for success.

Follow them here. 

6. Dill Restaurant 

Iceland | @dillrestaurant 

Dill Restaurant highlights the environment in which they operate, both indoors and outdoors. Their followers have plenty to talk about thanks to photos of local wildlife, featured ingredients, and the restaurant itself. They also use tasteful, high-quality photography that matches their brand.

Follow them here. 

7. Bad Roman

New York City | @badroman

Bad Roman, a New York City restaurant that puts a playful twist on Italian food, has only been open for a few months but has already amassed almost 45K followers on Instagram.

The restaurant's Instagram feed is highly curated and features beautiful photos of the food, ambiance, and customer experience. Bad Roman also utilizes its stories to highlight the customer experience by reposting photos taken by diners.

Follow them here.

8. Ci Siamo

New York City | @cisiamonyc 

A restaurant's Instagram account should be eye-catching and visually appealing. Ci Siamo does this successfully by using colorful content that represents the brand.

They also use social media as a channel to deliver news and announcements, which keeps their followers engaged and informed.

Follow them here.

9. Hiša Franko

Slovenia| @hisafranko 

Hiša Franko is a restaurant in the stunning Soča valley, Slovenia that works closely with local producers to source the finest ingredients.

Their Instagram account showcases the people and food that have made them a success, earning them two Michelin stars and a ranking of #21 on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list.

Follow them here.

10. Wendy

Multiple locations | @wendysmena 

Wendy's is known for their quirky persona on Twitter, but its Instagram account is also worth a follow. The account is filled with funny internet trends, interactive graphics, and entertaining captions.

Wendy's also engages with its followers in the comments section, which makes the account even more entertaining. The account has a high engagement rate, which shows that Wendy's is doing something right.

Follow them here.

11. Yucatan Cuisine

Yucatan Peninsula | @ekbalamyucatancuisine

Yucatan Cuisine (Tulum) celebrates the flavors of the Yucatan Peninsula. Their Instagram account is full of colorful photos of their dishes, which are made with traditional Yucatan ingredients.

They also share photos of the restaurant's surroundings, such as the cenotes and the beaches of Tulum. This gives followers a sense of the restaurant's location and its connection to the local culture.

Follow them here.

12. Crumbl Cookies

Multiple locations | @crumblcookies 

Crumbl Cookies is a cookie delivery and retail chain that has gone viral over the last few years, most notably for its weekly rotating menu.

Crumbl uses its social media to drop new flavors every Sunday night with a fun video that customers return to view each week. Their feed also gives in-depth descriptions of each cookie to increase the temptation.

Follow them here.

13. Crown Shy

New York City | @crownshynyc 

Crown Shy's Instagram account is mouthwatering. It's extremely attractive, very well-run, and boasts diverse content.

It is definitely one of the best restaurant Instagram accounts of 2023. The visuals are crazy good, and the food looks absolutely irresistible. There is also a fair share of posts highlighting the staff, the chef's residences, and the visitors.

Here are some specific examples of the types of content that Crown Shy shares on its Instagram account:

• Food photos: Crown Shy shares stunning photos of its food, which is known for its creative and innovative dishes.
  
  
• Behind-the-scenes photos: Crown Shy also shares behind-the-scenes photos of its kitchen and staff, giving followers a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes.
  
  
• Chef's posts: The chef, James Kent, also shares posts on the account, giving followers a glimpse into his life and work.
  
  
• Visitor posts: Crown Shy also shares posts from visitors who have dined at the restaurant, giving followers a sense of what it's like to experience Crown Shy firsthand.

Follow them here. 

14. Oxomoco

New York City | _oxomoco_

Oxomoco, a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York City, has a vibrant and engaging Instagram account that showcases its food, its staff, and its community.

The account features everything from endorsements from celebrities like Ryan Seacrest to traditional food photos to making-of videos to goofy posts celebrating the staff.

This diversity of content is one of the things that makes Oxomoco's Instagram account so successful. It shows that the restaurant is well-grounded in the community and that it is not afraid to be itself.

Here are some specific examples of the types of content that Oxomoco shares on its Instagram account Traditional food photos: Oxomoco shares stunning photos of its food, which is known for its use of fresh, seasonal ingredients. These photos help to whet the appetites of potential diners and to showcase the restaurant's culinary skills.

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• Endorsements from celebrities: Oxomoco has been endorsed by celebrities like Ryan Seacrest, who has called it "one of the best restaurants in New York City." These endorsements help to give the restaurant a sense of credibility and status.
  
  
• Making-of videos: Oxomoco also shares making-of videos that give followers a behind-the-scenes look at how its food is made. These videos help to build trust and transparency with followers and to give them a sense of what it's like to work at Oxomoco.
  
  
• Goofy posts celebrating the staff: Oxomoco also shares goofy posts that celebrate its staff. These posts help to create a sense of community and to show that Oxomoco is a fun and relaxed place to work. 

15. Chopt Salad

Multiple locations | @chopsalad 

Chopt Salad uses Instagram to showcase its creativity and dedication to providing fresh, healthy food.

The account features stunning photos of its salads, bowls, and dressings, as well as behind-the-scenes looks at how they are made. Chopt also shares recipes, tips, and inspiration to help followers create their own delicious and nutritious meals.

Follow them here. 

16. Freedom a la Cart

Columbus | @freedomalacart 

Columbus café Freedom a la Cart supports and hires sex trafficking survivors. Their Instagram feed is a feast for the eyes, with beautiful photos of their food and drinks. But more than that, they keep a strong connection to their mission in all of their posts.

One example is their "Voices of Freedom" series, which highlights survivor stories and expert information about sex trafficking. These story highlights help raise awareness for the issue and display Freedom a la Cart's commitment to helping survivors.

Freedom a la Cart also uses its Instagram account to connect with its community. They often post about local events and organizations that are working to end sex trafficking. They also use their stories to share behind-the-scenes looks at their cafe and to highlight the work of their staff.

Follow their account here. 

17. Monty's Good Burger

Los Angeles | @montysgoodburger

Monty's is a plant-based burger chain in Los Angeles named after the owner's dog. Their Instagram account features close-up photos of their delicious food, as well as fun videos describing how they make it.

True to their name, the account also features plenty of dogs, both at their storefronts and posing with their food. What could be better than puppies and burgers?

Follow them here. 

18. Taim

NYC, DC, MD, VA | @eat_taim 

Taim Mediterranean Kitchen uses Instagram to whet their followers' appetites and give a deeper look into their employer brand.

The restaurant, dubbed the "lunchtime GOAT" by Infatuation DC, features employees and their favorite orders. There are thousands of ways to customize their pitas, bowls, and salads, and Taim also offers vegetarian and vegan menu items.

Follow them here. 

19. First Watch 

First Watch, a restaurant chain that specializes in breakfast, brunch, and lunch, uses Instagram to showcase its seasonal food and drink items and the fans who love them.

The restaurant's Instagram account is so popular that some of its most popular seasonal menu items have become permanent additions, such as the Purple Haze lavender lemonade.

First Watch also uses social media to surprise and delight fans when launching new menu items. For example, the restaurant recently hosted a Tropical Sunrise Getaway Giveaway, which awarded a trip to Florida inspired by a new fresh-squeezed juice with the same name. According to Outgrow, giveaway competitions typically bring in 34% of new customers.

Follow them here.

20. Venessa Restaurant

Italy | @venissa_tenuta

Venissa is a restaurant that is surrounded by a peaceful walled vineyard. Their cuisine is inspired by the local produce and wines of Native Venice, and their love for the vineyard is evident in their social media posts.

Follow them here. 

21. White Castle

Multiple locations | @whitecastle 

White Castle takes a customer-centric approach to their Instagram by heavily featuring user-generated content (UGC). Their Instagram feed is filled with photos of customers celebrating their graduation day at White Castle, hanging out with friends, and even TikToks of customers enjoying their food. The slider chain takes this a step further with its Craver Hall of Fame contest every year.

Forbes discusses the importance of UGC for brands, citing it as “giving customers a unique opportunity to participate in a brand’s growth instead of being a spectator.”

Follow them here. 

Added tip: consider Instagram Highlights

When you check out the Instagram profiles of the restaurants mentioned above, the first thing you'll notice is their bio information and Instagram Stories Highlights. Highlights are groups of Stories that you can create as folder sections on your profile.

In most of these restaurant profiles, the Highlights are front and center, giving guests a glimpse of what each restaurant brand is all about.

Unlike Instagram Stories, which disappear after 24 hours, Highlights allow you to keep your content on your feed for as long as you want. This means that you can save any Story you post in a Highlight, which is like an album or folder.

For example, Hiša Franko uses Highlights to showcase everything from their uniforms to their cat, Berta. Euskalduna Studio uses this feature to collect past Stories that are still relevant for new and existing followers to view, such as images from previous Four-Hands Dinners and saved Stories from users.

Is Instagram useful for restaurants?

Social media is now one of the primary ways that restaurants communicate with their customers. Websites are important, but the first impression most customers have of a restaurant is through its social media. In fact, 57% of customers would rather contact a business through social media or email than by phone.

So, yes, Instagram is more than good for restaurants—it's essential. And restaurants and bars are practically made for Instagram. All of the delicious food and drinks you serve are a feast for the eyes. People eat with their eyes first, and Instagram is your chance to whet their appetites and encourage them to make a reservation.

Takeaways

In short, you don't need to rely on rainbow-colored unicorn foods or physical spaces designed for Instagram-worthy photos. Instead, focus on creating personalized guest experiences. That's what guests really want.

While beautiful food photos are a staple of Instagram, the best restaurant Instagram marketing goes beyond just sharing tasty pictures. It engages the audience with creative content and brand storytelling.

>>> Need more social media strategy ideas? Click here. 

FAQs

How many IG followers should a restaurant have?