When was the last time you went out to eat at a cool new London restaurant and didn’t see a single diner take their phone out to snap a picture of their food? Yeah, we can’t remember either. Like it or not, we are living in the age of Instagram and nowhere is this more apparent than when it comes to food – restaurants all over the capital are vying to be featured on our stories and feeds, while some dining hotspots are intentionally creating dishes with the hope that they’ll end up on the ‘gram (hello Gloria’s gigantic lemon meringue pie), while others have become famous more for their Instagrammable interiors than the actual food they serve; EL&N London, we’re looking at you.
Cynicism aside, Instagram can be a great tool for seeking out London’s hottest new openings and must-have dishes, as well as being an easy way for diners to ‘try’ before they buy. Unsure about what to expect from that new restaurant where you eat your food blindfolded and the waiters are all cats? Well, check out what people are saying on Instagram before you book a table.
Of course, for the inside scoop of London’s restaurant scene, many people turn to the capital’s flock of influencers. While it seems that pretty much everyone has a food Instagram account these days, there are a clutch of professional Instagrammers out there who take their jobs very seriously and are more than worth a follow. So, if you want to stay on track on all of London’s newest restaurants, are wondering where to find the best food when abroad, or need some home cooking inspiration, check out our pick of London’s best food Instagram accounts. Just remember, we can’t be held responsible for any feelings of hunger that may occur once you’ve pressed the follow button.
Clerkenwell Boy (@clerkenwellboyec1)
Undoubtedly the godfather of London’s foodie Instagram scene, Clerkenwell Boy is an anonymous influencer who documents his restaurant visits, hotel stays and more via an expertly curated feed. He counts Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver among his followers and has managed to use his Insta fame to set up charity project #CookForSyria, which is a supper club that champions Syrian cuisine and raises funds for the nation’s needy.
Giulia Mulè (@mondomulia)
Food and travel writer Giulia Mulè has amassed tens of thousands of followers with her dreamy snapshots of brunch dishes and coffee art. Mulè also incorporates travel into her feed, so expect to experience some serious feelings of wanderlust. What’s more, she co-founded @IGBrunchClub (which is dedicated to London’s best brunches), so you know her opinion can be trusted when it comes to finding your next location for a weekend debrief with mates.
Leyla Kazim (@ldncheapeats)
We all know that dinner out in London can leave a serious dent in your pocket, which is why Leyla Kazim’s @ldncheapeats account is the answer to all of our prayers; the account chronicles the surprising number of dishes that you can find in the capital for under £8. There is also a bit of travel content thrown in should you need a cheap eat abroad, and there are enough tips and tricks on her feed to help you save some serious pennies.
Tun Shin (@tschang)
If you’ve tired of millennial pinks and splashes of neon all over your Instagram feed, check out @tschang’s somewhat moodier and more grown-up aesthetic. Tun is a lifestyle and travel content creator, and through his lens everyday restaurant meals are elevated to bonafide works of Instagram art. While we mainly follow him for the foodie content, there are plenty of landscape and interior shots to keep you entertained too.
Thoroughly Modern Milly (@millykr)
Food and travel writer Milly is passionate about seeking out London’s best dishes, whether that be pasta and pizza at Cecconi’s, or pastries from Popham’s bakery. She’s also passionate about weekend getaways, which led her to create Weekend Journals with co-founders Simon Lovell and Gabriel Kenny-Ryder: a series of travel guides focusing on food and lifestyle which explore the likes of London, Cornwall and Provence.
James Thompson (@food_feels)
Food and travel influencer James may hail from Australia, but he’s got London’s dining scene all figured out. His beautiful images showcase dishes from restaurants all over the capital, travelling from Kanada-Ya in Covent Garden to Bubala in Spitalfields. James is a keen traveller too and so far his culinary adventures have whisked him away to the likes of France, Italy and the USA.
Rosie Birkett (@rosiefoodie)
We think that prominent Instagrammer Rosie must have more hours in the day than the rest of us, as she manages to juggle being a columnist, food stylist and YouTube presenter, and has also found the time to author three books (A Lot on Her Plate, East London Food and The Joyful Home Cook ). In between all of that, she also manages to upload truly stunning photos of her homemade dishes, as well as plates of food from some of London and the UK’s best restaurants.
Kar-Shing Tong (@ks_ate_here)
Instagrammer Kar-Shing Tong is remarkably slim for a man who spends his life chowing down on stacked burgers, fried chicken and creamy pastas. Flying in the face of the clean eating brigade, Tong’s feed is filled with comforting dishes and he also does a fantastic job of championing London’s street food scene, highlighting up-and-coming brands like Mother Flipper and Dumpling Shack.
Jo Yee (@candidsbyjo)
Jo Yee’s feed is a treasure trove of new London openings and escapes to country manors, while we’re also fans of how she ditches the natural daylight and pastel tones favoured by most Instagrammers, instead focusing on low lighting and contrasting colours. Love making your own dishes just as much as ordering them in restaurants? Follow along as Jo documents her participation in cooking classes, including learning how to make dumplings.
Charlotte (@notsobasiclondon)
London can be an overwhelming city in general, and when it comes to choosing where to eat, there are enough options out there to make anyone confused. Food blogger Charlotte is here to help, with her ‘best of’ roundups and tailored walking tours of London that take in all the sights and hottest foodie spots. Her Instagram feed is as useful as her blog, providing a constant stream of envy-inducing food shots.
Shree Mitra (@truffleandtoast)
Shree is a young Londoner with a serious passion for food. Her Instagram page features everything from Michelin-starred fine dining to street food, so expect to see just as many posts from the likes of Arros QD as you will Street Feast at Hawker House. This is also a great page for getting your hands on some free London grub, as Shree hosts a new giveaway every week, where you can win meals out at some of the capital’s top haunts.
Dominic Rowntree (@samphireandsalsify)
Food and restaurants blogger Dominic has an obvious passion for restaurants and the added knowledge of having actually worked in a few (he used to be front of house at the legendary Guinea Grill). Dominic’s feed often features London’s latest openings, but he also spends a good amount of time at the capital’s classic haunts, such as The Dorchester Grill.
Tom Rogers (@gourmetguy)
Restaurant PR and influencer Tom has made a name for himself on the ‘gram with an attractive mix of drool-worthy food shots and aspirational travel content. You can expect to see all of London’s latest and greatest restaurants featured on his feed, while Rogers’ restaurant connections means you sometimes get a behind-the-scenes look too – a recent post showed followers just how much goes into making the banoffee pie at Circolo Popolare.
Nicola King (@eastlondonfoodiegirl)
Following @eastlondonfoodiegirl’s Instagram means you get the best of both worlds – that’s because Nicola King details her restaurant adventures in easily digestible captions on Instagram, as well as via long-form reviews on her blog. There’s a fair bit of bars and drinks content on her feed too, which means you can use her ‘gram to plan both your dinner out and the cocktails afterwards.
London Food Babes (@londonfoodbabes)
Trio Nina, Lovia and Jessica are the brains behind @londonfoodbabes, a hugely popular account that now has spin-offs in Amsterdam and New York. Their page is home to regular competitions and giveaways if you are on the hunt for some free food, while their regular content – think pastas, burgers, pizzas, tacos and more – is tempting enough to make you part with your hard earned cash.
Felicity Spector (@felicityspector)
Felicity Spector’s witty Instagram bio reads “what you see is what I get”, but after a quick scroll you’ll be wishing that you were the one tucking into the drool-inducing dishes. Felicity is always on the ball with new London openings, but much of the food on her feed is also homemade. Desserts are her speciality, so watch out for her recipes on everything from apple crumble to butterscotch blondies.
The Munch Brunch Kids (@themunchbrunchkids)
It’s well known that brunch in London has gone stellar in the last few years, so it’s no surprise that this account dedicated to the mealtime is so popular. The Munch Brunch Kids post everything from sweet brunch favourites such as pancakes and waffles, through to savoury classics including stacked burgers and scrambled eggs on toast. They’ve even released a book featuring 60 of the best brunch spots in the capital.
Insta-worthy moments aren’t just confined to what’s on your plate in restaurants. Check out our roundup of London’s most Instagrammable restaurant loos.