Instagram offers variety of beautiful food options

Is it embarrassing to go to a restaurant and take pictures of your meal? The answer for most of us is a resounding “Yes,” but for these Instagrammers, exceptions can be made. As technology becomes an ever more prominent part of our everyday lives, outlets such as Instagram can be a great way, not only to check up on the lives of your friends, but also to pick out a place to eat.

Gone are the days when diners had to search guidebooks and rely on the recommendations of friends when choosing a restaurant for a special occasion or exploring the culinary side of a new city. With so many accounts posting professional, mouthwatering pictures of everything from pizza to pancakes, deciding which to follow can feel a little overwhelming. But don’t worry — these five accounts are sure to fulfill all your foodie needs.

@nomcitybetch

 

This account is run by seven college students, so you know they have your best interests at heart (or stomach). Hungry for donuts? Craving a burger? Just in need of some good comfort food? Look no further. This Instagram is sure to give you some inspiration for places to dine, with all their posts geotagged so you can check out the website, as well as other Instagram photos and customer reviews before making the trip. Even if the featured restaurants and cafes are a bit out of your way  — posts come from every state and the odd foreign country — this account will have you drooling with the beautifully photographed dishes that we all crave once in a while.

@albeeats

 

New York-based 24-year-old Alexandra is the go-to if you’re looking to pursue a healthier lifestyle. Described in her bio as a “plant eater,” she somehow manages to make vegetables look like Van Gogh. Homemade platters dominate her food, and will make you keen to try out some healthy cooking in your own home. While many healthy eating accounts have honed the skill of laying out meals in an artistic and highly picturesque format, few individuals have Alexandra’s eye for color. Don’t expect bland, one-tone images from this account. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find any picture with fewer than 10 or 11 vibrant colors coming together in perfect harmony. If choosing a healthy option over something deep-fried is difficult for you, follow Alexandra, and you’ll never dread eating salad again.

@laurenlowstan

 

Lauren Lowstan is the official baker for Lauren Conrad’s website laurenconrad.com and was also hired to bake the wedding cake and other desserts for Conrad’s wedding. For any food lovers and fans of LC, following @laurenlowstan is a must. Her images are some of the most beautiful to be found on Instagram, with pink, beige and jewel tones combined with soft lighting to create food that looks almost too pretty to eat. Sweets and desserts are the standard fare, with pies cookies and pastries making the most regular appearances. The best part? The recipes for almost every item pictured is available for free via laurenconrad.com.

@leesamantha

 

Did you think food was just for eating? You were wrong. Self-proclaimed “food artist” and mother Samantha Lee takes food presentation to a whole new level. It started as a way to make meals more appetizing for her children, and has skyrocketed to an account with 665,000 followers. Every plate is a work of art, from cookies baked, iced and dusted to look like the New York City skyline, to rice, crackers and vegetables arranged into a scene from Batman. If you prefer to look at your food than eat it, or just want something unusual and aesthetically pleasing to come up on your newsfeed, then following @leesamantha is a no brainer.

@hashtag_fat

 

Who ever thought it was possible to make EVK food look gourmet? Well these four girls have somehow managed to achieve the impossible. Run by four USC freshmen, what better way is there to support your fellow Trojans than through food? This Instagram looks completely professional, and what’s more, most of the posts feature restaurants in or around the USC area. This is the perfect account if you are looking for somewhere new for dinner, because with almost daily updates, there is no shortage of inspiration. From local eateries like CREAM to high-end sushi, no matter what your taste buds are craving, @hashtag_fat has got you covered.

From food as art to gourmet comfort food, these five food Instagrams leave you feeling hungry. Whether you are looking for a new restaurant to dine at or hoping to exercise your cooking skills, by following these accounts, you can be sure that the perfect number of food photos will appear on your newsfeed, and you won’t be bombarded by constant pictures of acai bowls. What are you waiting for? Go ahead and click that “follow” button, and you’ll never be lost for food-spiration again.