New York Restaurants For The Perfect Instagram Shots

Whether you like it not, some restaurants and even some particular dishes are undeniably Insta-famous. People flock to certain places from all over because they saw the most perfect avocado toast on Instagram or because they want to get their shot of a giant ice cream cone. Sometimes, you buy things and eat them for the sake of ‘likes,’ but that doesn’t mean it’s any less delicious. So if you’re a social media fiend in need of some new content, here’s a list of places that serve Insta-worthy food. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Taiyaki

NYC’s newest Instagram sensation is Taiyaki – an ice cream shop in Chinatown serving some slightly fishy dessert. The word ‘taiyaki’ actually refers to the Japanese cake the ice cream is served in, and though it’s shaped liked a fish, the taste couldn’t be further from it. It’s essentially a buttery cake with a mild flavor, and they’re filling it with soft serve. This quirky, kitschy cone is delicious – and more likely than not for New Yorkers, it’s probably taking over your Instagram feed.

Two Hands

For a mid-morning meal that won’t weigh you down, try Two Hands, a Pinterest-perfect cafe serving up light fare. Ricotta-topped banana bread, bacon and egg avocado toast, and loaded acai bowls round out the cafe’s menu of feel-good food. With its friendly staff, high-quality coffee, and sun-soaked interior, Two Hands is sure to warm up your weekends.

Roberta’s

Arguably NYC’s most popular pizza place, Roberta’s is also its most Instagrammed. Even though there are hundreds, probably thousands of places to eat pizza in NYC, an Instagram photo of a Roberta’s pizza pie is unmistakable. Though they now have an outpost in Midtown, Manhattan, the original Brooklyn location is one of the toughest restaurants to get into (expect to wait, maybe for hours), so if you manage to get in and post a photo, you’re sure to induce envy amongst followers.

Ivan Ramen

No food-lover’s Instagram feed is complete without a picture of ramen noodles being lifted from the bowl, and some of the prettiest and most delicious noodles in NYC can be found at Ivan Ramen. Ivan Ramen is owned by Iran Orkin – a Jewish kid from Long Island who moved to Tokyo, starting making ramen, and somehow became a huge hit back home. He now has a ramen restaurant on the Lower East Side, and it’s one of the best noodle spots around.

Shake Shack

If you haven’t posted a photo of Shake Shack‘ s delectable burgers and fries artfully arranged on a tray, have you even been to NYC? Shake Shack has been around for over a decade now and is known as one of the best cheap eats you can find in the city. The lines are long but the payoff is huge – this is an iconic NYC institution that every visitor should try. There are now locations all over the world, but the original location is Madison Square Park is still the classic choice.

Emmy Squared

It’s true that New Yorkers love New York-style pizza, but lately something new his has hit the scene. Since opening in early 2016, the Detroit style pizza at Emmy Squared has stolen hearts and completely taken over Instagram feeds. This thick (but not too thick) square slice is sinfully delicious, and it’s so tough to get in you’ll need to take a picture just to prove your presence.

Tacombi

Everyone loves tacos, but if you’re an Instagrammer looking for aesthetically pleasing tacos, Tacombi is your place. It now has a few locations around NYC, and each one is open, light, and full of brightly colored decor – the ideal setting for that perfect shot. And while of course you can’t go wrong with a picture of the tacos themselves, Tacombi is unique in that the space itself is just as worthy of a ‘gram.

Black Seed Bagels

Another food you must eat in NYC is a bagel, and while you can find them almost anywhere, some of the most Instagrammable are at Black Seed Bagels. Admittedly, the bagels here are small (they’re ‘Montreal style’), but they’re crazy delicious. Keep it simple or order up one of their truly amazing gourmet sandwiches, but either way don’t forget to snap a pic of the fillings before you take a bite.

Okonomi

For something totally unexpected, head to Okonomi for the most visually pleasing breakfast you can find. Maybe even better than a fork cracking an egg to create #yolkporn, Okonomi serves a truly beautiful Japanese breakfast that demands to be photographed. The meal is simple and traditional – roasted fish and vegetables, miso soup, rice, and egg – and it will re-invent what you thought a balanced breakfast could be.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.