With the abundance of foodstagrams out there today, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the instagrammed restaurant options when you’re visiting a new state. You want to have a good tasting meal that will look good on your Instagram and Snap story too.
Thankfully, there are several tools available to figure out which instagrammed restaurants are best in terms of taste and aesthetic. I’ve compiled a list of the most instagrammed restaurant in every state so you don’t have to worry about finding that insta-worthy restaurant wherever you are.
With that, here are the restaurants that will rack up the likes on your next Instagram post:
Alabama: Hot and Hot Fish Club
Hot and Hot Fish Club is a James Beard Award winning restaurant is located in downtown Birmingham. Head chef Chris Hastings blends French, Southern, and California cuisines to create beautifully plated masterpieces like this loaded seasonal tomato salad with sweet corn, field peas, fried okra, and smoked bacon.
Alaska: Moose’s Tooth
Anchorage is home to this pizzeria and pub. The goal of Moose’s Tooth is to offer a gourmet pizza experience with a huge variety of non pizza options as well. Their specials are always changing, but you’ll definitely want to post a picture of your sizzling pizza with snow-capped mountains in the background.
Arizona: Lo- Lo’s Chicken and Waffles
While this restaurant is a chain, it all began in Phoenix, Arizona.
Lo- Lo’s Chicken and Waffles offer up a menu full to the brim of southern soul food, but if you want their most popular dish, stick to the classic chicken and waffles. Bring a friend to lend you a hand in capturing the perfect syrup pour.
Arkansas: Heights Taco and Tamale Company
Little Rock is home to Heights Taco and Tamale Company, the inventor of Arkansas-style Mexican food, which they call Ark-Mex. Think enchiladas, tacos, tamales, and nachos full of traditional Arkansas ingredients.
Their bright dishes feature house made smoked meats, tortillas, syrups, sauces, dressings, and chow-chow that will look amazing for your next taco Tuesday post.
California: Bottega Louie
While this LA-based restaurant and bakery’s sweet treats often steal the show, their meals can also hold their own. Don’t get me wrong, the brightly colored macarons are beautiful. But you can’t help but drool over their elegantly-plated entrees.
Everyone knows that brunch is the most instagrammable meal, and Bottega Louie reinforces that. Bring as many friends as you can so you can order a wide variety of dishes from their extensive menu.
Colorado: Viewhouse
It’s not only the food that makes this place one of the most instagrammed restaurants…
Viewhouse, a Denver eatery, bar, and rooftop deck, has beautiful food and an even more stunning view. Be sure to capture both when you stop by to enjoy the locally sourced food and extensive drink menu.
Connecticut: Frank Pepe Pizzeria
Frank Pepe began making pizzas in a wood fired oven in New Haven in 1925. Since then, the internet and Instagram have been invented. The delicious “perfect pepe pizza” is arguably one of the most instagrammed restaurant dishes of all time, so you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetic for flavor.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try their signature white clam pizza topped with fresh clams, grated cheese, olive oil, fresh garlic, and oregano.
Delaware: Klondike Kate’s Restaurant
Klondike Kate’s Restaurant and Bar has one of the most varied menus I’ve ever seen. Between brunch, lunch, and dinner, they offer everything from breakfast enchiladas to sushi to crab mac and cheese. Luckily, I can narrow it down for you because Klondike Kate’s is famous for their nachos.
Florida: Joe’s Stone Crab
Miami Beach has been home to this crab-centric restaurant for 102 years. The namesake stone crabs will jump out in bright orange when they’re delivered to the table.
Lucky for everyone not from Miami, Joe’s Stone Crab ships their famous seafood and side dishes across the country for everyone to enjoy.
Georgia: Miso Izakaya
Serving up beautiful and bright sushi creations in Atlanta, Miso Izakaya is the brain child of top chef Guy Wong. If sushi isn’t your thing (#judgingyou), try one of their equally instagrammable ramen bowls.
For those looking for more sushi in Atlanta, check out this article.
Hawaii: Duke’s Waikiki
The only thing that rivals the beauty of Duke’s famous Hula Pie are the views of Waikiki Beach from the Barefoot Bar. In case you were wondering, it’s a chocolate cookie crust, macadamia nut ice cream, hot fudge, and toasted macadamia nuts topped with fresh whipped cream.
Idaho: Messenger Pizza
Since opening in Nampa in 2010, Messenger Pizza’s giant slices have been all over the internet. You’re going to need more than one plate to hold a piece of one of the creatively-named pies, like the Chuck Norris or the Drunken Goat.
Illinois: Girl & the Goat
Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard cooks up a stunning menu at this Chicago restaurant. The most popular dish on Girl and the Goat’s family style menu is the goat leg, which must be ordered ahead of time. It comes with a range of sauces and pairs well with their mint roasted cauliflower.
Indiana: Milktooth
Milktooth is home to the only ModBar espresso machine in Indianapolis. Enjoy an espresso, drip coffee, or cold brew made from house-roasted beans alongside one of their beautiful sweet or savory dishes.
Iowa: Zombie Burger
It all started in Des Moines… You can enjoy inventive burgers with monster shakes in one of these post-apocalyptically decorated Zombie Burger joints. The Drink Lab flagship location features an expanded menu and weekly specials that you can’t get anywhere else, so it’s worth the trip.
Kansas: The Donut Whole
The Donut Whole cranks out donuts in Wichita the old-fashioned way. They scratch make every batch using Kansas buttermilk, eggs, butter, and flour. With over 40 flavor varieties, they have something for everyone. If you’re vegan, be sure to stop by on Wednesday so you can chow down too.
Kentucky: Brown Hotel
In 1926, a chef at the Brown Hotel in Louisville invented the Hot Brown. It’s a warm open-faced sandwich with turkey, bacon, and mornay sauce. Since then, this piece of food architecture has been featured on Man vs. Food, Throwdown with Bobby Flay, and ABC News.
Louisiana: Cafe Du Monde
Cafe Du Monde of New Orleans has been keeping it simple since 1862. The only food they have is beignets, but that’s all you need. You know ratio of powdered sugar to dough is just right when you get a puff with every bite.
If you want to stick to tradition, order them alongside a cup of coffee Au Lait (half brewed coffee, half milk).
Maine: Portland Lobster Company
You know you’re getting your seafood as fresh as possible when you visit the seasonally-open Portland Lobster Company. It’s located directly on the water, with great views of the harbor. I’d recommend their award-winning lobster roll (voted #1 in Portland the past three years).
Maryland: Woodberry Kitchen
This restaurant not only cranks out beautiful dishes, but they’re composed of locally-grown ingredients. Located in Baltimore, Woodberry Kitchen focuses on Chesapeake-inspired flavors. Their menu is always changing with what’s in season, so you’ll never get bored coming back again and again.
Massachusetts: Mike’s Pastry Inc.
Located in Boston’s historic North End, Mike’s has been the “home of the cannoli” since 1946. There’s no denying the beauty in their fried shells filled with cannoli cream, but don’t forget to check out their other delicious pastries when you stop by.
Michigan: Slows Bar BQ
Slows began smoking and cooking up monstrous portions in 2005 in Detroit. They put a gourmet spin on traditional BBQ, which they cook fresh every day. It’s not uncommon to see a whole pig smoking over the coals at this establishment.
#SpoonTip: Try a Yardbird sandwich, featuring smoked chicken sautéed in honey mustard BBQ sauce (made in house), mushrooms, cheddar cheese, and applewood smoked bacon.
Minnesota: Tongue in Cheek
Popular for both brunch and dinner in St. Paul, Tongue in Cheek prides itself in only using animal products raised and caught using humane and sustainable practices.
For the full experience, try their #howwebrunch combo (2 teasers, 1 entree, 1 eye opener, and 1 coffee) or the seven course tasting menu for dinner.
Mississippi: Babalu Tapas & Tacos
The tiny Latin-inspired dishes that Babalu serves up pack massive flavor. Bring some friends and order a handful of the made-to-share tapas at the flagship location in Jackson or any of their numerous new locations. Just don’t forget your overhead picture before everyone digs in.
Missouri: Arthur Bryant’s
This barbecue establishment is headquartered in Kansas City, so it’s only logical that they are serving up Kansas City style barbecue. Since it was founded in the 1920’s, the fame and recognition of Arthur Bryant’s barbecue sauce and meats has grown.
Montana: Top Hat Lounge
This Missoula hotspot combines a small-capacity concert venue with a full service restaurant. Top Hat offers everything from classic southern comfort dishes to vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options. Be sure to arrive early for your next concert so you can take time to enjoy the grub.
Nebraska: Blue Sushi Sake Grill
There is just something so aesthetically pleasing about a perfectly made sushi roll and this small chain upholds the Instagram reputation of sushi. Blue Sushi all began with one location in Omaha, but now it’s spread from Dallas to Denver.
Nevada: Hash House A Go Go
This Las Vegas restaurant is known for putting a twist on traditional farm food. Hash House’s huge portions pack even bigger flavors in famous dishes like chicken and waffles and burgers. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy your food while watching some Vegas entertainment.
New Hampshire: Goldenrod Restaurant
This Manchester “restaurant” is unique in that it’s the only drive-in on the list. Since 1951, Goldenrod has been serving up delicious to-go orders of seafood, burgers, sandwiches, and ice cream.
They’ve got something for everyone, so stop by and enjoy your food inside, outside, or in your car (where no one can judge you dipping your fries in your shake).
New Jersey: Liberty House Restaurant
Located in Jersey City, Liberty House boasts dinner with a view in two forms. You can enjoy a beautifully-plated dish featuring seasonal ingredients from local sources with the New York skyline rising up in front of you.
New Mexico: El Pinto Restaurant
Not only does El Pinto manufacture and sell their own salsa, they also have a hen farm on-site in Albuquerque for fresh eggs. Their accolades range from best nachos in America (Wall Street Journal) to #3 ribs in America (Food Network), so you really need to pay the beautiful farm a visit.
New York: Katz’s Delicatessen
Odds are, if you’re a foodie, you’ve seen one of Katz’s famous sandwiches. Since 1888, they’ve been piling corned beef, pastrami, and brisket high on fresh bread. You can even have their award-winning meat shipped to you if you have the patience.
North Carolina: Angus Barn
The name says it all for this Raleigh restaurant. Angus Barn specializes in aged steaks and the venue is a giant red barn. But Iron Chef America winner Walter Royal doesn’t stop at steak. They’re also serving up seafood, barbecue, and award-winning southern desserts.
North Dakota: Twenty Below Coffee Company
When it’s below freezing outside, let alone below zero, the only way to warm up is with a hot drink. That’s the idea behind Twenty Below in Fargo. They even take it a step further to warm their customers up by baking their own bread and pastries.
Ohio: Fox in the Snow Cafe
This renovated Mason Garage in Columbus provides the perfect setting for rustic house-baked treats and hand-poured coffee. The whole atmosphere at Fox in the Snow earned it a place on this list of most instagrammed restaurants.
Treat yourself to a whole spread of sweet and savory treats because I know you won’t be able to pick only one from the beautiful display.
Oklahoma: Empire Slice House
Empire Slice House is serving up a rotating menu of pizza toppings by the slice or whole pie to the cheese-loving people of Oklahoma City. Regulars know to arrive early to catch one of the limited-quantity 1 pound meatball appetizers before digging into one of the daily pizzas.
One of the most popular flavors is The Midnight Cowboy (BBQ Marinara, Mozzarella, cheddar, feta, brisket, roasted poblano, red onion, and BBQ sriracha). Or, if you’re feeling extra, you can build your own.
Oregon: Voodoo Doughnut
Voodoo Doughnut’s trademark pink donut boxes first started popping up in Portland, but now they can be found as far as Texas. With a nearly endless list of flavors, they have something for everyone, including vegans.
Pennsylvania: Geno’s Steaks
It’s only fitting that this Philadelphia restaurant specializes in Philly cheesesteaks. Geno’s has been serving them up to locals, tourists, and celebs since 1966. If you’re looking for some nontraditional flavor, try the Steak Milano (cheesesteak with fried tomatoes and oregano).
Rhode Island: Rooftop at the ProvidenceG
Home to beautiful rooftop views, aesthetically-pleasing and delicious food, and good times, Rooftop at the Providence has it all. Grab a fireside table and order some appetizers to start because you’ll want to stay awhile.
South Carolina: Husk
James Beard Award-winning chef Sean Brock is infusing local ingredients with southern culture at this Charleston restaurant. You know everything is fresh at Husk. The menu changes daily to accommodate the evolving ingredient market.
South Dakota: Phillips Avenue Diner
Phillips Avenue Diner, located in Sioux Falls, is exactly what you’d expect when you hear the word “diner”. They’ve got retro decorations that give off a Back to the Future vibe and huge portions of all-American classics.
What more could you ask for? Milkshakes? Oh, yeah, they’ve got you covered. Try the “Emmanomnom” (chocolate, m&m, and cookie dough bits).
Tennessee: Acme Feed and Seed
This award-winning, frequently instagrammed restaurant is the latest of a long list of tenants in the historical three story building in Nashville.
Acme has different vibes on each of the three floors, so you’ll have to come back more than once for the full experience. The food is just as varied, ranging from sushi to chicken and waffles to nachos.
Texas: Social Junkie
Whether you’re stopping by Houston’s Social Junkie late on the tail end of a Friday night, Saturday afternoon to watch your favorite team, or Sunday morning with a slight hangover, be sure to look beyond the drink menu.
They’re serving up delicious food in Texas-sized portions that will solve every one of your problems from hangovers to big losses.
Utah: Red Iguana
If you’re hesitant about visiting a Mexican restaurant in Salt Lake City, don’t be. This family-run restaurant opened over 40 years ago and has been satisfying Utah’s hunger for authentic Mexican cuisine ever since. Red Iguana was even featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
Vermont: The Farmhouse Tap and Grill
This gastropub alone makes a visit to chilly Burlington well worth it. The whole menu, including Farmhouse’s award-winning burgers, showcases local ingredients in farm-to-table style. No matter if you stop for brunch, lunch, or dinner, you’ll want to try one of the 30 beers on tap.
Virginia: Chick’s Oyster Bar
This waterside restaurant‘s old bay wings sit atop the list of best foods to eat in Virginia Beach, but everyone knows that Chick’s delicious offerings don’t stop there. The proximity to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean allow for some of the freshest seafood offerings in the country.
Try to time your visit just right so you can enjoy your food and drinks while you watch the sun set over the water.
Washington: Oddfellows Cafe and Bar
Don’t let the name of this Seattle eatery fool you. There’s nothing odd about wanting to eat at Oddfellows. They’ve been featured as a foodie’s paradise with a hipster vibe in countless articles. Grab some friends and stop by for any meal of the day. They’re all fantastic here.
West Virginia: Pies and Pints
This built-to-please chain, which began in Fayetteville, keeps customers happy with a simple formula. Pizzas and beer.
Pies and Pints puts a gourmet spin on pizza. Some of the most unusual toppings are sriracha shrimp, thai curry sauce, and grapes. If you’re not especially adventurous, you can always build your own exactly how you like it.
Wisconsin: Cafe Benelux
This Milwaukee eatery was actually named for the Benelux region (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg). Make sure you sample regional food, like mussels and frites, that you won’t find done the Benelux Cafe way anywhere else in the United States.
Wyoming: Persephone Bakery
This french-inspired bakery keeps Jaskson Hole residents and visiting skiers warm with fresh-baked breads, pastries, and coffee. If you’re getting ready for a long day or need a lunch break from the slopes, stop by Persephone Bakery for a full meal with one of their bakery items as a centerpiece.
Now that you’ve got a list of most instragrammed restaurants for your cross-country road trip, it’s time to get planning. Your followers will thank, or yell at, you for making them hungry later.
How many of the most instagrammed restaurants can you visit?