A few years ago, Instagram foodie influencers were just starting to make a name for themselves. We wrote about some of those you should follow in the Bay Area in 2016, just as they were building their brands. Now, even more have emerged – many with followers in the tens of thousands – and they have definitely made a positive impact on the bottom line of restaurants. Get to know some of the Bay Area’s newest, hottest foodie influencers and follow them now!
Lauren Nakagawa of @shoes_and_sashimi
When and why you started your Instagram page: @shoes_and_sashimi had gone through a recent rebranding phase in late 2017 with equal parts Food and Style content. I am lucky enough to live/work in both cities of SF and LA currently, giving @shoes_and_sashimi the perfect recipe to share restaurant hotspots and food culture of both worldly cities.
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: When I’m not Instagramming the Bay Area’s food scene, you will find me in LA dressing talent for various national TV commercials. Unfortunately, that aspect of my work life can’t make it to Instagram.
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: That’s so tough! Okane SF has an impeccable sushi menu, specifically for Lunch. If you’re looking for my favorite croissants, go see Judy at Kahnfections in The Mission. For $1 oysters and perfectly done pasta, I’d highly recommend Pesce e Riso for their spin on Italian x Japanese fare.
Grace Cheung of @gcheung28
When and why you started your Instagram Page: I started my Instagram when I first moved to the Bay Area because I was eating out a lot and exploring the city. I really just wanted a place to share what I was doing with my friends on the other side of the country, and that was when we all kind of were starting to get into Instagram.
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: When not Instagramming, I’m out and about with friends on hikes, planning our next trip, or sipping wine at dinner potlucks. I really am a foodie at heart, so I also love to cook and bake, and my recipe testing sometimes ends up on my Instagram if it’s not a complete fail 🙂
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: My favorite place changes pretty much all the time depending on what I’m craving that day! My current favorite is probably Souvla because they are so close to my apartment, and are quick and delicious. Their frozen yogurt is my weakness!
Skyler Lee of @foodieonfleek
When and why you started your Instagram page: I started around 2014 – It was my hobby! My posts just became something my audience loved!
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: I work full time in HR for a restaurant company! I’m also on a hip-hop dance team called Team Ferosha and taking certification school at UC Irvine. I guess I like to keep myself busy 24/7!
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: Boba Guys and San Tung
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: Anyone can become a food blogger if you believe in the food! Don’t do it for fame, you won’t get anywhere with that. Believe in what you share with your audience, and those who truly support your thoughts will follow. <3
Kimberly Dela Cruz of @dandy.eats
When and why you started your Instagram page: I actually started my page by accident! I’ve been taking pictures and posting food on Instagram since I first downloaded the app in 2011. I didn’t take food blogging seriously until 2016.
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: I work full time as an assistant manager at a very popular ice cream shop in San Francisco!
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: my favorite right now is Teni East Kitchen in Oakland for yummy Burmese food!
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: Dandy isn’t actually my name! It was a nickname from high school. Before I took food blogging seriously, I would playfully hashtag my food posts as #dandyeats.
Lisa (Sachi) Merren of @foodandsachi
When and why you started your Instagram page: I have always taken pictures of my food on my personal Instagram. My friends told me that I should go into food blogging since I love it so much, so I did! Also because I travel regularly for work, I was always able to eat and capture food places not only limited to SF but LA, OR, and WA as well.
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: I am a Regional Sales Manager for a Famous Japanese Confectionary Company! Can you guess it? 😉
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: This one is hard! But some of the few are Teni East Kitchen in Oakland, Dumpling Time in SF, and Aria in SF!
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: My middle name in Japanese means Happiness. Hence Food and”Sachi” if you get what I mean 😉
Kerry Lee of @kerryeatsworld
When and why you started your Instagram page: Started May 2016; I thought my friends were sick of seeing so many food pictures on my original account, so I made a food-only account and it’s been so fun to meet new people who love taking photos of food as much as I do!
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: I work as a Writer/Producer at ABC7 News and a freelance writer for Eater SF.
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: Liholiho Yacht Club
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: Whenever I travel, I’m always looking for the best dessert. Send me your recommendations!
Amanda G. of @10kcalories
When and why you started your Instagram page: I started my Instagram in 2016 at brunch when a friend of mine joked that I had to be eating 10,000 calories a day based on how I ordered. In response, I proudly snapped a photo of my massive, smothered breakfast burrito (complete with a side of bacon and a waffle) and the rest was history. I’ve been having a blast capturing delicious, decadent meals ever since.
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: When I’m not eating, I’m still thinking about food working as a product manager for OpenTable and when I’m not working in some capacity, I’m traveling around enjoying the gorgeous sights our city (and wine country!) has to offer.
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: Hands down favorite restaurant is Flour + Water. Confession- I’m there begging them to squeeze me in at least twice a week.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: I’m a relatively new transplant to the Bay Area, hailing from Denver, CO and am always in search for great recommendations and new foodie friends! Reach out! I’ll always respond and I love chatting with those who have graciously decided to follow me on my gluttonous adventures.
Allie Tong of @allie.eats
When and why you started your Instagram page: I started it in November 2015 while I was finishing up school in Miami. I’ve been a foodie ever since I was young and always love trying out new restaurants. I used to take pictures of my food but didn’t know what to do with them so I eventually stopped until my friends convinced me to start a food Instagram. I was hesitant at first but then I realized it was a good way to store all my food pictures while keeping a food diary of sorts.
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: Working out, exploring SF, or traveling!
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: This is such a hard question because I can’t choose just one but this time I’ll go with Teni East Kitchen in Oakland. I’m not able to go as much as I’d like but if I could, I’d be there all the time. I drool just thinking about their coconut shrimp, roti, and coconut rice.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: If you ever need recommendations, just ask! Always happy to share my favorite places.
Katherine Sun of @kat.eats
When and why you started your Instagram page: I started my IG page in August of 2015 because I didn’t want to inundate my friends with all of my food photos on my personal account. I was mostly posting food because I didn’t have much else to post about, and I figured I should create an account dedicated to my food adventures around the Bay Area.
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: I’m hanging out with friends (usually also involves food) and hitting the gym; I’m an avid runner and just ran my first half marathon in April!
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: I can’t name just one — it depends on the food category.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: I started my IG and blog as a creative outlet from work, and I’m glad I did; the experience has been quite rewarding. Through blogging, I’ve met so many awesome foodies offline, many of whom I now call my friends. I’m an introvert, so putting myself out there isn’t the easiest, but being at events with others who have similar interests has made it easy, and I’ve loved growing my network of restaurateurs and business owners that I wouldn’t have otherwise met. If you want to try something new and you’re passionate about it, go for it and give it a try; you never know where your hobby/project will take you.
Rose Alvarez of @foodie.dreams
When and why you started your Instagram page: I started my Instagram page in March 2016. I really became a foodie in 2010 when I would plan my weekly cheat meals. I didn’t want to squander my cheat meals to just fast food so I started exploring more restaurants in the SF Bay Area. I started sharing photos of my food on Facebook and Yelp. Several friends tried encouraging me to start a blog and that’s how my Instagram account came to be.
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: I’m probably looking at food other people are Instagramming or watching way too much TV.
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: That’s a tough one as I have several. Some of them are Farmhouse Kitchen Thai, Alexander’s Steakhouse, āina, Liholiho Yacht Club, and Ramen Dojo.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: What started out as a hobby has grown into something I am passionate about. I like when my followers share the places they’ve tried because they’ve seen one of my posts, and it’s great to hear that they enjoyed them, too. I’m looking forward to where this food journey will take me.
Deb of @alwaysdte
When and why you started your Instagram page: I started my personal Instagram in November 2010 to share my food, travel, and daily life with friends and family (it was private). My friends know that I’m always down to eat (the dte in @alwaysdte) so I became the go-to person for food recommendations among friends. While living in Hong Kong, friends would always connect me with their friends to show them around if they were visiting. They started doing the same when I moved back to the states so I decided to make a public Instagram page in 2016 to share a little of my eating and travel adventures with everyone.
What you do when you’re not Instagramming the Bay’s best food: Traveling, discovering good food, shopping or hanging out with friends.
Your favorite Bay Area restaurant: PPQ Dungeness Island.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know: I’m not just down to eat, I’m down to do anything!