Have you ever noticed how food is everywhere on Instagram? It’s like a never-ending stream of perfectly composed acai bowls ice cream masterpieces and sandwiches overflowing with goodness.
Honestly who doesn’t love a good food picture?
But here’s the thing: just like in real life not all food photos are created equal.
A truly great food photo is like a masterpiece – it’s well-lit sharp and captures the essence of the dish.
It’s not just about the food; it’s about the whole experience.
those pictures that make you want to dive into the screen and take a bite? Those are the ones that truly stand out.
Now let’s talk about food brands on Instagram.
They’ve got a real challenge on their hands – they need to use visual storytelling to sell their products inspire recipes announce promotions and even connect with their customers on a personal level.
But when done right Instagram can be a powerful tool for food brands.
So to give you some inspiration I’ve handpicked 15 food and beverage brands that are killing it on Instagram.
Their accounts are a visual feast – a mix of stunning imagery engaging content and a real understanding of how to connect with their audience.
Let’s dive in:
1. Bien Cuit: The Art of Bread Photography
Bien Cuit a New York City bakery knows that a great bread photo is about more than just a good loaf.
They’ve mastered the art of capturing bread’s simple elegance – think clean symmetrical shots with rich dark colors contrasted against off-white backgrounds.
Every photo is so sharp you can practically hear the crust crack when you look at it.
2. FOMU: Non-Traditional Ice Cream Dreams
FOMU a company that specializes in “alternative” ice cream uses their Instagram account to show off their unique flavors.
Think mulled cider cardamom pistachio and maple bourbon walnut.
These are not your typical ice cream flavors and their photos capture that sense of adventure and creativity.
Each shot is beautifully composed highlighting the vibrant colors and textures of these unconventional ice cream creations.
3. Forequarter: A Taste of Madison Wisconsin
Forequarter a restaurant in Madison Wisconsin is all about showcasing their constantly evolving menu.
They use Instagram to give their followers a sneak peek at their latest creations always with a focus on vibrant colors and meticulous plating.
It’s like a visual menu that makes you want to book a table immediately.
Their captions are also a treat – they offer just enough information to pique your curiosity without giving away the whole story.
4. Black & White Cookies: A Playful Twist on a Classic
This iconic cookie brand embraces a playful approach to their Instagram feed.
They use bold block colors like blues pinks and yellows to create a striking contrast with their signature black and white cookies.
They’ll often group photos around a specific theme for a short period of time like a series showcasing Oreo cookies covering people’s heads or using cookies as terrain for miniature figurines.
It’s creative engaging and reflects the brand’s fun lighthearted personality.
5. Pabst Blue Ribbon: Nostalgia and Artistic Vibes
You might think a brand focused on a single product – a can of beer – wouldn’t have much to work with on Instagram.
But Pabst Blue Ribbon has mastered the art of keeping things fresh and interesting.
Their feed is a curated mix of cool artistic imagery that taps into the nostalgic appeal of the brand.
Think vintage photographs street art and even a drawing of a Capri Sun filled with PBR – a perfect example of nostalgia marketing for a millennial audience.
6. Roberta’s Pizza: Beyond the Pie
This New York City pizza joint isn’t afraid to share more than just pictures of their delicious pizza.
Their Instagram feed features a mix of mouthwatering pizza shots alongside snapshots of their staff capturing their personalities and creating a sense of community.
We see them singing juggling pizza peels and even playing a guitar made from pizza – it’s all about showcasing the human side of the brand and making their followers feel like they’re part of the crew.
7. Nature’s Path Organic: Healthy Living and Adventure
This family-owned business is known for its farm-fresh organic ingredients.
Their Instagram feed reflects their focus on healthy living and adventure featuring their products in the context of active lifestyles.
Think a plate of waffles fruit and nuts or their healthy bars spilling out of a backpack.
Their photos are visually appealing and evoke a sense of well-being appealing to people who value whole foods nature and an active lifestyle.
8. Brewdog: The Craft Beer Journey
Brewdog is not just about selling beer; it’s about creating a passionate community of craft beer enthusiasts.
Their Instagram feed reflects this mission by showcasing the brewing and tasting processes from the flowing hops to the staff’s notes on new batches.
Their photos often feature dark high-definition imagery with a mix of browns blues and reds – a visual representation of their commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
9. Chobani: Yogurt Beyond the Bowl
Chobani challenges us to think beyond the traditional yogurt bowl with their endless stream of creative recipe ideas.
They’re constantly showcasing new and exciting ways to use their yogurt from blueberry vanilla popsicles and chocolate peanut butter granola bowls to yogurt spreads on toast.
The focus is on healthy and delicious appealing to their health-conscious audience.
10. The Boathouse: Nautical Charm and Coastal Delights
The Boathouse a Palm Beach restaurant with a nautical theme transports their followers to a seaside paradise.
Their Instagram feed is filled with bright well-lit photos of their menu offerings boats and patrons.
You can almost feel the salty air and hear the waves crashing on the shore.
They do a great job of incorporating their nautical theme into the photos – think cinnamon anchors on cappuccinos food shots taken on the dock and the iconic anchor logo in latte art.
11. AlterEco: Sustainable Chocolate for Adventurers
AlterEco is more than just a chocolate company; they’re on a mission to promote sustainability and empower small-scale farmers.
Their Instagram feed reflects this commitment showcasing their chocolate in the context of travel and adventure.
Think photos of s’mores made with AlterEco chocolate during a camping trip or chocolate pairings with healthy ingredients like nut butter dates and almonds.
They’re appealing to a broader audience who care about sustainable living and ethical practices.
12. Rosarito’s: Hearty Food and Colorful Cocktails
Rosarito’s a casual seafood restaurant in Williamsburg New York knows how to make even the most basic lobster roll look irresistible.
They use vibrant colors symmetry and sharp focus to showcase their food in all its delicious glory.
They also feature close-up shots of their colorful cocktails highlighting garnishes and salted rims.
They don’t shy away from reposting customer photos or promoting happy hours and events creating a strong sense of community and engaging their followers.
13. Ocean Spray: Cranberry Bliss and Behind-the-Scenes Insights
Ocean Spray knows how to work their signature red color to its advantage.
Their Instagram feed is a mix of fun playful graphics – think boozy popsicle and homemade granola recipes – alongside more traditional photos of their products in the context of meals.
But they also showcase the beauty of cranberry bogs and give us a glimpse into the making of their products.
They’re not afraid to show the entire journey from the source to the final product.
14. Justin’s: Clean Eating and Delicious Treats
Even those who live a healthy lifestyle need a treat now and then.
Justin’s a nut butter company caters to those who prioritize clean ingredients with their Instagram feed.
They feature photos of their nut butters used in delicious and healthy recipes – think milkshakes made with their nut butters and a sprinkle of pretzels.
They’re showing their audience that healthy eating can be both delicious and indulgent.
15. Belle Chevre: From Farm to Table
Belle Chevre a goat cheese company takes their Instagram feed to the next level with beautifully crafted photos of their cheese in a variety of recipes.
They also share photos of their goats giving followers a behind-the-scenes look at the process of cheesemaking.
They’re building a connection with their audience by showing the journey of their product from the farm to the table.
These 15 food brands show how Instagram can be used to showcase products inspire recipes connect with customers and even tell a brand’s story.
It’s not just about pretty pictures; it’s about using visuals to create an experience that resonates with your audience.
So what are you waiting for? Take a look at your favorite food brands on Instagram and see what they’re doing right.
You might just find some inspiration for your own social media strategy.
And remember a great food photo is like a delicious meal – it should be savored and enjoyed!