A Feast for the Eyes – 10 London Restaurants Mastering the Art of Food Photography
A Feast for the Eyes – 10 London Restaurants Mastering the Art of Food Photography
London’s culinary scene is a sensory explosion. From Michelin-starred marvels to hidden gem curry houses, the city caters to every craving. But in our hyper-connected world, the presentation goes beyond just the plate. Food photography has become an art form, a digital language that speaks volumes about a restaurant’s atmosphere, creativity, and, of course, the dish’s deliciousness.
So, where do you find the most eye-catching foodstagrams in London? CJ Digital has scoured the city and curated a list of 10 restaurants that are masters in the art of making your phone screen drool. From vibrant colours to playful compositions, they’ll have you hitting “like” before you can say “reservation required.”
- Crispin in Spitalfields
Crispin in Spitalfields isn’t just about the food, though the seasonal British fare with a modern twist is undoubtedly a draw. This East London gem takes its visuals seriously, with an Instagram feed that’s a masterclass in natural light photography. Think perfectly golden sourdough with a glistening pat of butter, glistening oysters nestled on crushed ice, and vibrant salads overflowing with seasonal produce. Their aesthetic is clean and minimalist, allowing the food to be the show’s star.
Pro Tip: Look for their playful use of negative space, with the dishes often taking centre stage against a stark white backdrop.
- Honey & Spice in Fitzrovia
Honey & Spice in Fitzrovia transports you straight to the bustling streets of Tel Aviv with its vibrant Middle Eastern cuisine. Their Instagram feed reflects this energy, a kaleidoscope of colourful dishes that burst with flavour. Think jewel-toned dips, perfectly grilled meats, and colourful salads bursting with fresh herbs. Their photos are a testament to Middle Eastern cuisine’s vibrancy, and their warm tones create a sense of inviting warmth.
Pro Tip: Honey & Spice loves capturing the communal spirit of their food. You’ll often see photos of their colourful mezze platters perfect for sharing, making your taste buds yearn for a lively dinner with friends.
- Salon in Holborn
Salon in Holborn brings a touch of Parisian chic to London’s culinary scene. Their food photography exudes elegance, emphasising clean lines and minimalist compositions. Think perfectly plated pastries, delicate cakes with fresh berries, and beautifully arranged charcuterie boards. Their photos capture the essence of Parisian cafe culture, instantly transporting you to a charming cafe on a side street in Paris.
Pro Tip: Look for their use of soft light and pastel tones that create a sense of serene elegance.
- Lyle’s in Shoreditch
Lyle’s in Shoreditch is a Michelin-starred restaurant renowned for its innovative tasting menus. Their Instagram feed reflects this approach, offering a glimpse into the culinary artistry that goes into each dish. You’ll find close-up shots showcasing the intricate details of their meticulously plated creations and photos that capture the unique textures and ingredients. It’s a visual exploration of the culinary journey that awaits you at Lyle’s.
Pro Tip: Lyle’s uses shadows and dramatic lighting to create a sense of intrigue and mystery around their dishes. You’ll rarely see the whole plate, but the glimpses are enough to pique your curiosity and leave you wanting more.
- Roe in Canary Wharf
Roe in Canary Wharf isn’t afraid to get a little playful with its food photography. Its Instagram boasts a vibrant mix of close-up shots highlighting the intricate details of its seafood dishes and wider table settings that capture the stylish energy of the restaurant. From glistening oysters adorned with edible flowers to towering seafood plateaus overflowing with lobster and crab, its photos are an ode to the bounty of the ocean.
Pro Tip: Look out for their creative use of props, like seashells and nautical maps, that add a whimsy to their seafood-centric photos.
- The Palomar in Covent Garden
The Palomar in Covent Garden delivers a taste of modern Jerusalem with its vibrant mezze dishes and inventive take on Israeli cuisine. Their Instagram boasts a lively mix of close-up shots highlighting the details of their colourful dishes and more comprehensive table settings that capture the bustling energy of the restaurant. Think glistening dips, perfectly grilled meats, and vibrant salads bursting with fresh herbs. Their photos celebrate Israeli culinary traditions with a modern twist.
Pro Tip: The Palomar loves capturing the action in the kitchen. Look out for photos featuring flames leaping from the grill or chefs meticulously plating their creations. It adds a sense of human connection and authenticity to their food photography.
- Sketch in Mayfair
Sketch in Mayfair offers a multi-sensory dining experience, and its Instagram feed reflects this. From the whimsical Alice in Wonderland-themed Gallery to the chic Lecture Room, each space has its own unique aesthetic. Sketch’s food photography captures the essence of each room, with dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. Think delicate pastries adorned with edible flowers, vibrantly coloured cocktails, and beautifully plated seafood dishes.
Pro Tip: Sketch loves to play with color and texture in its food photography. Look out for dishes that are a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.
- The Ivy in Covent Garden
The Ivy in Covent Garden is a London institution, and its Instagram is a celebration of classic British cuisine. Its food photography is timeless and elegant, focusing on highlighting the quality of the ingredients. Think perfectly cooked steaks, glistening seafood, and decadent desserts. Their photos capture the essence of a classic London dining experience, making you feel like you’re stepping back in time.
Pro Tip: The Ivy loves to use natural light to showcase the beauty of their dishes. Look out for photos featuring the warm glow of sunlight streaming through the windows.
- Dishoom in Shoreditch
Dishoom in Shoreditch is a beloved Indian restaurant chain known for its vibrant atmosphere and delicious food. Its Instagram is a feast for the eyes, with photos that capture the bustling energy of its restaurants. Think colorful curries, perfectly cooked tandoori meats, and fluffy naan bread. Their photos are a celebration of Indian cuisine with a modern twist.
Pro Tip: Dishoom loves to capture the communal spirit of its food. Look out for photos featuring groups of friends sharing platters of food, which will make you want to gather your loved ones for a delicious meal.
- The Greenhouse in Mayfair
The Greenhouse in Mayfair is a Michelin-starred restaurant renowned for its innovative tasting menus. Its Instagram is a visual journey through the culinary world, with photos that showcase the intricate details of its meticulously plated creations. Think delicate foams, vibrant colors, and surprising flavor combinations. The photos are a testament to the artistry of fine dining.
Pro Tip: The Greenhouse loves to use unexpected ingredients and plating techniques in their dishes. Look out for photos that challenge your expectations and inspire your curiosity.
London’s restaurants are not just feeding our bellies; they’re also feeding our eyes. These ten restaurants are taking the culinary world by storm with their stunning food photography. So, grab your phone, get ready to scroll, and let your taste buds be transported to a world of deliciousness.
Please support us
TheAppWhisperer has always had a dual mission: to promote the most talented mobile artists of the day and to support ambitious, interested viewers worldwide. As the years pass, TheAppWhisperer has gained readers and viewers and has found new venues for that exchange.
All this work thrives with the support of our community.
Please consider donating to TheAppWhisperer as this New Year commences. Your support helps protect our independence, and we can keep delivering open, global promotion of mobile artists. Every contribution, however big or small, is valuable for our future.
Joanne Carter
Joanne Carter, creator of the world’s most popular mobile photography and art website— TheAppWhisperer.com— TheAppWhisperer platform has been a pivotal cyberspace for mobile artists of all abilities to learn about, to explore, to celebrate and to share mobile artworks. Joanne’s compassion, inclusivity, and humility are hallmarks in all that she does, and is particularly evident in the platform she has built. In her words, “We all have the potential to remove ourselves from the centre of any circle and to expand a sphere of compassion outward; to include everyone interested in mobile art, ensuring every artist is within reach”, she has said. Promotion of mobile artists and the art form as a primary medium in today’s art world, has become her life’s focus. She has presented lectures bolstering mobile artists and their art from as far away as the Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea to closer to her home in the UK at Focus on Imaging. Her experience as a jurist for mobile art competitions includes: Portugal, Canada, US, S Korea, UK and Italy. And her travels pioneering the breadth of mobile art includes key events in: Frankfurt, Naples, Amalfi Coast, Paris, Brazil, London. Pioneering the world’s first mobile art online gallery - TheAppWhispererPrintSales.com has extended her reach even further, shipping from London, UK to clients in the US, Europe and The Far East to a global group of collectors looking for exclusive art to hang in their homes and offices. The online gallery specialises in prints for discerning collectors of unique, previously unseen signed limited edition art. Her journey towards becoming The App Whisperer, includes (but is not limited to) working for a paparazzi photo agency for several years and as a deputy editor for a photo print magazine. Her own freelance photographic journalistic work is also widely acclaimed. She has been published extensively both within the UK and the US in national and international titles. These include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Popular Photography & Imaging, dpreview, NikonPro, Which? and more recently with the BBC as a Contributor, Columnist at Vogue Italia and Contributing Editor at LensCulture. Her professional photography has also been widely exhibited throughout Europe, including Italy, Portugal and the UK. She is currently writing several books, all related to mobile art and is always open to requests for new commissions for either writing or photography projects or a combination of both. Please contact her at: [email protected]
