Did you know San Francisco was once called the Paris of the West? It’s true, and just like it’s European partner, SF is home to some truly sophisticated diners, delectable dishes and noteworthy chefs—albeit with a whole lot more of an international lean.
Fog City is blessed with an array of cultural influences, boasting some of the best Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Nepalese, Thai, Ethiopian, Moroccan and Indian food around. We can also claim more than 30 Michelin star restaurants, representing some of the best Californian and contemporary cuisines around.
Whether you’re in the city proper or live in the greater Bay Area, you’ve got to admit, we local eaters are pretty charmed. No matter how much you’ve dined around town, there are always new flavors to explore. Toward that end, you should do yourself a favor and follow some of the incredible foodie Instagram influencers that live and eat in your backyard.
From Berkeley to Silicon Valley, SF to Oakland, here are the fantastic foodie accounts you need to follow.
See also: Every Michelin-Star Restaurant in San Francisco
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Allie Tong is one of the best-known food bloggers in the Bay Area. She runs her own website full of drool-worthy recipes, business boss tips, travel insights and more, but the easiest way to jump into her culinary adventure is to follow her on Instagram. Watch as she eats her way through the city, sharing reviews and mouth-watering photos along the way. You can also get some insight into those recipes she shares on her blog, figure out where to shop to find the best ingredients and so much more.
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Turns out Ms. Tong is quite friendly with Cynthia Linh, the photographer, videographer and recipe creator who runs the Cynfully-delicious IG foodie account @cyneats. Her profile is chock full of informative quick clips that’ll walk you through popular Bay Area eateries and their menus. She also takes you behind the camera, showcasing her photoshoots while offering tips to taking your own beautiful food pics and videos.
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Tim Cheung is another local foodie hero keeping it real about all the best eats in town and showing you the proof. He’ll travel from San Jose to Santa Clara to show off the gooiest cheese rips, moistest mochi and freshest poke in the region. It’s much more restaurant review-centric than our last two accounts, although he also gets involved with some recipe clips, joyful promotions and grocery market adventures. Come through and try his recommendations from breakfast through brunch, lunch, dinner and dessert!
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Interested in delicious food pics and discounts to try local dishes for yourself? You’ll get both of those treats when you follow @siliconvalley.foodies. This account is run by a tech foodie who makes time for scrumptious updates between bites. Captions are long and info-rich, giving you background on the restaurants features so you can feel connected to your eats, which always makes food taste better. Plus, as promised, you can grab a bunch of discount codes for local shops and participate in giveaways for yummy goodies.
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Think going vegan means eating a bunch of lettuce and calling it a day? Erika Hazel is here to dispel the myths and munch her way through a rainbow of flavors. The Bizerkeley Vegan is giving you all the deets on the Bay Area plant-based scene, whether it’s a local business hustling their wares door-to-door, a vegan-friendly stop at the airport, or just a must-try vegan menu item at an otherwise omnivorous eatery. She’s also got a blog worth reading that’ll keep you up on local eats and events.
See also: 5 Tips to Adopt a More Plant-Based Lifestyle From The Bizerkeley Vegan
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What’s better than one food blogger? A whole community of them! Best Food sources food content from eaters across various regions and highlights the best on its city-specific platforms, and the Bay Area feed is top tier indeed. Posts feature tantalizing images paired with a bit of info on the restaurant and dish as well as a quote from the photog responsible for each delectable daydream. This is one of the quickest and surest ways to learn the ins and outs of the Bar Area’s best eats; all killer and no filler every time.
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Account owners Cindy and Bic are two eaters on a serious mission, and we’re all benefiting from their fearless quest. These are big, stick-to-your-ribs meals that’ll satisfy every savory and sweet craving that comes your way. The captions are quick and to the point. Here’s a wide-eyed photo of some must-eat treats, and here’s where to get them! Nothing to argue with there.
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Ready to get your hands sticky? Jenn Yee keeps the go-to account full of the freshest pastry recipes that you can recreate in your own home. Get inspiration from the gorgeous photos on her feed, then head over to her blog for the full recipe breakdowns. Not in the mood to don the chef’s cap today? Yee also shares plenty of local bakery delights that you can go ahead and pick up, flour-frenzy free.
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Yen Kim Phan is pulling no punches and serving insanely-good food recs with a side of self-deprecating humor. Though Phan is based in SF and very well-acquainted with our array of awesome eats, she’s also a big traveler showcasing the best noms across continents and shining seas. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of local options on the feed, so you won’t have to book a flight just to get some of these bites in your belly—but those travel posts will help you plan your next vacation!
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Are you ready for some yummies? Jess yes! This down-home food blogger brings backyard tasties right to your doorstep with a delightful feed full of local must-tries. Each caption comes with a restaurant breakdown, a location pin and some menu recommendations, as well as pricing info and hours of operation. Get adventurous with some worldly cuisine or find your next favorite comfort food dish.
Photography by: Borzoo Moazami / Unsplash
