I am sure that I’m not the only one who consults a restaurant’s page on Instagram (…along with the photos tagged with its location geotag) when deciding where I want to go out to eat. In today’s digital age, many of the decisions we make – from clothing to travel destinations and where and what we eat – is influenced by social media, so it’s no surprise that the more “Instagrammable” a restaurant is, the more photos its patrons take of it. The result? Awareness, and often increased popularity, of the restaurant.
Boston definitely has its fair share of Instagrammable restaurants — the kind that you walk in and say, “Wow!” in reaction to the level of creativity and thought that’s been put into every last detail. These types of eateries are my favorite for a girls’ night out or a group date because they look and feel like fun!
It’s time to get your iPhone and appetite ready because I’ve rounded up my top picks for Boston’s most Instagrammable restaurants!
The A-Lyst for Boston’s Most Instagrammable Restaurants
Celebrity Chef Jason Santos has truly transformed this Back Bay eatery into a coastal chic, colorful dream. The main dining room at Citrus & Salt features a dreamy white color palette with splashes of bright pink, teal, and blues throughout. Dangling white lights twinkle from the ceiling as bartenders shake and stir an array of picture-perfect cocktails, some adorned with a skull tattoo or accented with a popsicle! Offering a total juxtaposition, the back lounge area is decorated with moody deep blues and sexy, dim lighting; a great place for Saturday night cocktails or a small birthday gathering. Don’t miss a trip to the bathroom, as it is also colorfully decorated with the perfect mirror for selfies! 142 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116
Both of Lolita’s locations (Back Bay and Fort Point) are reminiscent of a sexy underground cave that could be home to a very stylish, goth Vampire…in a good way. With deep wood, low crimson lighting, dramatic metal chandeliers, and stained glass, you instantly feel a little bit cooler when you walk through the doors of this Mexican eatery. Beyond the dramatic decor at Lolita, the restaurant does a great job of offering Instagrammable food elements throughout the dining experience. From the bowl of smoking granita that kicks off your meal to the towering cotton candy that ends it (both complimentary), it’s nearly impossible to not want to snap photos. 271 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02116; 253 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210
Wandering down the nondescript alleyway to Yvonne’s always feels a bit daunting, but once you step inside the restaurant’s doors, you’ll know you’ve made the right decision. Designed to create the feeling of an exclusive supper club, this sexy Downtown Crossing restaurant was once home to one of Boston’s premiere dining establishments, Locke Ober. Today, it boasts multiple dining rooms, each featuring striking design elements like shimmering chandeliers, stately library bookshelves, and plush banquettes. Beyond Yvonne’s jaw-dropping decor, you can’t miss its Instagram-worthy large format cocktails that are served in crystal chalices; just make sure you snap your photos before you start drinking (wink wink). 2 Winter Place, Boston, MA 02108
With Tiger Mama, Celebrity Chef Tiffani Faison brings Southeast Asian cuisine and a tropical, jungle-like decor to Boston’s Fenway neighborhood. Ask for the restaurant’s special “tiki drink” menu and don’t bat an eye when ordering one of the $16 but oh-so-Instagrammable cocktails. As you devour stand-out dishes like the papaya salad (has the perfect amount of spice!) and Singapore street noodles, don’t forget to take notice of Tiger Mama’s other fun decor elements like a bedazzled elephant statue, a wall of greenery (obviously, the perfect backdrop to any photo) and a light-up sign that reads, “Talk Don’t Cook Rice.” 1363 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215
Bootleg Special, the latest newcomer to the mecca of restaurants in Boston’s South End, makes you feel like you’ve stepped out of Boston and into New Orleans. Described as an “urban take on a classic underground Creole hangout,” this Tremont Street restaurant serves up shareable dishes like seafood boils, po boys, and everyone’s favorite NOLA dessert, beignets! The walls of Bootleg Special are covered in street art, the ceilings are adorned with countless chandeliers and there is live greenery throughout. I especially love the iron clad balcony, reminiscent of what you’d find on Bourbon Street, that was created above the bar. Last, but not least, don’t miss the Instagrammable sign that directs you to “Live Nudes” as you head to the bathroom! 400 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116
Outfit Details:
Sweater: Joie Adeen Chunky Sweater
Earrings: BaubleBar Tassel Pinata Earrings (similar here and here)
Jeans: rag + bone Cropped Jeans
Lipstick: NARS Velvet Lip Gloss in Mexican Rose
The A-Lyst is a Boston-based lifestyle blog curating the very best of style, beauty, food, and travel.