Has the way your meal looks become more of a factor than quality or value when deciding where to eat in Vancouver?
Whether you are a local Vancouverite or just visiting, the city's reputation for staying on the pulse with all things trendy, and offering a diverse culinary landscape for food lovers is quite clear.
With the intense rise of social media over the last decade, many of us can sometimes be guilty of finding ways to make our lives look more exciting than it really is. So, when selecting a spot to grab a bite, the likelihood to opt for something with “aesthetic value” might outweigh picking a spot that lacks in that area, even if the price isn’t overly justified for the food quality.
So, with visual platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and even Yelp dominating the digital space in 2025, has the way a meal looks become the primary factor in deciding where we eat today?
Let’s start with Instagram. This platform in particular has played a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetics of new restaurants in Vancouver. From floral photo walls and neon signs to pose beside in the establishment, to eye-pleasing plated dishes that you want to snap a pic of before consuming, the visual element of your culinary experience seems to be a top priority for many restaurants and cafes in Vancouver.
Take Vancouver’s Botanist for example. They have curated spaces and menus that appeal to food photographers and influencers effortlessly. A well-styled dish can easily influence your decision to dine there, but have you ever heard anyone specifically talk about the food itself?
Sure, it’s very likely that their food is to die for, but the fact that the restaurants’ aesthetic is a major driving force to obtain customers is truly undeniable.
TikTok has also become a major player in driving food trends worldwide. Some may even argue that it’s power outweighs instagram’s influence in 2025.
Whether you’re deciding where to meet up on a first date or where to catch up with an old friend, you may find yourself using the TikTok search engine to help you find not only somewhere to eat, but somewhere to have a shared experience. This is why, for many, the visual aspect matters.
You might head down Robson Street to Chung Chun Rice Dog for the viral Korean-style corn dogs or visit Breka Bakery for an extravagant dessert. Sure, the food will be great, but let’s face it, if you create content yourself, you might want to film the infamous “cheese pull” or review the café in a quick daily vlog for fun.
Of course, many establishments have clearly embraced TikTok marketing by collaborating with influencers on a pay-by-post basis, but more often than not, the everyday customer may pull out their devices and partake in creating “free marketing” for these establishments simply because the atmosphere and orders have inspired them to do so. It’s no wonder why every new restaurant or cafe that pops up in Vancouver seemingly looks like a major photo op!
This leads to another layer of this discussion. With social media trends leaning heavily towards the “lifestyle creator” niche, social media not only has influenced the visual aspect of what foods we seek out, but also the types of food as well. Many of us today are more conscious about health, sustainability, and dietary preferences than ever before. This is a clear indication of the rise of the digital age with accessibility of information online. We can look to trends like the “clean girl aesthetic” or being “that girl” on social media and be influenced to spend a little more on a dish in front of us that subscribes to that illusion rather than one that does not — even if eating at Burger King is more satisfying and easy on our wallets.
To conclude, while social media has provided restaurants with powerful marketing tools, it is important to also recognize that it has also introduced new challenges. The pressure to remain “Instagrammable” or create the next viral dish can sometimes overshadow the importance of consistency and quality. Additionally, negative reviews or viral mishaps can quickly damage a restaurant’s reputation.
We've seen it time and time again. Some restaurants rise to viral fame, while others fade into obscurity as a result of abandoning their true talents to appeal to what is popular online. If we're constantly chasing likes and viral moments, are the days of quality food at a reasonable price behind us?
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