Instagram data: How Nashville eateries fared among the most popular U.S. restaurants

"Instagram eats first."

It's a popular phrase on the foodie scene, one diners will often say before they snap a photo of their drinks or food, showcasing the restaurant, bar or café they're visiting.

In the age of social media, popular posts across platforms can sway diners when it comes to making decisions about eating out just like a business's social media presence can influence growth.

Betway, an online casino gaming site, analyzed Instagram hashtags for 100 U.S.-based restaurants and 100 more from around the world to determine which ones were the most popular on Instagram. One legendary Nashville venue, where a high school-aged Taylor Swift was discovered, stood out.

What Instagram data says about Nashville's 'The Bluebird Cafe'

The Bluebird Cafe ranked as the second most popular restaurant in the U.S., just behind Nobu Malibu in California.

Since its opening in 1982, millions of people have walked through the Bluebird Café's doors, eager to experience the magic of the small, yet esteemed venue. The Bluebird Cafe has established itself not just in Tennessee, but in the world, as a respected and illustrious musical institution.

Throughout the years, The Bluebird has welcomed dozens of renowned guests including Barbara Walters, Johnny Cash, Cher, Donna Summer, John Bon Jovi and others. In 2004, Dreamworks Records' Scott Borchetta discovered 15-year-old Taylor Swift and invited her to be a part of his newly formed label, Big Machine Label Group. Other artists who have experienced career moments at the The Bluebird include Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley and Faith Hill.

The Bluebird has appeared in several highly accredited publications like the New York Times and National Geographic Traveler. In 2012, it was featured in the ABC TV series, "Nashville."

Most popular restaurants in the United States

1. Nobu Malibu, Malibu, Calif. (61,447 Instagram hashtags)

2. The Bluebird Cafe, Nashville, Tenn. (50,546 Instagram hashtags)

3. Kat's Delicatessen, New York City, N.Y. (41,382 Instagram hashtags)

4. Bavel, Los Angeles, Calif. (33,207 Instagram hashtags)

5. The French Laundry, Yountville, Ca. (26,627 Instagram hashtags)

6. Commander's Palace, New Orleans, La. (26,220 Instagram hashtags)

7. Mystic Pizza, Mystic, Conn. (24,233 Instagram hashtags)

8. Girl & the Goat, Chicago, Ill. (23,341 Instagram hashtags)

9. House of Prime Rib, San Francisco, Calif. (20,138 Instagram hashtags)

10. Geno's Steaks, Philadelphia, Pa. (17,126 Instagram hashtags)

Most popular restaurants in the world

1. The Grounds of Alexandria, Sydney (120,440 Instagram hashtags)

2. Sketch, London (94,098 Instagram hashtags)

3. Catch, Los Angeles (66,092 Instagram hashtags)

4. Pink Mamma, Paris (29,242 Instagram hashtags)

5. The Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood (23,741 Instagram hashtags)

6. Man Wah, Hong Kong (19,468 Instagram hashtags)

7. Thip Samai, Bangkok (16,846 Instagram hashtags)

8. Le Coucou, New York City 15,898 Instagram hashtags)

9. La Favela, Bali (15,444 Instagram hashtags)

10. Dalloway Terrace, London (13,471 Instagram hashtags)

Methodology

Betway conducted desk research to create a seedlist of 100 famous restaurants in the U.S. and the world. The number of Instagram posts under each restaurant’s hashtag was gathered to determine which ones were the most popular. If a relevant hashtag could not be found, Betway removed the restaurant from the ranking.

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville's Bluebird Cafe named one of the most popular US eateries