Katy Rose writes about her discovery of bathroom selfies. Katy is a food writer and digital content specialist for Eat Out and Food24. Formerly a restaurant manager, she now spends her days researching South African food culture and how we engage with food, both at home and in public.

It was about six months ago when the pictures started appearing in my Instagram feed: a mirror selfie here and a pouty pic there. Soon there were so many that I could no longer ignore them. Then, with the opening of The Commissary in late 2018, the restaurant loo selfie officially reached peak influence, bringing epic FOMO with it.

 

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A post shared by Merve Usta (@beniyiyimanne) on Apr 8, 2019 at 7:18am PDT

Though the trend could easily be blamed on millennials (as most things are), admiring or judging a restaurant’s bathroom situation is nothing new. It’s common to hear “You have to see the loo!” whispered when a friend comes back to the table, or warnings bandied about regarding the lack of soap or harsh lighting.

 

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Beauty in every corner #boschendalbathroom #visitour

A post shared by Rachel Wilson (@rachelann_wilson) on May 21, 2018 at 2:19am PDT

In the Philippines, public toilets are euphemistically referred to as comfort rooms, and that’s exactly how I want to feel. Every element of a restaurant affects our experience and memory of it, whether we acknowledge it or not, and a few pale melamine stalls are just not good enough anymore. At best they feel cold and institutional and, at worst, like a public outhouse built on the edge of the parking lot.

 

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when a pretty bathroom has instagram-friendly-lighting. #thetestkitchen #ttk #restaurant #bathroom #mirror #selfie #mirrorselfie #flowers #interior #decor #style #mensstyle #fashion #ootd #outfit #instagay #gay #photooftheday #picoftheday #igdaily #lastnight

A post shared by B R A N D O J U L I A N (@brandojulian) on Jun 14, 2018 at 12:34am PDT

Luckily, restaurants have taken notice – a statement restroom is now almost essential for a new restaurant opening in Cape Town or Jozi.

And what are the ingredients for a winning bathroom? It’s fairly straight forward. All you need is good lighting (that is also flattering!), a large mirror, bold graphic wallpaper or tiles, and a few props. The latter adds a little glam and can include flowers, plants or fancy fittings.

 

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One of those days where you put all your faith in red lipstick, and just hope for the best, really.

A post shared by Candice • Damsel in a Dress (@candice.bresler) on Jan 31, 2018 at 9:31am PST

Ta-da, you have Insta-gold! Yours will join the hundreds of posts going live on Instagram every weekend.

 

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Tonight’s dress … well skirt. It took up so much space in the car I couldn’t find the gearbox . @davidtlale @boschendalwines

A post shared by Caleigh Louw (@caleighlouw) on Mar 18, 2019 at 2:43pm PDT

And yes, I am very much in on the trend. Even while standing in line for the loo, I might just take a selfie.

 

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Too glam to give a damn . . . #december #capetown #nightout #hotel #glamour #classy #mirrorselfie #mountnelson #allblack #champagne #vino #instagood #mood #goodvibes #southafrica #2018 .

A post shared by N I K I T A D A V I S (@nikita4davis) on Dec 2, 2018 at 6:07am PST

How do you feel about restaurant bathrooms? Which restaurants have the fanciest restrooms? Tag us in your best #restaurantbathroom pics on Instagram!