Zomato Photo Guidelines 2025 — Complete Guide for Restaurants

Getting your food photos approved on Zomato can be frustrating if you don't know their exact requirements. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about Zomato's photo guidelines in 2025 so your photos get approved on the first try.

Zomato Photo Technical Requirements

Image Size & Resolution

• Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square format recommended)
• Maximum file size: 5MB per photo
• Recommended format: JPEG
• Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square) preferred, 4:3 also accepted

Image Quality Requirements

• Photos must be sharp and in focus — no blurry images
• Proper lighting — not too dark, not overexposed
• Minimum 72 DPI resolution
• No pixelation or compression artifacts

Zomato Photo Content Guidelines

What Zomato ACCEPTS ✅

• Clear, appetizing photos of the actual dish
• Clean background (white, black, wooden table)
• Food filling at least 70% of the frame
• Natural colors — not over-filtered
• Garnishes and plating visible

What Zomato REJECTS ❌

• Watermarks or brand logos on the photo
• Text overlaid on food photos
• Human faces or hands in the frame
• Blurry, dark, or pixelated photos
• Photos of menus, boards, or printed materials
• Stock photos with visible watermarks
• Collages or multiple dishes in one photo
• Promotional banners or offer text

How to Upload Photos on Zomato

1. Login to Zomato Restaurant Partner portal
2. Go to Menu Management
3. Select the menu item you want to add photo to
4. Click "Add Image"
5. Upload your photo (JPEG, min 1080x1080px)
6. Submit for review
7. Wait 24-72 hours for approval

Why Photos Get Rejected — Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Low Resolution Phone Photos

Many restaurant owners take photos on their smartphone in poor lighting. These almost always get rejected. Solution: Use professional HD photos that meet Zomato's requirements.

Mistake 2: Watermarked Stock Photos

Never use photos from Google Images or watermarked stock sites. Always use photos with commercial license.

Mistake 3: Over-Edited Photos

Heavy filters that change the food's natural color are rejected. Zomato wants photos that accurately represent what the customer will receive.

How Long Does Zomato Take to Approve Photos?

Standard approval time is 24-72 hours. HD photos that clearly meet all guidelines are typically approved within 24 hours. Rejected photos can be re-uploaded after making corrections.

Tips to Get Photos Approved Faster

• Upload during weekday business hours (9 AM - 6 PM)
• Use exactly 1080x1080 pixels for fastest processing
• Keep file size under 2MB for faster upload
• Submit multiple photos per item for better chances