One of the best parts about traveling somewhere new is trying out the amazing local cuisine. Do you ever wonder how travel writers find all the best restaurants? You’re in the right place because I’m going to teach you how to find great restaurants when you travel.
I don’t typically like to eat at chain restaurants. That’s why I developed a knack for picking good restaurants when I’m traveling. It’s not a gift… it’s more of a system and I’m happy to share it with you!
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Pre-Planning to Find Great Restaurants When You Travel
I hope you don’t think I’m completely crazy but I like to make a spreadsheet itinerary when I travel. I do mine in Google Sheets but you can also use Google Docs if that’s easier.
For me, doing a little online research ahead of time is a great way to make the most of my time on the trip and stay organized.
First, I lay out the main attractions I want to see. Then, I research a few different restaurant suggestions. After I have my list of favorite places I use Google Maps. That’s how I pair the local restaurants with the tourist attractions I plan to see.
It’s especially important to research new places ahead of time if you have dietary restrictions.
PRO TIP: Some restaurants have a special gluten-free menu upon request so don't be afraid to ask.
Online Research to Find Great Restaurants When You Travel
The first place I search online for travel information is Pinterest. Google is saturated with all sorts of information but Pinterest is a great site because it has blog posts written by credible people, including local food bloggers. It’s my #1 site to do travel research.
The second place I use to search for restaurants is TripAdvisor. They tell you ALL the options and they use a rigorous ranking system.
PRO TIP: Pick some backup restaurant options in case the popular spots are overcrowded and you don't have time to wait in a long line.
Research Online Reviews to Find Great Restaurants When You Travel
After I use Pinterest or TripAdvisor to get some ideas, then I use websites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google Reviews to see what people are saying about the restaurants I found.
These sites will give you an idea of the price range and you can see personal experiences through actual traveler photos. The pictures aren’t touched up like they are on other social media platforms, so you get an idea of the true experience.
Reviews on these sites are more genuine because customers aren’t paid for their reviews. As I mentioned in my post about the 5 Top Things You Need to Know When Finding a Hotel, not all reviews are equal so use some discretion when you are sifting through them, especially on social media platforms.
For help finding the perfect accommodations read Top 5 Things You Need to Know When Finding a Hotel!
Social Media Apps to Find Great Restaurants When You Travel
In a Hurry:
When I’m in a hurry, social media is the first place I look to find the best places to eat when I travel. I start on TikTok and I put something in the search bar like “restaurants in Panama City Beach” or “fancy restaurants in Atlanta“. I’m not doing hard-core research for a quick cafe. I’ll just put in “best coffee in Savannah” and I see what comes up.
For me, I care about great food AND experiencing great aesthetics of the restaurant so a quick video from a popular app will give me an idea of whether it’s a place that has the vibe I’m looking for or not.
Keep in mind that if you are visiting a small city then there might not be as many options, but sometimes you can find hidden gems on social media. If you’re visiting major cities like Paris, then you will have TONS of restaurants to sift through online. That’s why I find TikTok to be the easiest place to start my search, find the popular hot spots, and get some inspiration.
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Planning Ahead:
Use Facebook to join a group before you visit a specific city. For example, put “Chattanooga” in the Facebook search bar. You will see that there are several options including a group called “Chattanooga Foodies” that comes up as an option. Request to join the group then browse and ask for restaurant recommendations in that group.
Beware:
If the restaurant has an Instagram account you can click and see pictures that customers took in the tagged section. Keep in mind that social media influencers are editing photos and they are more likely to say everything was wonderful because that is what they are getting paid to say.
Honestly, Instagram is going to be the most deceptive resource you can use for finding delicious food. It is helpful if you want some pretty restaurant experiences when you’re traveling.
Using Food Apps to Find Great Restaurants When You Travel
I mentioned in my post about my holiday travel tips and hacks that I love to use food apps like Open Table or Resy to see what restaurants are open and to make my reservations in advance.
These food apps also have ratings and reviews so make sure you check them out because they are a very useful tool in finding great restaurants when you travel. If you’re looking to make a quick reservation at a fancy restaurant then the best app to use is Open Table.
PRO TIP: Avoid restaurants that are right next to major tourist attractions. They usually have a long line and mediocre food.
Using Food Tour Groups to Find Great Restaurants When You Travel
I’ve always said that I think you should take some sort of tour every time you travel. Food tours are an easy way to try new foods from local businesses without falling victim to tourist traps. It’s especially great if you are in a country where you don’t speak the language or if you’re traveling alone. Make sure you ask your tour guide for additional restaurant recommendations.
I use Get Your Guide and Viator to find food tours when I travel. Those websites allow you to book the experience now and pay later. One of my favorite things is they let you cancel with no fee (within 24 hours of your experience) if your plans change.
PRO TIP: If you don't want to take a culinary tour then the first thing you should do is take a trolley tour or bus tour around the city. It allows you to look around for great places to eat (and shop) while you're not distracted by trying to figure out where you are going next.
Ask the Locals for Recommendations for Great Restaurants When You Travel
Don’t be afraid to ask local sources you encounter, your Airbnb host, or the hotel concierges for their restaurant recommendations. That’s the best way to find great recommendations for restaurants off the beaten path.
Locals are great resources for giving recommendations on places that have delicious food. They can give you recommendations that might not show up at the top of a quick Google search because they aren’t well-known yet. I also suggest asking your Uber or taxi drivers for their recommendations. Talk to new people while you are waiting in line for major tourist attractions. Locals can give you tips on great restaurants outside of the tourist areas.
PRO TIP: If you are dining in a country where you don't know the local language, ask for an English menu.
Why do I do the research? It's something I Learned the Hard Way.
Quick Storytime… the real reason why I make a spreadsheet and do all of my research ahead of time is because I learned the value of this the hard way.
Imagine you are in Paris, France and you are doing a self-guided culinary walking tour. You and your cute teenagers have walked a long time to get to the next restaurant, only to find a sign that says it’s closed on Tuesdays. Closed on a Tuesday?! Yes, apparently during a certain time of year, restaurant hours can fluctuate.
This also happened to me in Nashville, Tennessee. I learned that some restaurants completely close down between lunch and dinner. No late lunch for you!
I hate trying to find a cute place and getting there only to find out it is closed and I have to start all over. Now, when I do my research I make notes of the days and times the restaurant is open.
Do you want more valuable travel tips? CLICK HERE to read about How to Pack a Suitcase That Saves You Money!
Quick Recap of How to Find Great Restaurants When You Travel
Help, I don't have time and I'm hungry!
If you’re already at your destination and you are in a hurry, use the search feature on TikTok or Instagram. That will give you a quick idea of the food and the vibes in a particular city.
I only have a couple of minutes to figure it out.
If you only have time for some quick research, use TripAdvisor to find something you like and then search for that restaurant on Google and other social media platforms to confirm it’s a good choice.
I'm a foodie and I want to make sure I find the most perfect places to eat.
If you have time to research, you’re unsure about what you want, or you’re looking for inspiration, then use Pinterest first to see what travel writers are recommending. Then, search those restaurants (and more) on Google, TripAdvisor, and other social media platforms to gather details and confirm that it’s a good choice.
Okay, I shared all of my best tips on how to find great restaurants when you travel. Does this mean you will never have to eat bad food again? Sadly, no.
Even with tons of research and all the city guides you can still have a chef that is out sick, or having an off day.
Just roll with it and claim it as part of your experience. The truth is… even if you are at a great place with not so good food, you can still have a great time if you’re dining with the right company.
If you liked How to Find Great Restaurants When You Travel, then you might also want to read How to Pack a Suitcase That Saves You Money.
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LET’S CONNECT: I shared my tips for “How to Find Great Restaurants When You Travel”. Do you have tips that you use to find restaurants? Comment below!
