8 Ways to Find Great Restaurants While Traveling

Jane Hurst
Future Travel
Published in
3 min readOct 15, 2018
Image Source: Helena Lopes

You are traveling and you decide to go out to eat. Where do you go and how do you find the best restaurants when you are in a new location? Here are eight ways to find great restaurants while traveling.

1. Ask the people who live there

The best way to find a great restaurant is to ask someone who has lived there for awhile. Ask them where the locals go to eat. Usually people who have lived there will know the best restaurants to eat in. Sometimes the locations may surprise you. Something that looks like a hole in the wall may open up into a cozy bistro. Be adventurous and ask around.

2. Prepare beforehand

If you have time before your trip, do some research around your destination. You can look online and find out what the best restaurant are nearby and how much they cost. The more research you do the better prepared you will be for your vacation.

3. Avoid tourist traps

While they may look like great restaurants, most tourist traps are loud and overpriced. You want to find a restaurant off the beaten path that exemplifies where you are. Find a good local restaurant and support the people of the town you are visiting. Avoid the crowds and bad food at tourist traps.

4. Look on Pinterest

Pinterest can be a useful tool when looking for a great restaurant. You can find pins from locals and read their descriptions before you set foot in the restaurant. Sometimes you can see the menu and prices ahead of time so you will know what to expect when you go out to eat. The more pins and reviews the more likely you will find the perfect restaurant. You can also use the internet to compare prices at different restaurants. There are services like Pricelisto that offer comparisons before you decide where to eat.

5. Eat locally

When you are traveling it is fun to eat locally. You can enjoy the regional cuisine and try some new dishes you have never had before. Local cuisine is more likely to be fresher and taste better than chain restaurants. If you are in Philadelphia, you should purchase a cheese steak. If you travel to New Orleans po’ boys sandwiches or beignets will be what you want to eat. They are usually made fresh for you every day. Be sure to research what your local cuisine is so you can enjoy fresh local cuisine.

6. Lines

While you may not want to wait in a line, usually a line signifies a great restaurant. If people are willing to stand in line for a place you know there will be great food inside. So take the time and wait in line for your meal. You might get to know new people and enjoy some fabulous cuisine.

7. Culinary walking tour

Consider going on a tour around the city. You can visit different restaurants and try out their offerings. Many cities now have culinary walking tours. This is a great way to get to see the city and experience its different culinary offerings.

8. Go for a walk

If you have not booked a culinary tour you can always saunter around the neighborhood. Take in what they have to offer and take your time deciding on a restaurant. Most menus will display their menus outside so you can see what they are serving that night. Wander around and see what your neighborhood has to offer and then pick out a restaurant that will suit your needs.

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