
Finding good food when travelling is an important part of the travel experience. Food can reveal a lot about a destination, its vibe and its flavours. There are many ways to find good food when travelling, from asking locals for recommendations to researching online.
Locals are a great resource for finding good food. This could include bartenders, servers, Uber drivers, taxi drivers, tour guides, hotel concierges, and Airbnb hosts. It is also worth asking people you know who have been to the place you are visiting.
Researching online can also be a good way to find good food when travelling. Sources suggest using Google, Google Maps, Pinterest, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Yelp, TripAdvisor, OpenTable, and Resy. It is worth bearing in mind that reviews on sites such as Yelp and TripAdvisor may not always be genuine, and that social media influencers may edit their photos and be paid to give positive reviews.
Another way to find good food when travelling is to join a food tour or experience. Websites such as Airbnb Experiences, Viator, Eat With, and With Locals offer local-led food tours and hands-on cooking classes.
Finally, it is worth stepping outside the tourist zone and seeking out restaurants in neighbourhoods rather than on major tourist thoroughfares.
What You'll Learn
Research on reservation sites like OpenTable and Resy
When travelling, it can be a good idea to research restaurants on reservation sites like OpenTable and Resy. According to James Beard Award–winning chef Janos Wilder, "more serious diners [leave] reviews on reservation sites".
OpenTable is one of the largest reservation software providers in the world, with 25 million customers a month. It operates as both a consumer reservation platform and a table management system for restaurants. The basic package costs $39/month + $1.50/network cover & $0.25/booking widget cover. The Core package costs $249/month + $1/network cover, and the Basic package costs $449/month + $1/network cover.
Resy is a table management and restaurant reservation system with a consumer-facing reservation platform. It is more popular in New York and other East Coast cities. Resy offers three pricing tiers for restaurants: Platform ($249/month), Platform 360 ($399/month), and Full Stack ($899/month).
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Ask locals for recommendations
Asking locals for recommendations is a great way to find good food when travelling. It's a good idea to ask several people to get a range of opinions, as not everyone will be a food expert or have similar tastes to you.
Locals who work in the hospitality industry are a good source of recommendations. This includes bartenders, servers, and Uber drivers. They are likely to have a good overview of the best places to eat and drink in the area. For example, one traveller in Barcelona received a great suggestion from their taxi driver. Similarly, a traveller in New Orleans received a secret tip from their waiter, recommending his favourite ribs joint.
You can also ask locals online. For example, you could try posting on the relevant subreddit for the city or area you're visiting. However, be aware that not everyone on Reddit is a food expert, and some may have poor taste in food! It may be better to get recommendations from food bloggers or vloggers. You can also try searching TikTok or Instagram for keywords like "best brunch New Orleans" or "best soup Seattle".
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Join a food tour or experience
Joining a food tour or experience is a great way to get to know a new place through its culinary offerings. Here are some reasons why you should consider joining a food tour or experience when travelling:
Discovering Hidden Gems
Food tours are often led by local guides who are passionate about their city and its food. They can take you to hidden gems that you might not find on your own or through a simple online search. These spots are usually the places that your guide frequents themselves and are likely to be off-the-beaten-path locations that offer unique and authentic dining experiences.
Meeting Fellow Food Lovers
Joining a food tour is a fantastic way to meet like-minded people who share your passion for food and travel. You can chat with other travellers, exchange recommendations, and even make new friends on social media.
Learning About Local History and Culture
Food tours are about more than just eating delicious food. They often include insights into the local history, culture, and architecture of the area. For example, a food tour in Venice might include a walk through narrow streets, learning about the symbols of the city, and understanding the local food culture.
Convenience and Planning
Food tours also take the hassle out of planning your meals, especially if you are short on time. They provide a planned itinerary that covers multiple eateries in one day, allowing you to discover your favourite spots to return to during your trip.
Supporting the Local Economy
By joining a food tour, you are directly supporting the local economy. Food tours focus on eating at local restaurants and buying local produce, which helps to support local businesses, farmers, and growers.
So, if you're looking to immerse yourself in a new place through its culinary offerings, joining a food tour or experience is definitely something to consider!
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Visit a farmers market
Visit a Farmers' Market
Farmers' markets are a great way to sample the flavours of a new place and experience the local culture. They can be a fun and interactive experience, allowing you to see, smell, touch, and taste different foods.
Firstly, farmers' markets offer a wide variety of fresh produce, directly from local farmers and growers. You will find a range of seasonal fruits and vegetables, often including native foods and unique varieties not typically found in grocery stores. This can be a great way to add new and interesting ingredients to your meals.
Shopping at a local market is also beneficial to your health, as you will be purchasing produce at the peak of its freshness, packed with vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. You can talk to the farmers and growers themselves, who are often eager to share cooking tips and recipes, helping you to make the most of your purchases.
In addition, visiting a farmers' market is a fantastic way to support the local community. By buying directly from local growers, you are contributing to the sustainability of their farms and businesses, and the money you spend stays within the community. This has a positive economic impact, creating jobs and supporting other local businesses.
Farmers' markets also have a positive environmental impact by reducing food miles. They minimise the need for long-haul transportation and refrigeration, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Many farmers at these markets also adopt sustainable practices, such as organic farming methods, which further benefit the environment.
Finally, farmers' markets are a great place to interact with locals and other travellers. They provide a social space for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together, fostering a sense of community. You can learn a lot about a place and its culture through its food, and farmers' markets allow you to do just that.
So, when travelling, be sure to seek out the local farmers' market. It promises to be a rewarding experience, offering a unique insight into the local culture and community.
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Step outside the tourist zone
When travelling, it's important to step outside the tourist zone to find good food. This means avoiding the main tourist strip with flashing lights and big crowds. Instead, walk a few blocks away from popular attractions and seek out restaurants, cafes and dining opportunities in neighbourhoods.
Executive chef Thomas Melvin advises avoiding "touristy areas" at all costs. He says: "Find locals and ask for their recommendations. Word of mouth is, in my opinion, still the best recommendation."
So, how do you find these locals? Try asking bartenders, servers, taxi or Uber drivers, or even hotel staff (but perhaps avoid the front desk, who may be more inclined to recommend tourist traps).
If you're in a taxi, make sure you emphasise that you want to know their favourite spots, not the places they think you'll like. And if you're walking around, look out for restaurants with a lot of locals inside, or a long queue outside—chances are, it's popular for a reason.
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Frequently asked questions
Researching and planning ahead is a good way to find great food when travelling. You can use sites like Pinterest, Google, TripAdvisor, Yelp, OpenTable, Resy, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Google Maps to find recommendations and reviews.
Reviews on sites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google Reviews tend to be more genuine as customers are not paid for their reviews. However, be cautious of reviews on social media platforms.
Ask bartenders, servers, Uber drivers, tour guides, your Airbnb host, hotel concierges, taxi drivers, and other locals for their personal recommendations.
Look for family-owned and operated establishments, and restaurants that are busy with locals. Avoid restaurants with large signs out front that declare "We speak English" or "No frozen food", and those with pre-printed menus offered in multiple languages.
Join a foodie tour or experience, or head straight to the local markets.