When you’re traveling, the last thing you want to do is waste time finding a decent place to eat. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, here are four ways to find awesome restaurants while traveling:
- Ask the Locals
One of the best ways to find good restaurants while traveling is to ask the locals. If you’re in a new city or town, there are some great hidden gems that only the locals know about. Suppose you are on a road trip from the east coast going to the west coast.
In that case, you might discover some of these Mexican restaurants in Sacramento from the locals: Antojo Street Taco bar, Cicada Cantina, La Flor de Michoacán, La Venadita, and more.
If you are on a gastronomic adventure, there are plenty of global cuisines you will discover in the places you visit during your road trip. If you are on vacation, talk to your hotel staff, taxi drivers, and anyone else you contact and see if they have any recommendations.
Be open to suggestions when it comes to great places to eat. When you ask the locals, they know the places in their locality by heart, and they would recommend to you what they consider are the best restaurants.
Whether it’s a hotel, hostel, or AirBnB, wherever you’re staying, make sure to ask the staff for recommendations. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction based on your taste and budget.
- Check Out Online Reviews
If you’re looking for a great restaurant while traveling, one of the best things you can do is check out online reviews. This is a great way to get an idea of what other people think of a particular establishment, and it can help you narrow down your choices. Websites like Yelp and TripAdvisor are full of helpful reviews from real people. Just be sure to take the reviews with a grain of salt, as everyone has different tastes.
Sometimes, reviews of establishments such as restaurants include links to online directories. These can be a great resource for finding places that are popular with travelers, and they can help you narrow down your options. Plus, you are provided maps, addresses, and directions to these eating places, so you’re sure to find and explore them.
- Look For Places With Long Lines
One classic way to find a good restaurant is to look for a place that’s packed with people simply. If there’s a line out the door, the food is pretty darn good. Of course, this method isn’t foolproof, as sometimes a restaurant can be popular simply because it’s the only decent option in the area.
But in general, if a place is crowded, it’s worth checking out. Also, people don’t generally like waiting in line, so if there’s a line out the door, you can be pretty sure the food is worth the wait. Of course, you can support this method by asking some of those waiting in line what the hype is all about.
Strike conversations with several people, especially return customers and ask them what makes the place or its food special. If they give excellent answers, let your curiosity take over and try the place out.
- Trust Your Instinct
Follow your nose. This is perhaps the most obvious way to find great places to eat while traveling, but it’s also one best. Sometimes the best way to find a great restaurant is to follow your sense of smell. If you’re walking down the street and smell something delicious, pop in and see what it is! You never know what hidden gem you might find.
It’s not just your nose that you should follow. Use your eyes. When you’re walking around a new city or town, keep your eyes peeled for places that look interesting and appealing. If a restaurant looks busy and vibrant, it’s likely serving up some good grub.
Also, observe how customers exit the restaurants. Do they look satisfied? Are they smiling? Are they in a pleasant mood? If they are, it’s highly likely that they like the food and services there. So it’s your turn to find out for yourself.
Asking the locals, checking online reviews, looking for crowds, and following your nose are all great ways to find awesome restaurants while traveling. So next time you’re in a new town or city, be sure to give one (or all!) of these methods a try. You might just find your new favorite spot.
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