4 Tips for Finding a Good Restaurant While Traveling

There is no greater activity than travelling to new destinations. A simple trip to see distant relatives in Akron can seem like you’re exploring uncharted territory. If a trip goes really well, you get caught up in a whirlwind of activity. Suddenly, you really start jonesing for a sandwich; a really good sandwich. Where do you find a place that serves really good sandwiches?

Finding a good restaurant while travelling is kind of as daunting as finding a good hotel to stay at. You want a place that won’t pander to you as a tourist and a place that provides a taste of local cuisine while having a very homely feeling.

Here are some tips to find those hole-in-the-wall eateries on your travels.

1 Online Databases Start your restaurant search online a week or two before your trip. Start by looking up some locations in an online directory. Online directories provide all the necessary information for every available restaurant within your destination. Each listing includes feedback from customers and Google Maps directions. There are even printable coupons that you can share with friends or use to treat yourself.

 

2 Food If online directories aren’t giving you much to chew on, then social media might bring the beef. Advertisements on television and newspaper inserts tend to make a run of the mill fast food burger look like gourmet cuisine. User-generated photos on a website like Facebook can show off any food portion in its wholesome, unprocessed glory.Even though Facebook is common, the best platforms for food hunting are Instagram and Pinterest. With Instagram, users regularly share snapshots of dishes they are enjoying in restaurants the world over. Pinterest takes this as a step further by providing links to food bloggers and city guides.

3 Walking Tours You may know there are walking tours of famous landmarks, but you may not know they do similar ones for restaurants. Metropolitan areas like New York and Chicago offer hosts of guided tours focusing on the best eateries in the city. A good rule of thumb is to sample some appetizers and dessert treats from each business. Make a list of the restaurants you want to hit again before leaving or keep them as a reference for a second vacation. It never hurts to ask if they have a menu you can take home as a souvenir.

4 Ask Around Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, it never hurts to get a second opinion from locals. Local recommendations can lead you to dining arrangements that aren’t tourist traps in disguise. Try asking around at the most mundane places like laundromats, corner stores, and even gas stations.

The hotel you’re staying at may serve a continental breakfast but will expect their guests to eat out. In lieu of room service, hotels like Comfort Inn encourage guests to have food delivered from local restaurants. Consult with the front desk clerk if they have any take-out menus. They usually keep a container full of them under the desk as a common courtesy.