Eating terrific food can be the basis for any major trip. There are people who build their entire vacations around the foods they hope to enjoy. Well, there are multiple ways to find those tremendous eateries — whether famous restaurants or hidden gems. Take in these four tips, put on your stretchy pants, and hit the streets in search of some awesome food!
Research
There are a plethora of tools available for you to craft a food crawl. Of course, sites like TripAdvisor can offer a wealth of information. Read what people say about these spots, and take in the images posted. Instagram and TikTok often have videos curated for the experience in any city featuring foodies and their recommendations. There are also travel-centric shows centered around food on streaming services and even YouTube. Whether it’s Anthony Bourdain, Action Bronson, Phil Rosenthal, or the dozens of foodie vloggers online, you’ll get some terrific information.
World of Mouth
If you’re traveling somewhere for the first time, it’s never a bad idea to ask for recommendations. Seek out help from friends and/or family that may have been previously to the place you’re going. They’ll steer you in the right direction more often than not. This premise also applies to those in the city you’re visiting. Don’t be shy about asking locals for help or advice. If you do so in a respectful manner, you’ll be surprised at the kindness you’ll likely receive.
Hotel Recommendations
This tip exists whether you’re staying in a hotel, hostel, or an Airbnb. Ask the people working at these establishments for their recommendations. Or, in the case of an Airbnb, message your host. Remember, these people live in the city you’re visiting as a tourist. They’ll likely know about things that are off the beaten path. It’s always better to rely on those with ‘boots on the ground’ compared to someone who may have visited once 10 years ago, or perhaps an outdated article.
Using Your Eyes
This is a subtle tip, but one that does make a ton of sense. When talking on the street, take a look at your surroundings. Is there a line queued up outside of a restaurant or a street cart? If so, there’s a high likelihood that the food is excellent. If the restaurant is quiet, or there’s no line for a kiosk or cart…it likely means the locals don’t believe it to be very good. Now, that’s not always the case. However, whether there’s a line or not is usually a good barometer as to how delicious the food can be. Duly, a restaurant’s busyness compared to its being empty is another tell-tale sign more often than not.
