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Make A Picture Based Bucketlist
Lots of us make a bucketlist of places we want to go and things we want to see, but what about things we want to eat? Take a look at the local restaurants where you’re going to be staying, whether by checking reviews or the location tag on Instagram. Whether you come across the best bbq ribs or an amazing looking brunch, save a picture and keep a list of the places you want to check out.
Rely On Passionate Experts
Travel blogs are a fantastic resource for finding places to eat. Travel bloggers are passionate about what they do and they want to share their finds. Read as many blog posts as you can about your next destination and make a note of any amazing foodie finds, whether it’s a great food market or fabulous restaurant.
Bloggers can be a better resource than travel magazines, are they’re more likely to be traveling in the same way you are; independently and on a budget. Pinterest can be a good place to research too, for the same reason.
Be Careful With Reviews
Review sites like TripAdvisor are notorious in the hospitality industry, so be wary if you use these for your research. The reviews there aren’t necessarily fake, but they can be exaggerated.
Ignore the really positive reviews. If the review says something like, “this is the best french toasts I’ve ever eaten,” then you can be sure the reviewer is a friend of the owner, wrote their review after a few glasses of wine, or hasn’t tried much.
You can also ignore the one-star reviews. These are so often completely ridiculous, with people claiming a perfect evening but awarding one star because they couldn’t get a parking space outside the restaurant.
Scan the mid-range reviews for a more accurate idea of the quality. You can use reviews if you’re searching for specifics, like vegan or gluten-free food.
Book A Food Tour
A food tour is a great way to sample lots of things. Lots of cities have food tours, where a local guide will lead you around a selection of local bars and restaurants to sample different foods and drinks. Try and book a tour for your first night, so you can try lots of new things and get an idea of where you might like to go back to while you’re away.
You can learn about the local cuisine and any specialty dishes, and get recommendations for the best places to go to. If you have requirements, like great places to dine alone, or good vegetarian food, ask your guide for some ideas.