You’ve had a long day of travelling, you’re tired, you’re starved. Naturally, you pull out your phone to search for good food near you.
Or perhaps you’ve been in a new town for a day or two and want to trial its best offerings. But contrary to intuition, you shouldn’t run straight to Google.
While the search engine is indeed invaluable on holiday, if you’re looking for dinners with a difference, there are other ways to go about it.
That’s according to the experts who say Google won’t give you the answer to truly satisfying eats, instead showing sponsored content or tourist traps you have to fork out a pretty penny for.
Additionally, if you’re searching for recommendations on Instagram or TikTok, you could end up at overhyped places with no substance.
Nathan Thornburgh, the co-founder of food and travel publication Roads & Kingdoms, and Jamie Barys, who launched UnTour Food Tours, shared their expert tips on how to find the best eateries.
Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, they said there are a few simple things you can do to find mouth-watering spots that will be the cherry on top of your trip.
Jamie explained that asking locals is a better way to find the establishments worth visiting, but be specific with what you’re asking for.
She said: ‘Ask “what is your favourite everyday place to go for lunch or dinner, somewhere you eat at regularly but don’t see many tourists at?”.
‘If you’re looking for something on the fancier side, ask a local where they go to celebrate special occasions. Remember to solicit tips on specific dishes to order too’.
This way, you don’t end up wearing a floor-length evening gown to a taco truck or casual jeans and trainers to a fine dining establishment.
For even more specific suggestions, Jamie – who resides in both Shanghai and Singapore – advised considering who your sources are, for example, ‘Don’t ask a Shanghainese person for the best Sichuan restaurant in town.’
She also pointed out that although hotel concierges can lead you to some good finds, they might still end up recommending tourist-friendly options, or businesses they have good relationships with.
For a more unpredictable and rewarding experience, ask a bartender or housekeeper what the unmissable places are.
Nathan said that while some people prefer to cram in as many different places as possible, it’s worth returning to the same spots. You might find different dishes served, or a livelier atmosphere, interesting locals, and new items to try.
However, when on holiday, you should also prepare to experience some things that might not be that great.
‘Allow yourself the possibility of having a bad meal,’ he explained. ‘It’s like anything in life — the risk and reward go together.’
Another tip is to go to the recommended joints at the best times – ask a local not only where to go, but when to go.
Nathan added: ‘Save your meals for when you know the good meals are happening. In Mexico City, for example, it’s not midday tacos; it’s late-night tacos.’
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