HOW TO FIND THE BEST RESTAURANTS AND STREET FOOD ON YOUR TRAVELS
Eating out is one of the best ways to elevate any holiday. Even if you’re not a foodie, sharing delicious meals cooked with locally sourced ingredients is part of the experience.
From freshly caught seafood to sweet treats and authentic desserts, travelling to another country gives you a real insight to the taste and traditions of a culture.
No matter where you’re headed this year, we think it’s so important to try new foods. This guide explains the best ways to find the very best spots for dining: from world-class restaurants to family run tavernas in quiet, picturesque suburbs.
Before you go… Do your research
This doesn’t mean trawling through lifestyle articles or navigating chunky travel guides: you might be surprised that popular blogs and social media platforms all make great starting points for travel research.
If you follow any foodie chefs on Instagram, you’ve probably seen content that mentions and recommends different food from across the globe. Seema Pankhania, known as @seemagetsbaked on Instagram, is currently working on a series to make 195 of the world’s national dishes.
Research isn’t all about reading. Get stuck into some content based in and around the country that you’re visiting. It’s likely that you’ll find some recommendations for restaurants or recipes, even if the content isn’t centred around food.
Read reviews
Online review platforms can’t be beaten when it comes to getting real and recent insights about where you’d like to eat. The most popular include TripAdvisor and Google Reviews, but you’ll still find lists of the best restaurants in Europe from press giants like the Guardian.
To discover the restaurants in the first place, we prefer to consult travel guides or check something interactive like Google Maps. You’ll also need to think about your budget and preferred dining style before doing your research: you’ll be more likely to find relaxed and casual settings online, where Michelin-starred establishments are best found in guidebooks.
Once you’re there… Harness local knowledge
Don’t hold back. Try to chat to local people including hotel staff, tour guides, or residents who you might’ve struck up a conversation with.
From the bar to the beach, there are so many places where you might unexpectedly get a recommendation that changes everything. We think that last-minute holidays can be the best time to seize the moment!
Overcoming the language barrier can feel daunting, but technology is there to help you. If you’re in a restaurant and you’d like to ask a question, staff will often be open to using apps like Google Translate to keep the conversation going.
Seek authentic experiences
You can find delicious food on your own too. Whether you head there with friends, family or a partner, try to visit local food markets and festivals for the most realistic idea of the local cuisine. If you’re not sure about a certain item, don’t be afraid to ask.
The variety and quality of food at markets certainly varies, so don’t pressure yourself to try anything that you’re feeling uncertain about. Discovering food and understanding how it’s seasoned, served, and shared can be just as enriching as tasting it!
Trust your nose!
Finally, it’s worth a reminder to trust your senses. Even if you’ve never tried something before, being on holiday is the perfect time to step outside your comfort zone and make lasting, positive memories with food. Laughing around the table feels different under warm, summer sun – especially with the right people.
