If you’re anything like me, you love to eat out and you don’t want to get stuck in a rut and keep eating at the same places all the time. But sometimes it can be hard to find the best new restaurants to try.
Either way, it can still be fun to venture out and try new restaurants locally or when traveling. So, if you’re looking for the best restaurants and places to eat nearby, here’s a top 11 list of how to find them:
1. Check online restaurant directories
There are several online directories that list restaurants by location like the website Restaurants Near Me. Just enter your zip code or city and state into a search engine, and you’ll be provided with a list of nearby restaurants. Once you’ve found a few that look promising, look at their websites to see what kinds of food they serve and what their prices are like.
2. Use Google Maps
Google Maps is a great way to find restaurants near you. Just enter your location and search for “restaurants”. You’ll get a list of nearby places, complete with ratings, reviews, and contact information.
You can also filter your results by type of cuisine, price range, and more. So whether you’re in the mood for Italian food or Japanese sushi, you’re sure to find a place that suits your taste. And if you’re on a budget, no problem – just set your price range and only see results that fit within your budget.
3. Ask around
Friends, family, and locals always know the best spots. When it comes to finding the best restaurants, there is no one better to ask than your friends and family. They are the ones who know your taste buds better than anyone else and can recommend places that you may have never even heard of.
So, when you’re looking for some new dining options, be sure to ask around and see what your loved ones suggest.
4. Check out online reviews
If you’re looking for the best places to eat, drink, and be merry in town, then look no further than Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google Reviews. These sites are chock-full of information from real people who have tried and tested the food and drinks at the businesses in your area.
So whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, you’re sure to find something that suits your taste on one of these great review sites. Be on the lookout for bad reviews, but take them with a grain of salt.
Just because someone had a bad experience doesn’t mean that you will. However, if you see a lot of reviews with the same problems, might be best to consider other options.
5. Look for restaurants featured in the news or popular food blogs
This is a great way to find new, trendy places to eat. If you’re looking for something new and exciting to eat, why not try a restaurant that’s been getting some buzz?
Look for places featured in the news or on popular food blogs. This is a great way to learn about the latest culinary trends and sample some delicious dishes!
6. Follow your favorite chefs and restaurateurs on social media
They often share their latest culinary creations and discoveries. Some of the best chefs and restaurateurs to follow on Twitter are:
1. Tyler Florence – @tylerflorence
2. Gordon Ramsay – @gordongram
3. Jamie Oliver – @jamieoliver
4. Ina Garten – @inagarten
5. Martha Stewart – @marthastewart48
6. Rachael Ray – @rachaelray
7. Bobby Flay – @bobbyflay8
8. Alton Brown – @altonbrown9
9. Emeril Lagasse – @emeril
0. Giada De Laurentiis – @DeLaurentiis
These top chefs will help you find the best restaurants to eat at while you’re in town. They know all the hot spots and will be able to guide you to the best food around. So, follow them on social media and see where they recommend eating!
7. Sign up for newsletters from food critics and foodie websites
If you’re looking for the best places to eat in town, sign up for newsletters from food critics and foodie websites. You might not know it, but some of the best restaurants in town are hidden gems.
But how do you find them? By subscribing to newsletters from food critics and foodie websites, of course! This way, you’ll always be in the know about the latest and most outstanding restaurants.
8. Check out the local food scene on Instagram
Search for hashtags like #foodie, #eater, and #nom to find hidden gems. When it comes to food, Instagram is a goldmine. With so many people snapping photos of their meals and tagging their location, it’s easy to find new places to eat, whether you’re in your own city or traveling somewhere new.
And if you’re looking for specific cuisines or dishes, plenty of hashtags help you narrow down the options. For example, searching for “#foodporn” will give you tons of drool-worthy photos of everything from pizza to sushi.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also check out the “explore” tab on Instagram, where you’ll find popular posts worldwide. Who knows, you might just find your new favorite restaurant!
9. Keep an eye out for new construction
New restaurants often open up in areas that are being redeveloped. If you’re looking for new places to eat in town, keep an eye out for construction sites! Believe it or not, some of the best new restaurants can be found in renovated buildings or brand-new developments.
Construction workers often know about the best places to eat before they open to the public, so they’re a great source of information if you’re looking for somewhere new and delicious to try.
Plus, you can usually snag a discount or two if you’re willing to eat early (before the official opening) or late (after the dinner rush dies down). So next time you see a construction site, don’t be afraid to ask the workers where they like to eat – you might just find your new favorite spot.
10. Ask the hotel concierge or staff at your vacation rental for recommendations
If you’re looking for the best restaurant recommendations while on vacation, it’s always best to ask the hotel concierge or staff at your rental property. They’ll be able to steer you in the right direction based on your specific dietary needs and preferences.
And, since they’re locals, they’ll know all the best hidden gems that tourists wouldn’t necessarily find on their own. So don’t be afraid to ask for help – you’ll be glad you did!
11. And last but not least, use your own intuition!
If a place looks good, it probably is. Go ahead and give it a try! If you’re anything like me, one of the best ways to learn about new restaurants is by using intuition. Whenever I’m in a new city or town, I always try to explore and check out different eateries that pique my interest.
And more often than not, my gut feeling leads me to the tastiest places around. There’s just something about listening to your intuition that can pay off when finding good food. After all, who knows your taste buds better than you do?
So next time you’re in unfamiliar territory, don’t be afraid to let your intuition guide you to the best meals around!
