I do look at Trip Advisor and Yelp ratings but I ask locals what restaurants they think are best, and I look up menus on-line to see which restaurants have traditional local or regional dishes. This is especially true when traveling internationally. Game meat dishes are a favorite of ours. If an area is known for a particular dish or type of cuisine, we want to try the best representative that we can find.
When planning trips, which usually involve a day of fishing on an American river, I ask a fly fishing guide. They know the markets Im visiting best. Then, once there I ask a bartender, then the game is on.
Always ask a local where they enjoy eating. In any country I usually stay away from the touristy areas to dine. I’m wild about exploring & trying new things.
I try and find a locally owned place with some tilt towards quality or quirkiness. The real test was drilled into by my mother. If a place had dirty windows we drove on. She would say something like “Imagine what their kitchen or bathrooms are like?” Sealed it for me.
I also use TripAdvisor, BUT... I will pay much more attention to the traveler with multiple countries traveled, or numerous reviews that point out specific good (or bad) items. The "It's great" review is NOT a review, and I totally disregard it ! That being said, I also will check with my hotel/host and ask their opinion, and then, if there is a great disparity, I will use my own instincts, (usually with good results).
I may ask an ‘everyday Joe’ who lives there where they would take their mom for dinner (hoping they like their mom). But I’ve also used Yelp and have had pretty good luck especially when I can’t speak the language. But then you’re at the mercy of someone who doesn’t really love food. Yeah, you’re right…horse shit!
We just returned from Paris and picked the restaurants near our hotel from the Blue Book. Did not fail on any recommendations. Big and small, none disappointed us.
I like foods that are different so when traveling I try my best to eat at places that have dishes I cannot get at home. I tend to check to see if any local places have been on Bizarre Foods before I travel. Beyond that I try to find local places that are off the beaten path. Real mom and pop type of places. I feel that while they may not always have the best presentation, they more often than not have the best food. I think they put more passion into their cooking. I usually rely on locals to find the hidden gems. The best BBQ I have had came from a local's recomendation in West Memphis.
Check out food apps, Open Table, Yelp etal. BUT not at reviews only pictures of the food. I chose based on which entrees and apps look delicious! It works much better than reviews written by unknown people with unknown tastes AND motives.
Every city has a facebook group, Charleston eats, or Savannah foodies. I will usually look for those and join them. People can post questions like best place for seafood. Or best place for Thai food. And get lots of suggestions from locals or visitors that have eaten at these restaurants.
In general I agree. One of my favorite information sources, at least for US cities, is Eater. I find the types of restaurants they list just click well with my own preferences and experiences, much more often than not. I also like how they highlight places off the beaten path, and new places starting to catch some buzz for their food. When I do need to use crowd-sourced ratings (e.g., kids hit a wall and you need to get food in them STAT), I find Google reviews and ratings more in sync with my tastes these days than Trip Advisor or Yelp. In my view, the most useful information from sites like these is knowing which places get consistently bad reviews, so I can avoid them.
I do look at Trip Advisor and Yelp ratings but I ask locals what restaurants they think are best, and I look up menus on-line to see which restaurants have traditional local or regional dishes. This is especially true when traveling internationally. Game meat dishes are a favorite of ours. If an area is known for a particular dish or type of cuisine, we want to try the best representative that we can find.
I ask the locals where they eat or I look for where the truck drivers eat if I want a casual and fantastic meal.
I stay away from the chains. I like the greasy, busy, good smells coming out the door locals. Whether it be a dive or whatever!
I usually have an idea what I want to eat and ask at the hotel for suggestions. Never have been steered wrong.
When planning trips, which usually involve a day of fishing on an American river, I ask a fly fishing guide. They know the markets Im visiting best. Then, once there I ask a bartender, then the game is on.
Always ask a local where they enjoy eating. In any country I usually stay away from the touristy areas to dine. I’m wild about exploring & trying new things.
I try and find a locally owned place with some tilt towards quality or quirkiness. The real test was drilled into by my mother. If a place had dirty windows we drove on. She would say something like “Imagine what their kitchen or bathrooms are like?” Sealed it for me.
I also use TripAdvisor, BUT... I will pay much more attention to the traveler with multiple countries traveled, or numerous reviews that point out specific good (or bad) items. The "It's great" review is NOT a review, and I totally disregard it ! That being said, I also will check with my hotel/host and ask their opinion, and then, if there is a great disparity, I will use my own instincts, (usually with good results).
I may ask an ‘everyday Joe’ who lives there where they would take their mom for dinner (hoping they like their mom). But I’ve also used Yelp and have had pretty good luck especially when I can’t speak the language. But then you’re at the mercy of someone who doesn’t really love food. Yeah, you’re right…horse shit!
We just returned from Paris and picked the restaurants near our hotel from the Blue Book. Did not fail on any recommendations. Big and small, none disappointed us.
Because we are seniors, this was
important to us. Thanks
S. Rooney
I look at reviews that tell about service, wait time, courtesy, cleanliness and food
I like foods that are different so when traveling I try my best to eat at places that have dishes I cannot get at home. I tend to check to see if any local places have been on Bizarre Foods before I travel. Beyond that I try to find local places that are off the beaten path. Real mom and pop type of places. I feel that while they may not always have the best presentation, they more often than not have the best food. I think they put more passion into their cooking. I usually rely on locals to find the hidden gems. The best BBQ I have had came from a local's recomendation in West Memphis.
Check out food apps, Open Table, Yelp etal. BUT not at reviews only pictures of the food. I chose based on which entrees and apps look delicious! It works much better than reviews written by unknown people with unknown tastes AND motives.
Every city has a facebook group, Charleston eats, or Savannah foodies. I will usually look for those and join them. People can post questions like best place for seafood. Or best place for Thai food. And get lots of suggestions from locals or visitors that have eaten at these restaurants.
I’d highly recommend watching the movie billion dollar bully. It’s all about yelp. My friend produced it and it’s pretty telling.
In general I agree. One of my favorite information sources, at least for US cities, is Eater. I find the types of restaurants they list just click well with my own preferences and experiences, much more often than not. I also like how they highlight places off the beaten path, and new places starting to catch some buzz for their food. When I do need to use crowd-sourced ratings (e.g., kids hit a wall and you need to get food in them STAT), I find Google reviews and ratings more in sync with my tastes these days than Trip Advisor or Yelp. In my view, the most useful information from sites like these is knowing which places get consistently bad reviews, so I can avoid them.