Staying Fit
For many of us, food is a big part of the travel experience. Food can reveal so much about a destination. It has the power to articulate the vibe and, yes, the flavor of a city or region.
We checked in with chefs for the scoop on what they do to find great food when they travel. When you’re ready to sink your teeth into something delicious, here’s how to find your next favorite dish while on vacation.
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1. Research on reservation sites
Many travelers default to Tripadvisor and Yelp when searching for a good meal. You may want to add dedicated reservation sites such as OpenTable and Resy when researching where to go, says James Beard Award–winning chef Janos Wilder, formerly of Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails in Tucson, Arizona. “From a chef’s perspective, more serious diners [leave] reviews on reservation sites,” he says.
2. Look to locals online
If you love to eat, it’s a good idea to research the favorites of local foodies. Chef Mandy Dixon, owner-manager of Tutka Bay Lodge and La Baleine Café in Homer, Alaska, says she will visit TikTok or Instagram and search for keywords such as “best brunch New Orleans” or “best soup Seattle” for short videos. “It gives me a local’s view of the area, the restaurant and the food,” Dixon says.
3. Ask your server
When you’re on the ground, ask your server where you should eat next. It’s always smart to ask those who have a sensibility about food, though you may want to be discreet. Not all restaurants and hotels are keen on staff letting patrons know where else to go to eat.
“One time I was in New Orleans … I asked the waiter what his favorite spot to eat authentic local food was. He didn’t say much at first but then came by later ... and slipped me a folded-up piece of paper,” Dixon says. On the slip of paper was his favorite ribs joint, and it was a winner. “The food was the best barbecue I have ever tasted to this day.”
Farmers markets are one way to sample the flavor of a destination.
Ariel Skelley / Getty Images
4. Visit the farmers market
Eat your way through a street market or farmers market. Across dozens of stalls, markets can captivate the senses with the smells, sights, sounds and tastes of a destination.
While you’re browsing, talk to the vendors. They often supply restaurants and are likely to know about great eats across town. “I find that ... local markets [are] great place[s] to hear about great places to dine and sample the local bounty,” says executive chef Richard Crespin of the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs in California.
5. Step outside the tourist zone
Look to restaurants at least a few blocks away from popular attractions and seek out cafés and dining opportunities in neighborhoods, not major tourist thoroughfares.
Above all else, “avoid touristy areas,” says Thomas Melvin, executive chef at Vida in Indianapolis and a James Beard Award semifinalist. When in doubt, talk to someone who lives there. “Find locals and ask for their recommendations,” Melvin says. “Word of mouth is, in my opinion, still the best recommendation.”
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