Part of the fun of traveling, whether for business or pleasure, is finding somewhere new to eat.
Maybe you want the local tastes of the town or a high end restaurant to relax in, or just something quick, inexpensive and satisfying.
One of the best ways to find just what you’re looking for is to hop on your social media.
Where to start:
• Start by asking your social media friends if they know of anywhere in the town you’re visiting – You never know who may have a cousin there or maybe used to live there. Maybe a Facebook friend travels there frequently and is a food connoisseur willing to share their greatest finds. So just put a quick blurb out asking for any suggestions.
• Check out some local interviews or food reviews of the city where you’re going – You can look to blogs and articles such as Expert Interview with the eatPGH team on Where to Eat in Pittsburgh or local papers or reviews online.
• Food bloggers offer excellent information – Remember, these don’t have to be professionals, but maybe a mom who loves to dine out and blog about it or an accountant whose hobby is food. Spend a little time finding and reading these.
• Tweet it – Twitter is great for finding specific information, and whether you search by a hashtag, like #pittsburghrestaurants or ask it yourself, such as Where should I eat in Pittsburgh? #pittsburghfood #diningoutinpittsburgh, you should get some good responses.
Then what?
• Once you’ve got a few choices, take a look at the specific restaurant websites – Maybe your friend’s cousin loves the place, but you’re not a fan of that cuisine or style. So take a look at the menu and website for a glimpse into the atmosphere.
• Read reviews – You probably want to search more than reading the website reviews, so take a look at local reviews on sites like Zagat, Yelp and Tripadvisor. You’ll get the lowdown from the pickiest diners to those with elite taste buds to the average Joe. Remember, when you read these, take them with a grain of salt; one bad review doesn’t make for a bad restaurant.
• Speaking of other sites, use the specific restaurant sites to find a place to eat if you haven’t found one already – The above mentioned, like Tripadvisor and Zagat are great social sites to find a place to eat. You can narrow it down to location or type of food, price range and atmosphere.
• Book it – Rather than go and wait for a table or have the restaurant be full, book an online reservation using a site like Opentable.
Social media is one of those great modern tools travelers love. You’ve got it all at your fingertips.
Friends or virtual strangers can recommend a restaurant you never would have found otherwise.
Bon appetite!
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