Why you should never Google the best places to eat on vacation – and what to do instead

If you’re a foodie who’s traveling, here’s why you should never Google the best places to eat on vacation.     

Despite the search engine being a quick and efficient way for travelers to discover new spots, it can lead to tourist traps instead of memorable meals. 

Experts believe that there are four principles that will make all the difference for your taste buds, and they include not over planning, becoming a regular, asking smart questions and going with the flow.

Nathan Thornburgh, the co-founder of Roads & Kingdoms, a food-and-travel publication, shared with The Wall Street Journal: ‘Allow yourself the possibility of having a bad meal. It’s like anything in life – the risk and reward go together.’

By taking a step away from Google searching, foodies may uncover unadvertised, mouth-watering dishes. 

If you don’t over plan, you are open to new opportunities. 

Wander luster Jamie Barys, who resides in both Shanghai and Singapore, attempted to find cover during a sudden rainfall, when she spontaneously arrived at an isolated street.

She ended up discovering ‘amazing izakaya’ without planning it.

Jamie was inspired by her often uncalculated food finds, that she decided to launch UnTour Food Tours, which is a website that focuses of ‘expert eaters’ providing visitors with places that aren’t featured on most searchable lists.

When life coach Elizabeth Hays, 43, took a trip to Paris, she visited the same bakery daily, due to convenience and its flavorsome pastries, and she believes that becoming a regular is key. 

During Nathan’s trip to Novello in Piedmont, Italy, he visited a wine bar that he didn’t have much expectation for, yet he ended up going to the spot nightly.

He recalled that ‘the food was incredible,’ and that he felt like he was one with the community.

Jamie also urges foodies to not only ask questions, but specific ones.

Despite the search engine being a quick and efficient way for travelers to discover new spots, it can lead to tourist traps, instead of memorable meals (stock image)

She suggested asking locals: ‘What is your favorite everyday place to go for lunch or dinner – somewhere you eat at regularly, but don’t see many tourists at?’

If you want to eat somewhere fancy, Jamie advised for travelers to ask locals where they like to go for their special occasions.

On top of that, Jamie noted that it’s important to ask what specific dishes to order at each place.

Jamie also emphasized that its vital to strategize your sources.

She warned: ‘Don’t ask a Shanghainese person for the best Sichuan restaurant in town.’

Instead of only taking the hotel concierge’s restaurant recommendations, Jamie advised to also ask the bartender or the housekeeper for better insight. 

Nathan noted that besides asking for recommendations, its important to inquire what time of day the locals go for a visit.

Experts believe that there are four tactics that will make all the difference for your taste buds, including not over planning and becoming a regular (stock image)

He shared: ‘Save your meals for when you know the good meals are happening.’

During his travels to Mexico City, he discovered that ‘it’s not midday tacos – it’s late-night tacos.’

Life and career coach Colleen Newvine has shared the rule that her father told her, which is: ‘If it’s lunchtime and a place is dead, there’s probably a reason, and we’ll keep moving.’  

Colleen also noted the importance of following the physical crowd around, instead of focusing on just the social media hype for a place.