During my travels, I prioritize exploring eateries, cafes, and pastry shops instead of traditional tourist spots. To me, indulging in new culinary experiences is the highlight of any journey, with some of my most cherished memories revolving around delectable meals. (The only challenge lies in building up an appetite between these culinary delights, but that’s where sightseeing monuments come in handy.)
Road trips are a dream for food enthusiasts: they allow you to cover vast distances, create your own itinerary, make last-minute reservations, and conveniently stop for any intriguing roadside attractions (hello, fresh produce stands!).
To execute this seamlessly, thorough planning is essential. Through my various travels, I have refined my strategy for sampling the finest cuisine. To assist you in identifying the most delectable stops for your upcoming summer road trips, I am sharing my approach.
Research, Evaluate, and Compare
Upon finalizing my travel destination, I adopt a three-pronged research method for discovering food options. Rest assured, this process is straightforward and can be completed in as little as thirty minutes.
Initially, I conduct an online search for reputable articles and restaurant recommendations in the area (consulting platforms like CBC, Frommer’s, Maclean’s, Condé Nast Traveler, and Eater). This initial step provides a general overview of the destination and its culinary specialties.
Subsequently, I explore TikTok and Instagram using keywords such as “best Halifax restaurants,” “top food spots in Halifax,” and “Halifax cuisine.” If searching for something specific, like “finest lobster in P.E.I.” or “premier Jewish deli in Montreal,” can narrow down the options.
Lastly, I seek personal recommendations by reaching out to friends or posting on social media. Nothing beats a suggestion from a trusted source.
After compiling this information, I identify commonalities among the suggestions — the sweet spot where multiple sources, unrelated to each other, recommend the same eatery or dish. This is where culinary magic happens! You’ll be surprised by how frequently these overlaps occur once you start searching. (For instance, this approach led me to discover heavenly deep-fried chicken wings at Phnom Penh during my travels in Vancouver, a memory that still lingers.)
Evaluate Ratings Wisely
Though not an exact science, analyzing basic statistics from a restaurant’s Google reviews can offer insights into the dining experience. While platforms like Yelp and Tripadvisor are useful, I prefer Google due to the vast review database.
Typically, I avoid establishments with ratings below 4.1 stars. This doesn’t imply that lower-rated places lack good food, but it’s a simple way to mitigate potential disappointments while traveling.
Additionally, I consider the number of reviews a restaurant has received:
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10,000 or more reviews