If you\u2019re a serious globetrotting foodie, then deciding where to eat is one of the most important aspects of your trip. My personal rule of thumb is that if a restaurant is full of locals, then that\u2019s where I\u2019m going. But how do you find these local gems? And, perhaps more importantly, how do you figure out which restaurants to avoid altogether?<\/p>\n
Thanks to a variety restaurant review sites, it\u2019s now easier than ever to be a traveling foodie. Whether you want to find the best taco stand in Baja or the tastiest gelato in Milan, these resources will help you located places to suit your tastes and budget.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re using your smartphone while you\u2019re on the road, most of these sites have app or mobile versions. They can also detect your current location, which makes browsing local listings that much easier. My recommendation would be to choose 2 or 3 you like best and use them interchangeably (or to cross-reference) as you\u2019re planning your trip or on the road.<\/p>\n
Zagat<\/a><\/strong> Yelp<\/a><\/strong> WitU<\/strong> UrbanSpoon <\/a><\/strong>
\nWhether you\u2019re traveling domestically or internationally, Zagat is a great resource. The site\u2019s easy to search database gives you Zagat ratings as well as both professional and customer reviews. Short, informative articles will introduce you to new culinary wonders, some even in your backyard. Worried about snagging a table at the new \u201cit\u201d sushi restaurant? Don\u2019t be. Zagat also allows you to book reservations online.<\/p>\n
\nYelp is a general review and opinions site, and its restaurant listings are especially comprehensive. On Yelp, you can read opinions by actual clients (not restaurant owners or paid reviewers) on various establishments in your city (or neighborhood of choice). Though most of Yelp\u2019s listings are for U.S. cities, they do some international pages as well.<\/p>\n
\nWitU is an international database of restaurant listings and reviews. It\u2019s easy to navigate and a great place to find out about the hot dining trends in the cities you\u2019re in. You can also book tables online.<\/p>\n
\nUrbanSpoon features listings (sortable by price, location, cuisine, and ratings) for restaurants throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia and the UK. The site\u2019s \u201cTalk of the Town\u201d section that features restaurants that critics and bloggers are talking about right now.<\/p>\n