Dear Michelle Valentine,
You’ve traveled to so many destinations while filming and exploring. How do you find great places to eat when you’re traveling?
— Hungry Traveler
Dear Hungry Traveler,
This is one of the questions I’m asked most often, and the answer may surprise you.
I don’t usually start by looking for the highest-rated restaurant.
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I start by looking for the story.
Over the years, I’ve discovered incredible restaurants tucked away on quiet side streets, hidden seafood shacks overlooking the water, family-owned cafés serving recipes passed down through generations, and elegant dining rooms located inside historic buildings with fascinating pasts.
Some of my most memorable travel experiences have happened around a table.
Food tells the story of a destination in a way few other experiences can.
Here’s how I find great places to eat while traveling.
Start with Local Recommendations
When I arrive in a destination, one of the first things I do is ask local residents where they enjoy eating.
Not where tourists are expected to go.
Where they actually go.
Hotel staff, museum guides, shop owners, attraction managers, and local residents often know about hidden gems that never appear on national “best of” lists.
Some of my favorite discoveries have come from conversations that started with a simple question:
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“Where would you take a friend visiting from out of town?”
The answers are often far more interesting than a search engine result.
Look Beyond the Main Tourist Areas
Popular tourist districts certainly have wonderful restaurants, but some of the most authentic culinary experiences can be found a few blocks away from the busiest streets.
Exploring beyond the obvious often leads to memorable meals, unique atmospheres, and opportunities to experience a destination from a local perspective.
Travel is about discovery, and sometimes the best discoveries are unplanned.
Learn What the Region Is Known For
One of my favorite parts of travel is experiencing foods that are closely connected to a destination’s history and culture.
In Louisiana, that might mean Cajun and Creole specialties.
In Kentucky, perhaps a famous local dish or regional favorite.
In coastal communities, fresh seafood often takes center stage.
When visiting another country, I always try to seek out traditional foods that have shaped the local culinary identity.
The goal isn’t simply to eat.
It’s to understand the destination through its flavors.
Follow the Crowds—Sometimes
A busy restaurant isn’t always better, but it’s often a good sign.
If local residents are filling the tables, especially during non-peak hours, I pay attention.
Popular restaurants usually earn their reputation for a reason.
Of course, long lines don’t automatically guarantee a memorable experience, but local enthusiasm is often worth noting.
Read Reviews Carefully
Online reviews can be helpful, but I try to read them with perspective.
Instead of focusing exclusively on ratings, I look for patterns.
Are guests consistently praising the food?
The service?
The atmosphere?
The authenticity?
Reviews often reveal far more than a simple star rating.
That said, I’ve also learned that some of the most memorable meals I’ve enjoyed had surprisingly modest online reviews.
Sometimes it’s worth taking a chance.
Explore Local Markets
Food markets offer an incredible introduction to a destination.
They provide opportunities to sample local specialties, meet vendors, discover regional ingredients, and learn more about the area’s culinary traditions.
Many destinations reveal their personality through their markets.
Whenever possible, I make time to visit one.
Don’t Ignore Hotel Restaurants
One mistake many travelers make is automatically dismissing hotel restaurants.
Some of the finest dining experiences I’ve enjoyed while traveling have been located inside hotels and resorts.
Many hotel chefs are passionate about showcasing regional cuisine and local ingredients.
In some cases, the restaurant becomes a destination in its own right.
It’s always worth taking a look at what’s available before heading elsewhere.
Be Open to the Unexpected
One of the greatest joys of travel is stumbling upon something you weren’t planning to find.
A small bakery.
A family-owned café.
A waterfront seafood restaurant.
A neighborhood favorite recommended by a stranger.
Some of my most memorable travel meals weren’t on an itinerary.
They were discoveries.
Those moments often become the stories we remember most.
My Final Advice
When searching for great places to eat while traveling, don’t focus solely on finding the “best” restaurant.
Instead, focus on finding experiences.
Look for places with character.
Seek out local flavors.
Talk with residents.
Be curious.
Stay open to surprises.
The goal isn’t simply to have a good meal.
It’s to create a memory.
And some of the best travel memories begin with a table, a conversation, and a dish you’ve never tried before.
Happy travels—and happy dining!
Wishing you many delicious discoveries,
Michelle Valentine
TV Host, Love Eat Travel with Michelle Valentine
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