What’s for Dinner? Find New Restaurants Using These 14 Methods
Are you tired of dining at the same locations week after week? It’s an easy rut to fall into. If you’re not careful, you can be stuck in it for a while. Eventually, you may even wind up disliking the food you once swore by. It’s time for a change, but how does one even go about finding a new restaurant when the options feel limitless?
You’ve been so used to relegating yourself to the same cuisine that you may have forgotten how you stumbled upon it. Was it a random internet search? Maybe you used one of these methods and it’s time to put it to use again to find you a new restaurant.
Lonely Planet
Despite what the name may suggest, you’re not alone, and there’s a very useful resource ready to help you find a new restaurant. Lonely Planet is a website dedicated to global travel, with recommendations for virtually everything you can think of.
The website covers dozens of destinations, spanning North America to Australia. Extensive lists covering the best eateries in a region and thoughtful insight into the quality of local eats will help you get to know what’s in town better. If the website is a little light on information about your city, you can purchase a Lonely Planet Pocket Guide for a deeper look into what cuisine you’ll find locally.
While it may seem like an obvious answer, Google remains the most popular search engine when people are looking for a bite to eat. Research from PYMNTS found that 62% of consumers use Google to find new restaurants.
To make the most of Google, try adding a few more keywords to your search instead of simply looking through restaurants near you. Search for the best restaurants in your area and check out blogs and websites that list unique and carefully curated finds.
Facebook may not be the first place you think of when trying to find a new restaurant, but the social media platform is the second most popular platform Americans use to find restaurants.
It turns out that Facebook is a great way to find the latest eating spots. You can easily search for a restaurant you have in mind. If it has a business page, you can see its latest posts and reviews by real customers. You’ll also see other posts where people have tagged the restaurant to share their personal experiences or photos of the establishment’s food.
YouTube
YouTube is a popular platform for watching videos. On there, you’ll find tons of unique vloggers. Many food vloggers create videos of their experiences in different restaurants, so you’ll get a true inside look at eateries in your area.
If you don’t have any specific restaurants in mind, try searching “best restaurants in (city name)” to find roundup videos of the most popular spots closest to you.
TikTok
Social media has become a major player in finding the newest businesses, restaurants, and more. Thanks to apps like TikTok, several restaurants and food spots have exploded in popularity after going viral on social media.
According to the PYMNTS’ data, Gen Z is more likely to find restaurants through social media influencers, which TikTok is known for. When you need a few new restaurants to add to your roster, try searching “best restaurants in (city name)” or “(city name) restaurants.” You’ll find plenty of videos and accounts by influencers and regular users who share their experiences openly.
Instagram is a popular social media app that makes finding new restaurants to try with personal reviews easy. Just search the name of your city and “restaurants” to see different posts and reels where people share their experiences at different local establishments.
Organize your search by clicking “Places” for a list of restaurants in the area. When you click on a specific restaurant, you’ll get a map of its location, the venue’s Instagram profile, and posts shared by other users.
OpenTable
Although OpenTable is primarily used to make reservations at restaurants, it is also a great tool for finding the most popular spots to grab a bite. After you set your location, you’ll be able to explore restaurants in your area or by cuisine. There are nearly 60,000 restaurants from around the world available on OpenTable, so you won’t be short of choice.
The best part about the app is that once you’ve found a place you like, you can book your reservation without calling in or using a different app.
7. Happycow
If you’re looking for vegetarian or vegan-based recommendations, HappyCow is the app for you. HappyCow is an app and website that offers vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants in your area.
It also lists health food stores, farmer’s markets, and other food-based businesses that are vegan. The app is free to download and offers different listings in your area, where you can look through photos and restaurant reviews.
Uber Eats
Uber Eats isn’t just for ordering food during nights in. The popular food delivery app also works as a restaurant finder. Uber Eats lists the most popular restaurants you can order from, both for ordering in and eating out.
With the app, you can find restaurants in your area, along with menu options, photos, reviews, and ratings, to help you decide on the best spot to dine.
DoorDash
DoorDash is a food delivery service app that works similarly to Uber Eats, allowing users to order food from home. In 2023, DoorDash had 550,000 partnered restaurants and grocery stores on its platform. The app is available in over 7,000 cities in all 50 states, so there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.
To find the best restaurants in your area, open up the app and set your location to browse through the most popular restaurants closest to you. You’ll also find reviews, ratings, and menu items.
The Michelin Guide
Discover the world’s best restaurants with this trusty and popular app. The Michelin Guide is a highly respected app that features the top restaurants from around the world. It rates the highest-quality food establishments and allows you to create lists of your favorite restaurants or spots you plan to visit in the future.
The guide collects ratings from inspectors, who can rate restaurants on a scale of one to three stars, three being the top standard and best of the best.
Eat24
Eat24 is a food delivery app that helps you find the best restaurants nearby. Perform a search in your city or town, and you’ll find plenty of unique and highly-rated restaurants for a casual dinner or a more romantic date.
The app features 20,000 restaurants in over 1,500 cities across the U.S. You can use it to search for specific cuisines you’re in the mood for and scroll through photos of tasty meals before setting your sights on a new restaurant.
Foursquare
Foursquare, also known as Foursquare City Guide, is an app that allows users to search for the best businesses, including local restaurants. A unique aspect of Foursquare is that it’s also a social networking platform, so you can follow people to find their tips and favorite hotspots.
The app will give you personalized recommendations based on your preferences and your previous browsing and check-in history, so you’ll find restaurants that are specifically catered to your taste.
My Local Eats
My Local Eats is a popular dining app that carefully curates dining guides of the best eateries for travelers and locals. This app is perfect for those who want to avoid chain restaurants and explore local options instead.
Unlike other apps, My Local Eats only lists the best options, handpicked by its editorial and research staff. You can search for restaurant choices near you or filter restaurants by categories like top 10, category winners, feature, neighborhood, and more.