Have you ever been to a Restaurant that’s Worth Traveling For?

No, really, just forget the hotel pool, that basic pub crawl, or even the museum gift shop; the thing you’ll remember is the dinner that blew your mind. Okay, now here’s the catch: finding that restaurant isn’t always straightforward. 

Sure, that’s not really a surprise, given the fact that tourist traps are everywhere, waving giant neon signs and shoving ten-page menus in your face. But that alone begs the real question: how do you know when a place is worth ditching the safe option for? Well, there’s definitely some signs!

Buzz Beats Billboards

Well, this should be easy enough, right? Basically, if you’re choosing a restaurant based on the giant crab statue outside, you’re already in trouble. For the most part, the real winners don’t need gimmicks; they’ve got buzz. Instead, it’s the locals that are talking about them, recommending them, lining up outside because they know it’s worth the wait. 

All you really need to do is just ask around. Usually, you can count on your Uber driver, the barista, or even the random guy in line for coffee will usually spill the beans about where they’d actually eat.

The Menu Shouldn’t Try too Hard

Now here’s a red flag: seeing a menu thicker than a novel. Yeah, sure, maybe the Cheesecake Factory is known for that, but outside of them, just see a giant menu as a red flag. So, if a place is offering sushi, pasta, barbecue, and pancakes all under the same roof, it’s not going to end well. It’s the same rule for a buffet; all those varieties in food just aren’t good (quantity over quality), so restaurants that do everything usually aren’t doing anything well.

Seasonal and Local Always is Always Better

What’s worth traveling for? Well, the best restaurants aren’t afraid to switch things up. They change their menu with the seasons, because food that’s fresh always tastes better. If you’re on the coast and the “catch of the day” has been frozen and flown in from another state, you’ve been duped. Ideally, just look for places bragging about local farmers, local fishermen, and ingredients that actually make sense for the season you’re in.

Are there Awards?

Well, not every award matters, but when a restaurant gets recognized for doing things right, it’s definitely going to be a pretty good sign. Plus, it means people who eat for a living and people who just love good food agree it’s worth the hype. Like, wouldn’t you rather eat at a 2025 award winning seafood restaurant over something a little more generic like “world's biggest (insert something that’s obscure but meaningless). Like, not every award is worth traveling to, of course, but some major ones do help.

The Vibe Itself Does Help

It’s low-hanging fruit, sure, but it doesn’t matter; this one still deserves to be mentioned. You can tell a lot from the atmosphere the second you walk in. If the place feels stiff, sterile, and full of tourists with cameras around their necks, you’re probably not in for anything special. But if it feels lively, like people are genuinely having fun, laughing, and enjoying themselves, that’s a good sign.