Want to plan epic food trips everyone will envy?
Foodie travel isn't going away anytime soon. Travelers today aren't satisfied just sightseeing anymore. They want authentic eats.
Booking trips as a foodie can be tricky though.
Hotels especially have a huge impact on your culinary experience.
What you'll learn:
- Why Booking Around Food Makes Sense
- How Hotels Can Make Or Break Your Experience
- Researching Signature Dishes
- Finding The Best Foodie Destinations
Why Booking Around Food Makes Sense
Food connects you to culture.
It's faster than trying to learn the language or researching history before you visit somewhere. Food brings destinations to life.
That's just my opinion though…
Research from Jersey Island Holidays found that 70% of travelers select vacation spots based on food and drink options. Seventy percent!
Imagine that. Two out of every three travelers care more about what they'll eat than the sights they'll see.
But here's the crazy part…
An analysis done on the world's best hotels found accommodations are factoring in more options related to food and drink. Restaurants on-site. Collaborations with local chefs. Proximity to dining halls and coffee shops. These factors are influencing the overall ranking of top rated hotels.
But most travelers don't think about hotels like that.
Hotels Can Make Or Break Your Food Experience
Wait… what?
I know. I just told you hotels are important above. But hear me out.
Let's talk about hotels from a foodie standpoint.
When you book your stay at a hotel, you need to think about these things:
Do they have a restaurant on-site? Is it award-winning? If not, are there tons of great restaurants nearby?
Are popular food markets walking distance from the hotel?
Do they serve a real breakfast? Or will you be stuck with dry toast and cold cereal?
Do they partner with local chefs for cooking classes and dining experiences?
Does the concierge know about the best restaurants off the beaten path?
Booking a hotel without considering these factors could mean losing valuable eating time. Traveling to and from restaurants. Missing out on after-hours food spots.
But the smartest food travelers…
Don't waste time. They book hotels central to all the great food around them. Hotels that act as a hub for eating adventures. Not just anywhere close to tourist attractions.
Researching Signature Dishes
If you've never traveled with food as the main priority, you might not know where to start.
But it's simpler than most people think.
First: look up the city's or country's signature dishes. These are your meals that you simply must try when visiting a destination.
For example:
- Mac and cheese in Philadelphia.
- Seafood fra diavolo in New York City.
- Curry chicken roti in Trinidad.
- Garlic noodles in Las Vegas.
Got it? Now get researching…
Find restaurants that specialize in these meals. Look for food tours that include multiple signature dishes. Better yet, search for cooking classes that teach you how to make these meals from scratch.
Hilton's recent survey found 60% of luxury travelers will stay at hotels that offer excellent restaurants. So where does that leave food travelers that aren't roughing it on their trips?
Food tours are a great choice. But you have to do your research.
Make sure the tour eats at restaurants known for specific meals. Some food tours just hit the best dining spots. But they don't guarantee you'll taste a city's famous specialties.
Planning is everything when it comes to food tours.
Once you know what meals to try, you can start filling your foodie itinerary with destinations around the city (or country) that are known for your must-eat dishes.
Finding The Best Foodie Destinations
Just because you want to travel as a foodie doesn't mean you can book anywhere.
While every city has delicious food, some stand above the rest.
They have the street food scenes we all dream about. The fine dining pushed by five-star restaurants. Meals passed down through family traditions for generations.
So what makes a food destination?
Typically it comes down to a great balance between high-end eateries and cheap eats. Nothing sucks more than visiting a city full of amazing restaurants that will break your bank.
Another thing great food cities have?
Unique food markets. A city that cares about where their food comes from will have markets full of local vendors. The passion these cities have for their food usually translates to every eatery you visit.
Let's take a look at a few other things to consider when picking your foodie travel destination:
- Cuisine variety. Some cities are known for one specific type of food. Others offer a fusion of flavors from around the world.
- Eating techniques. Street food. Family kitchens. Restaurants owned by world-renowned chefs.
- Unique ingredients. Truffles. Long noodles. Seafood fresh from the boat.
Once you find a destination that caters to your personal food preferences, you can start planning the dining aspect of your trip.
Budgeting For Food
Here's a truth about food budgets…
Travelers don't spend enough money on food.
I get it. Hotels are expensive. Plane tickets are expensive. Dining out eats away at your budget quickly.
But if you're going to travel as a foodie, you have to spend money on food.
There's nothing worse than being on a culinary-inspired vacation and watching every other foodie eat at restaurants you can't afford.
Here's how I budget for food.
I set aside money for a couple of expensive meals at award-winning restaurants. But I balance those out with super cheap local restaurants that offer unique flavors.
As a foodie, you should plan to spend anywhere from moderate to $$$ on food.
- Learning how to cook traditional meals from a local chef falls somewhere in the middle to $$$ range.
- Dining at award-winning restaurants will cost you $$$.
But don't forget to leave…
Some room in your budget for unplanned meals. That local you meet while out shopping may know the best restaurant in town. And it probably won't be on your foodie itinerary.
Booking Restaurant Reservations
Did you know you have to plan your restaurant bookings just as much as your hotel stay?
I didn't either.
But once I started traveling for food, I quickly learned popular restaurants require reservations days — if not months — in advance.
The top foodies know this…
And they treat reserving a table like buying concert tickets. Scalpers be waiting.
Want some tips for booking the restaurants everyone will be talking about?
Book as soon as you confirm travel dates. Look for chef's table or dining room experiences first. If you can't get a dinner reservation, try booking lunch. And if the restaurant has a waiting list, put your name on it.
Trust me. I've booked restaurants that were several months out because I was willing to eat lunch.
Wrapping This Up
Foodie travels takes a little planning. But if you want to fully experience your destination through food, it's worth the effort.
Remember…
Stay at hotels close to where the food is. Research your destination's signature dishes. Create a foodie budget. Book hard-to-get reservations. And leave time to explore local recommendations.
Now get planning!
Traveling for food is fun. Eat up.
