When you’re on the road and keen to avoid tourist traps, Instagram can be a surprisingly powerful tool for discovering top-notch restaurants. Start by searching hashtags or location tags for the city or neighbourhood you’re visiting—look for recent posts from locals or food bloggers rather than influencers on press trips. As you scroll, save posts to a collection on your profile and sort them by category—cafés, bars, sushi spots, pizzerias, brunch, and so on. This not only keeps your findings organised, but also helps you build a ready-to-go food itinerary tailored to your taste.
Bear in mind that restaurants trending on social media often get booked up quickly, especially in foodie hotspots. It’s worth messaging them directly on Instagram or heading to their website to make a reservation in advance. Also, don’t assume they’re open every day—many popular places have irregular hours or close midweek, so always double-check their opening times. A little planning goes a long way to make sure you don’t miss out on the gems you’ve discovered.
