I’m looking for recommendations on the best restaurant apps to find good dining options nearby. I recently moved to a new city and have been struggling to discover great places to eat. Can anyone suggest reliable apps for this?
Okay, first of all, let’s address the struggle. Moving to a new city and not knowing where to grab a decent bite? Tragic. But fear not, the apps will guide you. Here’s the rundown:
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Yelp – The OG. Look, everyone knows it, everyone’s used it. Hundreds of reviews, ratings, pics. Though, beware the overly dramatic reviews – some people rate a place 1 star because their water wasn’t ‘sparkly enough.’
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Google Maps – Yes, it’s not just for getting lost. Their restaurant discovery game? ON POINT. Photos, reviews, peak busy hours – all neatly there. Plus, it’s already on your phone. Lazy win.
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OpenTable – If you’re about that “fancy dinner, book-a-table” lifestyle. It’s like Yelp’s sophisticated cousin that always wears a blazer.
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Zomato – Basically Yelp but with a hint of international flair and a slightly neater interface. Good for stalking menus.
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The Infatuation – For when you’re tired of reviews like ‘my pasta was too al dente.’ Their recommendations feel like they’re from a friend who’s actually cool.
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Resy – Similar to OpenTable, but sometimes it’s the only thing between you and a table at a buzzing hotspot.
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TripAdvisor – Saw someone call it Yelp’s boomer sibling once… not inaccurate. But hey, when desperate, it works.
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Uber Eats/Grubhub/DoorDash – Weird flex, but these apps bet on people ordering from solid restaurants. Use them to find the good places (then go in person).
So yep, download like three, stalk menus like it’s your new part-time job (it basically is), and soon you’ll be lecturing others about food finds. Circle of (dining) life.
If you’re trying to find the best eats in your new city, honestly, skipping Yelp or Google might save you from the rage-inducing black hole of fake reviews (‘Best burger ever!’ – from someone who literally ordered a salad). Instead, rely on apps where users are food-smart, not drama-prone.
1. Michelin Guide App: Yes, it’s fancy, but it’s not just for $500 meals. They list affordable spots too, like Bib Gourmand gems (aka Michelin’s way of saying “good food that won’t bankrupt you”). Pro tip: If it’s mentioned here, it’s legit.
2. Local Eats: Perfect for getting a feel for hidden gems and those spots locals are secretly gatekeeping. No big chains, just indie spots worth exploring. More focused than mainstream apps IMO.
3. Tabelog (if your city has it): A Japanese-born platform now expanded in some areas. The foodies using this? Absolute snobs in the best way. Their restaurant recommendations have yet to fail me—but bring patience, the UI is clunky.
Now, gonna throw a curveball—check out reddit and Instagram. Weird I know, but a city’s food subreddit or foodie IG influencers (search “[your city] food” hashtags) tend to showcase truly up-to-date restaurant finds. Found some of my fave taco spots this way that didn’t even show up on Yelp.
That said, I wouldn’t lose sleep downloading every app. Find one or two that resonate with how you like to eat. If Michelin-level fancy, go that way. Laid-back hole-in-the-wall vibes? Hit up IG/Reddit/local-based apps. Oh, and ignore anyone promising magic with delivery apps; sure, you can scope menus there, but IME most algorithms push you to the same trendy nonsense no matter the quality.
TL;DR: Michelin, Tabelog, local-ish apps, and IG/reddit-focused foodies >> mainstream chaos.