Eat well in a new city in one evening

To eat well in a new city with only one evening, choose one food-dense neighborhood instead of chasing the whole map, shortlist two or three places before you arrive, and ask one local for their pick. Then order the dish the city or restaurant is known for rather than something you could get at home. A little planning in the afternoon leaves the evening free for eating.

Why pick a neighborhood before a restaurant?

In a city you don't know, travel time is the biggest thing you can lose. A famous restaurant 40 minutes away may eat half your evening, while a street with a dozen good options lets you adapt if a place is full or closed.

Look for an area where people who live in the city go out to eat: a market district, a main street with several bars and small restaurants, or a neighborhood known for one cuisine. Staying within walking distance also gives you a backup plan and makes a two-stop evening easy.

How do you shortlist places before you arrive?

Spend 20 minutes in the afternoon, not two hours. You're looking for a short list you trust, not the perfect answer:

• Search by dish, not by "best restaurant". "Best dumplings in [neighborhood]" or "where to get [regional dish]" gives you more specific answers than a general ranking.
• Read the most recent reviews. Kitchens and owners change, and a glowing review from years ago may not describe the place today.
• Look at recent photos of the food. Use them to inspect portions, toppings and presentation. Repeated photos can put a dish on your shortlist, but they do not establish sales, quality or whether you will like it. Look for a specific description of how it tastes, too.
• Check hours and closed days. Many independent restaurants close one or two days a week, and some kitchens close earlier than you'd expect.
• Check whether you need a reservation. If a place books out, have a walk-in alternative nearby.

Keep two or three options in the same area. Include the place you are most excited about and a nearby fallback with checked hours. Note a dish, likely meal cost and any booking requirement for each option.

Who should you ask for recommendations?

People who live and work in the neighborhood usually know where they'd eat on their own night off. Good people to ask:

• Bartenders and baristas. They often know the kitchens nearby and which places locals go back to.
• Market vendors and shop owners. Ask where they have eaten recently and which dish they would order again. A supplier relationship alone does not tell you how a restaurant cooks.
• Your hotel or host, with a specific question. "Where would you go for dinner tonight?" gets a better answer than "What's good around here?"
• Friends who have visited. Ask what they'd order, not only where they went.

If two people independently recommend the same dish, add it to your shortlist and ask what they liked about it. Compare those details with what you want to eat.

What should you order when you're only there once?

A regional noodle soup, local style of pizza or street snack can give you a starting point. Being a local specialty does not prove that every kitchen makes it well. Read recent descriptions of the actual dish and ask the server how this restaurant prepares it.

A few ways to find the right dish on the menu:

• Ask the server what the kitchen is proudest of. It's more useful than asking what's popular.
• Look for dishes with the city or region in the name, or ones listed as house specialties.
• Look at nearby plates. Portions and preparation can help you choose between two dishes, but a busy table does not prove either dish will suit your taste.
• Order a few smaller plates instead of one large main so you can taste more of the menu.

If you have a food you don't enjoy, you don't have to force the local specialty. Choose the version of a dish you already like, such as a regional take on dumplings, noodles or grilled meat, and you'll still eat something you couldn't get at home.

How do you plan a two-stop evening?

A two-stop evening lets you try more places without overeating. Start with small plates or a signature snack at a busy counter, walk for 10 or 15 minutes, then sit down for one main dish or dessert somewhere else.

This works especially well when you're dining alone. Bar and counter seats are often easier to get without a reservation, you can watch what the cooks are making, and it's easier to strike up a conversation that leads to your next recommendation.

Check local dinner hours too. Dinner starts much later in some cities than others, and arriving at the wrong hour can mean a half-empty room or a kitchen that's already closed.

What are signs a restaurant is worth trying?

Use clues to decide what to investigate, then check the details:

• Recent dish-specific reviews. Look for descriptions of flavor, texture and portion size that match what you want.
• A focused menu. It can make the choice easier, but a short menu alone does not prove good cooking.
• Daily specials or a named specialty. Ask how the dish is prepared and what it costs today. A prominent menu position is not a quality rating.
• A workable plan. Confirm hours, booking needs and any food requirements before traveling across the city.

Be a little more cautious in the blocks right around the biggest attractions, where restaurants serve a steady flow of first-time visitors. That's not a rule, though; some of a city's best-known places sit right next to its landmarks.

How can Palytt help?

Palytt is a free iPhone and iPad app for deciding what to order. At restaurants it covers, you can explore available Order Guides and dish details, keep a food journal, and see friends' ratings when they have rated a dish. If you're traveling together, Rooms lets everyone vote on where to eat. Restaurant and dish coverage varies, so keep your own short list for a new city and check whether each place has a useful Order Guide. You can browse best dishes near you once you arrive, or read our guide to finding the best dish at a new restaurant. Get Palytt for iPhone and iPad; Android is coming.

FAQ

How do you find good food when traveling?

Pick one food-dense neighborhood, shortlist two or three places by searching for specific dishes, and ask a local such as a bartender or market vendor for their pick. Then order what the city or restaurant is known for.

How do you avoid tourist trap restaurants?

Read recent, specific dish reviews and check current menu prices, hours and booking needs. Compare nearby alternatives before choosing. Location, a short menu or a room full of local diners does not prove food quality.

Is it better to eat at one restaurant or several in one evening?

If you want to taste more of a city, two stops works well: small plates or a signature snack at one place, then a main dish or dessert at another. If the first place is great, it's fine to stay.

Where should you eat alone in a new city?

Bar and counter seats are a good choice. They're often easier to get without a reservation, and you can watch the kitchen and ask the staff what to order.