Make the most of your meals while on vacation.
By far, one of the best parts of any vacation is trying new restaurants, but it’s essential to be prepared and think ahead. Here are some helpful tips from our team for dining out while traveling:
- Early bird gets the table
- Get prepared with apps
- Be on time
- Patience is a virtue
- Keep the kids entertained
- Trust the pros
Keep reading to learn more about these tips for dining out while traveling. Bon appetit!
Early bird gets the table
Make reservations well in advance of your trip; this is a good idea whether you’re traveling in a large group or just with another person. Reservations will be trickier to get if you’re traveling to a popular location during its “high season” or big event, or if it’s a particularly famous or trendy restaurant. We recommend keeping track of your reservation confirmation email if you book online or calling the restaurant a few days before your reservation to double confirm the date and time before you arrive.
Get prepared with apps
No, not appetizers on your plate, apps on your phone! Yelp was one of the first crowd-sourced review websites, and it remains one of the most widely used for restaurants and businesses alike. Likewise, the Zagat guide has been on the restaurant review scene for years and has built a stellar reputation for its thoughtful content and carefully honed rating system.
Are you more of a visual eater? Foodspotting is the app for you — users post pictures of their delicious dishes on the app for others to see. You’re just a few clicks away from enjoying that scrumptious-looking eggplant parmesan in person.
Take it from the professionals — ChefsFeed is where restaurant chefs provide restaurant and even dish recommendations. The app also includes well-produced videos featuring unique dishes sure to whet your appetite.
Be on time
This is true in all aspects of life! When we’re on vacation, whether we’re running from one activity to the next — or we’ve spent the whole day relaxing — it’s easy to lose track of time. Restaurants certainly understand a five or ten-minute delay, but if you’re running more than a few minutes late, be sure to call the restaurant and let them know. It’s a courteous gesture, and the restaurant will certainly appreciate the notice if they need to move you to a different table or shift some things around.
Patience is a virtue
Like punctuality, this is an excellent tip to apply in all areas of our lives, but particularly while dining out in this age of COVID. Restaurants are dealing with unprecedented labor shortages, which means longer wait times for tables and service. Keep in mind restaurants are doing all they can in these tough times, so order an extra cocktail, enjoy the company of your dining mates, and maybe even consider tipping a little extra.
Keep the kids entertained
This one is for the parents, grandparents, and anyone traveling with kids — bring the iPad, coloring books and crayons, and any quiet, restaurant-appropriate games. Also, be realistic about both your kids’ ages and temperaments and the restaurant’s environment. If your kids are a little older and have experience dining out, they’ll do great at a Michelin-star restaurant, but it’s maybe not the best idea to bring a toddler and a three-month-old to an eight o’clock dinner with six courses.
Trust the pros
If you need a little extra help choosing a restaurant to dine at while traveling, let the team at Superior Executive Services help! When you book one of our luxury travel packages, we can secure restaurant reservations at high-end restaurants for you, even during popular events or busy seasons.
For all of your travel and dining needs, we’re excited to help you plan your perfect trip! Contact us today at (608) 665-9070, or send us a message to get started creating your next luxury travel experience!
