Hi Reader,

One of my favorite parts of travel is trying local food. Whether it’s sipping a perfectly balanced Mai Tai in Hawaii or digging into a plate of rich, cheesy poutine in Quebec City, great meals are often the memories that stick the longest.

Over the years, I’ve found a few simple ways to discover the best spots before I even arrive.

How I Find Good Restaurants When Traveling

When I’m planning a trip, I’m not just looking for “the most popular” spots — I want the ones that locals and seasoned travelers rave about. Here’s where I start:

• Facebook travel groups – I’ll search for the destination and join a few groups to ask for recommendations or browse past posts.
• YouTube videos – Great for seeing the vibe of a place before going. Food vloggers often share hidden gems.
• Yelp reviews – Especially helpful in the US and big cities abroad. I focus on recent reviews with photos.

Some of Our Favorite Destination Restaurants

Here are a few places that were so good, I’d go back just for the meal:

• ​Mama’s Fish House – Maui, Hawaii – Ocean views, incredible fresh fish, and service that makes you feel like family.
• ​La Bûche – Quebec City, Canada – Cozy, lively atmosphere with hearty Québecois comfort food (don’t skip the poutine).
• ​The Drunken Cookie – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Giant, gooey cookies worth every bite.
• ​Monkeypod Kitchen – Ka’anapali, Maui – Mai Tais, cast iron shrimp, and a lively happy hour scene.
• ​Marukame Udon – Oahu, Hawaii – Fresh, made-to-order udon bowls worth the wait in line.
• ​The Fish Market – San Diego, California – Fresh seafood with stunning waterfront views and a relaxed atmosphere.
• ​Coco Deck - Lahaina, Maui - Great Happy Hour place...Latest Blog Post!

Points Tip: Maximize Dining Rewards

If you’re paying for those memorable meals, you might as well earn rewards while doing it.

• In the US (and at some international restaurants), the American Express Gold card earns 4x points on dining, making it a great go-to option.
• Internationally, both the ​Chase Sapphire Preferred​ and ​Chase Sapphire Reserve earn 3x points on dining worldwide, with no foreign transaction fees.

My Travel Tip

Always make a dining reservation at high-demand spots as soon as your travel dates are set. Tools like OpenTable or Resy make it easy to book ahead — and you can always cancel if something comes up. The American Express Gold also comes with a $100/year cash back on Resy restaurants ($50 every 6 months).

My Recommendation

Up your food experience by taking a cooking class on your next trip. We loved our Thai cooking class in Phuket and pizza-making course in Rome — both gave us hands-on time with local ingredients, a peek into the culture, and a delicious meal we helped create.

​Find a cooking tour here →​

Stay Connected

Here’s more from my recent travels:

• ​Juneau from a Cruise Ship – What to do, where to eat, and how to get around.
• ​Things to Do in Ketchikan from a Cruise Ship – Our favorite tours and experiences.

Follow along for more travel tips and stories:
🌍 Travel Must Do’s Facebook Page​
📌 Travel Must Do’s on Pinterest​

Until next time,
​Melodie​
​Travel Must Do’s

P.S. Join the Come Travel with Melodie Facebook group to share tips for travel or get advice before your next trip.

P.P.S. Some links may be affiliate links, which means if you click and buy something, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Thanks for supporting the blog!

​