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.

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