Greta C.
July 25, 2025
How to Be a Local Foodie Tourist: Rediscover Your City One Bite at a Time
How to Be a Local Foodie Tourist: Rediscover Your City One Bite at a Time
How to Be a Local Foodie Tourist: Rediscover Your City One Bite at a Time
We think of ourselves ”locals” when we can rattle off four of our go-to restaurants, can easily recommend our favorite coffee shops, and know exactly where to go for the best gelato after dinner, but what about the flip side? What if you approached your city as a tourist rather than a local? When we think of exploration, being a tourist, and trying new things, we seem to think we need to be in a new place or far away. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. Hidden gems and exciting spots are woven throughout the cities we call home, and, as locals, we often overlook them. Visiting these places will not only expand your palate, but it will strengthen your connection with the place you call home. Acting as a tourist in your city allows you to gain new perspectives, experiences, and explore the hidden spots you might not have come across yet. Today, we are going to dive into the tips and tricks to becoming a local food tourist in your own city.
We think of ourselves ”locals” when we can rattle off four of our go-to restaurants, can easily recommend our favorite coffee shops, and know exactly where to go for the best gelato after dinner, but what about the flip side? What if you approached your city as a tourist rather than a local? When we think of exploration, being a tourist, and trying new things, we seem to think we need to be in a new place or far away. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. Hidden gems and exciting spots are woven throughout the cities we call home, and, as locals, we often overlook them. Visiting these places will not only expand your palate, but it will strengthen your connection with the place you call home. Acting as a tourist in your city allows you to gain new perspectives, experiences, and explore the hidden spots you might not have come across yet. Today, we are going to dive into the tips and tricks to becoming a local food tourist in your own city.
One of the first ways to be a foodie tourist in your own city is to dedicate a week or a weekend to a specific food theme. There is no shortage of food themes to choose from, and you can truly let your imagination run wild. These can range from trying the classic dishes the city is known for, particular cuisines, or even restaurants in historical buildings. For example, fresh seafood is quite popular in Seattle, so going to restaurants that highlight Seattle staples, such as Clam Chowder, Salmon, and Oysters, is a great way to experience new things and understand your city a bit better. If the immensely popular classic cup of joe is your drink of choice, maybe you can research your city’s oldest coffee shops and go to a new one each weekend. These food themes are not limited to just the city’s specialty, and can truly be as niche or as broad as you please. Some other food themes include going to sustainable farm-to-table restaurants, trying out food trucks, outdoor breweries, or spots only locals know. This time of exploration could introduce you to your new favorite spot you didn’t even know existed, and truly widen your horizons. When looking for new spots, don’t forget to use Voodies as your food discovery source, and do not forget to share your review!
One of the first ways to be a foodie tourist in your own city is to dedicate a week or a weekend to a specific food theme. There is no shortage of food themes to choose from, and you can truly let your imagination run wild. These can range from trying the classic dishes the city is known for, particular cuisines, or even restaurants in historical buildings. For example, fresh seafood is quite popular in Seattle, so going to restaurants that highlight Seattle staples, such as Clam Chowder, Salmon, and Oysters, is a great way to experience new things and understand your city a bit better. If the immensely popular classic cup of joe is your drink of choice, maybe you can research your city’s oldest coffee shops and go to a new one each weekend. These food themes are not limited to just the city’s specialty, and can truly be as niche or as broad as you please. Some other food themes include going to sustainable farm-to-table restaurants, trying out food trucks, outdoor breweries, or spots only locals know. This time of exploration could introduce you to your new favorite spot you didn’t even know existed, and truly widen your horizons. When looking for new spots, don’t forget to use Voodies as your food discovery source, and do not forget to share your review!
A second way to be a local food tourist in your own city is to map out neighborhoods you haven’t spent much time in or are hoping to explore more. This could look like the most touristy neighborhood in town or looking at your own neighborhood with a new lens. If you have never been a tourist before in your city, or it’s been a while since you’ve done so, go and explore and do the touristy things! Eat the classics, and get a true taste of your city. If you want to take being a tourist a bit further, look at where tourists are going on social media and take inspiration from the tourists themselves. If you are looking to explore the neighborhoods you haven’t spent much time in, create an itinerary for yourself and develop an understanding for the neighborhood as a whole. What is it known for? What is the food scene like? Are there any parks with food vendors? Make an itinerary so you can maximize and try the most amount of spots while you are there. Start with a coffee shop, then a picnic in the park with takeout from the best sandwich shop, a happy hour, dinner, and dessert! Each itinerary will greatly vary depending on the neighborhood and what it has to offer, but it will help you maximize your day and get you to know the area best. If you want to take it a step-further, create a self-guided tour to help guide you through these neighborhoods. When trying new spots in your city and acting as a tourist, don’t forget to use Voodies as inspiration, as the video-food reviews will be greatly helpful, and you must share your taste with us so we can see what you tried!
A second way to be a local food tourist in your own city is to map out neighborhoods you haven’t spent much time in or are hoping to explore more. This could look like the most touristy neighborhood in town or looking at your own neighborhood with a new lens. If you have never been a tourist before in your city, or it’s been a while since you’ve done so, go and explore and do the touristy things! Eat the classics, and get a true taste of your city. If you want to take being a tourist a bit further, look at where tourists are going on social media and take inspiration from the tourists themselves. If you are looking to explore the neighborhoods you haven’t spent much time in, create an itinerary for yourself and develop an understanding for the neighborhood as a whole. What is it known for? What is the food scene like? Are there any parks with food vendors? Make an itinerary so you can maximize and try the most amount of spots while you are there. Start with a coffee shop, then a picnic in the park with takeout from the best sandwich shop, a happy hour, dinner, and dessert! Each itinerary will greatly vary depending on the neighborhood and what it has to offer, but it will help you maximize your day and get you to know the area best. If you want to take it a step-further, create a self-guided tour to help guide you through these neighborhoods. When trying new spots in your city and acting as a tourist, don’t forget to use Voodies as inspiration, as the video-food reviews will be greatly helpful, and you must share your taste with us so we can see what you tried!
A third way to act as a tourist in your own city is to set up challenges for yourself and make it fun! Think of your favorite food or beverage, such as a pastry or cocktail. Create a challenge for yourself where you set out to find the best pastry around your city or the most delicious variant of your favorite cocktail. It truly is up to you and what you would like to try. Other fun ways of getting to act as a tourist include making a game out of discovery. If you're going out to dinner with a group of friends, everyone suggests a recommendation, and then you create a raffle to pick the restaurant. Maybe you make a social media challenge and create a list of drinks or foods to photograph and share on social media. Overall, there are great and fun ways to act as a tourist in your city while discovering new spots and trying new things.
A third way to act as a tourist in your own city is to set up challenges for yourself and make it fun! Think of your favorite food or beverage, such as a pastry or cocktail. Create a challenge for yourself where you set out to find the best pastry around your city or the most delicious variant of your favorite cocktail. It truly is up to you and what you would like to try. Other fun ways of getting to act as a tourist include making a game out of discovery. If you're going out to dinner with a group of friends, everyone suggests a recommendation, and then you create a raffle to pick the restaurant. Maybe you make a social media challenge and create a list of drinks or foods to photograph and share on social media. Overall, there are great and fun ways to act as a tourist in your city while discovering new spots and trying new things.
Finally, if you truly want to get a tourist experience, embrace the classic tourist activities. Book a local walking tour, do the classic excursions, or even try a food tour. These tours and experiences teach you so much about your city, reveal new facts you hadn’t known before, and help you look at your city from an outsider's perspective.
It is easy to get comfortable and overlook the small details in your surroundings. While knowing the ins and outs of your home is both comforting and exciting, it can be refreshing and rewarding to look at your city with a new perspective. We challenge you to act as a tourist in your city. From trying new restaurants, exploring new neighborhoods, and finding the hidden gems you have missed, we are excited for you to share your taste with Voodies. We can’t wait to see you be a tourist in your city and see your reviews on Voodies!
Finally, if you truly want to get a tourist experience, embrace the classic tourist activities. Book a local walking tour, do the classic excursions, or even try a food tour. These tours and experiences teach you so much about your city, reveal new facts you hadn’t known before, and help you look at your city from an outsider's perspective.
It is easy to get comfortable and overlook the small details in your surroundings. While knowing the ins and outs of your home is both comforting and exciting, it can be refreshing and rewarding to look at your city with a new perspective. We challenge you to act as a tourist in your city. From trying new restaurants, exploring new neighborhoods, and finding the hidden gems you have missed, we are excited for you to share your taste with Voodies. We can’t wait to see you be a tourist in your city and see your reviews on Voodies!
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For Foodies, Just Like Us.
© 2025 Voodies. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy Terms of Service
For Foodies, Just Like Us.
© 2025 Voodies. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy Terms of Service