Greta
July 11, 2025
How Has Technology Changed Food Discovery?
How Has Technology Changed Food Discovery?
Technology surrounds us; the device you’re reading this on most likely woke you up this morning, and you might even be wearing it. Tech is everywhere, and it has changed most of our daily tasks to the point we no longer even notice. One thing that has changed and become so normalized to us is food discovery. Decisions around finding new restaurants, picking which Italian spot for dinner, or figuring out where we want to brunch have most likely been impacted by technology. The processes of finding new spots and restaurants have changed and evolved over the years due to technology. Today, we are going to explore how food discovery has evolved due to technological advancements.
To start off, it is important to understand what food discovery once looked like. Before technology took the world by storm, the way one went about finding new spots was different. There were several ways of discovering new restaurants that involved no technology, which we will dive into now:
Technology surrounds us; the device you’re reading this on most likely woke you up this morning, and you might even be wearing it. Tech is everywhere, and it has changed most of our daily tasks to the point we no longer even notice. One thing that has changed and become so normalized to us is food discovery. Decisions around finding new restaurants, picking which Italian spot for dinner, or figuring out where we want to brunch have most likely been impacted by technology. The processes of finding new spots and restaurants have changed and evolved over the years due to technology. Today, we are going to explore how food discovery has evolved due to technological advancements.
To start off, it is important to understand what food discovery once looked like. Before technology took the world by storm, the way one went about finding new spots was different. There were several ways of discovering new restaurants that involved no technology, which we will dive into now:
Word of Mouth
Word of Mouth
Word of mouth is a process in which customers share their positive reviews with their peers, acting as free advertisement. While word of mouth is still a method of finding new restaurants and providing recommendations today, it had a great impact before this massive wave of technology. Before technology, recommendations were often shared through friends, family, and coworkers. It remains one of the most trustworthy methods of marketing, as people are more likely to trust a personal recommendation
Word of mouth is a process in which customers share their positive reviews with their peers, acting as free advertisement. While word of mouth is still a method of finding new restaurants and providing recommendations today, it had a great impact before this massive wave of technology. Before technology, recommendations were often shared through friends, family, and coworkers. It remains one of the most trustworthy methods of marketing, as people are more likely to trust a personal recommendation
Print Media
Print media, such as guidebooks and newspapers, were great ways for individuals to find new acclaimed spots before using technological devices. Guidebooks, such as the Michelin Guide, which was first published in the 1900s and still runs today, highlight fine dining restaurants and highly acclaimed chefs across the world. Zagat, a popular restaurant review guidebook in the 1990s, focused on restaurants across the United States through crowdsourced content. This content highlighted thousands of customers' experiences rather than food critics. Beyond these guides, newspapers featured restaurant reviews and food critics. Newspapers had food sections dedicated to food trends, dining guides, and notable chefs. The New York Times, for example, published various restaurant and food reviews. Print media has and is still valuable in food discovery, and has greatly impacted the ways in which individuals have discovered restaurants.
Print media, such as guidebooks and newspapers, were great ways for individuals to find new acclaimed spots before using technological devices. Guidebooks, such as the Michelin Guide, which was first published in the 1900s and still runs today, highlight fine dining restaurants and highly acclaimed chefs across the world. Zagat, a popular restaurant review guidebook in the 1990s, focused on restaurants across the United States through crowdsourced content. This content highlighted thousands of customers' experiences rather than food critics. Beyond these guides, newspapers featured restaurant reviews and food critics. Newspapers had food sections dedicated to food trends, dining guides, and notable chefs. The New York Times, for example, published various restaurant and food reviews. Print media has and is still valuable in food discovery, and has greatly impacted the ways in which individuals have discovered restaurants.
Visual & Signage
While it may sound simple, visual cues and signage played a role and were and are still a deciding factor in choosing a restaurant. Whether it came from seeing a billboard or being excited and captured by the outdoor aesthetics of a restaurant, visuals play a role in that discovery. This adds to the spontaneity that once was, as individuals walking around might become intrigued by visual cues, which leads them to discover the spot where they decide to eat. Without the ability to look up a place with specific criteria, individuals would use these visual cues to determine where they decide to eat.
Now that we have discussed what food discovery looked like before technology, let’s dive into what it looks like today. Today, individuals commonly use technological devices and the tools that come with them, such as the internet and social media. These features have greatly changed and impacted the ways people go about finding restaurants, which we will discuss below.
While it may sound simple, visual cues and signage played a role and were and are still a deciding factor in choosing a restaurant. Whether it came from seeing a billboard or being excited and captured by the outdoor aesthetics of a restaurant, visuals play a role in that discovery. This adds to the spontaneity that once was, as individuals walking around might become intrigued by visual cues, which leads them to discover the spot where they decide to eat. Without the ability to look up a place with specific criteria, individuals would use these visual cues to determine where they decide to eat.
Now that we have discussed what food discovery looked like before technology, let’s dive into what it looks like today. Today, individuals commonly use technological devices and the tools that come with them, such as the internet and social media. These features have greatly changed and impacted the ways people go about finding restaurants, which we will discuss below.
Social Media & Food Discovery Apps
Social Media has greatly impacted the food discovery process. Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Voodies offer visuals for users. Through these apps, users get a sense of the ambiance, food, and drinks they might order, and the visual appeals of the restaurant, which users can use to determine whether or not they are interested in dining at this spot. With apps offering visuals of spots, it allows them to use these and go off these visuals rather than written reviews to determine whether or not they want to dine at a specific spot. Additionally, users turn to apps like Yelp to find their next restaurant. Yelp allows users to look for spots on a map and sort by cuisine, if they offer reservations, are good for dinner, and so on, while also getting to read about customers' experiences and their reviews. These apps have greatly changed the game and allow individuals to find spots from their own device at their convenience.
Social Media has greatly impacted the food discovery process. Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Voodies offer visuals for users. Through these apps, users get a sense of the ambiance, food, and drinks they might order, and the visual appeals of the restaurant, which users can use to determine whether or not they are interested in dining at this spot. With apps offering visuals of spots, it allows them to use these and go off these visuals rather than written reviews to determine whether or not they want to dine at a specific spot. Additionally, users turn to apps like Yelp to find their next restaurant. Yelp allows users to look for spots on a map and sort by cuisine, if they offer reservations, are good for dinner, and so on, while also getting to read about customers' experiences and their reviews. These apps have greatly changed the game and allow individuals to find spots from their own device at their convenience.
Google Map
Maps' features have greatly impacted food discovery through their versatility, convenience, and accessibility. Most mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones, contain a Maps app in which users can search for specific restaurants near them. For example, users can search, “Mexican Restaurants Near Me,” and they will be met with various options with reviews. Google Maps, in particular, allows users to look for specific cuisines and select specific filters such as cuisine, price, rating, and many more. With maps being so accessible, it has changed the way people look for and discover restaurants.
Maps' features have greatly impacted food discovery through their versatility, convenience, and accessibility. Most mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones, contain a Maps app in which users can search for specific restaurants near them. For example, users can search, “Mexican Restaurants Near Me,” and they will be met with various options with reviews. Google Maps, in particular, allows users to look for specific cuisines and select specific filters such as cuisine, price, rating, and many more. With maps being so accessible, it has changed the way people look for and discover restaurants.
Influencer Culture
ATied into seeing spots on social media, influencer culture has greatly impacted food discovery. Influencers have had a huge impact on foods, as they influence specific trends, ultimately dictating what may be popular. For example, someone’s favorite influencer on TikTok might share their new favorite coffee shop, and their followers will then try that spot. When influencers spotlight specific restaurants in their content or work directly with influencers to promote brand awareness with users, they impact which spots are spotlighted.
As we can see, food discovery has greatly changed and been altered by the new wave of technology. As it once was a process of reading written reviews, trusting your peers, or going off of some visual cues, we are now able to perform a more thorough and convenient search. While food discovery looks very different today than it did 20 to 30 years ago, it is difficult to say what it will look like in the future. With technology rapidly evolving, who can say how we will find our favorite meals in the next 20 years? Whether you prefer to look through guidebooks, go off a friend's recommendation, or use a food discovery app such as Voodies, we hope your next meal is delicious, and don’t forget to share your taste on Voodies!
ATied into seeing spots on social media, influencer culture has greatly impacted food discovery. Influencers have had a huge impact on foods, as they influence specific trends, ultimately dictating what may be popular. For example, someone’s favorite influencer on TikTok might share their new favorite coffee shop, and their followers will then try that spot. When influencers spotlight specific restaurants in their content or work directly with influencers to promote brand awareness with users, they impact which spots are spotlighted.
As we can see, food discovery has greatly changed and been altered by the new wave of technology. As it once was a process of reading written reviews, trusting your peers, or going off of some visual cues, we are now able to perform a more thorough and convenient search. While food discovery looks very different today than it did 20 to 30 years ago, it is difficult to say what it will look like in the future. With technology rapidly evolving, who can say how we will find our favorite meals in the next 20 years? Whether you prefer to look through guidebooks, go off a friend's recommendation, or use a food discovery app such as Voodies, we hope your next meal is delicious, and don’t forget to share your taste 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