Why I’m Starting A Foodie Travel Newsletter
(And Why It Might Be Just What You’ve Been Waiting For)
Ugck… I spat a horrendous bite of sushi back onto my plate. One of those where you could count the stiff grains of rice with your tongue (if you managed to keep it in your mouth that long).
The rest of the expensively disappointing sushi roll sat on the elegant restaurant table in the middle of New York City until everyone else finished their meal. My stomach growled. I clenched my teeth in frustration. I was livid.
New York City—one of the most visited places in the world—and I couldn’t find one good sushi place?
Now, I’ll admit: it was partially my fault. Lack of sufficient research. We had quickly looked up somewhere to eat sushi, scrolled through a few reviews, and stumbled here after sightseeing.
But I still asked myself: Is it really that hard to find good places to eat while traveling? Who the heck left reviews for this place? Did the head chef call in sick?
Say Goodbye To Tourist Traps, Scams, and Mediocre Dining Abroad
Unfortunately, travelers are led astray by dishonest reviews and tourist-trap restaurants all too often.
And, in an online world that’s being taken over by AI-generated content… It’s only going to get worse (unless the clankers develop taste buds in the near future).
It’s not easy to find delicious, affordable, highly-recommended restaurants that are close to where you are going to be at 1pm, open on Mondays, and not absolutely packed with people.
Especially when you’re in the middle of a foreign country. Hungry. And trying to look up restaurants nearby while simultaneously dodging complaints from your fellow starving travel companions.
Sure, you can find blog posts, restaurant reviews, Trip Advisor, and shining five-star recommendations all over the internet. But there are so many, you’d have to spend months going through all the reviews, photos, and comments before finally settling on the right one.
You could look on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube… But unfortunately, a lot of those recommendations are over-hyped, paid promotions—some from shameless influencers who are willing to promote disgusting restaurants for a quick buck.
Maybe you hope to get lucky and find a culinary hidden gem near the Roman Colosseum on your own. It can happen (and it’s so exciting when it does), but it also requires a lot of trial and error—something most travelers don’t have time for.
That’s Why I’m Starting This.
After that sushi rip-off in NYC, I decided that would never happen again. Because there is nothing worse than being tricked into spending your hard-earned money on food that’s just “meh” (or worse, flat-out disgusting) on your dream vacation.
Now, I meticulously plan every meal during my trips—and spend *literally* months researching, planning, reading reviews, and organizing sightseeing in between meals.
Why? So that every single bite during my travels is 100% worth the trip.
Because eating is the best part of traveling.
And it’s time to get it right—no matter where in the world you are.
My foodie philosophy is simple: I want delicious, authentic, filling, and affordable eats that I’ll remember as one of the best parts of the trip.
This isn’t about food or restaurants that “look pretty” or have “amazing views of the city.” I’m not about spoon-sized portions on giant white plates. Elegant, romantic, vibe? Only if it leaves me in a heavenly food coma after.
This is what I go for when I look for the best eats around the world:
Authentic—to the country (and often to the city, too).
Affordable—I aim for $20 or less, per person, per meal.
Absolutely amazing—good is not the goal. Unforgettable is.
That’s why what I share here will only be no-nonsense, honest reviews and heartfelt recommendations. I won’t ever suggest a place I wouldn’t recommend to my best friend.
Why You Might Want to Subscribe (Before Your Next Trip)
If you decide to join me on this endless culinary journey, here’s what you’ll get:
Detailed city-by-city food guides—all about cities I’ve personally lived in or traveled to (and of course, happily devoured).
Dish recommendations that are my personal favorites—what to order and what NOT to order.
Cultural tips for eating like a local and ordering in a foreign language.
Comprehensive travel guides with all the meals pre-planned, researched, and carefully tested for you (so every bite counts).
Now, let me set one thing straight: this newsletter is not for everyone. If you’re looking for the most Instagrammable, high-end, fancy restaurants, this probably isn’t for you.
If you want cocktail and drink recommendations, I can’t help you there (sober since birth, food is my only drug).
And if you don’t like trying new things, this probably isn’t for you either.
I am writing for adventurous, budget-following foodies who want every bite while traveling to be 100% worth the trip, but struggle to find authentic, quality restaurants abroad.
So, if you want to avoid tourist-trap restaurants and never get ripped-off again…
If you dream of someday trying the best pasta in Italy, the most mouthwatering paella in Spain, and absolutely unforgettable ceviche in Peru…
If you plan meals first, and sightseeing second…
If you’re looking for honest, affordable, and quality restaurants abroad…
Welcome. I’m creating this for you.
By the way… I’m Emily.
After spending the past 8 years living and eating abroad in Peru, Colombia, and Spain (where I currently thrive and dine), I’m compiling the best eats from both past and present travels—so food can be the best part of your trip.
As I mentioned, the content we consume is more and more AI-written. And that’s bad news for anyone looking for culinary rescue. And honestly, sifting through the misleading and self-serving information on the internet is exhausting.
It’s time to take the guesswork out of foodie travel. Here, you’ll find candid reviews, conflict-of-interest-free recommendations, and trustworthy restaurant suggestions.
I’m so excited to share my favorite foods from around the world, foodie travel planning tips, and my go-to restaurants from my all-time favorite places with you.
Thanks for joining me as we embark on this journey together. We’re going to discover some incredible eats along the way. Because there truly are so many amazing, delicious, worth-every-penny places to eat all around the world.
My Favorite Restaurants Around the World (So Far)
A Foodie’s Guide to Barcelona: My Favorite Spots After 42 Days in This Magical Spanish City
The 12 Rules of Eating Well While Traveling
Thank you so much for the recommendation! :) I would love to travel the world and meet delicious meals!!