I’m often asked how I decide where I’m going to eat. I think everyone keeps some sort of running list, particularly in the area they live. In new places, it’s entirely different. As it is for many, food is a pillar of traveling for me. When I’m in a new city or country, my days revolve around the meals, and deciding where to have those meals requires some heavy lifting. Every trip is different, of course, and there’s only so much time to cram in as much as possible. The preparation is massively important. Here’s the process I go through to curate and vet a list of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc. to hit. And to incentivize you read through, the most important puzzle piece comes at the end.