Are you a small restaurant explorer?

[Tristin]

Let me tell you, all the big chain restaurants are very visible with their large banners. They have the budget to take land on side of busy roads and intersections.

But more than often, you are missing out on those small corner shops and back alley shops. They are hidden gems. Those kind of shops are usually ran by owner themselves, where quality may excel more than you might've expected.

If you've not heard of such small shop by rumors to visit, you'll have to search it yourself, going to the unknown. Or you could browse the map. But it takes more time, and may be out of your way.

[Out Of Bubblegum]

No. The quality is too questionable.

[EpirusWarriorμολὼνλαβέ]

Bistro:
https://www.keens.com/
https://www.match65.com/

Italian
https://altroparadiso.com/

https://www.joespizzanyc.com/

Greek
https://www.tavernakyclades.com/

[White Knight]

I avoid corporate franchises and seek out "mom-and-pop" places whenever I can.

[Devsman]

Eh, I find size is irrelevant. Decent restaurants are at all levels. It's much more a matter of the individual location's management than how many other franchises exist.

[Angel]

I live in Melbourne and we are known to have restuarants and cafes hidden in laneways and rooftops. We even have bars hidden behind bookshelves that lead into basements.

Smaller restuarants tend to be more authentic and at times unique. I remember travelling through Tokyo dining at Michelin starred restuarant however a favourite was a tiny and "humble" outlet under the subway that didn't even have menus and only a few stools where "salary men/women" dined; they had the best ramen.

[Insomniac Jack]

I'm not a hipster and I hate dining out, so no.

[GunsForBucks]

Origineel geplaatst door Insomniac Jack:

I'm not a hipster and I hate dining out, so no.

You know I don't really go out much and I don't look for new things to eat even.

But there are some dishes I just prefer to eat in a restaurant. So I seek out a couple of choice places and I am happy with that.

Basically all I wanted was places to eat good Fajitas and Pizza ha ha ha

[Tsubame ⭐]

If I am walking or exploring around and I find something that piques my interest, yes, otherwise, no, I do not go out of my way to find one.

Exception are for very highly rated restaurants, including Michelin starred restaurants. Many of these are very small gems with little to no signage, and that have little seating, and can be super hard to find - for example, took me 30 minutes to find one in Kyoto, that had 6 seats in a wooden bar, plus a small private room for 4.

[Q-T_3.14.exe]

Smallest restaurant that I know of is a local restaurant called Kuappi. I have walked past it many times.

Fun fact: It is the smallest restaurant in the world and holds the Guinness World Record for it.

[ナルゴ]

I'd rather not get worms from suspicious meat (smuggled, from unknown suppliers, etc). So no.