Restaurant Recommendations on Apple Maps Just Got a Little More Interesting
I like Apple Maps . I want to love it, but I can’t. Despite its obvious integration with iOS and generally pleasing aesthetics, Google Maps just does some things better . One of those things is especially important: finding places to eat.
Searching for a restaurant on Apple Maps and Google Maps is similar at first glance: You type in a search term, scan the map for a name that stands out, then tap on that restaurant to learn more. Apple Maps offers Yelp reviews that you can preview, but if you tap on any of them for more details, you’ll be taken to the Yelp app. If you don’t have the Yelp app, you’ll be taken to the App Store to download the Yelp app. Google Maps, on the other hand, has Google reviews. If you tap on a review, you’ll read it right then and there, without leaving the app. Brilliant.
Now Apple is taking a small step toward making it easier to find a good restaurant on Apple Maps — at least if you don’t mind fancy food.
Find Michelin-starred restaurants on Apple Maps
On Thursday, the company announced a new search filter that lets you specify Michelin distinctions when searching for restaurants. Here’s how it works: After searching for your restaurants (even with a general search term like “restaurants”), you can scroll through the search filters below the search bar (like “Top Rated,” “All Cuisines,” etc.) until you find “Michelin Distinctions.” Here, you can search for restaurants with one, two, or three Michelin stars; a “ Bib Gourmand ,” which a restaurant can earn if it doesn’t quite live up to the true star standard; and a “ Green Star ,” which Michelin awards to restaurants that are committed to sustainable practices.
Maybe I’m doing something wrong, or maybe this feature isn’t fully rolled out yet, but I can’t get any Michelin-starred restaurants in my search. No matter what filter I try, Apple Maps says it can’t find any matching places. And unless I’m missing some big news, I think there are at least a few Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City .
If this feature eventually works on my device, it’s a great way to find fine dining in your area or in an area you’re visiting. If you’re looking for a great restaurant that isn’t the height of fashion, Bib Gourmand might be the place for you. If you’re looking for a place that might have been featured in a Netflix documentary about trendy chefs, the 3-star filter might be your go-to.
You’re not limited to restaurants here. Apple Maps now lets you search for Michelin-rated hotels. I’ll admit, I’ve never taken the time to double-check Michelin before booking a room, but I suppose it could be a useful search filter for some.
Apple says it’s also working on introducing search filters for recommendations from The Infatuation and Golf Digest, the latter of which will provide golf course recommendations.
Apple Maps Still Has Some Catch-Up to Do
While finding Michelin-starred restaurants (and hotels) is a great feature that Google Maps doesn’t really have, it doesn’t put Apple’s navigation app on par with Google when it comes to finding places to eat. For one thing, most of us aren’t looking for fancy restaurants most of the time when we go out to eat. Most of us just want a great restaurant, and if it doesn’t break the bank, even better.
Until Apple finds a way to include more information in the app for restaurants that show up in search results, I think many people will continue to use Google Maps. I know they will.