Canada’s neighbourhoods all have their own local foodie flair. And today, Google Maps is making it even easier for you to explore the best your city’s neighbourhoods have to offer with our updated Explore feature.
With just one tap, you can discover what is unique (and delicious!) about the neighbourhood you’re in - whether that’s an indie coffee shop in Gastown in Vancouver, a boulangerie in Montreal’s Outremont, or a taco joint in Kensington Market in Toronto.
It’s as easy as opening your Google Maps app, setting your location, and then tapping “Explore around you”. You can even tell your Maps app how far of a walk or a drive you’re willing to take, and what time of day you’re looking for. The Maps app will give you a list of local spots to help you satisfy your craving or discover a new favourite.
The Explore feature is also great for when you’re visiting somewhere new - from New York to Tokyo, Maps is ready to help you uncover the best of what’s nearby.
Our phones are powerful pocket guides to the cities where we work, live, play and visit, with location-related mobile searches growing faster than all mobile searches. For example, Google search interest in “restaurants near me” has increased 26X since 2011, and Canadian search interest in “near me” has increased by 400% year-over-year from 2015 to 2016.
Whether you’re a tourist looking for a casual dinner or a local trying to find a new local watering hole, Google Maps for mobile provides the most detailed and useful information so you can make the best decision on where to go. After all, the best spot for a coffee on the go might not be the top pick for a place to linger and chat over biscotti with friends. With today’s Google Maps update, no matter the occasion — think Lunch nearby right now or Best spots for dinner with kids this weekend — you can be confident that Google Maps has you covered.
Once you pick the category that suits your craving, you can see in-depth details about each location. Swipe through photos, get details (family-friendly? quick bite?), and check out ratings and reviews from Google and other diners. And for select spots, you also discover why it may be particularly relevant to you: for example, Google Maps may recommend a place that’s popular with other diners who visited a place you’ve been to in the past.
While Google Maps may offer a suggested list, such as lunch or dinner based on your location and time of day, sometimes a change of scenery is in order! Never fear, all options for nearby neighborhoods, categories and cuisines are all just one tap away. And if you don’t find the perfect place at first glance, you can choose to load more places from the area, expand the area or switch to a different category.
Happy Exploring!
Posted by Nicole Bell, Communications Manager, Google Canada