How any times have you been in the mood for eating out, but had no idea where to eat? After debating about the usual places, you do a search, or several, then begin the painstaking task of clicking through a mind-boggling list of search results and restaurant reviews. Sometimes finding a great place to eat is like searching for a digital needle in a virtual haystack, and let’s face it, can take the fun out of eating out.
“You might know a few restaurants you love in your home city but want to discover more that are in line with your tastes and interests,” said Nara CEO and founder Thomas Copeman. “Or perhaps you are traveling in a new city and don’t have the time to comb through thousands of online reviews and search pages to find just the right spot for dinner. That’s where Nara comes in.”
Finding a great restaurant suited to your taste, mood, and even personality has never been easier. When I first tried out the app, I was pleasantly surprised by the inviting visuals. The design is elegant, and clean. I’ll choose that over scrolling through endless text any day.
The app poses three simple questions: which tables appeal to you (with a shot of a variety of table settings from intimate to casual), what kind of cuisine do you enjoy (with a variety of shots of fantastic looking food), and how would you spend a day off (with photos of various appealing settings from the beach to the city)?
You then have the option of selecting one of 25 major cities and entering two restaurants you are familiar with. You can give the restaurants a “thumbs up” or a “thumbs down,” which gives the app even more specific information about your tastes.
A comprehensive list of restaurants reflecting your criteria then pops up, each with a Pinterest-style image. I discovered some cool new restaurants I can’t wait to try.
What I love the most about the app is that it gets to know you based on your selections with each new search. It will rule out restaurants to which you gave a “thumbs down” and find more restaurants like the ones that have received your “thumbs up.”
For families with kids, or parents who need a night out, this app can be a real time saver. The app even has an option to book a reservation through OpenTable.
Nara can be downloaded for free for Android in Google Play and iOS in the App Store, or discover it online at Nara.me. Check it out!
Disclosure: Reel Mama received the Nara app for review purposes, and the opinions expressed here are 100% my own.
Cool review, thanks! I’m going to download it and give it a try!
Elisebet F recently posted..Review: All-in-Two Diaper by AsherLiz Designs
Great, Elisebet–I think you’re really going to enjoy it.
Can’t wait to try this app too! I’m always trying to stay up-to-date with anything related to restaurant online marketing.
that sounds so amazing!
Regina Sullivan recently posted..After All
It’s very amazing, Regina! It’s so different from the way I found good restaurants 10 years ago (Yellow Pages, I guess), or even just last month (pre-smart phone), and a lot more fun.
Smartphones are remarkable, thanks for sharing the app. I hope to have smartphone one of these days, lol.
Awesome! I am headed to San Diego and Chicago in the near future and want to try some new restaurants, so I’ll give Nara a try!