FOODSWIPE

Inspiration Travelers often struggle to find authentic local restaurants, relying on overwhelming lists or tourist traps. Inspired by the simplicity and engagement of swipe-based dating apps, we wanted to make discovering great food abroad fun, intuitive, and culturally enriching. What it does FOODSWIPE lets tourists discover hidden gems and popular local restaurants using a swipe interface—no lists, just engaging, photo-rich cards. Integrated with Google Maps and authentic reviews, it curates recommendations based on location, local favorites, and unique experiences, helping users explore like a local. How we built it We built FOODSWIPE using React Native for cross-platform mobile development and integrated the Google Maps API for real-time location and restaurant data. Our backend leverages Node.js and MongoDB for scalable data management, while our recommendation engine uses a mix of user preferences, local trends, and machine learning to surface authentic dining spots. Challenges we ran into • Designing a swipe interface that feels natural for food discovery, not just dating. • Balancing tourist needs with authentic local experiences in our recommendation engine. • Ensuring high-quality, up-to-date restaurant data across multiple regions. • Handling offline access for travelers with limited connectivity. Accomplishments that we’re proud of • Creating a seamless, addictive swipe experience tailored for restaurant discovery. • Successfully surfacing hidden gems that even locals love, not just tourist hotspots. • Building a scalable platform ready for global expansion. • Integrating cultural insights and tips for a richer travel experience. What we learned • Tourists value authenticity and simplicity over endless options. • Swipe interfaces can make decision-making more enjoyable in contexts beyond dating. • Local context and cultural information greatly enhance the dining experience for travelers. • Continuous user feedback is crucial for refining recommendations and UI. What’s next for FOODSWIPE • Expanding to more cities and regions worldwide. • Adding social features for sharing discoveries and meeting fellow foodies. • Partnering with local guides and chefs for exclusive recommendations. • Enhancing offline capabilities and adding AR-based food exploration. • Introducing personalized food tours and cultural dining experiences.

Built With

• bolt
• google
• maps
• react
• supabase