TikTok launches Must Eat restaurant guide feature in three US cities

TikTok introduced Must Eat, a new in-app restaurant discovery guide that turns food-related videos and user recommendations into searchable dining options. The feature includes restaurant reviews, cuisine filters, maps and reservation links.

Must Eat uses more than 40 million food-related posts, reviews and comments shared on TikTok. The feature is initially available in New York City, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Users can explore two categories: Everyday Eats for casual meals and local favorites, and Elevated Dining for special occasions and upscale restaurants. The guide allows users to filter restaurants by cuisine, rating, distance and whether they are currently open.

Restaurant pages link to relevant TikTok videos, letting diners see the food and atmosphere before deciding where to eat. Users can save restaurants for later, post their own reviews, call businesses and make reservations at participating locations through OpenTable.

TikTok US CEO Adam Presser described the feature as a collection of restaurant recommendations. The move puts TikTok in direct competition with platforms like Yelp and Google Maps, but relies on viral videos and creator recommendations rather than traditional search results.