Learn More About City Compass

Origin Story

Not Just Another List

City Compass and why we only do 6 listings per category image

Why only 6 listings per Category?

City Compass is built by family and shared with purpose image

Built by Family. Shared with Purpose!

You will feel confident when choosing the City Compass Elite listings image

Choose Confidently

Origin Story

City Compass was born from experience — not theory.

Our founders are a unique mix of travel and hospitality insiders: a hotel group sales manager, an airline employee, and airport shuttle owners who spent years listening to thousands of riders, group coordinators, conference attendees, and travelers all asking the same question: "Where should we go?”

We heard it daily. Sometimes they’d say, “I heard this place was good…”

and we’d gently step in with better options — the ones locals actually love. And when we picked them up for their return trip? The proof was in the smiles and the stories.

“I’m so glad we went where you told us. Our friends went somewhere else and had a so-so experience. We lucked out.”

That was the spark. Now we’re doing that on a larger scale — bringing those trusted, proven recommendations to you.

Not Just Another List

We’re not a food blog, influencer brand, or cluttered directory. We’re a handpicked local guide created for travelers, conference guests, and curious locals who want to skip the tourist traps and find the real stuff — fast.

Every listing is vetted through a mix of personal experience, local feedback, and patterns we see emerge over months of listening to real people across social media, reviews, and conversations. If a place keeps getting mentioned — across neighborhoods, foodie groups, and travel communities — we take notice. Then we experience it ourselves (when possible), talk with owners and staff, and make the call.

If it’s in our guide, it’s there for a reason.

Why only 6 listings per category?

We can't list just everyone and anyone — and too much choice leads to being overwhelmed. We cap each category at just six listings so you can confidently pick from the best. No fluff, no filler, no national chains. Just real-deal, locally loved places with flavor, consistency, and heart.

Built with Family. Shared with Purpose.

This journey has also become part of our family’s story. For the last two years, our now 8-year-old son has grown up hearing the stories behind these businesses — the chefs, owners, and teams keeping dreams alive. He’s watched us build this, heard the calls, and started to understand what it means to help people you may never meet.

This is our love letter to him — and to the cities we love. It’s how we show him the power of supporting local, doing your research, and sharing what matters.

Helping You Choose Confidently

Every listing on City Compass includes direct links to the most helpful pages of each business’s website — menus, catering info, private dining, reservation requests, and more. Whether you're a solo traveler trying to unwind or a planner coordinating a group dinner or offsite happy hour, we've built this to make the process faster, easier, and more locally rooted.