How to savour a local food scene as a tourist
Food is one of the best ways to experience a new culture, so don’t waste your time eating in tourist traps. Here’s how to uncover the local foodie scene.
Talk to people
This might sound strange now that we live in the modern age of internet research, but once upon a time we used to find information by asking real live people. If you see a fun group of locals having a drink in a bar, be brave and ask them where they like to eat. Try this with everyone you meet, from taxi drivers and shop assistants to people waiting next to you for the train. Odds are, they will be flattered and happy to give a suggestion.
Do some research
Ok, so we know this contradicts our first point, but the internet can still be useful here. The trick is to avoid the big touristy sites like Tripadvisor and hunt out some local gems. These could be food blogs run by locals, Facebook groups or even local newspaper articles online. Think about it – you don’t use Tripadvisor to find a new restaurant in your own city, so use some more creative ways to find them when you’re on the road.
Get out of the tourist area
If you’re just going to wing it, then you’ll need to get away from the main tourist strip. If you look around these areas, you will rarely see any locals dining here. Restaurants tend to be expensive and of poor quality. They have no incentive to build up a returning customer base as a new crop of tourists will be arriving tomorrow. Instead, head to some of the surrounding suburbs or even just go a few streets back from the main road.
Do as the locals do
People around the world have very different eating customs, so to have an authentic experience you’ll need to embrace them. In much of Europe and South America, people regularly start dinner after 9pm. That means if you’re eating at 6pm, you will only find other tourists around. Go with the flow and be prepared to make some adjustments.
Avoid restaurants altogether
If you want to really immerse yourself in local foodie traditions, steer clear of restaurants completely. There are plenty of other ways to enjoy a meal – browse at a local fresh produce market for a picnic, try cheap eats from a street stall or take a cooking class and then dine on the results. Many food tours and experiences will also allow you to eat a home cooked meal in the home of a local, which is a one of a kind experience you’ll remember forever.
What’s the best meal you ever experience overseas?
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