Nowadays, with the disappearance of the pandemic, we see the world slowly returning to the old normality. Travel is resumed for both business and tourism purposes. But no matter why we are on the go, we all face several major problems when we visit a country for the first time. Food is one of them, and this is what this article will focus on! But not finding any food, but discovering specific local delicacies and really quality treats. Every cuisine is known for certain dishes, such as kebab in Turkey, aloo gobi in India, or Spanish paella. However, we need to know how to find the best restaurants offering these meals and what other local specialties are worth trying. Also, it’s good to know what and which places to avoid. In the next lines, you’ll learn the basics of finding the best food when you are traveling, no matter the destination and your personal taste.
Research in Advance
Every time before you visit a new destination, perhaps the wisest thing is to do a little research, especially if the local culture is totally unfamiliar to you. This approach could be helpful in every aspect of your travel, and food makes no exception. Luckily, we live in digital times where everything and everyone are connected with each other. There are dozens of blogs and forum pages where you can learn valuable stuff about every city or small village around the world. Let’s not underestimate Wikipedia as well, because let’s say it straight, we all browse the free encyclopedia from time to time.
Remember that our own habits, even the slightest ones, could be entirely different on the other side of the globe. For example, you may think that the whole world has lunch at noon and dinner around 18:00, but you’ll be surprised by the reality. Moreover, in some countries, people prefer to eat in restaurants, while in others, like Australia, lunch is served in cafes, which close in the late afternoon. Here are a few essential topics to research before you set off:
- Traditional food places
- Types of food served during the day
- Tipping – it may significantly vary in different countries.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
No matter how detailed your research was, it won’t hurt to ask a local for a recommendation. The advice can be especially valuable if you are in a resort town or metropolis where the variety and number of restaurants are huge. Natives always know best and can guide you to places that even Google Maps is missing. If you are eager to taste a local flavor, the best option could be to simply ask a taxi driver or buy something from a small shop and ask the seller for recommendations. Keep in mind that fancy restaurants are not always the best option when you are abroad.
Visit the Local Market
If you are in an exotic country or place totally different from your own, it’s always a good idea to visit the local market. Look for local fruits and vegetables, spices and nuts, and of course, fish and seafood delicacies. In many countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, on these markets, you can find small canteens or shops where to buy raw as well as ready-to-eat food.
Yes, the experience is quite different, and you may need to eat on foot, but often it’s worth the effort. The only issue is that some of these markets are very well hidden as they are far from the local sightseeing. For example, you can use different apps to track them down, like Get Your Guide. Food tours are sometimes not very easy, but they are always delicious!
Tips on How to Find Amazing Local Restaurants
There are always hidden places in every city and town where the salad is greener, the steak is juicier, and the seafood tastes different. But how to find the best master of souvlaki, mamaliga, or borscht? Here are a few valuable tips:
- Don’t Judge by the Look or Size – the small bakeries, pastries, and food shops are often the better choice in terms of quality-price
- Location is Crucial – restaurants places among the busiest routes will feed your stomach, and those hidden from sight, your soul
- Never Miss a Food Queue – if the locals have lined up somewhere, patiently waiting to take food, then in most cases, it’ll be worth it
- Let the Language Be Your Guide – sit and eat in restaurants filled mostly with locals and not tourists. They may not be flashy and appealing, but the people from the town always know the best
- Know Basic Things of the Traditional Cuisine – some local specialties may not be exactly to your taste, not because they are not cooked well but because your palate prefers another flavor.
Of course, many things determine our food choice when traveling, including a budget, allergens, and personal preferences. However, by following the tips above, you can avoid tourist traps and really get the most for your money.
Final Words
Traveling is fun, and discovering new destinations could be the meaning of life. Food, on the other hand, does not have to be a purely physiological need, as the billions of receptors in our oral cavity can take us on an unexpected trip. Many people travel thousands of miles just to taste the specialties of popular chefs, without knowing that around the corner, they may find traditional dishes cooked no less amazing. Just as we should not judge a book by its cover, we should not draw conclusions about the taste of the meal by the look of the restaurant!