Food is fast becoming the compass for British travellers. With one in five now choosing their holiday based on cuisine, the appetite for authentic dining experiences is stronger than ever.
Yet, despite the best intentions, many still end up in restaurants that serve reheated clichés with laminated menus, multilingual signage, and dishes that taste like they’ve been designed by committee.
So how do you avoid the tourist trap and find the kind of place locals actually eat?
First, forget the guidebook and ditch the algorithm. While researching dining options before your trip is wise, spontaneity often leads to the most memorable meals. Whether you’re navigating a last-minute itinerary change or simply wandering unfamiliar streets, knowing what to look for can make all the difference.
Walk, don’t scroll
One of the simplest strategies is to walk. Meander away from the main squares and high-footfall boulevards. Tourist traps tend to cluster around landmarks, offering overpriced menus and underwhelming food. Instead, explore side streets and residential pockets. If you see a place with handwritten specials on a chalkboard, take note. It’s often a sign the kitchen is cooking with what’s fresh and local, not what’s frozen and familiar.
Read the room and the menu
A restaurant filled with locals during off-peak hours is a strong indicator of quality. Look for places where the menu is in the native language, not translated into five others. If there are no photos of the food, even better. Locals don’t need visual reassurance they know what they’re ordering and if the wine list features regional bottles rather than global brands, you’re likely in good hands.
Ask the right people
Hotel concierges and tour guides may steer you toward safe, tourist-friendly options. Instead, ask bartenders, shopkeepers, or taxi drivers where they eat. These are the people who know the neighbourhood and aren’t incentivised to send you to a partner restaurant.
Trust your instincts and your feet
Sometimes, the best meals come from simply following your nose. If the smell from the kitchen makes you pause, if the tables are filled with animated conversation, and if the décor is more rustic than refined, you may have found a gem. Authenticity rarely shouts – it whispers.
Plan lightly, eat wisely
While it’s tempting to book every meal in advance, leave room for discovery. A spontaneous lunch in a tucked-away trattoria or a late-night bite in a local tapas bar can often eclipse the most hyped reservations.
In the end, the best meals abroad aren’t just about the food – they’re about the feeling. The sense that you’ve stumbled into something real, something rooted in place and with a little curiosity and a few smart cues, you can eat like a local – wherever you are.