How to Find Authentic Restaurants When Traveling Abroad
BarsRestaurants Editorial Team
1/9/20252 min read
The best meals are often a few streets off the main attractions. Use these tactics to eat like a local anywhere. 12 Ways to Find the Real Deal
- Walk 5–10 minutes off the tourist strip
- Crowds thin out; prices normalize
- Peek at what locals are ordering
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- Check local‑language reviews first
- Use Google Maps in local language; compare ratings and volume
- Look for recent photos
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- Follow lines of locals at odd hours
- Breakfast crowds, late‑night queues
- Short menus, fast turnover
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- Ask service workers (baristas, bartenders)
- They know where staff actually eats
- Ask for 1–2 honest picks
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- Scan menus for regional specialties
- Seasonal dishes beat tourist platters
- Shorter menus often mean fresher prep
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- Avoid aggressive greeters & laminated photo menus
- Common tourist‑trap signals
- Cross‑check online quickly
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- Use niche apps
- HappyCow (vegan), TheFork/Resy/Opentable (booking), Tabelog (Japan)
- Find local blogs or subreddits
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- Time your meal like a local
- Eat when locals eat for the best vibes
- Lunch specials can be steals
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- Look inside the kitchen if possible
- Fresh prep, busy stations are green flags
- Microwaves and freezers everywhere = caution
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- Explore markets & food halls
- Stalls specialize and compete
- Sample small bites first
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- Order the ‘house favorite’
- Ask staff what they sell most
- Trust the short list
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- Save pins and build your own map
- Use lists to cluster eats by neighborhood
- Link your notes for easy access
Image placeholder – to be added. Red Flags Huge menus with everything under the sun Hostesses waving you in on tourist streets No locals inside at peak hours