Eating Like a Local: A Foodie Guide
Julia Childers
6 min read
The quickest way to understand a culture is through its stomach. Here is how to find the best authentic eats and avoid the magnet-selling tourist traps.
The Picture Menu Warning
If a restaurant has a menu in 5 languages with laminated photos of burgers and pizza outdoors, keep walking. You are looking for handwritten signs, a small menu, and locals sitting inside.
Be Brave with Street Food
Street food is often the safest bet because it's cooked fresh right in front of you. Look for stalls with long lines of locals—high turnover means fresh ingredients.
Ask a Taxi Driver
Don't ask the hotel concierge where to eat; they often get kickbacks. Ask a taxi driver or a shopkeeper where they ate lunch. You'll get an honest, delicious answer.
Embrace the Weird
Travel is the time to say yes. Try the durian in Thailand, the escargot in France, or the cuy in Peru. You might hate it, or it might be the best thing you've ever tasted. Either way, it's a story.
Put away the guidebook reviews and follow your nose.