How to eat like a local

Forget the tourist traps and standard cuisine. If you want to eat like a local when you travel, it’s important to get creative, stay open to new options and get adventurous with what you are eating. Here are a few ways to discover the most authentic, delicious and affordable meals, no matter where you go around the world.

Consult cabbies & cops

A common tip when travelling is to ask the hotel concierge for recommendations about anything from where to go scuba diving to what spa options are available. Some sites suggest asking the hotel concierge about dining options as well. While this may generally be a better idea than asking a promoter for a restaurant, oftentimes hotels will strike up partnerships with local eateries and receive a percentage fee for the number of people it sends to the restaurant’s business.

Instead, if you are looking for a local’s perspective on what culinary spot is the champion, turn to cab drivers and cops for a different opinion—they will generally know the neighbourhood very well as they spend much of their time on the streets and share secret hot spots your hotel concierge has never heard of.

Hit the street

One meal option that let’s you eat like a local but is frequently looked over is street food. More times than not, street vendors are serving up the tastiest, most affordable and most authentic cuisine you will find while travelling. While understandably some shy away from this option because of the persistent cleanliness and health concerns, you can figure out which vendors are generally safe by which are more popular with the locals. If there is a crowd to get their food, chances are you will be treated to a tasty feast right there on the street.

Do a little research

If what you eat is a priority to you and you prefer to plan things ahead of time instead of figuring out restaurants on the fly, then take a little time before you leave to research popular establishments, read up on local reviews of the places and maybe even check Twitter out for some unsolicited advice and opinions about the best places to go. You’ll be surprised how many superb restaurants can be found through these channels, and maybe after you try one of those restaurants yourself, you’ll be among the restaurant’s followers on Twitter.

Forgo the menu

Instead of going with your normal meal or choices, travel is the time to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. When you find a local restaurant, instead of trying to guess what you’d like to try, ask your waiter for an opinion about a dish. You can tell them what you like (sweet or spicy, meat or vegetarian) and they can offer a customized recommendation for you. Plus, who knows the menu better than the waiters at the restaurant?

Skip the buffet line and fast-food joints and experience a real, traditional meal by hitting the streets and getting insider information about the hot spots and secret restaurants that will tickle your taste buds and fill you up. Don’t forget to purchase a travel insurance plan from youGo Travel Insurance before you go, so you can focus on the food and not worry about the unexpected.