Forget the sun, sea and sand, for some people, travel is all about the cuisine.
Some will turn to Trip Advisor and scour around for the best and most famous finds in an area. Others, meanwhile, will look more towards ‘going local’, and finding those hidden gems that fellow tourists are yet to uncover.
Regardless of your approach, there are certain do’s and don’ts. Let’s now take a look at some of the ways you can stay safe, and enjoy your foreign dining experience, on your travels abroad.
Beware of tourist traps
It’s all too easy to be lured in by the bright lights and promises of a fantastic meal when you’re on holiday. However, sometimes these places can be tourist traps, designed to take your money while offering the most basic forms of food in return.
This is where prior research can come to your rescue. Whether it’s by turning to Trip Advisor, or even asking a local, you’ll soon be able to sniff out a classic tourist trap in no time at all.
If you’ve not been able to research beforehand, a simple trick is checking the menu. If it feels a bit too much like home, and seems to cover all bases, then there’s a good chance it’s trying to appeal to the masses and should be avoided. After all, can a restaurant really excel in all forms of cuisine? It’s unlikely.
Beware of dodgy hygiene
This one’s pretty self-explanatory. Nobody wants to end up with food poisoning while on holiday, even if you have the appropriate insurance for travel.
If you’re not sure about the place you’re eating at, take a look at the hygiene rating (if your destination country operates with such a system). If it’s not displayed, or if it’s poor, then it’s probably best to steer clear.
Another way to tell if a restaurant is up to scratch is to take a look at the staff. Are they wearing gloves? Are they handling food with their bare hands? If not, then it’s probably best to find somewhere else to eat.
Try something new
It can be all too easy to stick to what you know when it comes to foreign cuisine, but this is a missed opportunity. With so many different types of food to try out, you’ll be doing yourself a disservice by not branching out.
Ask the locals for their recommendations, or take a look at the menu before you make a decision. You never know, you might just find a new favourite dish other than your classic go-to.
Don’t look for a restaurant hungry!
This is probably the most important rule of all when it comes to eating out while travelling. If you’re hungry, you’re going to be more likely to make a rash decision, and you’re going to be less likely to be critical of the restaurant.
Wait until you’ve had a good look around, and until you’ve seen a few places that look promising. Only then should you make a decision, and even then, take your time before ordering. Sure, if you’re just on the lookout for a quick snack you don’t have to be anywhere near as strict but in all other cases, try and take an informed decision when your stomach isn’t pulling you to the nearest restaurant!
Forget the sun, sea and sand, for some people, travel is all about the cuisine.
Some will turn to Trip Advisor and scour around for the best and most famous finds in an area. Others, meanwhile, will look more towards ‘going local’, and finding those hidden gems that fellow tourists are yet to uncover.
Regardless of your approach, there are certain do’s and don’ts. Let’s now take a look at some of the ways you can stay safe, and enjoy your foreign dining experience, on your travels abroad.
Beware of tourist traps
It’s all too easy to be lured in by the bright lights and promises of a fantastic meal when you’re on holiday. However, sometimes these places can be tourist traps, designed to take your money while offering the most basic forms of food in return.
This is where prior research can come to your rescue. Whether it’s by turning to Trip Advisor, or even asking a local, you’ll soon be able to sniff out a classic tourist trap in no time at all.
If you’ve not been able to research beforehand, a simple trick is checking the menu. If it feels a bit too much like home, and seems to cover all bases, then there’s a good chance it’s trying to appeal to the masses and should be avoided. After all, can a restaurant really excel in all forms of cuisine? It’s unlikely.
Beware of dodgy hygiene
This one’s pretty self-explanatory. Nobody wants to end up with food poisoning while on holiday, even if you have the appropriate insurance for travel.
If you’re not sure about the place you’re eating at, take a look at the hygiene rating (if your destination country operates with such a system). If it’s not displayed, or if it’s poor, then it’s probably best to steer clear.
Another way to tell if a restaurant is up to scratch is to take a look at the staff. Are they wearing gloves? Are they handling food with their bare hands? If not, then it’s probably best to find somewhere else to eat.
Try something new
It can be all too easy to stick to what you know when it comes to foreign cuisine, but this is a missed opportunity. With so many different types of food to try out, you’ll be doing yourself a disservice by not branching out.
Ask the locals for their recommendations, or take a look at the menu before you make a decision. You never know, you might just find a new favourite dish other than your classic go-to.
Don’t look for a restaurant hungry!
This is probably the most important rule of all when it comes to eating out while travelling. If you’re hungry, you’re going to be more likely to make a rash decision, and you’re going to be less likely to be critical of the restaurant.
Wait until you’ve had a good look around, and until you’ve seen a few places that look promising. Only then should you make a decision, and even then, take your time before ordering. Sure, if you’re just on the lookout for a quick snack you don’t have to be anywhere near as strict but in all other cases, try and take an informed decision when your stomach isn’t pulling you to the nearest restaurant!
Read more:
4 tips for dining on your travels
