Local foodie tips from #travchat
As promised some followup travel tips. You can read the first part of the tips series here. The subject of these tips is food, specifically tips on sampling genuine local food. The popular #travchat Twitter chat (Every Wednesday at 10:30am UK time) asked the question “What tips would you offer for sampling the local foodie scene?”
Q4 What tips would you offer for sampling the local foodie scene? #travchat pic.twitter.com/4wC6MuyOty
— #Travchat (@travchats) February 12, 2020
Go local
Overwhelmingly the tips suggested the best way was to “go local” or “eat where the locals eat”. This was followed by advice on how or where to “do what the locals do”.
A4: See where the locals go!If a stall or a restaurant seems to have loads of locals, chances are it’s decent! #travchat pic.twitter.com/D4ldYQuYVw
— Travel Lexx (@travelexx) February 12, 2020
A4 I guess that depends on individual food preferences but I would ask the locals. They give the best advice and the mom and pop eateries are more authentic than the customized version served in star hotels catered to tourists. #travchat pic.twitter.com/3QmuxMZk63
— Pinky (@Pinkzenjoy) February 12, 2020
A4 Ask the locals to get the best foodie scene – we asked our friends in Cape Town for their favourite restaurants, cafe’s and eateries with a view https://t.co/wbPVvr4lN7 #travchat pic.twitter.com/BzJYOQn2pA
— Aardvark Safaris (@aardvarksafaris) February 12, 2020
Another tip, and one I have often used myself, is to eat street food. This is prepared with the local population in mind so will generally be local cuisine. The danger is you might not know what you are eating due to the language barrier. It is worthwhile learning some appropriate phrases and having list of foods in the local language.
A4. Eat street food #travchat
Picture #Bangkok #Thailand pic.twitter.com/K22FRNDDx2— A Travel Companion (@aTravelCompanio) February 12, 2020
Checkout where the longest queues are as the locals will know where the best food is. This also applies to the health and hygiene of the stall holder. Sick and ill customers is not good for business so you are less likely to pick up food poisoning where there are crowds of locals.
A4: Go where there are lines, it means the food must be good! #travchat pic.twitter.com/bB6XX5SMzU
— wheresshelly ✈ (@wheresshellyii) February 12, 2020
Using Google
A lot of tips involved using Google but not the first page of results if you really want to go local. These are just a taster (pardon the pun) of what was posted.
Also I find that these results on page 1 never deliver exactly what I want. When I’m looking for foodie recommendations I don’t want the best, most expensive restaurant – but an idea for where to find some great Mexican food or something! #travchat
— dealchecker (@dealchecker) February 12, 2020
My thoughts exactly!! As much as I appreciate the hard work that goes into the articles on Google’s page 1, it’s also good to check out the lesser known spots (which generally pop up on Pinterest)! #travchat
— The FullTime Tourist (@thefttourist) February 12, 2020
In non-English speaking countries I look for popular places that have the majority of their Google reviews written in the local language. Then you know it’s where the locals eat. #travchat
— Channa (@twoweeksleave) February 12, 2020
I assume that Channa (@twoweeksleave) then uses Google Translate to determine what the reviews are saying.
Finally a plea from The Tourist Trail (@TheTouristTrail) to use and support local cafés and restaurants and at the same time experience genuine local cuisine. I am all for that.
A4: Support small businesses and do your research – local cafés and independent restaurants are more likely to offer local handmade cuisine than high-street brands. #travchat
👉Check out places to eat & drink in the UK here: https://t.co/Srk9qg1mNk#Devon vs #Cornwall pic.twitter.com/KA34WcpRwQ
— The Tourist Trail (@TheTouristTrail) February 12, 2020
By following the advice above, and some of my own, I have enjoyed great local foodie experiences in diverse destinations such as Mexico City, Lanzarote and Singapore
