Food is as integral to a trip as where you stay and what you see. But if you’re visiting a place situated on the beaten tourist path, you might encounter restaurants catering specifically to hordes of tourists. This might not sound like a bad thing, but sometimes, these places can unnecessarily increase prices and might not actually give you an authentic dining experience. To better immerse yourself in the local culture wherever you go, it is best to be surrounded by locals rather than other tourists — and there’s one red flag to watch out for.
To make sure you are not heading into a tourist trap restaurant, listen for the type of music the restaurant is playing. If it is American music (especially if it’s played loudly), the restaurant is likely a tourist trap. While many people all around Europe do genuinely love music by American artists, the restaurant might be playing it in order to attract tourists. The food quality could also be taking a back seat when the restaurant is more focused on simply getting as many people through the doors as possible.
Read more: 15 Tourist Traps You MUST Avoid
A crowded, lively place does not mean good food
People eating at tables by a sidewalk – Alexanderstock23/Shutterstock
Another reason you should avoid restaurants playing loud American music is because of the sheer number of people who might be eating at a restaurant just because it has a lively atmosphere and is located close to major city attractions. Ritz-Carlton chef Okan Kizilbayir summed it up well when speaking to HuffPost. “You cannot deliver good quality food for that many people at the same time, so as a restaurateur, you have to cut corners. You make the food or drinks look ‘bombastic.’ You bring desserts with sparkly candles, play loud ‘popular music,’ have servers sing in weird outfits or hats,” he explained.
Italian executive chef Piero Premoli warned HuffPost readers about how a restaurant’s menu can be a red flag, too. If its menus come in multiple languages and have photos of the food, you will again be surrounded by other tourists and will probably get served a meal with what the restaurateurs think tourists will like rather than what locals are eating. Similar to having too many languages, serving too many widely varying dishes is also a red flag, as it could mean the restaurant is aiming for mass tourist appeal.
Avoid tourist traps by getting recommendations from locals
Outdoor restaurant seating with patrons sitting under umbrellas – Stefano Politi Markovina/Shutterstock
Seeking out advice from locals can help you find the best restaurants when traveling to a new city. Check out websites made by locals or download the app Spotted by Locals, which compiles recommendations from residents in dozens of cities around the world. Although tourists should be cautious of highly rated restaurants with tons of reviews, sites like Tripadvisor don’t have to be avoided entirely when you’re seeking out good eats. If a restaurant has positive reviews written in the local language, you’re more likely in for an immersive and less touristy dining experience.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the usual restaurant red flags. Some places often labeled as tourist traps can still be amazing restaurants, such as Hofbräuhaus München in Germany. Perhaps strike a balance between restaurants catering to a destination’s stereotypes (like servers in lederhosen at Hofbräuhaus) and more low-key places off the beaten path. In doing so, you’ll also be supporting small businesses who sometimes fall by the wayside simply because they are not loud and conveniently situated next to big attractions.
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Read the original article on Explore.