16 Overhyped Travel Spots Where the Locals Eat Better Food Than Tourists

You can’t think of travel, and not think of food. Most places are defined by their landscapes, people, culture, history and of course… their cuisine! The usual inclination of most visitors is to seek out popular stands, and eateries, but many of the so called ‘must try’ eateries in tourist hotspots are overhyped, overpriced and frankly underwhelming.

If you want a real taste of these destinations, then you need to eat where the locals eat. So, here are 16 Travel spots where the Locals eat better than Tourists!

Rome, Italy

Tourists are paying a fortune for mediocre pasta near the Colosseum, while Romans are sitting down to plates of cacio e pepe at local trattorias far from the crowds. If you want to taste Italy’s capital without English menus plastered all over the spots, skip the Testaccio or Trastevere neighborhoods. The magic happens with the simple dishes made with fresh ingredients, locals know.

Paris, France

We all dream of eating the perfect French meal under the Eiffel Tower. The reality? What you’ll end up with is a lukewarm, overpriced croque monsieur. Parisians are more likely to be dining in little bistros off the beaten path in residential areas, eating old school dishes such as coq au vin or steak frites. Meals that won’t disappoint can be found in the 11th arrondissement or near Canal Saint-Martin.

Bangkok, Thailand

Khao San Road is a tourist magnet for its Thai food, but the locals hate it. You’re slurping bland pad Thai, while they’re eating complex, spicy curries and fresh seafood in open air markets like Or Tor Kor or neighborhood stalls. To get the best street food, follow the locals to Sukhumvit Soi 38 or Yaowarat in Chinatown for a unique and unforgettable experience.

Barcelona, Spain

Tourists flock to La Rambla for a taste of tapas, but most of the food is over priced and bland. Barcelonians meanwhile are tucking into hearty servings of bombas and grilled seafood in less touristy spots such as Poble Sec or El Born. To get a real taste of Catalonia, you’ll have to leave the tourist strip and head to where the locals go for their tapas feasts.

New York City, USA

Times Square pizza? Hard pass. New Yorkers know that the Unassuming pizzerias in neighborhoods like Brooklyn or the Lower East Side are where you’ll find the best slices. If you’re interested in an authentic bagel experience, don’t count on that brand store location right outside your hotel, head instead to places like Ess-a-Bagel or Tompkins Square Bagels where the locals get the good stuff.

Venice, Italy

Venice is full of tourist traps; watery risottos and overpriced seafood. Venetians know that the best food is found off the beaten track where cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and fresh Viale Lagoon seafood rule. In Cannaregio, for example, look for smaller bacari (wine bars) where you’ll find locals sipping on spritz and eating plates of baccalà.

Tokyo, Japan

You can easily get lost in Tokyo’s flashing lights and end up in a tourist filled sushi joint that’s all show and no substance. Locals are quietly tucking into simmering bowls of ramen or savoring expertly prepared sushi in tiny, pop-up restaurants. Try Shimokitazawa or Nakano if you really want food from the real deal, at a reasonable price, and full of flavor.

Marrakech, Morocco

Jemaa el-Fnaa is a place that tourists often gravitate to, where they’re served a watered down version of Moroccan cuisine. Locals prefer more intimate dining experiences in riads or at the small back street restaurants. The place for real taste of tagine or couscous are often frequented by Marrakechi’s, because the spices are rich and the food is cooked with love.

Istanbul, Turkey

The food in Istanbul’s touristy Sultanahmet area is usually overpriced and underwhelming. Locals will tell you that the best kebabs, mezes, and seafood are to be had in less crowded neighborhoods like Kadıköy on the Asian side or in the back alleys of Beyoğlu. If you want a real Turkish breakfast, avoid the tourists traps and get yourself to the lokanta where Istanbul locals come to eat a hearty breakfast.

Florence, Italy

Tourists pay a premium for subpar pizza and pasta around the Duomo, but Florentines are eating hearty ribollita and bistecca alla fiorentina in little trattorias off the tourist trail. Head to the family run spots in Oltrarno or Sant’Ambrogio, where the locals eat Tuscan traditional meals.

Mexico City, Mexico

The famous taco spots in Condesa or Roma are hit up by many tourists, but the locals know that the best tacos are found in street stalls and markets in the outskirts of the main tourist areas. Real Mexican street food at its finest can be found in places like Mercado de San Juan or La Merced. The food here is full of flavor and authentic — whether it’s tacos al pastor or tamales.

Prague, Czech Republic

Old Town Square is a touristy area, with pretty views, but the food is awful. In pubs and resto bars in Žižkov or Vinohrady, the locals are scarfing down hearty Czech dishes such as goulash and svíčková. These are the neighborhoods you should go to if you want to eat like a Prague local because the beer and the food are cheap.

Lisbon, Portugal

Pastel de nata is a must at the famous bakeries in Belém, but locals know there are better (and less crowded) places to get this delicious treat. In residential neighborhoods like Campo de Ourique or Graça, Lisboetas are eating grilled sardines, bacalhau, and hearty soups in small tascas (local taverns) beyond the tourist-filled restaurants in Alfama.

Sydney, Australia

While the views of the Opera House from Circular Quay might be stunning, it’s also where you’ll find overpriced, mediocre food designed for tourists. Newtown or Marrickville are Sydneysiders’ go to areas to find the best eats. The food scene is vibrant and the cuisine is a wonderful blend of flavors from all around the world. Sydney’s people know where to go for the real culinary gems whether it’s a perfectly cooked steak or an amazing Vietnamese pho.

Paris, Texas

Paris, Texas may not be a major tourist destination, but if you happen to be in this quirky town, avoid the obvious places that attempt to be big city dining. The best comfort food, BBQ, and Tex Mex are all found in small, family owned joints where the atmosphere is as warm as the food.

Bali, Indonesia

Locals know that the best Balinese food is found in warungs (small family run restaurants) that are off the beaten track. Kuta is full of tourist traps selling overpriced and bland food. To get authentic babi guling (roast pork) or sate lilit, head out of the tourist heavy areas and into the less commercialized parts of the island where the food is cooked with care and passion.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights

Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights

How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro

How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro

10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience

Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.

But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.

10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience