One of the greatest perks of travel is experiencing new things, like a new restaurant with native and unique cuisine. Whether you’re in the streets of Europe, looking for something different to try, or maybe you’re just in a new city, not too far from home, find a good restaurant can be tough. Even more so when you’re on a tight budget with only so much you can spend, however all it takes to find the perfect place is just a little research. You just need to know where to start.
One of the best people to ask is someone who knows the area well, and no one knows an area like a local. If you’re staying at a hostel, ask the staff, or if you’re in the street, on a train, a supermarket or another public place, just try asking for directions at first. It’s a simple ice breaker to start with, then you can expand on that; try asking what restaurants they like to go to, rather than what they’ve heard is a good place. This small change in the question will steer you away from the more popular tourist hot spots, and can help you find something different, interesting and authentic.
Not all locals know the best places to go out in your area, they might go to another part of town to dine out, or they may simply prefer to cook for themselves. If that’s the case, you can ask other travellers you might run into on your trip, whether they’re staying in the same hostel or if you meet them on a tour. Other, perhaps more experienced travellers, can help guide you to some of the better places, and steer you away from the worse ones.
It’s not the best idea to plan your trip by what the guidebook says, but when you’re looking for a source of information, it’s a great resource to have. You can find guidebooks that are solely dedicated to weeding out the best restaurants in the area, but any regular guidebook can guide you too.
For those who are more free-willed or adventurous, then this is probably the best option for you. The best time to go exploring for a good place to eat is during regular meal times where there are a lot of people milling about. Try stay away from the tourist zones and the popular restaurants and look for a place if you’re looking for a unique experience, and instead look for the places that are busy, but aren’t filled to the brim with other tourists.
You will hear people telling you to beware of street food, and while there are certainly concerns to keep in mind, you just need to know where and how to look. Your best bet is to stick with the same advice as above, try find a busy stall, but not so busy you get pushed to the side or cramped up. This is important as you should watch them prepare and cook your meal in front of you. Another thing to keep in mind is to be wary of places that are known to have dangerous or dirty water, if that’s the case, avoid fresh fruits and vegetables that haven’t been peeled or cooked.
There are a number of things to be wary of, but as long as you keep them in mind, you can find some of the best tasting food at a street stall.
If you’re looking for great restaurants and bistros, contact details and locations can be found on aussieweb.com.au.
One of the easiest ways to Template is to find your nearest supplier on our list.
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