13 Essential Travel Dining Tips
Culinary Travel
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food
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food travel
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foodie
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travel tips
One of the best ways to
discover a new destination is through its food. A shot of soju at a
restaurant in Seoul allows you to peek into Korean culture. Whether it is
biting into an Oliebol (Dutch doughnut) or indulging in Okinawan Yakisoba
you get to explore deeper into your destination. That being said, here
are my tips on maximizing your experience (and your taste buds).
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| Oliebollen in Rotterdam at the Markthal |
2. Step away from
the tourist hot spots: It's
easy to eat near the main squares where there are rows of restaurants and
hostesses eager to get you into their eateries. Some of the best
restaurants I've found have been tucked away in an alley or a side street, such
as L'Ange Gardien in the 20th arrondissment in
Paris. The restaurant wine list specializes in small cellars across the South
of France and has the best rice pudding I've ever had! Sometimes I've found the
best restaurants just from walking around a random neighborhood.
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| Lunch at Mossel and Gin in Amsterdam |
3. Ask your hotel
staff: Many
travelers automatically head to the concierge for foodie tips. I've received
great recommendations from other staff members of hotels, from the front desk
to the hotel manager. One of my most memorable meals of 2014 took place at a
restaurant called Mossel & Gin in Amsterdam at the recommendation of
WestCord Art Hotel Amsterdam manager, Patrick.
4. Step away from
your comfort zone:
Order items you don't have the time (or the skill) to make at home (like homemade
pasta at Lupo Verde DC) or things that you usually don't eat. I've never been a
fan of venison however, I decided to order it in Stockholm and it changed my opinion
about the meat forever. Tip: if you take the plunge and don't like
the meal, most restaurants are understanding enough to exchange your order.
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| Caviar Topped Deviled Eggs at Maze by Gordon Ramsay at The London Hotel in NYC |
5. Do not
underestimate the hotel restaurant: Years ago, it seemed like a hotel restaurant was
filled with lonely business travelers and mediocre meals. Many hotels
have hired top chefs to either consult on their menus or be executive chefs. For
example, The London NYC Hotel has Maze by Gordon Ramsay which has an exquisite
bar menu. Check out the hotel restaurant reviews on Yelp. Also, do not
underestimate a hotel bar. The Hotel La Concha in San Juan has some of the best
dancing on the weekends in Puerto Rico.
6. Do not get
turned off by a menu in a different language: I actually get a warm and fuzzy when
I see menus not published in English.
Usually it’s pretty indicative of a local spot. Most servers have
working knowledge of English to guide you through a menu or if you are in a
place off the radar, try Google Translate which also has a picture translate option.
The photo part of the app is not 100% reliable but at least it translates key
words. (Again, refer to tip #4)
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| Mixing with the locals: learning the Oktoberfest songs in German! |
7. Research
tipping: In the US, we're
accustomed to tipping at a restaurant from 18-20% whereas in Europe a service charge
is included in your meal and you can round up the bill or leave small bills. In
Japan tipping is considered rude (I was once chased by a bartender at a club
who returned my tip). Tip:
a handy resource: great tipping guide from Frommer's.
8. Research
customs: Are you
dining with business associates or prospective clients? Research the local
dining culture. In Korea, it is common to order for a whole table and
share the meal among your colleagues. In Japan slurping your noodles is
common and expected. In the Western
world, it is common to order individual meals. In Belgium a waiter will
ask you if the food was good and they expect a sincere response.
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| Tacos in Mexico at the recommendation of a local blogger |
9. Explore Markets
and Street Food: Not only do farmer markets, food halls, and
street food are a great way to explore the culture of your destination, but it’s
usually an affordable dining option. One of my favorite places to head for
street food in Puerto Rico is Pinones, less than a 10 minute drive from San Juan
airport. The beach area is lined with food stands making delicious cod
fritters, crab empanadas, and fresh coconut juice. You can have a meal for two
for $10. Some people are afraid of
street food. I have a strong stomach and
never had problems eating at the markets in Thailand. Unfortunately, my husband does not but he
prepares for it. Tip: If you are feeling
adventurous, always make sure to pack Imodium in your toiletry bag!
10. Find foodie inspiration
online: Us foodie/travel bloggers do the homework for you,
use us! I discovered a great restaurant
in Barcelona called Little Italy BCN via Instagram. A friend of mine surprised his wife with a
beautiful birthday brunch based on a review I wrote for Lavagna in Washington,
DC. In Europe, good Mexican restaurants
are hard to come by. I had the best tacos in Mexico at Tacos Rigo thanks to the
recommendation of Marginal Boundaries blog. On twitter, I found Primo 135 in
New York City West Village. Not only was the food delicious, we loved the quaint neighborhood
feel of the restaurant in such a large city. Tip: reach out to your favorite
travel or food blogger via social media and ask them for recommendations. They
usually respond!
11. Reviews: During my recent trip to Vienna, we wanted to
have a traditional Wiener Schnitzel away from the tourist crowds (see tip #2). Decided to test out Yelp in Austria and found
a restaurant 10 minutes away from the hotel.
We knew we hit the jackpot when all the reviews were in German (use
Google Translate app or in my case a German speaking husband). Also, Open Table allows you not only to make dinner reservations (they are currently expanding their international options) but you can also see reviews of the restaurant before you reserve.
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| Spicy Village NYC: A recommendation from a friend in NYC |
12. Ask a Local: If you
are traveling for Business, ask your colleagues what’s the best café or
restaurant. I recall having the best
mofongo (mashed fried plantains) in Santo Domingo at the recommendation of one
of my local colleagues. Tip:
talk about your trip with your friends, they may have a friend or a
family member would love to share their favorite spots.
13. Enjoy: To me, travel is about
opening my eyes and palate to new things. It's to return from a trip and have
lasting memories of a memorable meal whether it is cheese and champagne along
the Seine or eating Korean street food in Seoul for dinner on my way home from
work. It is to go home to my parents in
Western NY and cook mussels in white wine sauce from a recipe I learned in
Brussels. What are your Dining Traveler
tips? Tweet them to me via
@diningtraveler for a chance to get mailed some culinary goodies! (Exp Mar 15th)
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| Eating coconut in Ghana at a business dinner |
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