There is always a lot of planning that occurs before visiting a country for the very first time. What are the important sites to see, which cities should you visit, what are the best transportation options, etc. All of those are obviously important things to research, but what about the foods that you should eat and the restaurants that you should go to? Eating the food that is specific to a country, region, or city is part of the experience that really shouldn’t be an afterthought. It is good to know what you might want to try as well as some things that you probably shouldn’t eat.
In addition to doing some research before going to a country, we also ask a lot of locals about where we should go, especially to find out who might make the most authentic dishes. Obviously, you can’t go to every restaurant that you hear about, but at least you can prioritize the ones you want to visit. It is also important to know what might be in season where you are going so that you can understand what might either not be available or perhaps not the best during your visit.
Mostly we try to find local food prepared by family owned or small restaurants that have a reputation for serving fresh and creative food. Depending upon where we are, getting food from street carts or food trucks is also a favorite option to get a taste of what locals eat on a daily basis. It may seem odd to some people, but we feel that what we eat and drink when we travel is as crucial a part of the experience as the places that we see or the people that we meet. It is one of the reasons that we also try and replicate meals from some of our favorite journeys so that we can recreate and reminisce about a past experience that is more tangible than just looking at the photos taken during our travels. What are your thoughts, do you research and have a set of foods or drinks that you want to try before you’ve even stepped off of the plane or train?
Food’s always a very important part of our travels. We always research the cuisine of our destination and the wine, of course!
I honestly just don’t care that much about food…so I never research it.
I will always have some food I want to try. From proper Italian gelato to Belgian waffles – taste gives a sense of place as much as sights and sounds.
Totally agree 🙂
In our travels so far we have had prior knowledge of the local food, but we always avoid the “international” restaurants and cafes. In Europe many places are “anglicised” (my description). So everything comes with chips and gravy. Better to hunt down the locals’ hangouts. We’ve had some good meals that way. Though some fellow travelers didn’t always agree 🙂
We always talk to the locals and ask “if you were going somewhere for lunch (etc.) where would you go?” We have found a lot of hidden gems that way 🙂
We always like to eat where the locals do to get a more authentic experience. Sampling the local food is always a part of the travel experience. I became addicted to trdlnik – the sugar coated dough rolled into cones and filled with cream, custard or ice cream in Prague. Also enjoyed the currywurst from food vendors in Berlin
Agree, it definitely offers a more authentic experience. We love the currywurst in Germany. 🙂
Can I be the totally uncultured jerk that says he researches the unique fast food offerings of a new state? Don’t make it out to other countries too often.
In the states there are definitely some fast food places that are particular to a state or region.
Absolutely! I’m reading the book “The Food of Portugal’ by Jean Anderson 😊
Research? I’ll have the restaurants booked before we even set off. And if I can find one, at least one food tour.
Wow, we tend to wing it and find a places to eat when we get to our destination.
I always research the food before I go as I love trying the local cuisine, and make it a point to try the local specialities or any foods or dishes I’ve never come across before. I try to find out where the locals eat as you know those restaurants will be good – and they’re often cheaper, too.
Totally agree 🙂
I’m guilty of doing a lot of research on food whenever I travel and my obsession of coffee… always trying to find cafes I HAVE to try.
Ah!! Foodie’s unite!! I always love seeing others photos of their travel and food adventures! I’ll be sure to be checking back here often.
🙂
Yes, both of us are a foodie and we always check what kind of food in the country destination before we go there:)