One of the best ways to experience a new destination is through its food. While famous restaurants and tourist hotspots can offer great meals, the true essence of a place is often found in its hidden local eateries. Finding these authentic spots can be tricky, but with a little effort, you can uncover incredible flavors that most tourists miss. Here’s how to find the best hidden local restaurants when traveling abroad.
1. Ask the Locals
🗣 Why it works: Locals know the best places to eat—ones that may not appear in guidebooks or travel apps.
How to Get Local Restaurant Recommendations:
✔️ Talk to hotel staff, taxi drivers, and shopkeepers—they often have the best tips.
✔️ Visit markets and street vendors and ask where they eat on their breaks.
✔️ Join local Facebook groups, Reddit forums, or expat communities for insider recommendations.
🌟 Pro Tip: Avoid asking concierges at luxury hotels—they often suggest touristy spots. Instead, ask bartenders or grocery store clerks.
2. Use Food-Focused Apps and Websites
📱 Why it works: Apps and online platforms can reveal hidden gems that aren’t featured in mainstream travel guides.
Best Apps to Find Local Restaurants:
✔️ Google Maps & Foursquare – Check ratings, reviews, and photos from locals.
✔️ TheFork & OpenTable – Find locally recommended spots and score discounts.
✔️ EatWith – Connect with locals for home-cooked meals and unique dining experiences.
🌟 Pro Tip: Look for reviews written in the local language—if locals love it, it’s worth trying!
3. Wander Away from Tourist Areas
🚶 Why it works: The best local restaurants are often just a short walk away from crowded attractions.
How to Find Hidden Restaurants by Exploring:
✔️ Walk a few blocks away from major landmarks—prices drop, and authenticity rises.
✔️ Explore residential neighbourhoods where locals dine.
✔️ Check out smaller, less flashy places with handwritten menus—they often change daily based on fresh ingredients.
🌟 Pro Tip: If a place has zero tourists and a menu in the local language, you’ve likely found a hidden gem!
4. Follow the Crowds (of Locals, Not Tourists)
👥 Why it works: If a restaurant is packed with locals, it’s usually a sign of great food and fair prices.
How to Spot a Popular Local Eatery:
✔️ Look for restaurants busy during local meal times (not just when tourists eat).
✔️ Pay attention to food stalls with long lines of residents—especially workers and families.
✔️ If people are waiting for a table instead of leaving, it’s likely worth it!
🌟 Pro Tip: Visit cafés and bakeries early in the morning—locals tend to grab their favourite breakfast items before work.
5. Visit Local Markets and Street Food Stalls
🍢 Why it works: Markets and street food vendors often serve some of the most authentic and affordable local dishes.
How to Eat Like a Local at Markets:
✔️ Explore fresh food markets—many have small eateries serving traditional dishes.
✔️ Try street food stalls with a steady line of customers.
✔️ Ask vendors about their specialties—many serve regional dishes not found in restaurants.
🌟 Pro Tip: If a street vendor has one or two dishes only, they’ve likely perfected them!
6. Trust the “No-English Menu” Rule
📖 Why it works: If a menu is only in the local language, it’s a sign the restaurant mainly caters to locals.
How to Navigate a No-English Menu:
✔️ Use a translation app like Google Translate to understand dishes.
✔️ Ask the waiter or chef for recommendations—they know the best options.
✔️ Be open to surprises—sometimes, the best meals are the ones you wouldn’t have picked!
🌟 Pro Tip: If the restaurant has no menu at all, it may serve a daily special based on fresh ingredients—go for it!
7. Dine at Family-Owned or Hole-in-the-Wall Spots
🏠 Why it works: Small, family-run restaurants focus on traditional recipes and home-cooked flavors.
How to Find Family-Owned Restaurants:
✔️ Look for small, unassuming places with a steady flow of local customers.
✔️ Seek out restaurants with older generations working in the kitchen—they often follow secret family recipes.
✔️ Ask if there’s a special or off-menu dish—locals often know about hidden options.
🌟 Pro Tip: Avoid flashy signs and places that claim to have “the best” of anything—it’s usually a tourist trap.
8. Use Social Media and Travel Blogs
📲 Why it works: Traveler’s and locals alike share their food discoveries online.
How to Use Social Media to Find Local Restaurants:
✔️ Search Instagram hashtags like #TokyoEats or #BangkokFoodie.
✔️ Watch TikTok videos of street food scenes and hidden cafés.
✔️ Check Reddit threads and travel forums for up-to-date recommendations.
🌟 Pro Tip: Follow local food bloggers or influencers—they often reveal the best-kept secrets!
9. Join Food Tours or Cooking Classes
👨🍳 Why it works: Food tours and cooking classes introduce you to authentic flavours and hidden spots.
How to Use Food Tours to Discover Hidden Gems:
✔️ Take a local-led food tour—guides often share personal favourite spots.
✔️ Join a cooking class to learn about traditional dishes and where to find the best ingredients.
✔️ Talk to chefs and guides—they’re passionate about food and love sharing insider tips.
🌟 Pro Tip: Ask your food tour guide where they eat on their days off—that’s where you’ll find the real hidden gems!
10. Be Open to Spontaneity
🎭 Why it works: Sometimes, the best meals happen when you least expect them.
How to Find Hidden Restaurants Through Chance:
✔️ Follow your nose—if a place smells incredible, check it out!
✔️ If a spot has a lively, welcoming atmosphere, it’s likely worth a try.
✔️ Take a chance on a restaurant with no online presence—you might stumble upon a local treasure.
🌟 Pro Tip: Sometimes, the best meal of your trip happens when you walk into a random, bustling eatery with no expectations!
Final Thoughts – Eat Like a Local, Savour the Experience
Finding hidden local restaurants requires curiosity, a bit of effort, and a willingness to explore. By stepping away from tourist traps, engaging with locals, and trusting your instincts, you’ll discover unforgettable meals and gain a deeper appreciation of the culture.
🍽 Have you found an amazing hidden restaurant on your travels? Share your experience in the comments below!
