Whenever I am travelling, I absolutely LOVE to find local spots that have the best homemade and fresh food that represent the region I’m in. For example, in Italy I was looking for great pastas and wine, in Germany it was mouth-watering schnitzel, in France it was classic pastries… you get the point 😉
One of the most frustrating experiences for me was finding a seemingly popular restaurant close to a tourist attraction, and realizing I was in a tourist trap! So, what is a “tourist trap”? A tourist trap is a restaurant or retail business that is close in proximity to a popular tourist location that aims to attract tourists and their money. Often times, these places will serve frozen and upcharged food, or overpriced keepsakes. If you are looking for an authentic food experience, it can definitely be frustrating when you come across one of these places.
Follow these tips to avoid getting tourist trapped!
Walk a few blocks away from the tourist attraction
The biggest piece of advice I can give you here is to walk farther away from the popular tourist attraction. You are more likely to avoid tourist traps when you are at least 2-3 blocks away from the masses of people. Try making a few wrong turns until you find a beautiful little side street with a more homey looking atmosphere.
Scope out the menu
If you’re not quite sure if the food is what you’re looking for, take a quick look at the menu! Restaurants are obliged to share if they serve frozen food, so that is usually the first thing I look for. One of the first pizzas places I ate at in Rome served frozen pizza! I wish someone told me to take this extra step before hand!
Research beforehand
This tip is great for eating out in general, but if you know you are going to be out and about all day, it’s a great idea to research restaurants before hand! This way, when everyone is hungry after a 2 hour tour, you easily pull out a few great food options that you know are delicious food options. If you come prepared, you’re less likely to settle for one of these tourist trap restaurants.
Ask a local
Last but certainly not least, ask a local! This is something I wish I did more of when I was studying abroad. It really is your most reliable source. I lived above a delicious gelato shop in Trastevere, Rome, and I would often ask them for restaurant suggestions. They told me to go to Da Carlone, as they were known for having the best carbonara in Rome. And let me tell you, they did not disappoint!
If you want more tips and warning signs, click here on this great article by Insider! Ultimately, I completely understand the convenience and ease of just sitting at that cafe outside of the Colosseum. Especially if you have a big group, these places are close and can probably seat all 10 of you. However, I challenge you to walk that extra block to get a more immersive experience. I promise, it is totally worth it!