Eating As The Locals Do – The Quest For Authentic Food

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After months of anticipation, a few friends of mine made the tourist pilgrimage across the pond from Orlando to London. At the end of a long day of ooing and ahhing at the usual attractions, they decided the best way to end their day was to find an English restaurant and eat like a local in London.

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They hired a taxi and enthusiastically asked to be taken to the most popular restaurant amongst the locals. To their surprise and utter dismay, the driver brought them to a trendy Indian restaurant, declaring it a local’s favourite!

Even with an empty stomach and the best intentions, it can be quite difficult to find authentic food on your travels at times. So what’s the trick? How does one find this seemingly aloof unicorn known as authentic food?!

For starters, form clear questions, then ask a local, ask two, better yet, ask ten.

1. Be specific when asking around for local foodie spots

It should come as no surprise that locals too enjoy a dabble in other countries’ pots. Fair enough!

The aroma, the colour, the taste and the allure to different cuisine can be quite strong. Take a page from the book of my unlucky Floridian friends–post Chicken Tikka Masala that is :/

Instead of asking around merely for what’s popular, try using terms like traditional, authentic or even locally sourced–that would be a plus!

Whilst scanning online reviews, be aware that in a heavily touristed area a restaurant rating could have very well gotten a significant bump from visitors not the locals.

Tbf you’ll probably still get great food but it might be more modified for the public’s taste. If you can find restaurant reviews written by locals, you’ve struck gold!

2. Ask The Restaurant Staff What The Locals Order

Once you have that treasure map of a menu in your hands, you can do one of two things:

1. point at random words and meal combinations that you’ve never heard of (such fun!) OR
2.  ask the restaurant staff what the locals usually order. If you’re really lucky, you might even get her or him to suggest another restaurant to add to the ol’ list.

Be mindful that sometimes the local spots are not as pristine and glittering as the city centre spots.

Just 15 minutes away from our hotel outside Prague, my friend and I stumbled upon an intimate pub-restaurant with delicious food and large portions at HALF the price of the city centre.

Eating out in Prague is fairly inexpensive so you can imagine this place kept our pockets and our stomachs quite padded.

With the DMD (disease modifying drug) I have been taking to control my MS (Check out About Me to learn more about my diagnosis), I have a new appreciation for hearty meals as I experience fewer side effects. With the delicious dumplings and rich sauces in Prague, I had very little issue filling up!

3. Stay With A Local If Possible

Luckily, through volunteering and travelling I have unintentionally formed a network of people I trust and can visit!

Nothing beats experiencing someone’s home through their eyes and stomach. However, it’s good to remember that locals aren’t ALWAYS eating their country’s native food.

In late March, my partner and I stayed with friends in a cohousing community on Funen (third largest island of Denmark). Our hosts proudly served a lovely vegetarian lasagne on the first night and a frittata served on rye bread (the Danes do enjoy their rye bread!) on the following night.

By the time we got to Odense, we were desperate to try some traditional Danish food. With the help of our hosts, we had smørrebrød (a type of open-faced sandwich on you guessed it, rye!). Mission accomplished.

4. Don’t Know A Local? Use A Known Platform To Meet Someone New

I would LOVE to have a contact in every country but sadly this is not the case. Since I enjoy the local’s perspective, I have also used social networking platforms like Couchsurfing to stay with yes, strangers, BUT I would only recommend doing this with:

1. a known brand,
2. a travel buddy and
3. a careful review of the host’s profile, ratings and reviews from previous travellers.

I’ve never had an awkward stay but I am very aware that there are risks and stories out there which are unpleasant. Much can be said about being open but cautious.

5. Follow that queue!

I must admit, I am not much for waiting. In spite of this, I have waited in some long queues for the sake of having a good local treat.

In Munich, my travel buddy and I got into a massive disagreement which resulted in me wandering by myself without a plan. It was after I devoured a bratwurst in the sun, as one does, that I noticed a queue quickly forming outside one of the storefronts. I knew I was in for a treat and I joined the queue!

Turns out I was at Café Frischhut. I ordered a Schmalznudel with sugar sprinkled on top, all prepared from start to finish right in front of me. Thank–You–Munich!

6. Extend Your Trip And Get To Know The Area

When you’re short on time and find yourself in a city square, quite often the chain restaurants are the first to stand out. If you can be flexible,  do stop, stay a while and catch your breath.

In my current city, Aberdeen, Scotland, a quick search for a restaurant or a takeaway will likely yield loads of meal options which are not traditionally Scottish.

By prolonging my stay, I’ve learnt the legend surrounding the buttery,  experienced Burns Night with new friends and had a few pints at our local (pub) in the process. I’ve also tried Cullen Skink, tackled a full Breakfast numerous times and had some good fish suppers (top tip: The Bay arguably makes the best fish supper around here!).

Spending as much time as I can in an area certainly gives me a better idea of the local experience.

Travelling is fun. Eating is fun. Put them together and you’ll never return home the same way!

Hopefully, amongst all of the new flavours and spices, you’ll find something you truly enjoy.

The quest for authentic food is certainly to be taken with a grain of salt 😉

Yours in appetite,

B, the travelling MS xx