Whether it is tapas in Spain, croissants in France or a Bratwurst in Germany, trying local food is a must when you are on holiday.
However, you want to ensure you find the best places for an authentic dining experience, and there are two tricks that can help you do this.
Senior product director and travel expert at Away Holidays, Gianni Leone, and founder of Samphire + Sage and former chef at Soho House, HIX and Scott’s of Mayfair, Chef Kevin Gratton, shared tips to help you distinguish the tourist traps from authentic eats.
One of the easiest visual cues comes from how the menu is presented, which the experts call the "menu test".
There are some telltale signs of a good restaurant abroad
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It is common to see oversized menus, often in English with pictures on them, but this could be a dining red flag.
These often have more options than diners can even take in, featuring meals in the style of different cuisines from around the world. A good menu is small and focused, according to the expert.
Kevin said: “Huge menus often mean diluted quality. And if a place serves every cuisine under the sun, they should be shipped to the Moon.“Multiple languages and lots of photos on menus often scream ‘jack of all trades, master of none'.
"Before you travel, spend a few minutes researching the local cuisine so you know what authentic dishes to look for; that way, you’re not going in blind.
"A short, seasonal menu in the local language (perhaps with an English translation) is usually a very good sign."
The experts also warned against relying too heavily on your sense of smell when deciding where to dine - “what if they’re cooking on induction in the basement?”.
Instead of being drawn in by the smell alone, consider all aspects of the restaurant and its atmosphere. Look out for genuine staff who give a warm welcome.
Kevin explained "you can spot it in their body language and sincerity" if the staff are really happy to be there. Gianni shared the warning and listed some questions worth asking yourself when looking at a restaurant.
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Consider the whole atmosphere of the restaurant before booking
| PEXELSHe added: "When travelling, people often rely on smell as a shortcut for quality, but it’s not foolproof. Instead, take in the full picture: who’s dining here?
"Are the staff attentive without being pushy? Is the vibe relaxed rather than rushed? These subtle cues usually say more than a scent drifting from the kitchen."
Other things to look out for are the location of the restaurant and how many people are gathered outside. If a bar and restaurant is next to a famous landmark, it risks being a tourist trap.
The design of the restaurant can also hint at what the quality will be like. If the aesthetic looks like it was made for social media pictures, the focus may not be on the food, the experts explained.