{"id":24918,"date":"2021-08-17T07:38:53","date_gmt":"2021-08-17T07:38:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/transfergo.wpengine.com\/dine-like-local-wherever\/"},"modified":"2024-10-29T20:45:32","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T20:45:32","slug":"dine-like-local-wherever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpvip.tgalpha.com\/gb\/dine-like-local-wherever","title":{"rendered":"How to dine like a local in a new country"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many of us relish the idea of living like a local in a new country. Whether you\u2019ve just moved to a new city or you\u2019re planning your next escape (Covid restrictions permitting, of course), we all want to make the most out of things. After all, locals know their stuff. If you drink and dine like a local, you\u2019ll likely be sipping and sampling the very best. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, you\u2019re also a lot less likely to get ripped off. <\/span>So if you find yourself in a new city or country, read on. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 5 ways to dine like a local when you\u2019re there.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do your research<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It sounds far-fetched, but it\u2019s true. Arrive in a new country without doing any prior research into potential food places and you\u2019ll likely end up in a) a tourist dive that overcharges b) a fancy-looking restaurant with a terrible Tripadvisor<\/a> score or c) a fast food joint. We\u2019ve all been there. But by doing your research, you\u2019ll arrive with at least some knowledge of where\u2019s good and bad to eat.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tripadvisor is a great place to start, as are local food blogs. Simply research the place you\u2019re going and let yourself fall down a rabbit hole of articles, Top 10 lists and social media recommendations. Your stomach and tastebuds will thank you for it later.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talk to the locals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to socialising, there are two types of travellers\u2014those who seek out any opportunity to chat and those who keep to themselves. If you fall into the former category, you\u2019ll have no problem striking up a conversation with the person next to you about where\u2019s good to eat. And well done you! But if you fall into the latter category, it’s time to step out of your comfort zone.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next time a local strikes up a conversation with you, embrace it. Explain that you\u2019re new to the area and ask if they can recommend anywhere that\u2019s good to eat. Bartenders are another great source of information. If you come across a friendly bartender (and that you will), ask them for their recommendations. They\u2019ll likely know the area well and will be happy to point you in the right direction.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walk around<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walking the streets of a new city aimlessly is a great way to get your bearings. It\u2019s also an excellent opportunity to soak up the local atmosphere. Oh, and increase your chances of being able to dine like a local.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Link up with your companion or, if you\u2019re alone, put in your headphones and enjoy a stroll. Follow the crowds (but not the tourists) and let yourself stumble into restaurants you like the look and aroma of. Browse the menu choices outside, too. You may discover somewhere to eat for later. The golden rule? Avoid the main streets and don\u2019t even consider stepping foot in somewhere with suitcases piled up outside. (These are tourist traps and you want to avoid them at all costs). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also save cafes and restaurants that you like the look of to your Google Maps<\/a> app, which is useful if you don’t want to forget a nice-looking spot for a later date. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sign up for a food tour<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the best ways to get a feel for the area and dine like a local is by signing up to a food tour. Why are food tours a great idea? Where to start?! Firstly, they usually take place in groups, so it\u2019s a great chance to meet new people. You\u2019ll also be taken down streets you\u2019ve never been down and introduced to a wide range of different restaurants. And you’ll learn so many facts about the place and its local cuisine. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of this, you\u2019ll be shown around by somebody who truly knows their stuff. They\u2019ll likely introduce you to some of the best joints and dishes that the city has to offer. Feel free to ask them as many questions and be adventurous as you can with trying new foods. Again, do your research before signing up. Some food tours can be overpriced, but a quick look on Tripadvisor should give you a good feel for whether the tour will be worthwhile.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn the lingo<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It should come as no surprise that being able to speak the local language will do wonders for finding the best spots to dine and drink. If this sounds a little overwhelming, don\u2019t worry. You don\u2019t have to be fluent\u2014a few simple and easy phrases will do. And apps like Duolingo<\/a> will help you off to a great start.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only will a few phrases help to break the ice when you\u2019re chatting to the locals (see previous tip), but it\u2019ll also show that you have deep respect for the country you\u2019re visiting. And that can only be a good thing. If this still seems too much, learning a few numbers and the words for \u2018please\u2019 and \u2018thank you\u2019 will go far. Bon app\u00e9tit<\/em>!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

______________<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you want to send money like a local, sign up now for easy online money transfers with TransferGo.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many of us relish the idea of living like a local in a new country. Whether you\u2019ve just moved to a new city or you\u2019re planning your next escape (Covid restrictions permitting, of course), we all want to make the most out of things. After all, locals know their stuff. If you drink and dine […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":24919,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1502,1503,1505],"tags":[],"business_case_studies_tags":[],"class_list":["post-24918","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-living-abroad","category-living-abroad-tips","category-travel-tips"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wpvip.tgalpha.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/210614_Blog_How-to-dine-like-a-local-wherever-you-are.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpvip.tgalpha.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24918","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpvip.tgalpha.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpvip.tgalpha.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpvip.tgalpha.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpvip.tgalpha.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24918"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wpvip.tgalpha.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24918\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpvip.tgalpha.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24919"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpvip.tgalpha.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24918"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpvip.tgalpha.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24918"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpvip.tgalpha.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24918"},{"taxonomy":"business_case_studies_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpvip.tgalpha.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/business_case_studies_tags?post=24918"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}