How to Pick the Best Cafes When Travelling

There's something magical about discovering a hidden gem café or a quaint restaurant while exploring a new city. It’s more than just the food—it’s the ambience, the local flavours, and the stories behind each dish that add depth to your travel experiences. But how do you ensure that you pick the best spots to savour the essence of a place? 

Get Lost and Observe

One of the best ways to discover authentic places is to get off the beaten path. Wander through narrow alleys and uncharted corners of a neighbourhood. 

Observe where the locals go for their morning coffee or mid-day snack. Often, the busiest spots with locals are the hidden culinary treasures.

Read Local Blogs and Social Media Reviews

Before heading out, spend some time browsing through local food blogs and social media accounts. Bloggers and food enthusiasts who live in the city have a pulse on the latest trends and hidden gems. 

Search Instagram and TikTok using location tags, and look for recommendations that align with your tastes. Blogs from locals often provide not just reviews but also fascinating stories about the owners and dishes.

Ask Your Host or Concierge for Recommendations

If you’re staying at a B&B, hostel, or hotel, ask your host or the concierge for their favourite places to eat. Skip the touristy suggestions and instead ask where they’d take a friend visiting from out of town. Their answers will often lead you to less crowded establishments where you can experience a true taste of the local culture.

Check the Menu Before Sitting Down

This may sound obvious, but glancing at the menu displayed outside can provide you with an idea of whether the café or restaurant is right for you. Look for diversity in offerings, seasonal items, and prices that match the general vibe of the area. If it’s packed with dishes catering exclusively to tourists (like pizza in Paris or hamburgers in Bangkok), you might want to move on to something more authentic.

Observe Who's Sitting at the Tables

A good indicator of a great place is its clientele. Are most of the tables filled with locals or a mix of tourists and locals? Are people ordering local dishes, and do they look content? Cafes and restaurants frequented by residents or expats tend to have higher standards, both in terms of food and service.

Embrace Food Tours and Cooking Classes

Signing up for a local food tour or a cooking class is not only a fun experience but also a great way to get insider recommendations. The guides are often food enthusiasts with a network of contacts in the culinary scene. They can point you to cafes or restaurants that offer a unique or lesser-known take on local dishes.

Trust Your Nose and Eyes

Sometimes, all it takes is a good sense of smell. If a place has a delightful aroma wafting out of its doors or open windows, take a peek inside. Look at the food being served to other customers. Does it look fresh and delicious? Trust your instincts—if something looks and smells good, it’s worth a try!

Check for Long Lines—but Be Strategic

Lines can be a double-edged sword. They often indicate a popular spot, but no one wants to waste hours waiting. Observe if the line moves quickly or if locals seem willing to wait. For popular spots, try going during off-peak hours, like late afternoon for lunch or early evening for dinner, when the rush has calmed down, but the food is just as good.

Engage with Fellow Travellers

Sometimes, the best recommendations come from fellow travellers. Join conversations at your hostel, chat with people in cafes, or attend local food events to share stories and get personal suggestions. Other travellers might know of a little café with the best pastries or a hidden seafood restaurant by the harbour that you wouldn’t find on any blog or review site.

Be Adventurous, But Have a Backup Plan

Lastly, allow yourself the freedom to be adventurous. Stumble upon that cosy corner café with no English menu or step into that hole-in-the-wall restaurant just because it feels right. However, always have a backup plan in case your daring choice doesn’t live up to expectations. A secondary café or restaurant in mind can save the day!

Finding the best cafes and restaurants when travelling isn’t just about the food. It’s about connecting with a place, its culture, and its people. It’s about the stories shared over a meal, the memories made with strangers who become friends, and the sensory journey that stays with you long after you’ve returned home. 

So, on your next adventure, follow these tips, trust your instincts, and enjoy the culinary journey that awaits you!