{"id":16,"date":"2015-02-23T04:08:00","date_gmt":"2015-02-23T04:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.diningtraveler.com\/2015\/02\/13-essential-travel-dining-tips.html"},"modified":"2017-08-04T00:09:27","modified_gmt":"2017-08-04T00:09:27","slug":"13-essential-travel-dining-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diningtraveler.com\/2015\/02\/13-essential-travel-dining-tips.html","title":{"rendered":"13 Essential Travel Dining Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"
*Updated August 2017<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n One of the best ways to discover a new destination is through its food. \u00a0A shot of soju at a restaurant in Seoul allows you to peek into Korean culture. \u00a0Whether it is biting into an Oliebol (Dutch doughnut) or indulging in Okinawan Yakisoba you get to explore deeper into your destination. \u00a0That being said, here are my \u00a0essential travel dining tips on maximizing your experience (and your\u00a0taste buds).<\/p>\n The beauty of travel dining is that every destination\u00a0have a signature dish.\u00a0 If you go to Brussels, you must eat the famous frites. My tip:\u00a0Maison Antoine<\/a>\u00a0in Brussels.<\/i><\/b> If you head to Annapolis you must have Maryland Crab. My tip: Cantler’s<\/a>, it\u2019s quite busy in the summer (be prepared to wait an hour) but worth the visit!<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 Find out which culinary treasures your destination known for via the tourist board websites and local blogs. I still wonder who goes to Paris and eats at McDonald\u2019s!<\/p>\n It’s easy to eat near the main squares where there are rows of restaurants and hostesses eager to get you into their eateries. \u00a0Some of the best restaurants I’ve found have been tucked away in an alley or a side street, such as\u00a0L’Ange Gardien<\/span><\/a>\u00a0in the 20th arrondissment in Paris. The restaurant wine list specializes in small cellars across the South of France and has the best rice pudding\u00a0ever had!\u00a0Sometimes\u00a0found the best restaurants just from walking around a random\u00a0neighborhood.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Many travelers automatically head to the concierge for foodie tips. I’ve received great recommendations from other staff members of hotels, from the front desk to the hotel manager. One of my most memorable meals of 2014 took place at a restaurant called Mossel & Gin<\/a> in Amsterdam at the recommendation of WestCord Art Hotel Amsterdam manager, Patrick.<\/p>\n Order items you don’t have the time (or the skill) to make at home (like homemade pasta at Lupo Verde DC<\/a>) or things that you usually don’t eat. I’ve never been a fan of venison however, I decided to order it in Stockholm and it changed my opinion about the meat forever. \u00a0Tip: if you take the plunge and don’t like the meal, most restaurants are understanding enough to exchange your order.<\/i><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n In the US, we’re accustomed to tipping at a restaurant from 18-20% whereas in Europe a service charge is included in your meal and you can round up the bill or leave small bills. In Japan tipping is considered rude (I was once chased by a bartender at a club who returned my tip). \u00a0Tip: a handy resource:<\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span> great tipping guide from Frommer’s<\/a><\/p>\n During my recent trip to Vienna, we wanted to have a traditional Wiener Schnitzel away from the tourist crowds (see tip #2).\u00a0 Decided to test out Yelp<\/a> in Austria and found a restaurant 10 minutes away from the hotel.\u00a0 We knew we hit the jackpot when all the reviews were in German (use Google Translate app or in my case a German speaking husband). Also, Open Table<\/a> allows you not only to make dinner reservations (they are currently expanding their international options) but you can also see reviews of the restaurant before you reserve.<\/p>\n If there’s one travel dining tip you can take away from this post, let it be this one! If you are traveling for Business, ask your colleagues what\u2019s the best caf\u00e9 or restaurant.\u00a0 I recall having the best mofongo (mashed fried plantains) in Santo Domingo at the recommendation of one of my local colleagues. Tip:\u00a0 talk about your trip with your friends, they may have a friend or a family member would love to share their favorite spots.<\/i><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n *Updated August 2017 One of the best ways to discover a new destination is through its food. \u00a0A shot of soju at a restaurant in Seoul allows you to peek into Korean culture. \u00a0Whether it is biting into an Oliebol (Dutch doughnut) or indulging in Okinawan Yakisoba you get to explore deeper into your destination. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":3220,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,7,46,3,12],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-16","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-culinary-travel","8":"category-food","9":"category-food-travel","10":"category-foodie","11":"category-travel-tips"},"yoast_head":"\n<\/a>
\u00a01. \u00a0Find out what’s good before your fly<\/i><\/b>:<\/h2>\n
2. \u00a0Step away from the tourist hot spots:<\/em><\/h2>\n
3. \u00a0Ask your hotel staff:<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
4. \u00a0Step away from your comfort zone:<\/em><\/h2>\n
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5. \u00a0Do not underestimate the hotel restaurant:<\/h2>\n
6. \u00a0Do not get turned off by a menu in a different language:<\/h2>\n
7. \u00a0Research tipping:<\/h2>\n
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8. \u00a0Research customs:<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
9. \u00a0Explore Markets and Street Food:<\/h2>\n
10. Find foodie inspiration online:\u00a0 <\/i><\/h2>\n
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11. Reviews:<\/h2>\n
12. Ask a Local:<\/h2>\n
13.\u00a0 Enjoy:<\/h2>\n