The Truth About Tourist Trap Restaurants! | 15 Tips to Avoid Them
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- Опубликовано: 31 май 2024
- The Truth About Tourist Trap Restaurants! | 15 Tips to Avoid Them - Dive into the world of dining abroad without falling into the tourist trap restaurants. Whether you're a foodie looking for authentic culinary adventures or a traveler aiming to save money and avoid scams, this video is your ultimate guide. #EatLikeALocal #TravelTips #AvoidTouristTraps
Hey there, I'm Nora Dunn, aka The Professional Hobo, and today, I'm sharing 15 Tourist Trap Awareness tips to help you eat wisely while traveling. From spotting warning signs on menus to finding the local gems, these strategies will ensure you taste a bit of local life abroad without overpaying or falling for scams.
Plus, stick around to the end for a cautionary tale about a tricky restaurant scam that you'll definitely want to avoid.
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#AvoidTouristTraps #TouristTrapAwareness #AuthenticDining #LocalRestaurants #HowToFindLocalRestaurants
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
0:43 - Avoiding Tourist Trap Restaurants
3:09 - Identifying Menu Red Flags
9:44 - Location Tips for Authentic Dining
11:50 - Spotting Aggressive Restaurant Marketing
12:22 - Recognizing Authenticity Scams
13:04 - Finding Authentic Local Restaurants
17:00 - Restaurant Scams Awareness
21:08 - Guarding Against Pickpocket Scams
____________________
Greetings! I'm Nora Dunn, aka The Professional Hobo. I've been a digital nomad since 2006. I help people design their lifestyles and arrange their affairs so they can travel long term while working remotely. (I also have a ton of crazy travel tales to share from almost two decades of lifestyle travel).
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🤔 Are tourist trap restaurants all that bad? Well, yes and no. (Mostly yes.)
Today we'll explore 15 Tourist Trap Awareness tips so you can eat wisely while traveling, save money, avoid scams, and taste a bit of local life abroad. (See what I did there? Taste?)
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Save luggage space and fees with this FREE Travel Gear and Packing List CHEAT SHEET! bit.ly/3AFfiTq Includes special discount codes up to 25% off the things you need.
Thanks Nora, brilliant video!
A few tips specific to France.
1. By law, menus with prices must be displayed either in the window facing out, or outside, so you can make up your mind before going in.
2. Prices include service. You can leave a tip as thanks for really good service (we’re getting better!). Your bill details service fees and taxes (TVA). But the total is only what was on the menu. Firmly refuse any add-ons. This is a police matter, so make a huge fuss.
3. Were you offered menus in French and English? Get both. Check that prices are the same.
4. Tap water (une carafe) and bread (du pain) are free. When asked if you’d like water, ask for a carafe. If you request still or sparkling instead, you will be given a bottle and be charged.
5. Dinner before 8 PM? You’re a tourist. Prefer eating at a cafe that boasts home cooking (fait maison), or find a brasserie. A brasserie is a restaurant with non-stop service. It says brasserie instead of café or restaurant.
6. Little extras like butter, olives with drinks, olive oil with salad, are free except at high-end places. So are mustard, oil and vinegar. Ketchup and mayo depend on your order.
7. Avoid places you saw in movies or on TV. This is probably true everywhere. I live where Amelie was shot and there’s a bakery nearby made famous by a children’s show. By all means come, take a walk, take pictures. But queuing up one hour for cakes make no sense unless it makes your kids happy. We have good cakes and great-looking pâtisseries everywhere.
8. Outside of the bigger cities, eat local. Don’t order cassoulet in the north or choucroute on the Riviera. Small country towns do not serve burgers or pizzas. If it’s on offer, it’s for tourists. It will be frozen or horrible, or both.
9. As Nora said, ask around. Every French person is a food critic. (True in Italy as well). People will often speak enough English to direct you to their own hidden gem.
These are INCREDIBLE tips! Merci beaucoup!!
Aaand 10. Is there a waiter outside the door, handing out menus, beckoning you in? Run. Just run. No self-respecting French restaurant does this. Far as I know, true around Europe.
@@NoraDunn Pleasure!
@CineMiamParis Your advice and tips couldn't have come at a better time for me. I leave for a 3 week trip to France in less than two weeks. Of course I knew a few of the more obvious tips. However, I have never entertained the idea to ask for menus in both French and English. Thank you for taking your time to share your tips.
@@juliee4575 Have a wonderful trip, Julie! Hope you enjoy your stay. Glad I could help.
Suitcase tip: Crazy weather here in Paris. Some days are t-shirt days, others are sweater plus jacket, and when it rains it pours.
Transportation tip: Subway line 14, a super useful line, is closed evenings from 10PM and all day on Sat&Sun. I strongly suggest downloading a transportation app. I use 3, Cityplanner gives me the best results.
Ask if you have questions.
Again, best wishes!
Moto traveler here and not a foodie, so... I actively avoid cities (traffic) and don't actively seek out tourist spots. Secondary roads and small towns are my preference. This almost automatically guarantees authenticity. Most of the time, I'm the only non-local in any given establishment.
Thanks for sharing your tips!
Also find out if there is a table charge or mark up if just having a drink at a sidewalk table by a tourist attraction. An aperol spritz on the Grand Canal in Venice can be more than your entire dinner elsewhere.
Great point - thanks!
“Authentic Food Sold Here”….”If you have to say it, you’re not.” :) Great video, fantastic and helpful content, thank you!
Exactly! And, thank you. Glad you enjoyed!
Now say it for gender!!
Another fantastic video, with so many clever ideas. So glad I discovered this channel. RE the “different price scam”... When I remember to snap a pic of the menu, then I notice that the scam is common here in Los Angeles. Sometimes, I ask if I can simply keep the menu in case I want to order more later. That was my go-to in the days of yore before cellphone cameras, to make sure I had the menu in my hands when paying the bill.
I especially liked the bit about “nuance” to make surviving a tourist trap restaurant better. I’m actually a bit of a sucker for “good” tourist trap restaurants. That restaurant at the top of the Alexanderplatz tower in Berlin is the perfect example. The view was great, and despite the price, the food and service were pretty good because they were trying to live down years of terrible reviews. I think a sign of a “good” tourist trap restaurant may be a proclamation that says, “under new management.”
Interesting that you've experienced the different price scam in LA! It stands to reason - why not?! Good tip about asking to keep the menu.
And thanks for your kudos about the nuances of tourist trap restaurants. Sometimes, it's worth it :-)
Using beer pricing to determine markup is ingenious!
Thanks! When I heard about it from a fellow traveler I thought it was pretty clever. Happy to pass along the wisdom!
I use the price of the margherita pizza to determine markup in Italy.
Soft drink price is also a good markup
Asking a taxi driver about where to eat? Even in London this is a bad idea.
I don't disagree, but I'm curious why you think it's a bad idea.
@@NoraDunn I’ve heard that taxi drivers in London get paid a “commission” to take people to various places.
@@rgoonewardene380 Interesting. Thanks for the intel!
Hi Nora: Great video as usual! I would love to see a future video on how to use Google Translate effectively, such as using your phone's camera to translate a menu like you mentioned in this video. Some of us are smartphone/technologically challenged, and this would be very helpful on learning how to use our smartphones to the fullest. Thanks!
Great suggestion! Thank you!
Fun to hear the Nasi Goreng comment Nora. My Indo mom would make our weekly nasi goreng out of all leftover meats and veggies in our fridge. Hard to imagine it being elevated beyond a wonderful comfort dish!
Ha ha! Even in a restaurant it's a wonderful comfort dish :-)
Nora my favorite traveler!
As you know because I’ve asked you many questions. I just got back from Thailand to the USA. Everything was seamless, except for trying to use credit card on a transportation site due to a confirmation text to my USA number which I had thought I signed up with Google.
????
You’re the best!
Ray
Hey Ray! Hope your trip went well (save for the text snafu). You would have had to port your "home" number to Google Voice in order to get that confirmation text (which I believe entails a small fee, and may have meant canceling your home phone plan). Or, you could have gotten a separate Google Voice number and changed the phone number on file with your credit card company to that phone number so you could get texts while traveling.
Here are some other strategies / more info: ruclips.net/video/hg3IokIgyYc/видео.htmlsi=7rWi6lFQkq6cCbTS
Have you heard about this? Is it a scam or did we just make mistakes in the payment process? While in Lisbon we charged items to a credit card. We asked to be charged in euros, and checked that option on the credit card machine, but it asked a second question- “do you accept the charges.” We assumed it meant the cost of the item, but later when looking at the receipt we saw we were charged in usd dollars and we were additionally charged a service fee for the conversion. We felt this second question overrode the first option where we specified payment in euros and in the fine print said we accepted being charged in usd. Also we specifically told the clerks we wanted to pay in euros yet the machine tricked us into accepting the conversion and additional fee. It happened twice and only in Lisbon, Portugal.
Hi Jo,
What a shame that happened to you, and sadly, it's not uncommon. Indeed, making sure that you get charged in the local currency (in this case EUR) often involves a 2-step process, and one that feels counterintuitive in that you need to press the left-hand button to say no, when it feels right to click "yes" or "accept".
So yes, I'm afraid you likely accepted the converted charge.
ATMs do it too, and I've found it particularly common in Portugal.
I'm not sure the clerk has much they can do about it; I think the terminals are programmed to do this when a foreign card is inserted. The clerk may have clicked the first button to say "no, charge in EUR", then handed it to you at which point you were faced with the 2nd chance to accept/reject.
Very true! Thanks Nora :-)
You're welcome :-)
On my last trip to Lisbon, I went to two different restaurants for the famous Piri Piri chicken. The first was touted as very popular with the locals, the second was in a really popular touristy area. Guess which one was better? That’s right the one in the touristy area 😅. I research restaurants almost a little too much, but I find it pays off in the long run. Google maps reviews and Hungry Onion are my go to, as well as local food bloggers and I try to take at least one food tour in every city I visit, they can be a great way to find local, out of the way restaurants. 😊
I'm all for Google Maps reviews! Never heard of the Hungry Onion - I'll have to check that out. Thanks!
@@NoraDunn it replaced Chowhound , kinda. Some great local recommendations for tons of places worldwide.
Great video Nora!!! Thank you! 🙏
Glad you liked it!
Great and valuable info. Thanks
You're welcome!
In Spain if you can’t conform to local eating times, museums & department store restaurants have good food
In UK dined at a gastro pub that treated locals very well and treated tourists very shabbily, which was evident from the ***** and * star reviews. The best meal in that town was curry breakfast at my hotel
Thanks for the intel Janet! Great point about looking for a disparity in reviews (eg: 3* vs 1*).
Thank you for the valuable tips. ❤
Any time!
Yes, nice to know the farms. I have been in Asia, and only Georgia 🇬🇪 in Europe, and I could see differences. Sometimes in Indonesia,🇮🇩 they take the Chinese philosophy, “If you can cheat, you should cheat.” Though the food tastes good, one must beware.
Wow - I'd never heard of that philosophy.
@@NoraDunn I learned that from a channel called Serpentza. Years ago I wanted to go to China, but now, not so much. I “go to” China via the channel “Little Chinese Everywhere”.
Great advice
Thanks Harry!
Great video
We are going to Waikiki in a couple of months, any suggestions.
Have fun!
Terrific video! These are all real situations and you've given many techniques to avoid being taken. Brava!
Thanks so much!
Yes it’s true
All great Information. A tip is not just money, it's also a thank you. In places like Japan where you can't tip even if you want to, after a great meal, I like to order extra food to go.
And ask about the bill, ask about anything, especially if you don't share a language. It's part of the fun and joy of travel. I love Google Translates (It remembers all the Chinese I've forgotten) but I was always amazed at how much information and friendship can be shared without language.
I agree! Also I think even if direct questioning of a bill isn't something that would normally be culturally appropriate in a destination (which is rare), tourists are given some leeway since they are unaccustomed to the local ways and are inevitably out of their element. A smile and fun attitude towards interaction goes a long way to diffuse tension.
I always look to see who is in the cafe/restaurant. I even do this where I live as we have many different nationalities in restaurants. I look for the nationality of the restaurant and match it to the people in there. I want to see Japanese people in a Japanese restaurant. It has helped me in my travels.
Exactly! Great tip.
All great tips, especially finding out prior to arrival the times that the locals eat. If it is a small mom and pop type restaurant, I don't mind an upcharge when I know the state of the economy.
Thanks Cindy!
Saving money tip is solid advice. I find it is much cheaper to eat the better food in Latin America. I also think english menus is another warning!
Totally!
One of my friends advised that when dining in tourist hot spots in Italy “beware of laminated menus.” Not avoid laminated menus, just beware. If a menu is laminated it means they don’t change the items based on what was in the local market that day. If you ask an Italian chef about tomorrow’s menu the good ones will say they won’t know until after they shop tomorrow.
Very interesting way to ensure you're getting fresh dishes!
Very true. Italian diners don’t read the menu, as a rule. You ask « what’s good today? », the waiter pulls up a chair and sits down with you to tell you about the specials.
Totally agree but sometimes the tourist trap is part of the tourist's experience.
I also totally agree with you, which is why I mention it in the video!
When you say “better quality food”, I wonder what you mean? As a truck driver, I delivered a lot of food all over the U.S. One thing I noticed was that all the food comes from the same food distribution centers. So there is no real difference. Yes, ethic restaurants may have something different, but generally they are all the same. I’m guessing it’s similar overseas?
Hi Terry,
What kind of food are you talking about? Are you referring to raw produce, or pre-made foods that get delivered to chain restaurants?
Nora, Yes, raw, as well as prepared. BTW, nice video, and I couldn’t reply to your comment.
@@NoraDunn yes both Nora. Video was very helpful.
@@terryschima4964 Thanks!
Hi Terry, I would say it can be different overseas. I’m in France, lived around Europe and Asia. In Paris I tend to buy organic produce grown nearby. In small farms, tiny when compared to the US. It tastes nothing like supermarket fruit and veg. Around me, restaurants are increasingly favoring local and fresh, and they advertise as much. Was at a place yesterday that put the farmers’ names on the menu. Food snobbery perhaps, but it was worth it, and nice to support independent farms.
Water in pitchers or glasses on the table in a lot of Spanish restaurants, is not complimentary. And we found that some wine is cheaper than that said water.
Wow! I didn't know that. Thanks for the intel!
My favourite restaurant in Porto is way outside the tourist centre. The menu is in Portuguese and most of the staff cant speak English. I need to speak some basic Portuguese sometimes. Its not cheap and the menu isn't extensive but the quality is high and its traditional. I always go at least twice on my holiday. I do visit one touristy restaurant and that's mainly to visit my friend who works there. I often get special treatment like freebies or get a meal a couple of hours before they officially start serving dinner at 7.30pm.
I love it when we find these out-of-the-way places that become favourites!
I would love to try it, you make it sound fab. Could you share the name of it with us please?
Taste and eating puns 👍
Right?! I couldn't help myself 😂
Going to Turkey in 3 weeks. What if anything you would go to eat in Istanbul? Will be there 2 nights at beginning and end of trip.
Food in Turkey was surprisingly good but they do sneak a lot of unnecessary sugar in there. Street vendors sell bread with Nutella, which cracked me up. (I could buy that at home if I wanted to eat it.). As a Christian group, we found the Turkish people very kind and incredibly hospitable; I only say that because their culture is Muslim. Lovely place! The local small restaurants in Istanbul are great too.
Fish season will be over by then. Prefer meat if you eat any. Have perhaps an Iskender kebap where it was invented, at Iskender Iskenderoglu in Moda. That’s roasted lamb on a spit with fresh tomato sauce and yogurt. Otherwise, choice and exceptional finesse at Çiya, also in Kadiköy, arguably the city’s best restaurant. Very affordable.
When in doubt, order melon and (feta-like) cheese for starters, perhaps with a white wine or raki (ouzo). Life instantly gets sweeter.
Pide is a pizza-like dish, with or without meat, easy to find.
At any rate, do visit Kadiköy. And have sunset drinks at Ortaköy with a view on the lovely mosque. Oh, and the fruits. Buy fruits. And pistachio baklava.
I miss the place and the people and the food so much. And I was there 6 months ago. And I’m French, so I’m not exactly food-deprived. I hope you enjoy your trip.
What fantastic suggestions! I love this community :-)
Thank you all for your recommendations. Now if I could just pronounce them!!!
@@cheyanneozzy69 😁Don’t worry about it too much. But in case you care, a few basics.
C is dj
Ç is tch. Restaurant Çiya is Tchi-ya
Ö is eu as in masseuse and de rigueur
i with no dot is eh
U is oo as in pool, Istanbul
Ü is… not an English sound. Same as U in French.
I wouldn’t trust a taxi driver for local information. I haven’t met any anywhere in the US or Europe who are actually local to the city where they are driving. I was in New York today (the city of my birth) and it suddenly hit me that most of these taxi drivers didn’t even have driver’s licenses prior to coming to the US. They don’t speak English and don’t know anything about restaurants.
The same thing in Vienna. I impressed my friends by chatting in Romanian (my first language) with the taxi driver. Definitely not Austrian. Also, severely anti-Semitic, but I digress.
Interesting point about taxi drivers. Thanks!
We were totally scammed by a restaurant near the Vatican. It was a great learning experience in all the ways unscrupulous operators can rip off tourists. We were completely on our guard after that.
I'm sorry that happened to you. Like you say, it makes you aware and alert to scams going forward - which is not a bad thing.
Why do you think there are so many elevators, escalators, bridges, etc., that kill and injure people? I saw a video where a man was spraying green paint on a duck to change it into a mallard 🦆! Disgusting!
What?!?
Didn’t mention where cover charges are standard practice. I’ve never seen that anywhere so that would’ve been a good point.
This video is being a waste of my time even though a lot of hers are good. Some of hers?
She did say, a number of times, to ask for prices and charges
Thank you Colleen :-)
The first rule of being a tourist is never look & act like a tourist.
Yep!
Most of what your videos explain is completely useless nonsense, and you are very good at storytelling
Uh.....thank you?? 😂
@@NoraDunn you're welcome