Walk away from picture menus
Restaurants near major sights that display laminated photo menus in eight languages are almost universally worse and more expensive than restaurants a few streets away. They rely on foot traffic, not repeat customers.
Eat where locals eat lunch
In most cultures, lunch - not dinner - is the meal locals eat at restaurants. Business lunch menus in Europe offer extraordinary value: three courses with wine for €15-20 at places that would cost €60+ at dinner.
Markets are your best friend
Every great food city has great markets. Borough Market in London, La Boqueria in Barcelona, Tsukiji in Tokyo, San Lorenzo in Florence. These are where real food culture concentrates. Eat here for quality and authenticity.
Use Google Maps, not TripAdvisor
Search for a type of food near your location on Google Maps and filter by rating with many reviews. TripAdvisor tends to overrepresent tourist-facing restaurants. Google Maps surfaces places locals use.
Ask your hotel's junior staff
Not the concierge (they often take commission). Ask the front desk staff, the person carrying your bags, or the housekeeper where they personally go for lunch. These are the recommendations that lead to genuine finds.
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