How to Find the Best Food Anywhere You Travel
Advice from the Founder of Eating Europe
One of the biggest questions I get from travelers is simple:
How do you actually find great food when you visit a new city?
Not the restaurant that's packed with tourists. Not the place that's gone viral on TikTok. And definitely not the overpriced spot right outside the biggest attraction.
To answer that question, I sat down with Kenny Dunn, founder of Eating Europe, one of Europe's leading food tour companies. Over the past 15+ years, Kenny has helped thousands of travelers discover authentic local restaurants, markets, and neighborhoods across Europe.
Here are some of the biggest takeaways from our conversation.
1. Stop Choosing Convenience Over Curiosity
According to Kenny, the biggest mistake travelers make is choosing convenience over curiosity.
Imagine you're sightseeing near the Colosseum in Rome. It's lunchtime, you're hungry, and you simply search for whatever restaurant is nearby. While it may be convenient, it's rarely where locals choose to eat.
Instead, Kenny recommends treating food like you would any major attraction. Plan for it.
A memorable meal should be just as important as visiting a famous landmark.
2. Don't Trust Every Viral Restaurant
Just because a restaurant is trending on Instagram or TikTok doesn't mean it's the best place to eat.
Kenny shared how certain foods become social media sensations simply because they look good on camera—not because they're the most delicious or authentic option.
Before waiting in a long line because of a viral video, ask yourself:
Do locals actually eat here?
Or is this place popular because of social media?
Sometimes the best meal is just around the corner from the place everyone is lining up for.
3. Research Before You Arrive
Finding great food starts before your trip even begins.
Kenny recommends doing a little homework before you land by:
Reading local blogs
Searching Reddit for local recommendations
Learning a few iconic dishes unique to your destination
Making reservations if you're traveling during busy weekends
Having a short list of foods you want to try makes it much easier to ask locals for recommendations.
4. Ask Locals—Not Your Hotel Concierge
Once you're on the ground, Kenny's strategy becomes surprisingly simple.
Find a neighborhood coffee shop.
Talk to the barista.
After a great meal, ask your server where they eat.
Unlike tourist-focused businesses, these conversations often lead to incredible local restaurants you would never discover on your own.
It's one of the easiest ways to experience a city like a local.
5. Don't Be Afraid of Language Barriers
One lesson really resonated with me because I made this exact mistake while traveling through Japan, China, and Vietnam.
I often skipped restaurants that didn't have English menus because I felt intimidated.
Looking back, those were probably the restaurants I should have been eating at.
Kenny encouraged travelers to embrace those moments instead of avoiding them.
Even if you accidentally order something unexpected, you'll probably leave with a better story than if you played it safe.
6. Why Food Tours Are Worth It
As the founder of Eating Europe, Kenny admits he's biased—but he also makes a compelling point.
Most travelers only have a few days in a destination.
A food tour lets you sample multiple local dishes in just a few hours while learning the history, traditions, and stories behind each meal.
Instead of guessing where to eat, you're introduced to local specialties you may never have discovered on your own.
For first-time visitors, it's one of the fastest ways to understand both the food and the culture of a city.
7. Food Is One of the Best Ways to Experience a Destination
Perhaps my favorite takeaway from the interview was this:
Food isn't just something you eat while traveling.
It's one of the best ways to understand a destination.
Markets, neighborhood cafés, family-run restaurants, and conversations with locals often become the experiences you remember long after you've forgotten the famous landmarks.
My Biggest Takeaway
If you remember only one piece of advice from this interview, make it this:
Talk to locals.
Ask your barista.
Ask your server.
Ask the owner of the restaurant you just enjoyed.
Those conversations often lead to the best meals—and the most memorable travel experiences.
Watch the Full Interview
In the full interview with Kenny Dunn, we also discuss:
The biggest restaurant red flags
How to identify authentic local restaurants
Whether Google, TikTok, and Instagram help or hurt travelers
Why food tours are so effective
Kenny's favorite food cities and markets in Europe
His personal strategy for finding great food anywhere in the world
If you're planning your next trip and want to eat like a local, I highly recommend giving it a watch.
Happy travels—and as always, travel far.