We’ve all been there. You’ve made it through airport arrivals, dropped your bags at the hotel and, stomach rumbling, hurriedly headed out for lunch. Your destination? A charming, local-sy “hidden gem” of a restaurant, promising authentic, homecooked cuisine.
Your expectations are sky high, fuelled by hundreds of five-star reviews on TripAdvisor and rose-tinted Instagram reels, and as you turn the corner your mouth waters at the thought of what awaits. But reality soon sets in. You arrive to find yourself standing in line, surrounded by fellow tourists, not a single local in sight. You no longer feel like a local but like sheep dutifully herding itself into a pen. One hour, and an underwhelming meal later, you leave the restaurant disappointed, and doubting everywhere else on your list of places to visit.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
The good news is that there’s a simple hack that’ll help you steer clear of the tourist traps forever, and it’s hiding in plain sight.
The Best Travel Advice You’ve Never Heard
The single greatest piece of travel advice ever? Stop Googling in English.
Every time you search for “best restaurants in Rome” or “top things to do in Lisbon,” you’re getting the same recommendations as every other tourist. These lists are tailored for visitors, not locals, because the content you’re consuming was written by tourists, not by locals.
Think about it: why would a recently discovered local gem appear in English lists dominated by tourists? The restaurants, bars, and locales that appear in these lists are self-perpetuating, created by tourists who see decent reviews, try the place out for themselves, confirm their own biases (usually without a reference point for what is really good), and report back with decent reviews of their own.
Don’t get us wrong, most of these places are okay, meh, not bad. But the real spots—family-run tavernas, cozy hidden bars, secret beaches—are almost always shared in the local language first.
Where Following the Crowds Will Get You
Florence is home to a sandwich shop called All’Antico Vinaio. When I lived in Florence between 2014 and 2019, the locals loved this place, raving about its crunchy schiacciata bread, delicious toppings, and reasonable prices.
Then tourists got wind of it, and the place went crazy.
It quickly shot to #1 best restaurant in Florence on TripAdvisor and Google Reviews and went more viral than COVID-19 on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
One shop quickly became two, thronged by seemingly endless lines of tourists who queued up either side of Florence’s Via dei Neri. Prices soared; the founder became a millionaire; the guys who work there became younger, more handsome, and more Instagram-friendly; and All’Antico Vinaio opened branches in Rome, then Milan, then Naples before venturing overseas to New York, Los Angeles and even Las Vegas.
Today, people line up around the block and wait for well over an hour to get a sandwich from All’Antico Vinaio, hemmed in by security guards employed to stop them from obstructing traffic on Italy’s narrow streets. But here’s the thing: everyone in line is a tourist.
Italians no longer go to All’Antico Vinaio, reluctant to pay €10 for a sandwich (double the average price) that’s no different to what you can find elsewhere. They go to La Schiacciavino, Pugi or Vecchio Forno, where they can get served in less than five minutes and for around €5.
How to Search Like a Local
This travel hack is much easier than you think. Next time you’re headed abroad, simply switch your searches from English to the local language:
- Instead of “best restaurants in Rome,” try “ristoranti tipici Roma.”
- Hunting for the best nightclubs in Lisbon? Search “melhores discotecas Lisboa.”
- Want affordable bars in Budapest? Try “olcsó bárok Budapest.”
Even if you don’t speak the language, don’t worry!
Use tools like Google Translate to translate your questions/queries into the target language. Or prompt AI-powered assistants like ChatGPT to give you the best search queries.
Once you start browsing results, automatic Google Translate can seamlessly translate entire pages, forums, and articles, allowing you to effortlessly access local insights without language barriers. And if that doesn’t work, tools like Google Translate or AI-powered assistants such as ChatGPT can quickly translate what you read.
Pro tip: If you’re doing advanced research and want to take your local search game to the next level, use a VPN that gives you an IP address in the country you’ll be visiting.
Why This Actually Works
Google’s search algorithm factors in both language and location. When you search in Italian, Portuguese, Hungarian—or any local language—you trigger results aimed at local residents. Locals don’t typically visit overpriced, touristy spots. They frequent authentic, affordable, and quality establishments.
That’s the gold you’re after.
This Travel Hack Helps with Logistics too!
Consider train strikes in Rome, an all too regular occurrence, for example. English-language sources often only report these strikes at the last minute, leaving tourists scrambling if they want to catch a high-speed train up to Florence or the service to Roma Fiumicino Airport.
But Italian forums and digital publications will have been discussing these disruptions (scioperi) for days in advance.
This info can literally save your vacation.
But What’s the Place Without the People?
Discovering quality local spots through language hacks is all well and good. But there’s still one piece of the puzzle missing: connecting with locals and truly integrating into the scene.
Even the most adventurous solo traveller might struggle to strike up conversations in a foreign language or feel comfortable approaching locals. Which is why a Tipsy Tour is the perfect solution!
Our local Tipsy Tour guides take you and other intrepid international travellers to authentic bars, eateries, and nightlife of your destination city. As well as sharing cultural tips, and insight about food and drink, they also share the dark and scandalous history of the city you’ll be exploring. With newfound friends by your side, you’ll not only confidently explore local hotspots but also find it easier and more enjoyable to chat with locals. It’s the ultimate win-win.
Ready to experience the Tipsy Tour for yourself?
