Scrumptious food is an important part of any unforgettable holiday. Exploring the food at your chosen destination exposes you to different cuisine and can also broaden your knowledge of different cultures.
However, where you choose to dine is an important factor to consider. Often, one finds a number of dining establishments situated close to tourist attractions.
This makes it convenient when your tummy begins to growl in the middle of your exciting exploration, although the food can be relatively costly.
Picture: iStock / Yana Tatevosian
Undoubtedly, there are various pros and cons to dining near tourist attractions. Here are a few worth considering:
PROS:
A convenient location
Location is one of the biggest advantages when it comes to dining close to attractions. Touristy restaurants are centrally located and wonderfully convenient. This allows you to have a quick bite while sightseeing.
A wider variety
Often, dining close to tourist attractions also means that your dietary requirements will be taken care of. Touristy restaurants tend to have wider menus that are more accommodating of vegetarian and vegan patrons, as well as those with allergies and intolerances to certain foods. In most cases, such establishments also go out of their way to ensure that their menu is easy for different tourists to understand.
Higher chance of being served in English
The quality of service you receive can either make or break your dining experience. Being in a foreign country and getting served by someone you are not able to efficiently communicate with can be quite frustrating.
When dining near tourist attractions, you stand a better chance of being served by staff that can understand English. This may not always be the case if you decide to try out a hidden gem on the outskirts of your chosen destination.
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CONS:
Higher prices
More often than not, restaurants which cater to tourists have higher prices than those which are frequented by locals. This means your dining experience will cost you more than what you would have paid at a non-touristy establishment.
A relatively limited experience
Although touristy restaurants offer convenience, they are quite unadventurous and can be quite limiting in the experience they offer.
In comparison, offbeat restaurants offer a richer and more authentic experience, allowing you to learn more about your chosen destination, its culture and the people.
Possibility of an unsatisfactory meal
Unfortunately, some touristy restaurants can easily get away with serving horrible food. This is because, compared to establishments where locals would normally dine, they do not rely on repeat patrons. By virtue of being located near a tourist attraction, new tourists are bound to come. As such, the restaurants can easily retain a consistent and steady flow of walk-ins regardless of the food they offer. To avoid disappointment, it helps to read reviews before choosing where you will be dining.
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