Anyone else guilty of planning travel itineraries around meals?! Louisa from Living Lou is sharing some of her tips for getting to know a city through its food. While I think heading to restaurants is always fun– especially if its one a local friend has recommended, there are more ways to eat your way through a new city. Restaurants are nice, but it might not be an authentic meal! Louisa’s tips have me craving a trip to somewhere new!
One of my favorite things to do, like so many people, is to travel. There is something magical about exploring a new city and having new experiences. Last summer I traveled around Europe with my sister, recently I was in Banff, Alberta and right now, I’m writing this from the beautiful island of Kefalonia in the Ionian sea in Greece where I’ve been spending my summers ever since I was three with my family (check out my Instagram for lots of travels pics). I think traveling is one of the best experiences anyone can have, especially when you’re young, and it’s definitely doable on a budget.
If you’re still saving up to travel (because let’s face it, who isn’t these days) I think that exploring any city (even the one you’ve been living in for years) is similar. The same can be said for moving across the country, or just down the street to a new neighborhood or a new college town or campus (not that they are known for their food). Here are five tips for getting to know a new place through food.
Find the local farmer’s market
Exploring the farmer’s market in a new city is one of my favorite things to do. I recommend finding one that is closest to you and then try to stop by early in the morning (when all the best produce is available). You might find some new-to-you ingredients and buying food and cooking is a great way to save money.
Talk to the locals
Befriend locals or ask your neighbors about their favorite spots. Often, they will point out some local haunts you wouldn’t otherwise have known. You never know, they might even offer to take you around and show you the city.
Research their iconic dishes
Each city and country has at least one dish they are well known for. Take some time to research what that city is known for and then seek it out. When I was in Berlin, I went specifically to find currywurst from this hole in the wall spot, if you’re heading to Montreal you have to have Montreal bagels and of course, smoked meat and if you’re visiting Greece find the best gyros and feta (check out my eggplant salad and Greek salad for a taste of authentic Greek cuisine).
Splurge on one meal
I always find if I’m traveling or visiting a new spot, I try to be budget conscious and eat breakfast with produce from the market or grocery store and have snacks like nuts and granola bars ready at all times. That leaves a little extra room in my budget to splurge on one dinner at a restaurant of my choosing, this was a great way to make memories and enjoy the local cuisine.
My friend studying in St Louis visited me and my friend in Philly over spring break. Unfortunately, the two of us based in Philly didn't manage to do as much exploring as we had hoped, so planning an itinerary for our friend in St Louis was a bit of a struggle. We 100% based our plans off of meals haha 😛 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
Gardening is my favorite hobby and they way you describe about it like superb. Its also good idea to take care of neighbors and grow something what they like. I always find if I’m traveling or visiting a new spot, I try to be budget conscious and eat breakfast with produce from the market or grocery store and have snacks like nuts and granola bars ready at all times.
I'm a frequent traveler and I couldn't agree more with these tips. It makes me so sad when I see people in incredible cities with amazing local food eating at chain restaurants. I love getting the chance to explore local cuisine and I hope your post inspires more people to do the same! xx
What a great post! I love to travel myself and one of the best things about exploring a new city is definitely sampling their native dishes. Loved your tips, especially about heading to their farmer's market and seeking out a city's signature dish. Thanks for sharing 🙂
We came, we saw elephants, we ate ice cream 🐘🦒🦓 @ashleybrooke and I always talk about how we became FAST friends. Somehow we have been right there with each other during some of life’s worst moments… so it’s extra sweet that we now get to celebrate the good ones! Watching our boys play together, a little baby in a stroller, and another baby on the way… it’s everything we dreamed of.
Somehow yesterday felt like a week, last month was last year, and last year was a decade ago… but then time is simultaneously going by so fast too. The past ten weeks have gone by in a blink! Everyone warns you it goes by fast and they’re not wrong…. The days are long but oh how I wish time would slow down a bit? Or that maybe I could bottle up a tiny bit of these precious boys at every stage so I could revisit them down the road 🤍
I have grown to LOVE baby wearing. Not only do I think it’s such a nice and cozy way to bond with baby, it’s also incredibly practical, especially when you have a toddler to keep up with too! The @wildbird aerial carrier was a treat for myself- and I’m so obsessed with it. 👶🏼 Leave a comment “wildbird” and I’ll DM you the color I have as well as my personal review of it (including some troubleshooting tips).
Some top level things I like; - it’s easy to put on! - it’s so, so comfortable (for me AND baby!) - the little flap is seamless and provides extra support while baby naps and privacy when we need/want it
This affordable rechargeable LED lamp is cute and then made even cuter with this wicker lampshade! 💡✨ No cords needed- just charge and place wherever you want. (Will be extra perfect for dining outdoors this summer!) 💫 Comment “lamp” and I’ll send you links to the LED lamp ($38 for a pair!) and the lampshade (available in a few styles- including a darling blue).
Not really in the mood to be in photos right now, but I keep telling myself I’ll want to look back on these moments and remember them. (Right?!) when I look at these photos in 10, 20, 30 years…
I hope I remember Jack “rescuing” Rory from a windy tent, not how I stood in front of my closet with tears in my eyes.
I hope I remember watching Jack roll down hills and play hop scotch and scoot down the sidewalk with his besties, not that I caught a glimpse of my reflection and didn’t recognize myself.
I hope I remember sitting outside with my friend happily watching our kids play (while watching the minutes until bedtime tick by), and not that I spent too much time zooming in and examining every new wrinkle on my face.
I hope I remember the pure joy of these early warm days with my little family whom I love so much 🤍
The weather is warming up and I’m feeling slightly more comfortable in my skin every day ☀️ Here’s what I wore last week as a mom of two. I have a two and a half year old toddler and a two month old so I need outfits I feel good in, can chase a little guy around in, AND that I can breastfeed easily while wearing. 🔗 Leave a comment with “OUTFITS” to get links to every outfit I wore!
This room is so very special 🤍 The little cars sprinkled everywhere (watch your step!). A tiny sock, never two, peeled off and tucked somewhere hidden away. Piles of books that grow almost as quickly as the little boy who sleeps here. Outgrown pants and shoes to grow into mingling in the closet. Often messy, and a little cluttered, but a little boy lives here. 🚘☀️🐶📚🧸
(Rory is still in our room, but eventually the boys will share. I can picture their little twin beds already!)
About ten days ago, I noticed that today’s forecast was looking WARM. I told Mike, “We’re walking into town and sitting outside and I’m getting a beer. Put it on your calendar.” It ended up being warmer than forecasted (almost eighty degrees!) and let me tell you, it delivered. Today felt like the beginning of The Season™: dinners al fresco, beers/fries/ice creams, and late bedtimes. Indulging in it all because the kids are only getting older and we’re the grownups (somehow) and we get to make the rules ✌🏻
Dress is @tuckernuck & sweater is @kiltecollection
I am such a foodie! Definitely bookmarking this post 🙂
Lauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com/
My friend studying in St Louis visited me and my friend in Philly over spring break. Unfortunately, the two of us based in Philly didn't manage to do as much exploring as we had hoped, so planning an itinerary for our friend in St Louis was a bit of a struggle. We 100% based our plans off of meals haha 😛 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
Gardening is my favorite hobby and they way you describe about it like superb.
Its also good idea to take care of neighbors and grow something what they like.
I always find if I’m traveling or visiting a new spot, I try to be budget conscious and eat breakfast with produce from the market or grocery store and have snacks like nuts and granola bars ready at all times.
I'm a frequent traveler and I couldn't agree more with these tips. It makes me so sad when I see people in incredible cities with amazing local food eating at chain restaurants. I love getting the chance to explore local cuisine and I hope your post inspires more people to do the same! xx
http://dreamingindubai.blogspot.ae/
What a great post! I love to travel myself and one of the best things about exploring a new city is definitely sampling their native dishes. Loved your tips, especially about heading to their farmer's market and seeking out a city's signature dish. Thanks for sharing 🙂
xoxo Nicole
http://www.brazenbrunette.com
Eating the local food of a city is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture. I agree that splurging on one nice meal is well worth it!!
-Nicole
Meet Me in Midtown
What wonderful tips!