Where are people spending their travel dollars?
Culinary experiences are at the top of mind for 88% of high-end travelers looking for their next vacation spot. Travelers are literally booking trips based on where they can find the best restaurants.
Wait… there’s more.
The culinary tourism industry is expected to reach $1.81 billion this year. This “trend” has become a lifestyle.
But here’s the issue…
Too many people go on vacation and eat at the exact same restaurants everyone else is recommending. Sure they’ve avoided the Applebees of the world…but so has everyone else.
What’s worse is that they’re probably overlooking incredible restaurants near their hotel that locals swear by.
Guess what? It’s time to get a look at those places.
Below is a list of hidden culinary gems from around the world where locals eat when they’re not eating at home. These are spots that aren’t typically on every traveler’s radar.
Let’s dig in.
Find out where to
- Eat like a local at waterfront restaurants
- Find hidden gems at garden oasis restaurants
- Experience authentic local food
- Learn why location matters for great food
- Discover culinary gems in any city
12 Hidden Culinary Gems Where Locals Eat
Time to stop buying into the tourist hype.
These sneaky hidden gems boast incredible eats in unique locations that won’t be found on typical restaurant blogs. Below are the places where locals eat real food when they’re not eating at home.
#1 Bayshore Club Miami — Waterfront Dining At Its Finest
Need a little combination of both?
Look no further.
This waterfront bar and grill offers up everything anyone could want in a hidden gem. Picture this. It’s on the water with access to fresh seafood while watching boats roll by.
Check this out:
It’s at the water. Literally on the water. This isn’t a patio with an ocean view, it’s at the ocean.
Bayshore Club Miami’s seafood is delivered daily. When the fish was swimming to the restaurant this morning… the freshness is obvious.
There are tons of waterfront restaurants with either amazing views and not so great food. Or great food with a bust view. Bayshore has both fronts covered.
Quality over quantity is this menu’s slogan. Fresh ingredients combined with excellent chefs who actually care about what they’re serving.
Local love:
This spot isn’t blowing their budget on tourists that are here for a few days. Miami locals visit Bayshore Club regularly and bring friends and family here.
It’s casual, but doesn’t feel cheap. Dressing down is fine and won’t feel underdressed either.
They take their bar program seriously. As expected from a waterfront restaurant, their cocktails go great with their coastal cuisine.
#2 Glass and Vine — Hidden Garden Restaurant Miami
Want something a little different?
Stop scrolling. Here it is.
Welcome to Glass and Vine in Coconut Grove. When thinking of dining with a beautiful view most people picture oceanfront. But Glass and Vine has views that will knock anyone’s socks off as well.
Here’s the deal:
This “hidden gem” is a restaurant that’s easy to walk right past without knowing it’s there. Tucked inside Peacock Park it feels like stepping into a private restaurant.
Glass and Vine boasts massive oak trees to dine under with sneak peaks of Biscayne Bay.
Everything is sourced locally and made from farm-to-table ingredients. Cocktails are created by James Beard nominated Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli.
Worth the visit because:
The atmosphere is unlike any other restaurant in Miami. From the hanging lights to live greenery this open-air restaurant feels like dining in a secret garden.
Speaking of gardens, Glass and Vine is family friendly and pet friendly. Bring the whole clan and eat al fresco.
Their brunch is ON POINT. Weekends from 10 AM to 4 PM this hidden gem comes alive with locals.
Happy hour Monday through Friday from 3-6 PM offers a great deal in one of Miami’s coolest restaurant scenes.
Think about that.
How many restaurants feel like dining in a secret garden surrounded by nature and the bay? Exactly.
The Common Characteristics Of Great Hidden Gems
All hidden gems aren’t created equal.
Some are tourist traps posing as “locals only” restaurants. But the good ones have characteristics that the not so great restaurants just don’t prioritize.
They care more about food than Instagram.
The real hidden gems don’t need an army of influencers to flock to their restaurant every weekend. Word of mouth spreads fast if the food is good.
Their location matters.
Some of the best food scenes in America are hidden gems because of the environment around the restaurant.
Locals actually eat there.
The best way to spot a local favorite is to see if locals actually eat there. If there are families celebrating birthdays and regulars that know the server by name, that’s a good sign.
Fresh, local ingredients.
80% of the time these hidden gems source local and revolve their menus around seasons.
It just feels like a hidden gem.
Either a place has it or it doesn’t. There are hidden gems that try too hard to be something they’re not.
Once a place that feels welcoming and authentic is found, that’s a hidden gem.
How To Find Hidden Gems In Any City
Start asking questions when traveling.
Where do locals eat? If they send travelers to a restaurant that only speaks English, keep probing. When they say “nowhere” learn where to go independently.
Walk 10 minutes in any direction. You’ll rarely find great dining spots within eyesight of a tourist attraction.
Check foreign language menus first. If the native tongue isn’t the restaurant’s primary language, that’s the clear sign.
Look at the parking lot. Seriously. If there are more local cars during lunch or dinner time that’s what to look for.
Use social media. Search location tags and quickly see where locals are posting from.
Go during off hours. Find the hidden gem, scope it out, then come back when ready to gorge.
Trust the gut. Wander until a restaurant catches the eye that seems cool.
Avoid These Travel Food Faux Pas At All Costs
Yeah… don’t do these things.
Eating near tourist attractions.
Proximity to a landmark equals crappy food.
Making dinner reservations.
Lunch is 99% of the time the same food at better prices and less people.
Trying the same cuisine that can be gotten at home.
Remember when paying $40,000 to fly across the world? Because that happened.
Don’t let weather dictate the dining experience.
If it’s sunny outside, eat outside.
One bad review from 2017 won’t tell if that “hidden gem” is still legit. Things change, even good restaurants.
Travel food doesn’t have to be stressful or generic.
Follow these tips and there’s a legitimate advantage over other tourists when traveling.
The Culinary Travel Experience Begins Now
Learning about hidden culinary gems will forever change how anyone travels.
Not only is the food better, but less money is spent. Not to mention the more authentic experience that gives a true feel for the culture.
Take these tips:
Research where locals eat at the destination before going. Find blogs focused on the food scene from locals who live there.
Make a list of neighborhoods, NOT restaurants. The best hidden gems are typically found near residential areas.
Plan to eat at one “hidden gem” per day of the trip. Fill the rest of the days with tourist activities.
Order what’s intimidating. Try the thing that can’t be pronounced on the menu. Order what that table next to is eating.
Talk to the server. Ask them what locals order. What does the chef recommend?
The culinary tourism industry is taking off.
Information is power.
These hidden gems are just the beginning. There are TONS more where these restaurants came from.
Remember Bayshore Club and Glass and Vine? Local food, waterfront views, and good vibes all collided to create the perfect dining experience. That’s how to know a hidden gem has been found.
Start seeking them out on the next vacation. It’s worth it.
