Tourist Trap Restaurant Quiz: Red Flags to Look for Abroad Posted on July 14, 2024July 12, 2024 Take Our Tourist Trap Restaurant Quiz What distinguishes a “tourist trap” from a restaurant with many tourists? The key question is whether this establishment caters specifically to tourists. Nobody wants to get stuck with overpriced, boring meals while traveling. Spotting the red flags of a tourist trap restaurant can save you time, money, and disappointment. Think you have what it takes? Take our tourist trap restaurant quiz to test your foodie knowledge and learn how to find the best local dining spots. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a curious beginner, discovering new foods can make your trips unforgettable. Let’s get started! This is a AI-generated image by Stacey Peters Do You Know What Red Flags to Look For? There’s nothing wrong with eating at tourist-focused restaurants. Maybe you prioritize a stunning view over amazing food, or you need a kid-friendly menu while traveling with kids or picky eaters. Personally, though, I prefer finding authentic eateries, local spots, and hidden gems that guidebooks might overlook. My personal favorite way to choose a restaurant while I travel is word of mouth. See how many red flags you spot by taking the following tourist trap restaurant quiz. Question 1: What does a menu with multiple languages and prices in multiple currencies usually indicate? A. It’s a popular local spot B. It caters to tourists C. It has a diverse clientele D. It’s a high-end restaurant Correct Answer: B. It caters to touristsExplanation: Menus in multiple languages and currencies are often aimed at tourists, as locals don’t need translations or foreign currencies. This might help us since we can’t read the local language. Fortunately, we also have various translation apps on our phones to assist us. If a restaurant in a touristy area has two menus (one in English and one in the native language), pick the native language menu. It will probably have cheaper prices. Use Google Translate to help you order. Question 2: What should you do if a restaurant doesn’t display prices on its menu? A. Assume it’s affordable B. Ask the server for prices C. Order without worrying D. Leave immediately Correct Answer: B. Ask the server for pricesExplanation: Always ask for prices to avoid unexpectedly high bills. While this isn’t always a red flag, we once had an amazing meal in Venice at a local restaurant with no prices on the menu. We didn’t pay a fortune or have to wash dishes at the end. The restaurant was recommended by our taxi driver, which assured us it was a local favorite. In addition, in many restaurants across Europe, the bread waiters place on your table may or may not be free. Ask them to take it away, you may see it on your final. Question 3: Why should you be cautious of restaurants near major landmarks? A. They offer the best views B. They are usually overpriced C. They are always crowded D. They have the best local food Correct Answer: B. They are usually overpricedExplanation: This is one of the more obvious restaurant tourist traps. Restaurants near landmarks often charge higher prices due to their location. This may or may not be true. We’ve had terrible meals within sight of the Florence Duomo and the Grand Place in Belgium. However, I’ll never forget the incredible spaghetti I had almost two decades ago in Piazza Navona. I think I got lucky with that one. Question 4: What does it mean if a restaurant has staff aggressively trying to lure you in? A. It’s very popular B. It’s desperate for customers C. It’s a sign of great food D. It’s an authentic local spot Correct Answer: B. It’s desperate for customersExplanation: Authentic local spots typically don’t need to lure customers aggressively. This is a huge red flag when they do. In Belgium, we were practically dragged into a restaurant that turned out to be overpriced and disappointing. If we had walked just five more minutes, we would have found better and more reasonably priced options. Question 5: How can you tell if locals frequent a restaurant? A. It has a line outside B. The menu is in the local language C. The diners are speaking the local language D. All of the above Correct Answer: D. All of the aboveExplanation: Look for signs of locals dining there, such as the language spoken and local customs. This is where you’ll find the best recommendations for what to eat and other things to do in the city. Question 6: What should you be wary of if the menu has many pictures and is laminated? A. It’s targeting tourists B. It’s a sign of good food C. It helps choose dishes D. It means the restaurant is new Correct Answer: A. It’s targeting touristsExplanation: Laminated menus with many pictures often target tourists rather than locals. However, in many Asian countries, this is standard practice for all restaurants. You might even see impressive 3D models of the dishes. Question 7: What might a theme restaurant that doesn’t match the country you are visiting or a menu the size of a novel indicate? A. It offers a wide variety of choices B. It’s designed to appeal to tourists C. It’s a high-end restaurant D. It’s popular among locals Correct Answer: B. It’s designed to appeal to touristsExplanation: Theme restaurants that don’t match the local culture or have excessively large menus often aim to attract tourists rather than locals, focusing on novelty over authenticity. This may also suggest that the restaurant’s focus is too broad to excel in any particular cuisine. Question 8: Why might a restaurant have different prices depending on where you sit? A. It’s a way to control crowd size B. It offers a better dining experience C. It’s a tactic to charge more for prime seating D. It’s an indication of a special menu Correct Answer: C. It’s a tactic to charge more for prime seatingExplanation: Some restaurants charge higher prices for seats with better views or more desirable locations within the venue, targeting tourists willing to pay extra for the experience. This may not be bad if you prefer a stunning view or prime people-watching spots. Question 9: Is there salt and pepper on the table? A. Yes B. No Correct Answer: A. YesExplanation: This one is more subtle, and is for the purists only. In most other cultures, it is expected that the seasoning of any dish is the job of the chef, not the diner. Therefore, restaurants rarely put salt on the table, and never put pepper on it. If you see salt and pepper on the table before you arrive, then the restaurant might not be intended for the locals. If you see ketchup, run! Question 10: What can aggressive marketing outside a restaurant indicate? A. High-quality food B. Desperation to attract tourists C. Popularity with locals D. A unique dining experience Correct Answer: B. Desperation to attract touristsExplanation: Authentic places don’t need aggressive marketing to attract customers. Conclusion: By following these tips from our tourist trap restaurant quiz, you can avoid the red flags and enjoy more authentic and affordable dining experiences during your travels. Remember, dining like a local enhances your cultural experience, supports the local community, and saves you money. Bon appétit! Like it! Pin it! Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe! Share this:FacebookXLinkedInTwitterPinterestThreadsEmailPrintLike this:Like Loading... Related Discover more from Duffel Bag Spouse Travels Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. Type your email… Subscribe CULINARY TRAVEL Food and Drinksrestaurants