Are you looking to take your next vacation to the next level?
You don’t do it by squeezing more destinations into fewer days. You do it by slowing down and really enjoying your meals along the way.
Slow travel movements pairs perfectly with slow food when you’re away from home. Here’s how to live like a local through mindful dining.
Psst… here’s the secret…
Travel that’s intentional and food that’s carefully prepared equals unforgettable experiences abroad.
Let’s dig into…
- What exactly is slow travel and slow food?
- Why fine dining restaurants are ideal for traveling mindfully
- 3 tips for finding authentic restaurants abroad
- 5 tips for practicing mindful dining while on vacation
What Is Slow Travel and Slow Food?
Slow travel is the antipacking-your itinerary-with-hotels-and-airfare kind of travel.
Instead of jumping between hotels and attractions every few days, visitors stay put. They explore neighborhoods, discover hole-in-the-wall dining gems, and live like a local at a leisurely pace.
Slow food is the exact same mentality, only with meals.
Slow food purists take pride in locally sourced ingredients, recipes that took hours (or days!) to perfect, and dining experiences that should be savored rather than scarfed down.
Everything about slow travel and slow food is quality over quantity.
Stop taking the vacations filled with item after item to check off your list. Take your time and notice the small things that bring you joy.
In fact, that’s exactly what most American travelers are doing these days. According to research conducted by Carl Friedrik, 89.8% of U.S travelers want to stay in one place during their next vacation. Slowing down your travel itinerary goes hand-in-hand with slowing down your food.
So what happens when you combine two movements focused on quality versus quantity?
- Diners form deeper connections to the places they visit.
- Vacations become more meaningful.
- Small restaurants and farms benefit.
- Travelers experience less stress.
Interested in learning how you can apply both concepts to your next trip? Let’s continue…
Why Fine Dining Restaurants Align So Well With Slow Travel
Fine dining menus and slow travel passions are a match made in heaven.
They both focus on quality over quantity. They both require you to be present in the moment and appreciate the experience in front of you. And they both reward you when you slow your roll.
Let’s take a deeper look at fine dining restaurants:
You don’t get food plated artistically just so. There isn’t a chef spending hours preparing a menu full of intricately prepared dishes without a purpose.
Chefs at restaurants like Stubborn Seed offering fine dining in Las Vegas want you to learn about where your food comes from. They want you to understand how important local producers are to their ability to create multi-course meals that take you on a regional journey.
It’s food with a story and that’s what slow travelers are searching for when they go abroad.
Who knew there was so much data to back this all up? According to the National Restaurant Association, 41% of restaurants’ fine dining sales come from travelers and visitors.
There’s a strong connection between dining and tourism.
The moral of this story?
Restaurant experiences like fine dining are essential to travelers looking to live like a local when they go abroad. Without slow travelers searching for unique dining experiences, there wouldn’t be many fine dining restaurants…
…and without those types of restaurants, slow travelers would have no authentic meals to enjoy when they travel.
Sound good? Let’s discuss how to find the best dining options when vacationing in foreign countries.
How to Find Authentic Restaurants Abroad
You have to do a little work if you want to find the most authentic dining experiences abroad.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself along the way.
Follow these tips:
Do Your Research Before Traveling
The more you know about your destination’s food scene and culture before traveling, the easier it will be to spot authentic restaurants when you arrive.
Is there a dish that the entire country seems to love? Find a restaurant that specializes in that food.
Does your destination use a lot of local ingredients when preparing their food? Seek out restaurants that source locally.
These are the types of restaurants that will give you an authentic taste of a country when you’re hungry for more.
Avoid Restaurants Full of Tourists
Steer clear of tourist traps.
The restaurants where you’ll find “authentic food” typically aren’t very authentic at all. Instead, look for places where the servers and cooks speak the language native to the country you’re visiting.
These are your clues.
Ask Around
Don’t be afraid to ask your hotel’s front desk for recommendations. Or, the bartenders at the hotel’s bar.
Sometimes your server at dinner can even tell you about their favorite spots to eat that aren’t on your tour guide.
Chances are these dining establishments are loved by locals and are more authentic than your hotel restaurant.
Book Early
Fine dining restaurants often require reservations days or weeks in advance.
Plan accordingly and book that table to ensure you don’t miss out on what could be the culinary experience of a lifetime.
5 Tips for Practicing Mindful Dining While Traveling
Let’s face it. You can try your hardest to eat slow and appreciate where your food came from but eating while traveling isn’t always easy.
We get it. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
Practice mindfulness when dining with these tips:
Put Your Phone Away
Stop taking pictures of every dish that comes to your table.
Take one. Get it out of your system. And then put your phone away and enjoy your food.
Take Your Time
Slow food should be eaten slow.
Don’t rush through meals. Take your time, enjoy conversation, and digest that delicious food you’re eating.
Ask Questions
Restaurant employees are there to help you.
Don’t be afraid to ask your server about where that food came from or how it was cooked. You can even ask your server about how certain wines were paired with your meal!
Quality over Quantity
Rather than eating at your hotel restaurant every meal, try to seek out one nice dinner every day or every other day you’re traveling.
Your wallet will thank you.
Learn About Local Dining Etiquette
Every culture eats a bit differently than our own.
It’s important to learn about a country’s dining etiquette when eating there. Whether that means eating everything on your plate or using chopsticks properly, you should always strive to learn about local dining customs when you travel.
Food Tells the Story of Every Place You Visit
You know how they always say food brings people together?
It’s because meals and dining experiences are so important to understanding different cultures. When you’re mindful and appreciative of the food you eat while traveling, you’re able to form a deeper connection with that place.
Think about this…
If you were to order pasta in Rome, Italy versus pasta here in the United States, there would be a noticeable difference in taste.
It’s because restaurants in Rome use Roman water, grown in local soil, and perfected by chefs who have likely been making pasta their whole life.
That’s what makes restaurants with a great backstory so important to your travels. Not only are you supporting small businesses when dining at local restaurants, but you also get to enjoy a meal that’s special to that city.
Your Next Trip is Waiting
Slow travel doesn’t have to be complicated.
Follow these steps and you’re sure to find yourself on your way to eating your way through your next travel destination.
- Pick one destination. Or two. Or three. But don’t pick 10.
- Do your research before you book your flight.
- Once you arrive, seek out the best restaurant your destination has to offer and book a reservation as soon as possible.
- Eat like a local and take your time while doing it.
- Ask questions and really listen to what your server has to say about the food you’re eating.
Do this and you’re well on your way to enjoying your food as much as your travel next time you’re exploring abroad.
