The Rule Rick Steves Says To Follow When Dining At Restaurants In Europe

You can tell people that you're visiting Europe for the amazing architecture, the fascinating history, or the priceless works of art, and that may very well be true. However, there is no shame in revealing that another reason (or the main reason — we're not judging) for your trip overseas is the food. There is a good reason that cuisine from France, Italy, Spain, and other European countries is famous across the globe. It's very easy to get sucked into boring, tourist-trap restaurants while on vacation. To that end, travel pro Rick Steves has some very good advice. 

On his website, Steves says, "I have only a few basic rules for eating my way through Europe. Find places outside the tourist zones. Go for local specialties. Eat seasonally. Most of all, eat fearlessly, trying things you've never had in places you've never been." Local, seasonal dishes — perhaps ones you haven't tried before — are the best way to get the most out of your European restaurant experience.

You can start following Steves' advice and find a great local place by walking a few blocks away from whatever tourist site you're visiting. Instead of looking for the first restaurant you can find right in front of the Colosseum or the Louvre, head down a side street to look for something that doesn't have a view of the site. You're more likely to get great (and less expensive) local dishes when a restaurant isn't paying astronomical rent. One way to discover local restaurants that aren't catering to the average tourist is to hire a local tour guide, a luxury Steves suggests splurging on. The guide can recommend favorites.

Eating at restaurants frequented by locals is a good way to try out foods you haven't encountered before. Forget worrying about whether or not it's something you're familiar with. You're in another country to experience something new. Rick Steves suggests learning a few basic menu terms so you have some idea of what you're ordering, but you can also use a translation app. However, if a restaurant has a dish it specializes in, it's worth going for it. 

In another post, Steves says to look for places with a limited menu. He also says that a handwritten menu is a good sign that it changes based on what the restaurant can get fresh each day. Major tourist restaurants may have every famous dish you've ever heard of from the country you're in (as well as lots of American selections), but that doesn't mean those things are currently in season. For instance, Steves warns tourists that ordering French onion soup in France when the weather is warm isn't a good idea, as winter is when onions are in season in that country. 

Once you find a place, you may want to try the daily special if you see one or ask the server what the chef recommends. You never know what new taste experiences you might discover. Finally, if you're on a budget, Steves says a picnic is a budget-friendly option for a meal or two if the weather is nice. Visit a local grocery store and grab fresh sandwich fixings and maybe an unfamiliar type of chips, cookies, or local wines (check local alcohol laws to make sure you can drink in public spots). Head to a park or square and enjoy some people-watching while you dine on something new al fresco.