10 signs you're walking into a tourist trap (and what to do instead)
Not every restaurant in the center is bad, but some exist only for guests who will never come back. These ten signs will help you spot them in time.
Warning signs
- Someone invites you in from the street. Good restaurants rarely need to chase guests on the sidewalk.
- A menu with photos of every dish, especially faded ones.
- A menu in five or more languages with little flags.
- A huge range — pizza, sushi, burgers and local specialties on one menu. No kitchen does everything well.
- No prices on the menu, or "market price" on most dishes with no way of knowing what that is.
- A location right on the main sight, with a view you pay for through the prices.
- Empty when locals eat, busy at "tourist" hours.
- Reviews almost only in foreign languages, often short and similar.
- They bring things you didn't order — bread, starters, water — and charge for them.
- A bill without itemized lines, or a "service" fee nobody mentioned.
How to protect yourself
- Ask for the price of anything that isn't clearly marked, especially fish and dishes sold by weight.
- Say "no, thank you" to bread or starters you didn't ask for, if you don't want to pay for them.
- Ask for an itemized bill and check it before paying.
- Compare prices with two or three nearby places — a 50%+ difference is signal enough.
What to do instead
The simplest move: walk a few streets away from the main sight and look for a place with a good rating and plenty of reviews in the local language. In Klopio, set the radius, filter by "open now" and check the map — highly rated places are often just around the corner. More in our guide on how to find a good restaurant in a new city.
Is every restaurant in the center a trap?
No. Some of the best restaurants in the world are right in the center. The difference is that good places have lots of local reviews, clear prices and a menu that changes with the seasons. When you see several signs from the list above together — keep walking.
Klopio shows the best-rated restaurants around you in seconds — anywhere in the world.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay for bread I didn't order?
It depends on the country. In Italy the "coperto" is often on the menu and legitimate, while in Portugal starters on the table are only charged if you eat them. If you don't want them, politely send them back right away.
How can I check prices before sitting down?
Read the menu posted outside or ask for it before you sit. If prices aren't listed, ask — a good restaurant has no problem answering.