There is one key reason why I love to splurge on a fancy dinner while travelling. It makes for great memories!
There are many more others, but imagine the story you can share over dinner with friends, when you talk about the crazy meal you had a the
Splurging on dinner while traveling is doable and very enjoyable – if you do it right!
Why You Should Splurge On Fine Dining
As I mentioned, the first reason you want to go splurging on fine dining while travelling is the memories.
Secondly, you give yourself an experience of that country’s best cuisine, with one of the best chefs. This is something awesome to add to your list of cool things you’ve done in your life.
Finally, you are on vacation. Give yourself a TREAT! Do something out of the ordinary and you’ll always be happy you did it.
The Rise Of Food Tourism Sparks Food Adventures
Food tourism has been a growing trend over the past 15 years thanks to food TV network shows on international cuisine and travel. Who hasn’t wanted to hop on a plane like Anthony Bourdain once did and do a layover in one of the many places he featured on his show? I can’t watch it without salivating.
When I travel, I make a point of finding at least one fine dining establishment with great reviews to try.
If I’m travelling in Canada for business and have the time during my personal time, I squeeze in a culinary indulgence when possible. My husband and I sometimes do this when we do day trips in Ontario.
Food adventures don’t need to be in far-away lands. They can be in your very own “backyard”.
My Story Of Indulging In Five-Star Dining In Bath, UK
I’ll share with you a little story of my cool meal experience in Bath, UK and how I did some splurging on fine dining while travelling.
My trip to the UK in 2008 offered me an opportunity to do a bit of splurging on dinner. I enjoyed dining at the five-star restaurant at Bath Priory Inn. The food and service were superb and the visit there memorable, as I bumped into actor Michael York there.
My experience dining at Bath Priory Inn was so good, that I actually gave it a review on Trip Advisor (I know, I know… it’s so old school these days but back then, it was the thing to do).
Giving a review is something I rarely do unless I’ve had an amazingly good meal. These days, if the food is REALLY good, I’ll post to my Instagram account.
My Bath Priory meal was a pricey dinner at approximately CDN $250. I ordered food and wine, and then, of course, couldn’t resist the cheese platter of local and French cheeses. I may not remember what I actually ate for dinner, but I still dream about the cheeses. It was completely worth the splurge.
Tips For Splurging On Dinner While Traveling
So how do you make splurging on fine dining while travelling happen?
- Do some research first. Check what other tourists have said about the restaurant you want to try out. Look at a number of review sites and take negative reviews with a grain of salt.
- Google the restaurant name to see if others have reviewed it, especially professional restaurant reviewers. Are they overall good reviews?
- Check to see if you need to make reservations in advance as some very popular restaurants need to be booked several months before your dining experience. You wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity.
- Scan the menu if it’s available online. If you see that there are very few menu items that get your taste buds salivating, then skip it. If you aren’t adventurous when it comes to food, stick to restaurants with familiar menu options.
- Check to see if there’s a dress code. It wouldn’t be proper etiquette to show up in the grungy jeans and a t-shirt you’ve been backpacking across the country if everybody else is wearing stylish business-casual clothing.
- Check the prices – if it’s way over your “splurge” budget then opt for a restaurant that probably produces the same high-quality food but at reasonable and expected prices. You shouldn’t need to buy a gourmet burger for $1,000 if the real cost to make it is no more than $20-$30 (with all the special fixings). As well, you don’t want to be stuck purchasing only a pricey appetizer and missing out on a full meal.
- If you’re the type to share food experiences on Instagram, Snapchat and other social media channels, consider dining at restaurants that are open to this. Some chefs are notoriously anti-social media.
And when you’re fine-dining, remember your etiquette! Brush up before you travel, so that you feel comfortable with fancy flatware.
Bon Appetit!
Question: Do you splurge on a fancy restaurant when travelling?
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This post first appeared in 2010, and has been updated for March 2020.
