How Can Single Parents Dine Like a Local? Discover the Best Beachside Eats
Skip the tourist traps and discover authentic, farm-to-table dining spots that welcome kids and serve real local food—no Sysco, no preservatives, just the best hidden gems.
Dining with Kids Doesn’t Mean Sacrificing Quality
Dining with your kids while traveling doesn’t have to mean that you eat a bunch of junk and your fitness routine just went out the window. There are many ways that everyone can enjoy the meal, the food be healthy, and best of all—local and authentic cuisine!
For me, there’s nothing better than eating straight from a local vendor—someone who has been cooking these dishes for years, maybe even generations, who knows the traditions and flavors of the region like no one else.
When I lived in Northern California, I lived in this little town called Vina. Vina had this little store slash post office slash grocery store. But you didn't know about what was in the back unless you knew what was in the back.
What was in the back? Homemade tamales with salsa verde!
If you were a local, you knew to walk past the shelves, head straight to the counter, and ask if the Señora had made tamales that day. She always had a couple of salsa options, but her salsa verde—now that was the one the locals fought over if more than one was in line.
We’d grab several to-go containers of it because it was just too good to waste.
Ever since, I’ve always preferred to Travel Like a Local. And the beautiful thing about traveling with kids? Most countries, especially Spanish-speaking ones, truly welcome them. They’re included, not just tolerated.
Families, vendors, and restaurants go out of their way to make kids feel at home—I’m not just talking about a little extra fruit on the plate or a warm smile from the chef. I'm talking the Señora taking the kid in the back to learn how to make masa tortillas. Or letting them pick peppers or tomatillos in the garden. Or any number of culturally inclusive experiences that make travel such an exciting event for the younger generation.
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The Hospitality Edge: How Destinations Can Showcase Dining Like a Local
Hotels, resorts, and restaurants that embrace authentic, farm-to-table experiences can attract travelers who truly care about quality food and culture. Here’s how they can stand out:
🏨 Hotels & Resorts:
✔ Offer farm-to-table menus featuring local ingredients and seasonal dishes.
✔ Create interactive dining experiences for kids, like garden tours or cooking classes.
✔ Provide better kid meal options beyond processed chicken nuggets and fries.
🍽 Restaurants:
✔ Ditch the Sysco-style frozen kids' menu and instead offer smaller portions of real, local dishes.
✔ Feature regional specialties to introduce travelers to authentic flavors.
✔ Showcase chef-owned, family-run establishments that keep traditions alive.
🌍 Tourism Boards:
✔ Highlight authentic food tours and street vendors in promotional materials.
✔ Partner with local chefs and farmers to create unique experiences.
✔ Encourage restaurants to showcase where their ingredients come from to build trust and authenticity.
📩 For hotels, resorts, and restaurants looking to attract more single parents traveling with kids, I’d love to collaborate!
Not Your Grandmother’s Recipe Cards
Signature Series Irish Heritage Edition
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Not what you are looking for? Go to The Earth & Flame Shoppe to see all of the recipe cards, checklists and menu designs are I’m constantly coming out with new designs.
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📌 Want to know exactly how to find these hidden gems and avoid tourist traps?
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✔ Step-by-step methods to find the best local restaurants (no more guessing!)
✔ Exact questions to ask locals for the real food spots
✔ How to tell if a place is truly farm-to-table (even when they don’t say it)
✔ Red flags that scream ‘tourist trap’—so you never waste money
✔ Where chefs, bartenders, and service staff eat after hours (the ultimate hidden gems!)
✔ BONUS: My personal list of hidden food spots in a featured beach destination
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