You don't really understand a place unless you've eaten its specialties. It's what they pour their hearts into. It's where their pride lies, and it's one of the greatest delights of travel.

Take a look at some tips from other experienced travelers on how to make sure eating like a local is a piece of cake.

Do your homework

Before you venture to a new city, you need to find out some basic background information about your destination.

Why eat seafood if you are in the middle of a desert? It is important to know what that area of the world is known for !

Once you familiarize yourself with the area's specialties, you can start making some concrete plans. You don't need to pick out restaurants just yet, but you'll want to get an idea of the types of places you should be targeting.

Take some simple time ahead and actually map out your trip and plan out your trip. Get online ,if its possible, and do the research to find the places so that you don't find yourself stuck at the hotel asking the question, 'OK, what do I want to eat tonight? Where do I want to go?'

Make a list of several spots you might want to check out, but don't get locked in on any particular place just yet.

Ask before you eat

You need to check in with the right sources when scoping out potential restaurants.

Never ask the concierge where to eat at your hotel or anybody who works at your hotel because they often get kickbacks, and they'll send you somewhere very touristy.

Instead, get outside the tourism industry. When you are looking for the best local restaurants, stick with asking the locals.

Ask again and again. Always ask the locals. Get lots of opinions so that way you have lots to choose from.

Harding recommended targeting your questions. If are looking for a really nice restaurant, ask someone who is dressed up. If you want to try some cheap eats, don't ask the man in the tuxedo. College students always know where to find the best deals in town.

Shop around

Ask around, get your options, but don't commit yet.

The neat thing about restaurants is that you can window shop. You don't always have to just stay and get stuck in something," Harding said.

Try to find places with a personal touch, then go inside and ask to see the menu. If it doesn't look like the restaurant is serving what your after, go somewhere else. When traveling, you have limited meals, so don't waste one on a restaurant that doesn't measure up.

Off the beaten track

If you are at a big shopping mall or in the center of some major tourist attractions, you'll need to do a little walking to get away from the tourist traps.

To actually experience the city the way somebody who actually lives there experiences it day in and day out, you have to get off the beaten track. That doesn't necessarily mean that you don't go to the tourist places, but that you make sure that's not the only thing you see in a city.

Sometimes, a few minutes of walking it all it takes to find a local treat.

If you actually step off the block two or three blocks you might find those hidden finds. It might be the great place that's not centrally located.

Park it

If you want local food but you don't feel like dining out, pick something up at a deli or farmer's market. Grab something to go and head to a local park for a picnic.

Not only is that a terrific way to save money, you often get great food because that's often what people in the areas do. Nobody goes out for meals three times a day. If you want to eat like the locals do, sometimes that means eating on the run.

Venture out

Great food is what you are after, so don't be afraid to try new things.

The thing is when you eat where the locals eat as opposed to where the tourists eat, you almost always get better food because those people who run those restaurants rely on return customers, so they have to keep their standards higher than the places that just cater to tourists.

With this in mind, venture out, dine out, dig in and enjoy. Whether you end up with a new favorite dish or just a more refined palate, you're sure to have a fulfilling experience.

By Kristi Keck,  Pauline Frommer and more

Restaurants in Santorini

Name: Kandouni

Location: Oia

Fusion in essence, our experienced and professionally trained chef have expertly created a menu that encompasses the strong Santorinian love of good food and wine, using the islands distinctive foods. Incorporating the owners love of travel, we have put together a menu that is served with flare covering a broad spectrum of the worlds cuisine. From Thai to Spanish and Norwegian to Italian, all dishes retain the essence of their origin while including our own Greek preparation and presentation to furnish you with an culinary experience that will not soon be forgotten. more info

Name: Pyrgos

Location: Pyrgos Village

If you are looking for a memorable venue to celebrate a wedding in Santorini, Pyrgos Restaurant will be the perfect set up to make the dream of your life comes true. At Pyrgos Restaurant, we started this concept to satisfy the more creative couples who strongly believe that their wedding is incomplete without a perfect wedding reception. With our experience in wedding planning, forethought and attention to detail, we can comfortably guarantee you a successful event. If your heart is set on a wedding in the magnificent island of Santorini Greece, Pyrgos Restaurant is the ideal place for your wedding reception. more info

Name: 1800

Location: Oia

Our cuisine combines traditional local ingredients with cooking techniques of high standard, while adhering to a strong Mediterranean orientation. We search for new tasteful combinations and each year we prepare new and innovative dishes. This is why our menu is renewed every year, especially during the tourist season. Apart from the marvelous flavours, the meals of the ? 1800? Restaurant Oia also have special color, motion, brilliance and imagination. more info

Name: Selene

Location: Fira

The "Selene" restaurant was established in Fira, the capital of Santorini, in 1986. Ever since we first started, our effort has been to support and highlight the exceptional and unique nature of Greek and Santorini cuisine in accordance with the current gastronomical trends. Our cuisine is based on experimentation and the use of local products and we hope that during the limited time of your visit we will be able to give you a good idea of the taste of the island. more info

Name: Papagalos

Location: Oia

Since its establishment in 1987, in the village of Oia (Ia) Santorini, Papagalos Restaurant has defined contemporary Greek cuisine. Voted as one of the best of Santorini Restaurants and being amongst the top 50 Greek restaurants, Papagalos Restaurant will fulfil your expectations of a perfect gastronomic experience. With a focus on the freshest offerings of each season, Papagalos chefs allow the ingredients of the region to speak for themselves. more info

Restaurants in Mykonos

Name: Philippi

Location: Mykonos Town

One of the island's most romantic dining experiences, Philippi is in a quiet garden. Old Greek favorites share space on the menu with French dishes and a more than usually impressive wine list. What this restaurant provides in abundance is atmosphere, and that's what has made it a perennial favorite. Greek and international style cuisine at this popular, renowned restaurant boasting a lovely garden and 2 lively bars; chic but friendly mood, tasty, well served cuisine. Efficient, professional service.Owners Philippi and Krissa are part of Mykonos socialite history. Open evenings only. more info

Name: Leto Resturant

Location: Mykonos Town ( Leto Hotel )

For the more romantic and dreamy of you, for the lovers of soft music and idyllic atmosphere, but mostly for the demanding tasters, Leto restaurant is ideal to relax and taste exquisite recipes from the local cuisine.Leto Restaurant is located in the only garden in Mykonos, inside the homonym hotel. The rich menu of the restaurant includes recipes from the Mediterranean cuisine, giving emphasis to the Greek cuisine. more info

Name: Fato a Mano

Location: Mykonos Town

For the second year, Fato a mano at Mykonos will welcome the lovers of flavor with new ideas for this summer!At the heart of Mykonos the restaurant, continues to offer with enthusiasm unique and delicious tastes with emphasis at the cuisine of our beloved Thessalonica.Offering food of quality and a list of carefully selected wines, excellent and friendly service at our minimal interior and exterior space. more info

Restaurants in Naxos

Name: Picasso Mexican Bistro

Location: Naxos Town and Plaka Beach

Stratos and Debbie at Picasso have been serving extraordinary Mexican food since 1996. A beautiful setting and exceptional service make Picasso one of the best dining experiences in Naxos. Sizzling fajitas, great guacamole, spicy salsa, our famous fresh strawberry daiquiris and of course the best frozen margaritas on the island keep people coming back week after week year after year. more info