6 red flags that you’re about to eat in a restaurant that you’ll seriously regret

We've all been there. You're trawling around a tourist spot absolutely starving and there's queues to get in everywhere.

But before heading to just any restaurant, there are ways to spot whether you could be left regretting your decision.

After all, most of us like to eat authentic, local food when we're travelling abroad. But if you're not careful, you could end up in a 'Tourist Trap restaurant' - you know the ones, with huge menus, hundreds of tables and 'special offers'.

Luckily, there's some pretty specific criteria to look out for - and you can spot them before you even step foot near the door.

So next time you're wandering through a city centre on a European city break, or even spending time closer to home in a UK tourist spot, you might want to take note of these red flags.

Most of us want to sample authentic cuisine when abroad. (Getty Stock Photo)

Location

Heading somewhere that's handy location wise - for example, just a few steps from the beach - can be tempting.

But it's not always a good idea.

PR expert Taryn Scher told Huffington Post that it can be indicative of large-scale eateries.

“I want to make sure my money is being spent on people who work hard to put out their local cuisine — not mass-market corporations or tourist traps that purchase food that’s already made,” she said.

Instead, it's best looking for places a bit more off the beaten track.

Heckling

We've all experienced this on holiday, right?

But according to industry experts, restaurants whose staff stand outside trying to drag in customers is a big red flag.

Top Chef contestant Hector Santiago said: “I walk the other way when I see someone standing outside soliciting travellers as they pass out menus."

Meanwhile, images of the food on the menus - or if the member of staff offers a discount - is usually a bad sign.

Ever been heckled by waiters down busy restaurant strips like this? (Getty Stock Image)

Huge menus

The more choice the better, right?

Wrong. A menu filled with loads of different types of food isn't always good news.

A big menu could indicate that the food is generic or lacking in authenticity, or is even mass produced and churned out at a fast pace.

It's also worth looking out for too many fried starters, which could be a sign that the restaurant prioritises frozen food.

Insta-not-so-friendly

Anything that goes overboard on fancy, photogenic interiors can sometimes be a red flag.

“They don’t care about the food; they just want people to take pictures or videos and post them on social media for attention," said Okan Kizilbayir, chef de cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton.

While it might be tempting to head somewhere that looks the part, it's best to check the food is up to scratch, too.

If you fancy something like this, avoid the places with the huge menus. (Getty Stock Image)

Pay attention to the desserts

Having a huge list of the classic desserts - perfectly presented - can sometimes indicate that they are mass produced.

Meanwhile, the drinks list can also reveal a lot about a restaurant - for example, typical, run-of-the-mill drinks and a lack of local tipples can be concerning.

Look out for fellow tourists

Anywhere that's packed out with tourists may not be the best spot in the city.

If it's filled with local diners, however, you could be on to a winner.

Sanitago explains that he actively looks for restaurants where he can hear people speaking the local language.

Meanwhile, spotting local reviews on places like Google is also a good sign that it's an authentic spot.