Perceptions of localness and authenticity regarding restaurant choice in tourism settings

While there is a growing interest in the tourism and hospitality literature on authenticity, evidence is scarce regarding how tourists judge the authenticity of restaurants at the pre-purchase stage in a tourism destination. Our results identify the key criteria by which authenticity is judged in these settings, evidencing the importance of eating where the locals eat, in restaurants offering limited menus, with local wines and freshly prepared local speciality dishes. Authenticity relies less on interior design and restaurant decor than is the case for ethnic-themed restaurants. While localness is valued more than authenticity, the two concepts are linked.