Tourist traps have perfected the art of separating travelers from their money. These establishments capitalize on prime locations and hungry visitors who haven’t done their research, serving overpriced mediocrity while banking on the fact that most customers won’t return.
Here’s a list of 19 overpriced tourist restaurants you should skip on your next adventure.
Planet Hollywood, Times Square, New York
This theme restaurant masquerades as entertainment while charging Manhattan prices for what’s essentially glorified chain food. You’ll drop around $25 for a burger that wouldn’t impress anyone at a suburban mall, though the celebrity memorabilia creates quite the distraction. The novelty wears thin once you realize you’re paying premium rent for a decidedly average meal.
Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurants, San Francisco
— Photo by lucidwaters
Most waterfront establishments here operate on a simple formula: spectacular views plus tourist foot traffic equals inflated pricing. That famous clam chowder in a sourdough bowl runs about $18, yet the same quality soup costs half that just blocks inland. Skip the overpriced dining and enjoy those harbor views for free.
Hard Rock Cafe, Las Vegas Strip
— Photo by wollertz
The Vegas location epitomizes everything problematic about tourist dining—sky-high prices for predictable American fare served in a cacophonous environment. Their burgers hover around $20 while portions have mysteriously shrunk over the years. You’re essentially paying a premium to eat surrounded by guitar memorabilia and ear-splitting music.
Mama’s Fish House, Maui, Hawaii
Though the oceanfront setting is undeniably stunning, this Maui institution charges prices that might make even Warren Buffett pause. Expect to spend $50–60 per person for fish that’s fresh but not necessarily superior to local spots charging half the price. When locals avoid a restaurant entirely, that’s usually your cue to look elsewhere.
Tavern on the Green, Central Park, New York
— Photo by kasto
This Central Park landmark heavily relies on its location and historical significance rather than culinary excellence. Dinner entrées routinely exceed $40, yet the food quality rarely justifies such premium pricing. Those ornate dining rooms are beautiful, though you’re paying a hefty surcharge for mediocre Continental cuisine with park views.
Joe’s Stone Crab, Miami Beach
Don’t let the reputation fool you—this Miami Beach institution charges astronomical prices for stone crab that’s often no better than that of smaller local establishments. A single order of large claws can easily cost $80, while sides are priced like luxury commodities. Factor in the long waits and stuffy atmosphere, and you’ve got a recipe for disappointment.
Rainbow Room, Rockefeller Center, New York
The 65th-floor views are genuinely spectacular—but the food prices will leave you dizzy for all the wrong reasons. Prix fixe menus start around $125 per person, while the cuisine rarely rises above standard hotel restaurant quality. You’re paying primarily for the privilege of dining high above Manhattan, not for exceptional flavors.
The French Laundry, Napa Valley, California
While technically proficient, this temple of fine dining charges prices that border on the ridiculous. Expect to pay upwards of $350 per person before wine and service—yet the portions are so minuscule you could finish each course in three bites. Many diners leave more impressed by the bill than satisfied by the experience.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Pier 39, San Francisco
This Forrest Gump-themed chain capitalizes on movie nostalgia while serving uninspiring seafood at inflated prices. Their signature shrimp dishes cost around $25, though they taste like something you could prepare better at home with frozen ingredients. The waterfront location commands premium pricing, yet the food quality remains stubbornly mediocre.
Space Needle Restaurant, Seattle
Dining inside Seattle’s iconic landmark sounds romantic until you encounter the prices and taste the food. The slowly rotating restaurant charges around $50-60 for entrees that cost half that at street level, while the kitchen treats decent food as an afterthought. Those 360-degree views are admittedly spectacular, but they can’t mask culinary shortcomings.
Serendipity 3, Upper East Side, New York
Famous for frozen hot chocolate and celebrity sightings, this dessert destination charges Manhattan real estate prices for sugar-loaded treats. A simple sundae costs $15, while their famous frozen hot chocolate is priced at about $12, which amounts to a glorified milkshake. The portions are generous, yet you’re paying premium prices for Instagram-worthy presentations rather than exceptional flavors.
Ellen’s Stardust Diner, Times Square, New York
The singing waitstaff provides genuine entertainment, though the food quality doesn’t match the tourist-level pricing. Basic diner fare, such as burgers and fries, costs nearly double what authentic New York diners charge just a few blocks away. Those Broadway hopeful servers work incredibly hard, but overpaying for standard comfort food seems unnecessary just to catch a few show tunes.
Lombard Street Café, San Francisco
Positioned strategically near the famous ‘crookedest street in the world,’ this café charges premium prices for mundane breakfast and lunch items. A simple egg breakfast costs $18, while the coffee isn’t notably superior to chain offerings at half the price. The location offers convenience for tourists, although locals are aware of significantly better spots that won’t devastate your travel budget.
Giordano’s, Chicago Loop
Deep-dish pizza is a Chicago staple, but downtown Giordano’s restaurants are charging significantly more than their neighborhood siblings for the same pies. It takes only a large pizza to cost $35–$40, and quality hasn’t kept up with the price gouging. Visit less touristy areas for a more authentic Chicago experience without the price increase.
Pat O’Brien’s, French Quarter, New Orleans
Famous for hurricanes and dueling pianos, this Bourbon Street institution charges premium prices for drinks that pack more sugar than alcohol. Their signature hurricane cocktail costs around $15 and tastes like expensive fruit punch. The atmosphere is fun, although you’ll find superior cocktails and more reasonable pricing at less touristy French Quarter establishments.
Medieval Times, Buena Park, California
This dinner show at Disneyland costs about $70 per person for a medieval banquet that tastes like middling catered affair fare. The show provides campy entertainment, but the four-course meal is plain fare, featuring dishes like roasted chicken and spare ribs. The jousting event may entertain children, though adults will find themselves wondering about the value proposition.
Carolina’s Mexican Food, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
Airport restaurants are notoriously overpriced, yet this Phoenix location takes tourist pricing to new extremes. A basic burrito costs nearly $18, while quality doesn’t approach that of authentic Mexican spots throughout Phoenix, which charge a third of the price. The convenience factor hardly justifies paying premium prices for assembly-line Mexican food.
Duke’s Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii
The beachfront location on Waikiki represents prime real estate, though Duke’s charges accordingly without delivering proportional food quality. Their famous hula pie costs $12 and consists of basic ice cream and chocolate sauce, while dinner entrées easily exceed $30 for standard preparations. Those sunset views are beautiful, yet numerous local spots offer superior food and value.
The Wharf Restaurant, Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey
Located in the heart of Monterey’s tourist district, this seafood house charges premium prices for fish preparations that rarely justify the cost. Their famous cioppino costs around $35 and often tastes like it was prepared from a large batch hours earlier. The harbor views are lovely, yet locals consistently recommend superior seafood spots away from the main tourist corridor.
Where Smart Travelers Eat Instead
These establishments prove that prime locations and tourist foot traffic don’t automatically translate to culinary value or fair pricing. Many have constructed business models centered on capturing visitors who may never return, rather than earning repeat customers through quality and value.
The most memorable travel meals often occur at neighborhood spots where locals dine—places that have earned their reputation through consistently excellent food rather than convenient geography. Savvy travelers research dining options beforehand and venture beyond obvious tourist zones to discover authentic flavors that won’t leave their wallets significantly lighter.
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