Thinking of "off the beaten path" places, I remember something I did sometimes when I traveled years ago. I'd ask the front desk person where they would go for a nice meal. They would invariably start to mention the big touristy places, of course, but I'd politely stop them and say, "No, where would you go for a nice meal, as a 'local' person?" Their eyes would usually light-up and they'd suggest a lovely little spot down a side-street the tourists don't know about, with excellent food and a quiet atmosphere! 😁