By Andrea Reay, Executive Director, Discover Burien

The best part of any travel adventure for me is sampling the local cuisine. Maybe it’s because I’m Italian and grew up in a family that planned dinner at breakfast, or maybe it’s because food tells the story of a place and culture better than any travel guide, or maybe it’s just because I’m always hungry. Whatever the driving force, the first thing I do whenever I visit somewhere new is look for a great place to eat.

What is so amazing about Burien is that you don’t have to get on an airplane to experience different cultures or gain new perspective. Whether you’re hungry for Mexican, French, German, Thai, Indian, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Australian, Irish, Mediterranean, or Vietnamese, the world is literally right at your doorstep. Within the 10 square miles of Burien we have over 100 restaurants and specialty food shops, offering cuisine from all over the globe.

No time to fly to Paris? No need! Just visit Armoire Chocolate and take a bite out of one of their amazing confections, close your eyes and you are there. Seriously, their shop smells like Paris in the morning when all the bakeries first open.

Craving that sausage roll you had late at night in the pub in London? Australian Pie Company has them. Buy them to go and eat them at home with a pint (slightly warm) and you’re back in merry olde England. Or buy a jar of vegemite while you’re there to spread on your morning toast - an Australian favorite (and very healthy).

Never had an opportunity to visit the outdoor night markets in Saigon? You don’t have to! Pho Tai offers the best of what the night markets have to offer.

Miss that butter cookie you only could find during your airport layover in Munich? Chances are you’ll find it at Hans Delicatessen, a German deli that offers handmade German deli meats and sausages as well as delightful confections and treats only found in Deutschland (and Burien of course).

So, the next time you are thinking about your upcoming travel adventure, think of your hometown first and all the culture waiting here for you to explore. Added bonus? No bag fees or security lines.

For more information on shopping local as well as specials and discounts offered by member businesses please visit www.discoverburien.com.