Discussion»Questions»Life and Society» Does a large cluster of nationally-themed, ethnically-themed or culturally-themed restaurants in a particular area correlate to lots of
In my country, nearly 30% of the population was born overseas and the proportion grows each year.
Most choose to settle in the cities. There, the clusters of national and ethnic cuisines in restaurants and the types of foods sold in local shops give a reliable guide to who lives locally, as do the sounds of the languages in the streets.
The whole country now prefers international cuisines, so there's hardly a town or suburb anywhere where one can't be spoilt for choice.
In my rural area, the population is predominantly of Anglo descent, with 6% indigenous and 15% from other nations or ethnicities. In my nearest town, I can choose from northern and southern Indian, Mexican, Chinese, Vietnamese, Lebanese, Italian, French and vegetarian cafés and restaurants.
"Generally speaking, I'd say that's true." Of course you'd have to make exception for tourist havens, like Hollywood, Atlantic City, New Orleans, etc., where the regular visitors are apt to come from anywhere.
I would say in some cases. People in general will patronize Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Indian, Middle-Eastern, French restaurants, but a Brazilian barbecue, a Turkish or Iranian or Cuban eatery would draw primarily ethnic customers.