Off the beaten path

Photo of a path in the woods
Off the beaten path means a place that is quiet, unusual, or not visited by many people. It often describes locations that are away from busy roads, popular attractions, or crowded tourist areas.

The phrase comes from the idea of a path that becomes worn or "beaten" by many people walking on it. A place off that path is somewhere fewer people have traveled.

We found a small café off the beaten path that served the best food on our trip.