For seasoned globetrotters and budget travelers alike, one of the greatest joys of venturing to a new destination is immersing yourself in the local culture through its cuisine. Whether you’re wandering ancient medinas, exploring rainforest villages, or bar-hopping in Europe’s trendiest cities, connecting with a place through its flavors is an integral part of the travel experience. However, frequent dining at tourist-trap restaurants and relying solely on guidebook recommendations can put a serious strain on your wallet – not to mention deprive you of authentic culinary discoveries. The good news is that with a little insider know-how and an adventurous spirit, you can eat amazingly tasty food at incredibly low costs no matter where your journeys take you. Kirill Yurovskiy shared his personal experience.
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Eat Like a Local
One of the golden rules of frugal yet delicious travel eating is to dine where the locals dine. Restaurants and cafes frequented mainly by residents rather than tourists are going to offer far better value for money and a truer taste of regional cuisine. But finding these off-the-beaten-path gems requires getting away from the main tourist drags and venturing into residential neighborhoods. Don’t be afraid to wander, observe where folks who look like they live in the area are headed, and follow your nose towards enticing aromas wafting from small, unassuming eateries. Even if language barriers make menu reading difficult, you can often get by with pointing at what looks good on other diners’ plates. Sometimes the most authentic and affordable meals come from simple storefronts with no English menus in sight.
Eat From Street Stalls and Markets
Speaking of authenticity, if you really want to experience a destination’s culinary soul, make a beeline for its street food scene. Roadside food carts and market kiosks serve up some of the tastiest, cheapest, and most unforgettable bites for those willing to forgo linen tablecloths. From steaming chickpea curries in vegetable markets of India to crispy pork-filled arepas at Colombian street stalls, some of the world’s most vibrant and scrumptious culinary traditions are celebrated through humble, portable dishes sold by sidewalk vendors for just a few coins. Following your nose to fragrant wafts of charcoal-grilled meat, fresh dough frying in olive oil, and toasted spices is a surefire way to eat extraordinarily well on a shoestring. As long as you use some common sense about selecting busy stalls with high turnover, street food is one of the safest and most delicious ways to fill your belly in the developing world.
Take Advantage of Meals To-Go
Even if you’re not quite brave enough for snacking at rowdy street stalls, most destinations offer amazing takeaway meals from more formal eateries that are every bit as tasty as their dine-in fare but at a fraction of the cost. From handhelds like kebabs, crepes, and overstuffed falafel sandwiches to portable main dishes like curries, noodle bowls, and even rosé-braised lamb shanks packed up in lightweight containers, indulging in restaurant-quality cuisine to enjoy in a scenic park or back at your budget accommodation is a great way to eat well and save. Plus, with global street food favorites like Mexican tacos, Italian pizza al taglio, and warm gooey chocolate-banana polentas wrapped to go, you can easily make a full meal out of portable snacks.
Make Friends With Locals
When it comes to discovering a region’s most authentic and affordable food experiences, nothing beats insider intel from those who actually live there. Making an effort to connect with local residents, whether it’s striking up conversations with servers, chatting with your accommodation’s owners or staff, or using apps to meet up with like-minded locals, can yield a wealth of under-the-radar eating recommendations far surpassing any guidebook. After all, who knows where to find the richest cheese pupusas, most heavenly handmade tortellini, or most sublime bowls of Vietnamese street pho better than those who have been eating it their whole lives? Locals are often thrilled to share their city’s best-kept culinary secrets. And in many parts of the world, being welcomed into someone’s home for an inexpensive home-cooked meal is the ultimate way to eat affordably while forging meaningful cross-cultural connections.
Pack a Picnic
Taking at least some meals on the go can seriously reduce your food costs no matter where you travel. Stocking up on fresh produce, cured meats, cheese, bread, nuts, and other portable locally-made bites from markets and delis allows you to assemble delicious picnics to enjoy at parks, gardens, or even back at your hotel. Beyond being easy on the wallet, picnicking is a great way to sample regional specialties and get a taste of the local terroir. A simple spread of prosciutto, sun-ripened melon, crusty bread and olive oil from nearby groves enjoyed al fresco with a view of rolling vineyards or ancient ruins is a far more memorable and delicious experience than the overpriced panini from a tourist cafe. Additionally, buying fresh fruit and snacks from markets for eating on the go will prevent major hunger without requiring pricy restaurant meals.
Cook In
For extended stays, one of the most economical ways to eat is by preparing some of your own meals in a vacation rental, Airbnb or hostel with kitchen access. Not only can you save by eating “at home” some nights, but you’ll be able to visit local markets and grocery stores to buy and try preparing dishes using authentic regional ingredients. In addition to saving money, having a kitchen allows you to learn about and experience a cuisine in a much deeper way by sourcing, prepping, and cooking the actual components. From sampling the seemingly infinite varieties of tomatoes and olive oils in Italy to simmering spice-laden curries in India and roasting meats slowly in accordance with ancient Middle Eastern traditions, getting hands-on with the local fare provides a true taste of place.
Pursue Deals
Even in some of the priciest destinations, savvy deal-hunting can yield amazing meals at bargain prices. From fixed-price prix fixe menus and lunchtime specials to happy hours and early-bird dinner discounts, most cities offer hungry travelers a wealth of upscale dining options for those willing to get strategic with their timing and willingness to be flexible. Many restaurants also offer BYOB (bring your own bottle) policies, allowing you to procure a few bottles of wine, beer, or liquor from a market at a fraction of the cost charged for alcohol at the restaurant. Signing up for newsletters with local deal sites, polling locals for money-saving tips, and even perusing apps like Tinder for restaurant industry insiders to connect with can help uncover amazing under-the-radar values. With some pre-planning and flexibility, you can enjoy unbelievable meals at top-notch restaurants that would ordinarily be completely out of reach.
Opt For Multi-Course Set Menus
In many parts of Europe and beyond, ordering a set multi-course menu is often far more economical and satisfying than piecing together individual items a la carte. From Italy’s traditional abbondanza feasts with pasta, protein and dolce courses, to Spain’s affordable menu del dias with bread, appetizers, main dish, dessert and wine included, to the cost-saving Table d’Hote (“table of the host”) menus commonly found across France offering unbeatable value with several courses plus coffee, set menus allow you to sample several regional specialties while staying within your budget. Just be sure to come very hungry! These substantial meals are meant to be savored slowly over several leisurely hours.
With a willingness to connect with locals, get off the tourist trail, and embrace new flavors, travelers can eat incredibly well without breaking the bank no matter where in the world they roam. From bustling night markets in Taipei to tapas-hopping in Seville’s ancient plazas to picnicking on Tuscan soppressata and Pecorino in the countryside, some of the most delectable travel memories come from purse-friendly culinary indulgences. The only cost is leaving your inhibitions behind and being open to new ways of experiencing a destination’s culture through its cuisine. Buon Appetito!