Eating out on a budget abroad

If you think you can't go away on holiday– don’t despair!

We have loads of great deals on city breaks, with many less than £100, and we’ve come up with some tips for you to save the pennies while you’re away too...
- Explore!

It’s all part of the fun anyway... who wants to go away to find the same things everyone else has found before? If you have time, just make the city your own – we all want to see the big sights but if you just take a trip a few streets away from the major tourist zones of basically any city, you’ll find a wealth of local independent restaurants which are cheaper than the famous names and usually offer more authentic cuisine. If in doubt, try asking the hotel porter or even your room cleaner for hints on where to go, but make sure you are clear that you don’t want a ‘touristy’ place. It will give you a more authentic and personalised experience, and the love of food is a global thing – people will enjoy recommending their favourite restaurants and tavernas!

- You don't have to eat out everyday.


Street vendors in Barcelona offer delicious local delicacy churros (a fried dough pastry which is a lot tastier than it sounds!) for as little as €2, and it’s always fun to explore the local supermarkets to find fresh local produce so you can eat al fresco. Who doesn’t love a picnic?!

When in Rome, do as the Romans do and stock up on some gorgeous local prosciutto and freshly baked focaccia bread!

- Never be afraid to ask questions.

Try local cheeses and meats, ask about market days and always ask locals where they shop. You’ll find out about some real gems. The daily market at Forno Campo dé Fiori in Rome has great flatbreads (or “pizza bianca”) and if you’re in Istanbul, fish lovers must try the incredible fish sandwiches sold straight from the boats in the historical Sultan ahmet district.

- Do your research!
Most cities have public transport links – they want tourism; tourism pays their way, so knowing beforehand about these things will allow you to see more of the city. Paris has a great bicycle scheme called “Velib” which can allow you to get about on a tight budget. A basic knowledge of the language will also allow you to decipher the menus so you can eat in the less tourist-orientated regions, so pick up a basic language book a couple of weeks before you fly.
- Last but not least: be careful about falling into tourist traps – when eating out in Barcelona or Paris you can often expect to pay more to sit outside!

Stick to these rules, and you can be sure to have a great time, tasting foods you can’t just pick up at your local supermarket at home. Food is a great way to experience different cultures and local, authentic foods don’t have to cost the earth.