Cheap Food Around Europe
Jul 28th, 2012, 08:37 PM
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Cheap Food Around Europe
Hello, I'm traveling to Europe (mainly biggest cities such as Paris, Berlim, Rome, etc.) for the first time in January of next year but I'm on low budget for food (something around €20-30 for a day, but with breakfast being already provided).
My question is if it's possible to eat healthly with this limitation (so avoiding fastfoods, but without problems with eating healthy sandwiches).
Do supermarkets sell prepared meals? If so, for how much more or less? Are they open around dinner time? If I had lunch in a supermarket cafeteria or in a cheap restaurant, would I be able to buy the ingredients for a sandwith for dinner?
Thanks for the help!
My question is if it's possible to eat healthly with this limitation (so avoiding fastfoods, but without problems with eating healthy sandwiches).
Do supermarkets sell prepared meals? If so, for how much more or less? Are they open around dinner time? If I had lunch in a supermarket cafeteria or in a cheap restaurant, would I be able to buy the ingredients for a sandwith for dinner?
Thanks for the help!
Jul 28th, 2012, 10:05 PM
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Yes, it's definitely possible. However, it means eating a lot of do-it-yourself meals.
You certainly can buy the bread, meat, cheese, and even wine and stick within your budget.
It probably means close to the same food every day, but that's OK if it's what you have to do to experience the wonders of Europe.
You didn't name countries, but in France it is very easy to do. Italy has many wine shops where you can refill an empty liter bottle with wine for almost nothing.
In other countries, it's a variation on this theme.
You certainly can buy the bread, meat, cheese, and even wine and stick within your budget.
It probably means close to the same food every day, but that's OK if it's what you have to do to experience the wonders of Europe.
You didn't name countries, but in France it is very easy to do. Italy has many wine shops where you can refill an empty liter bottle with wine for almost nothing.
In other countries, it's a variation on this theme.
Jul 28th, 2012, 11:25 PM
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In Berlin, 30 euros will be a totally sufficient budget for lunch and dinner, 20 euros will be doable.
Supermarkets stay open typically until 10, several centrally located supermarkets are 24hrs open.
You can buy prepared/ packaged sandwiches and salads, usually near the fresh produce in seperate coolers or where you find dairy products. Or snack size freshly chopped fruits or fruit salads.
If you want to make your own, and if your accomodation has a refrigerator, you may just want to get the basics and prepare the sandwiches at "home". Groceries are less expensive in Germany or on par with what you pay in the US. For example, a liter of milk starts at 50c, regular butter €1, loaf of bread €1-2, half pound Gouda cheese €2. You can obviously pay more for "better" or fancier products, but you don't have to.
If you don't need the larger, packaged cheeses or cold cuts, most supermarkets have counters where you can get as little as you need. So you can ask for just 3 slices of Emmental cheese if you need just that much.
Aside from the typical fastfood joints, you will also find smaller local chains that focus on healthier options, e.g. soups, salads, sandwiches. A decent lunch with one beverage will still be under €10 at these places. One chain, for example, is called Dean & David.
If you look for an inexpensive warm sit-down dinner, the thousands of Thai eateries are a good choice. The typical red, yellow or green curry will cost around €5-7, just to give you a benchmark.
Supermarkets stay open typically until 10, several centrally located supermarkets are 24hrs open.
You can buy prepared/ packaged sandwiches and salads, usually near the fresh produce in seperate coolers or where you find dairy products. Or snack size freshly chopped fruits or fruit salads.
If you want to make your own, and if your accomodation has a refrigerator, you may just want to get the basics and prepare the sandwiches at "home". Groceries are less expensive in Germany or on par with what you pay in the US. For example, a liter of milk starts at 50c, regular butter €1, loaf of bread €1-2, half pound Gouda cheese €2. You can obviously pay more for "better" or fancier products, but you don't have to.
If you don't need the larger, packaged cheeses or cold cuts, most supermarkets have counters where you can get as little as you need. So you can ask for just 3 slices of Emmental cheese if you need just that much.
Aside from the typical fastfood joints, you will also find smaller local chains that focus on healthier options, e.g. soups, salads, sandwiches. A decent lunch with one beverage will still be under €10 at these places. One chain, for example, is called Dean & David.
If you look for an inexpensive warm sit-down dinner, the thousands of Thai eateries are a good choice. The typical red, yellow or green curry will cost around €5-7, just to give you a benchmark.
Jul 29th, 2012, 01:56 AM
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Absolutey no problem.
Firstly, in all of these cities you find a lot of fast food eateries with inexpensive healthy food like pasta, stir-fry, sandwiches, salads, soups, sushi, kebabs, fish, crepes etc. Usually you find these eateries in the main shopping districts (pedestrian zones), in department stores (often in the basement or under the roof) or in train stations. A meal will cost €3-5. No neeed to buy a drink or give a tip. They are open all day.
Secondly, you find proper restaurants offering inexpensive lunch for office workers and others. Usually they have 1-3 inexpensive lunch options @ €5-8 plus a drink and a small tip. If you eat à la carte it will be more costly.
Thirdly, supermarkets have ready-to-eat items like sandwiches, salads, fruit and warm meals. You can also buy supplies to make your own sandwiches. In France, large supermarkets (hypermarchés) will offer gourmet-quality dishes (however not inexpensive). There, you can also buy accompanying drinks (a bottle of decent wine @ €4-5).
Fourthly, bakeries, butcher shops and delis offer sandwiches and often small meals. Many of these shops have stand-up bistro tables. Again, no need to buy a drink or give a tip.
When you buy your food in a supermarket, grocery store or deli you can consume it on a bench in a park or in another public place or on your hotel room. In most European cities (I think Rome has recently become an exception) it is perfectly acceptable to have alcoholic drinks with your meal.
For picnic meals, I recommend to take plastic plates, cutlery and plastic or tin cups with you. And do not forget a corksrew and bottle opener (a swiss knife will do).
Firstly, in all of these cities you find a lot of fast food eateries with inexpensive healthy food like pasta, stir-fry, sandwiches, salads, soups, sushi, kebabs, fish, crepes etc. Usually you find these eateries in the main shopping districts (pedestrian zones), in department stores (often in the basement or under the roof) or in train stations. A meal will cost €3-5. No neeed to buy a drink or give a tip. They are open all day.
Secondly, you find proper restaurants offering inexpensive lunch for office workers and others. Usually they have 1-3 inexpensive lunch options @ €5-8 plus a drink and a small tip. If you eat à la carte it will be more costly.
Thirdly, supermarkets have ready-to-eat items like sandwiches, salads, fruit and warm meals. You can also buy supplies to make your own sandwiches. In France, large supermarkets (hypermarchés) will offer gourmet-quality dishes (however not inexpensive). There, you can also buy accompanying drinks (a bottle of decent wine @ €4-5).
Fourthly, bakeries, butcher shops and delis offer sandwiches and often small meals. Many of these shops have stand-up bistro tables. Again, no need to buy a drink or give a tip.
When you buy your food in a supermarket, grocery store or deli you can consume it on a bench in a park or in another public place or on your hotel room. In most European cities (I think Rome has recently become an exception) it is perfectly acceptable to have alcoholic drinks with your meal.
For picnic meals, I recommend to take plastic plates, cutlery and plastic or tin cups with you. And do not forget a corksrew and bottle opener (a swiss knife will do).
Jul 29th, 2012, 06:44 AM
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When we travel in the larger cities in Europe, we carry a backpack and as we see cheese, bread, meat, wine, chocolate, and other foods that look tempting we put them in our backpack and later have a feast in our room. Sometimes we actually pay for them.
If you are checking in your bag, carry knives, forks, spoons, and a can/bottle opener. If you are taking carry-on, see if you can get plactic utensils in the countries you are visiting and buy a cheap bottle opener.
If you are going to Spain there are many ways to save money. ALmost every restuarant has a menu del dia, which is a lunch time affair with mutiple courses for a set price. And because of the economic crisis, restuarants are really hurting. Also tapas is wonderful way to eat extremely well at cheap prices.
If you are checking in your bag, carry knives, forks, spoons, and a can/bottle opener. If you are taking carry-on, see if you can get plactic utensils in the countries you are visiting and buy a cheap bottle opener.
If you are going to Spain there are many ways to save money. ALmost every restuarant has a menu del dia, which is a lunch time affair with mutiple courses for a set price. And because of the economic crisis, restuarants are really hurting. Also tapas is wonderful way to eat extremely well at cheap prices.
Jul 29th, 2012, 11:26 AM
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Lots of choices of made-up sandwiches, salads, fruit, yogurt, whatever, at local supermarkets. We do this often and it not only saves money, it saves time and is usually healthier than eating in a restaurant. Be sure to pack corkscrew, knives and forks in checked luggage or plan to buy them once in Europe.
Jul 29th, 2012, 11:56 AM
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The major dept. stores all have deli counters and are very reasonable. Meat markets will cut cooked sausages and ham, etc, for you and bakeries often sell bread but the chunk/slice/ half loaf or loaf. Trouble with whole loaves...You will eat them all at one time instead of only some of the luscious stuff. It can certainly be done on a limited budget!!
