Travel Guides

Six top holiday tips for eating and dining cheaply

By Seamour Rathore

seamour.rathore@consumerchoices.co.uk

One of the major reasons some people look forward to a break is to get stuck into some tasty but unusual treats. But there’s no need to waste all your holiday money on dining out…

Here are six ways to enjoy great food without busting your budget:

Eat local

Just about the best bargain when it comes to eating and dining well on a budget is to eat what the locals eat. Don’t be shy, chat to busy street vendors and anywhere with a queue of locals – the food is sure to be better than many more impressive joints.

A Thai curry, Belgian waffle or New York bagel from a proper street stall will be worlds away from a similar one back at your hotel, and probably less than a fifth of the price.

Get the timing right

If a blow-out meal at one of the top restaurants in your holiday destination is on your wish-list, then book in for lunchtime. You’ll get the same service, setting and ambience for as little as one-third of the price.

And while you’ll probably want some wine to complement your meal, you’re less likely to overindulge at lunchtime. And wine is where the biggest mark-ups are in restaurants.

Similarly, restaurants often offer early birds special discounts in order to fill their premises prior to the peak-time rush.

And don’t forget set menu offers – you’ll see these advertised outside – so plan to eat first and then move on to enjoy drinks as the night progresses.

Make the most of breakfast

If breakfast is included in the price of your hotel or lodging, then make the most of it by stocking up on protein-rich options such as eggs, fish and meat. They’ll keep you going for longer and put the brakes on mid-morning snack cravings.

Go shopping for a picnic or graze at a market

Plan in at least one day when you’ll buy lunch from the local shops and enjoy it at the park or on the beach. You’ll be able to choose from all the tempting local specialities and save a bundle on drinks too.

Grazing at a local market is a great way to combine an outing with a meal. There will be lots of opportunities to try foods for free and you can top up with a market stall meal or desert, if you’re left unsatisfied.

Don’t pay for bottled water in restaurants

Make sure you’ve always got a large bottle of drinking water on you, purchased from a local shop or supermarket.

If you’re well-hydrated, you won’t need to order bottled water at meal times and can instead channel your funds into the local wine or freshly-squeezed juices. We’re not suggesting you drink from your bottle in the restaurant, just make sure you don’t go in thirsty.

Of course the most environmentally friendly option when it comes to water is to ask for tap but you can’t always take this option when overseas due to health risks.

Don’t eat!

Whatever you do – don’t eat near a major tourist attraction – it’ll be an expensive rip-off. If you want to soak up the atmosphere in Venice’s St Mark’s Square, Paris’s Musee d’Orsay or even by Buckingham Palace, then don’t eat.

A coffee or soft drink is all you need for some valuable people and attraction-watching time. Meanwhile, consult your guide book for the best, reasonably-priced options nearby.

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