If you want to enjoy a wonderful culinary adventure in Europe, then you should pack your bags and head off to Spain. The regional diversity of the country’s cuisine is extraordinary and you’ll soon discover that you’ll need to take much longer than anticipated to savour all the local delights.
Spanish food, a well-kept secret
If you’re looking for a competitively priced trip so that you can leave resources for your gastronomic enjoyment, then go online and select the best travel deals. You could look at http://www.directholidays.co.uk/holidays/spain/ as an example.
Most people connect Spanish food with Paella and although very tasty you’ll soon discover there is so much more to Spanish food.
If you love smoked ham, then a holiday in Andalusia will be perfect. For fresh fish or mouth-watering desserts then Valencia should fit the bill.
Spain a country of many regions and traditions
From Galicia in the north of the country to Andalusia in the south, each of the Spanish regions has its own recognisable gastronomic identity. You could always enjoy your Spain holidays using the country’s food as your guide.
Galician chefs are said to dominate the kitchens of the world but you should travel to this area if you wish to sample Octopus a feira. You could always time your trip to coincide with one of the 300 food festivals that continue throughout the year in Galicia.
Ham dominates Spanish cuisine; the famous film director Bigas Luna even made a film that used ham in its title, Jamon Jamon, which also acts as a metaphor for Spanish culture and the country’s love of food.
Catalonia, a foodie’s delight
Whether you are visiting the Catalan capital, Barcelona, to engage with the city’s vibrant art scene or just spending a short time there to enjoy some retail therapy, it would be a crime not to enjoy a few examples of Catalonia’s regional gourmet delights.
Butifarra, the local type of Cumberland sausage is delicious. You should also sample Escudella, the regional stew that comprises meat, vegetables and potatoes.
Salted cod is also very popular in Catalonia and you should try Esqueixada in order to enjoy a salad of cod, peppers, onions and red wine vinegar. It’s absolutely divine!
Puddings are also on the menu in Catalonia
Of course, no trip to this region would be complete without sampling the local Crème Catalana. This wonderfully tasty dish is made from egg yolks, cinnamon and sugar – YUM!
Photo by smalljude via Flickr Creative Commons
Dining out in London will not break the bank for you, only if you know where to go. The capital city is full of cheap eats, offering meals exclusively for less than £10-£15. For tourists who are on a budget, here are some famous eateries serving meal at affordable prices. The city serves variety of cuisines and you can satisfy all your taste buds here at mrandmrsfood.co.uk.
Only thing you need to consider is booking a stay in London near to these cheap eats. An accommodation in the right area will always keep you happy under budget.
From fast food to burritos, and burgers, these cheap eats serve you the best across the world:
Meat Liquor
For best burgers in London, head straight to Meat Liquor. Opened in 2012, this restaurant serves you delicious American style burgers for less than £8. It is one of the coolest eating joints in the city, offering graffiti décor and hippy vibes. The delicious meaty burgers on Welbeck Street include patty with 1005 beef, topped with cheese, red onions, pickles, chillies, and dead hippie sauce. Other amazing items on the menu are sweet and spicy Buffalo wings, chilli dogs, coleslaw, and fried pickles.
Koya
Hottest noodle bar in Central London, Koya serves you just the right taste from Japan. Enjoy some fashionable food like Udon noodles and flavoured soups. Chewy, thick white noodles, Udon are made using wheat flour imported from Japan. They are served both hot and cold, with hot soup and cold sauce. You can even try their rich variety of rice dishes along with impressive salads and sides.
Franco Manca
A simple and chic restaurant in Brixton, Franco Manca serves high quality Italian food on budget. The menu here is basic, but it is perfectly executed for travellers. You get a wide range of Italian pizzas, salads, and beers, all under £10. Ingredients are sourced within Britain, but the cooking is authentic Italian style. For pizzas, they use slow-rising sourdough, and bake them in a brick oven onsite. Extra pizza toppings are available from £0.50 TO £1.95.
Sagar
For all vegetarian travellers and one who love Indian food, Sagar is the place to be. Centrally located in Covent Garden, Sagar is a mini chain for yummy South Indian vegetarian cuisine. Their vegetarian menu is vast, with famous 30cm masala paper. If you are hot on taste and love spices, then this one is a must try. Dosas like Rava Masala, Mysore Masala, and Paper Masala are hot favourites among Indian travellers to London. Best of all they come for just less than £9.
The Begging Bowl
It is a colourful Thai restaurant, which offers unusual, imaginative and yet tasty twists to your meal. Located in Peckham, The Begging Bowl is a real modern and sociable place to eat. The Begging Bowl brings Thai street food to the restaurant, including some unusual grills, stir-fries, salads, and curries. For cooking these, they use authentic Thai ingredients, such as long beans and pea aubergines. They also have high chairs, baby changing facilities, and special children’s menu for family travellers.
Piebury Corner
Piebury Corner on Holloway Road, London is more than just a pie ‘n’ mash shop. Food here costs a little less than £5-£6, satisfying all frugal travellers to London. Its location near Arsenal football ground makes it a hotspot among people coming here to cheer for their football team. All their pies are named after favourite football players. Interesting right! And, all are served with a choice of gravy, roasties, and mash.
Roti Chai
It is a famous Indian street kitchen and dining room, offering Indian dishes at economical prices. The extended menu at Roti Chai includes street food snacks, homely staples, and light curries. A modern street themed interiors and location near Marble Arch tube station makes it ideal for a lovely shopping break. The street kitchen on the ground floor offers tasty dishes, such as samosas, chicken lollipops, Hakka chilli paneer, and papri chaat. Dining room in the basement is newly opened to serve butter chicken, paneer pasanda, Chettinad chicken, chicken 65, and much more.
These cheap eateries in London welcome all types of travellers. But, if you are on a budget, then do try any of these for less than £10.
Author’s Bio: Arun Shankar is a genuine foodie and travel junkie, who enjoys his job as a travel writer. Get best hotel deals on this site to enjoy a comfortable stay in London.
If you are a serious foodie, or perhaps like to sample the finer things in life, why not come over to Croatia this October for some gastronomic delights? All throughout October you will be able to sample some of the best of Istrian cuisine whilst enjoying a beautiful culture. The festival is centred on the amazing black and white truffles that are to be found in this area, once tasted, never forgotten. Talented chefs from the region use these amazing ingredients to celebrate the culture and food of this stunning region, come along and you’ll soon see why so many people fall in love with Istria.
How to Get There
Croatia is no longer the best kept secret in European tourism and direct flights are now a regular occurrence. You could view what First Choice or Thomson have available as well known holiday operators. We suggest that you fly to Dubrovnik, the heart of Istria and kick back for a day or two and then head off to Buzet. This is where the Istrian truffle ‘Bermuda Triangle’ begins and along with Pazin and Buje, you will be knocking on the door of some of the best truffles in the world. Croatia has a lovely climate and this time of the year is very popular for travellers. ‘Days of Truffles’ are a series of truffle-theme events that take place all over October, and if you follow these events you will surely see the best of Istria.
What and where is Istria?
Okay, here is the history and geography lesson all rolled in one for you lucky readers. The Istrian peninsula is located at the head of the Adriatic Sea and is between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner. Istria is actually shared between three countries:
- Croatia
- Slovenia
- Italy
The name ‘Istria’ originates from the Castellieri culture and this dates right back to the ancient Greeks. The area was highly desirable and the subject of many wars, eventually it became split between the 3 countries mentioned earlier.
The Truffle is the Star
Croatia is a popular holiday destination in its own right, but what’s so special about the truffle? Well, to some people, the truffle is just an odd shaped fungi with a very unique smell. And pigs seem to be rather good at sniffing them out. If you have more than a passing interest in cooking and experiencing high end food, you may already know a little about these things. The facts are that truffles are inextricably linked with quality and class, and when it comes to cooking, you’d better believe it. The ‘Days of Truffle’ festival encompasses some fantastic gastronomic displays and you will see a collection of world class chefs like you’ve never seen before. All of this and the gorgeous weather and countryside of Istria are something to behold.
Croatia as a Destination
Croatia has become such a popular choice for modern holidaymakers, especially those who are looking beyond the usual places such as Italy and Greece. As well as a huge and gorgeous Mediterranean coastline, you also have a rich and varied culture to enjoy, and then there are the truffles…
1. Visit a Vietnamese Restaurant
If you're in America, consider visiting a local Vietnamese restaurant. Go with a friend to a place she recommends or simply check out a place in your local yellow pages. Remember to explore and be adventurous. Don't simply order the chicken because it seems "safe." Trying new foods is a time to do just that - try new foods. Pick something random or let the waitress pick for you.
2. Eat with a Vietnamese friend
Do you have Vietnamese friends? Ask about their culture and food! Ask a friend if you can come over for dinner or come the next time she visits her grandma to try some authentic Vietnamese dishes.
3. Visit Vietnam
Perhaps the best way to taste Vietnam is to actually visit and explore on one of those Vietnam tours. Check out local marketplaces, restaurants and groceries. Explore and try everything you come across. Don't be afraid to test out new things or try a taste of something that looks a little scary. Remember, trying new things is the only way to find out what you like and what you don't.
4. Take a Vietnamese cooking class
If you live near a college, check out one of their cooking classes. Your local community center may also be a great place to find local Vietnamese cooking classes. These classes will not only teach you about Vietnamese cuisine, but will give you a chance to try cooking some yourself. If you're the adventurous type, this is a fantastic way to jump feet first into Vietnamese food.
5. Visit a Vietnamese grocery store
A Vietnamese grocery is a fantastic way to explore new foods, ingredients and cooking styles. Grab a recipe off the Internet and head to your local Vietnamese grocery with a list of things you need. Chances are, you'll be able to find everything you need and start trying Vietnamese food firsthand. While you may not make the most authentic food the first time you cook, you'll quickly improve the more you practice.
Overall, there are many ways you can learn to taste Vietnam. Whether you actually get to visit Vietnam and try the food firsthand or you cook it yourself in America, don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone to truly taste and try the fantastic food that Vietnam has to offer.
Berlin is a city rife with culture, history, and a bohemian attitude that takes a lot of visitors by surprise. It’s an easy city to enjoy on a budget, with plenty of free attractions to keep even the most frugal minded traveller happy.
If that’s not incentive enough to book those cheap flights, Berlin is a city bursting with great cheap eats. No matter how low your budget is, you’re sure to find some awesome food for a couple of Euros on the streets of the German capital.
Curry 36
If you’re set on seeing Berlin on a budget you’re bound to find yourself eating currywurst at least once, and you can’t say “Ich bin ein Berliner” unless you’ve sampled the wurst Curry 36 has to offer. Currywurst is steamed and fried sausage topped with curry powder and ketchup: it’s that simple, and that delicious. This little shack has queues of hungry locals in front of it night and day, and it has such a strong reputation that they’ve even launched their own range of official currywurst sauce.
Burgermeister
It’s well worth leaving your hotels in Berlin for a day out in Kreuzberg, and if it’s meaty goodness you’re looking for, look no further than underneath the U-Bahn tracks near the station. Of course, there are some vegetarian options too: the tofu burger is nice enough, but nothing can compare to the bacon laden Meistaburger. The chilli cheese fries are pretty good too.
Tadim Lamacun
Despite Angela Merkel’s declaration that multiculturalism has failed in Germany, there are some pretty great budget eats to be found once you start visiting ethnic restaurants like Tadim Lamacun, which specialises in the Turkish dish lamacun: basically a Turkish burrito. Thin flatbread is topped with minced meat, salad and sauce, then rolled into a burrito shape.
Miss Saigon
You can pick up a dish of delicious Vietnamese soup (pho) for around €6 at this modest little fast food joint. Like most great cheap foodie options, it’s popular with Berlin office workers. You might find yourself standing in a queue if you turn up at lunch time, but your first bite of the fresh, crunchy spring rolls will make it all worthwhile. Try the milkshakes, too: the coconut and avocado one sounds a bit strange, but the flavours really do work.
Rogacki
Back to German style food, this deli offers a lunch time platter of blutwurst, leberwurst, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes for €4.50. The sausages (blood sausage and liver sausage respectively) are somewhat of a delicacy, so if you don’t enjoy black pudding then it’s perhaps better to avoid this one and try something else on the menu, like the fried fish. If you do decide to go for it, you’ll be rewarded with a taste of real hearty German fare. Splash out on some weisbeer to cut through the rich flavours. Once you’re finished dining, browse Rogacki’s fine selection of 150 varieties of cheeses and over 200 cured meats; you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Consider yourself a connoisseur of fine foods? Melbourne, perhaps more than any other Australian city, offers an array of food options that is unrivalled. Between the cafes, restaurants, and increasingly – pop-up vans, you’re bound to find exactly what you’re after, no matter what it is.
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| Image courtesy of ultrakml/ Flickr.com |
If you’re planning a trip to Melbourne and food is high on the agenda, here’s a take on what makes Melbourne such a hub for dining.
A quick history lesson
The taste and appreciation for good food is bred in Australians, with original settlers fast establishing an interest in Anglo-Celtic recipes. As cultures from Mediterranean and Asian regions migrated, a wide range of new tastes - sophisticated and delicate - began to spread, it wasn’t before too long that cuisine from China, Greece, Germany, Lebanon, Thailand, Italy, Vietnam, and beyond started having a tremendous impact.
Fast forward to today, and the historical link to food is still running strong in kitchens across Melbourne. Whether it be the big and robust tastes, or delicate and sophisticated, Australia’s heritage is locked into the culinary fabric that’s served up in thousands of tables each day.
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| Image courtesy of melburian / Flickr.com |
Seafood Heaven
Seafood is everywhere, a popular ingredient in most homes and restaurants. The famous ‘Throw another shrimp on the barbie’ didn’t come out of thin air. The Australian shrimp industry is small but known for its quality. They have a reputation for producing and distributing the best shrimp and are exported to every corner of the world. The clean ocean provides the highest quality lobsters, prawn, tuna, abalone and more, making seafood a huge part of the food culture here. You can taste this quality produce anywhere, be it some fish and chips shop on the street or a pan-fried barramundi in one of Melbourne’s outstanding seafood restaurants.
Lazy breakfast
If a good sleep-in is your thing, there are more cafes than not that cater for those who enjoy the luxury of a late breakfast. Brunch – for some, is not just an occasional treat, but a way of life, and this is pretty obvious by the amount of eateries who keep the breakfast menu going right through the day (and sometimes, beyond!).
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| Image courtesy of ultrakml/ Flickr.com |
Notable mentions for breakfasts:
- Don Vincenzo, Fitzroy. They possibly have the best Salmon Florentine known to man. Big call, but we dare you to prove us wrong!
- Three Bags Full, Abbotsford. This hugely popular eating joint fills up quickly and often has you waiting outside for your name to be called just to get a seat, but this is for good reason – they rule the roost! This quirky place is divided up into three main sections: a large modern and vibey space that leads into a more intimate bridging room that finally opens up into an amazing bustling space, complete with interesting industrial décor and a large communal table made from a reclaimed bowling alley.
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| Image courtesy Nagarjun/Flicr.com |
Exceptional selection of Wines
Outside of the excellent dining experience in Melbourne, you’re in for a treat when it comes to the wine. Australia is one the five largest exporters of wine in the world. With regions such as Yarra Valley, King Valley and King Valley, you can easily spend a weekend checking out the grapes of Melbourne!
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| Image courtesy of limaoscarjuliet/ Flickr.com |
Coffee, of course
If there’s one thing Melbourne does well, it’s coffee. There are too many places too mention here, and the fact is there’s good coffee everywhere you go. A good starting point is the breakfast paces already mentioned, as they all do fantastic coffee.
Melbourne is one stunning and diverse city. It’s a brilliant place to live, but also there’s plenty on offer for those wanting a great weekend experience. Pack your bags and get ready to indulge the senses!
Show off your knowledge of the local cuisine in Beijing next time you plan on bringing a friend. Even if you have limited knowledge from your own experiences you can show a friend how the locals eat with a little cheat sheet on where to go. Here's just a taste of what Beijing has to offer and where the locals come back to again and again.
Quanjude, Peking Duck
There is perhaps no place in the world who serves up a Peking Duck like Quanjude. Established in 1864, it is definitely a favorite of tourists, but the locals are proud of this legendary restaurant. Its flagship restaurant is located on Qianmen Street in the Chongwen District with many other branches throughout Beijing. Quanjude has served many dignitaries from more than 200 countries.
Mr. Shi's, Dumplings
For the best in dumplings and a favorite among locals is Mr. Shi's. You can order your dumplings either boiled or pan-fried and choose from vegetarian, pork, or shrimp fillings. Mr. Shi's is always packed with locals for the good food and good prices. You can fill up fast on the cheap and will find yourself coming back again and again. This is a great place to show a friend how to eat like a local without breaking the bank.
Street Food, Baozi on Xinzhongjie
Locals flock to street vendors for some of the best, and cheapest, food in Beijing. From lamb kabobs to squiggly scorpions and starfish on a stick, there is much to choose from for the adventurous palate. You might want to start out with something less challenging for breakfast, such as baozi, a bun filled with pork, vegetables, and other tasty delights. One of the most popular stands for baozi can be found on Xinzhongjie.
Street Food, Donghuamen Night Market, Northwest of Wangfujing Street
For lunch and dinner, take your unsuspecting friend to the Donghuamen night market for more exotic fare. Though the market is a local favorite, it does get busy with a lot of curious tourists. Here you can find foods tailored to the Western palate and a wide variety of foods representing the many cultures of China. The lamb kabobs and pita bread stuffed with meat that are sure to please. If you're more adventurous, you can try squid, grasshoppers, and those squiggly scorpions and starfish.
There is plenty for the sweet tooth at the Donghuamen Night Market such as fried pancakes, bananas, and a big favorite among the locals, tang hu lu. This super sweet treat is comprised of several hawthorne fruits on a stick which are coated in thick and sticky caramel. You'll spend a good amount of time working through the caramel and ultimately trying to get it out of your teeth, but it's worth the trouble. It's a great way to get that lasting taste of scorpion out of your mouth.
Now you can confidently show your friend around Beijing and pride yourself in showing him how the locals eat as though you've lived there for years. Along the way, you'll surely come to know the best of Beijing.
If you're travelling on a budget, Bermuda might be just the perfect location for you. You might think now that eating out in Bermuda is way too expensive to even take in consideration. Bare with me for a moment and let me explain.
At a first glance, Bermuda seems to have perfect restaurants only for the wealthy tourists. But if you take to heart a few tips you can find a great budget location to eat right here, near the city of Hamilton.
1. Instead of an expensive breakfast, make a stop to the Miles Market. You might not be mistaken that food is expensive in Bermuda, but if you go to the supermarket of Pitts Bay Road for a nice assortment of breakfast pastries and drinks you will be pleasantly surprised, ending up with a rich wonderful breakfast.
2. Most of us want to have some drinks while on holiday. There are three great bars on Front Street. Docksiders, has reasonable prices and occasional beer pong tournaments. You can find it at the far end of the Front Street. Other options are Café Cairo and The Pickled Onion. These place are usually very busy, but there is a reason for this. They are lots of fun to hang out.
3. Now, usually dinner costs more money but if you like Italian food you can opt for La Trattoria, on Reid Street; or a French romantic dinner at Bouchée, on Pitts Bay Road. I love English restaurant-pubs, so I would go to The Hog Penny, on Burnbay Street for a great English atmosphere.
In France and Italy it’s bread and cheese, in Germany it’s sausages, but what are your best bets for cheap eats when travelling in the notoriously expensive UK? Once you’ve tired of squished Nutella sandwiches pulled out of your backpack while on the go, why not consider a few of the locals favourite fast foods. Not only are these options cheap and tasty, but they offer a cultural experience as well!
Cream Tea
A visitor to England could be forgiven for thinking that a cream tea is a cup of tea with cream, but don’t be fooled by the name; this is in fact a snack fit for a queen! Every tea room in the land serves their own version of this delicacy and regional battles rage over the proper order for toppings to be added. The Cornish Cream Tea is probably the most famous and includes your cup of tea with milk and sugar, along with a warm scone, topped first with jam and then a healthy measure of clotted cream. Just across the border in Devon however, a Devonshire Cream Tea requires the clotted cream to be added first, and then followed by jam. Either way it’s a delicious afternoon snack and feels luxurious without breaking the bank. It’s really doesn’t get much more British than this.
The Great British Pie
What was once simply a used as a means of preserving meat is today an iconic British dish. The variety is endless and varies from the cheap and cheerful version served up on football terraces across the land, to the gourmet varieties offered by the top bakers. It is the perfect portable food – they are self contained, require no cutlery, and can be eaten hot or cold. The most iconic of British pies has to be The Melton Mowbray pork pie, which now has Protected Geographical Status from the European Union to guard its unique recipe. The British pie industry is said to be worth £230 million – the pie is certainly humble no more!
Fish and Chips
This quintessentially British dish has been carried the world over, but it still holds pride of place in the English psyche as one of the most beloved dish. Every fast food outlet, or ‘chippy’ as they are colloquially known in the UK, serves up their own version of the delicacy and many guard their secret recipes and techniques fastidiously. Your best bet for top quality fish and chips will be along the coast, where the fish will be at its most fresh. For the hungry traveller this is a great lunch or dinner option, it’s inexpensive, filling, and the busy shops offer a great place to chat with the locals. If you want to make this a truly British cultural experience be sure to order a side of mushy peas, a lurid green concoction of boiled marrow fat peas that divides the nation. Sounds tasty, doesn’t it?
One of the best parts of travelling is experiencing new things, and food is one of the best! Heading out the restaurants for three meals a day can really add up, but you can save a bundle by making your own meals with local ingredients yourself. This is one of the major benefits to staying in a self catering holiday cottage; you have everything you need to make yourself a cheap and cheerful meal for a fraction of the cost. You can save even more by looking for last minute UK cottage deals online.
About the Author: Amanda is a Canadian writer and traveller who is currently based in the UK. She has travelled extensively through Europe, North America, and Australia and takes every opportunity to discover new and exciting places. Amanda is currently writing about great UK experiences for Sykes Cottages, who offer great holiday cottages across the UK and Ireland.
Photos via Flickr Creative Commons (source 1, 2, 3)
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