Take your European food experience to the next level for less

Whenever I would return from one of my weekend adventures or longer term travels during my exchange, one of the number one questions people ask revolved around the food: the dishes I tried, the desserts I indulged in, followed by demands to see any Instagram worthy foodie photos.

While food can often be the highlight of any trip, it can also be draining on your budget. Depending on where you are travelling in Europe, the prices in restaurants varies significantly. The Balkans, Eastern European and Mediterranean countries have many more choices in the cheap eats category in comparison to Central and Northern Europe. While local dishes may go for more in the Centre and North of Europe, expect to find Kebab stands as well as a variety of grab n' go type places selling sandwiches, burgers and pizza all for as little as 2-5 EUR everywhere you go. You will also find several bakeries with local pastries that go for as little as 75 cents.

However, trying those dishes you saw on all the travel/food blogging websites from the restaurants that are rumoured to do it best is difficult to do when working with a student budget. However, despite leaving a number of countries without ever ordering dish X or Y, I never felt as though I was being deprived in some way.

So what was the key to eating well while “missing” out on some of the top 10 must have’s?

For me, some of my best memories surrounding food during my travels were picnics in areas offering the best views of the city or meals at our Airbnb apartments made with fresh ingredients we had collected at the market.

During dinner time, the experience was even better, as my friends and I would eat while observing infamous landmarks or crystal clear waters take on a whole different appearance as the sky changed from a daytime blue to an array of oranges and pinks. The memory of eating at our Airbnb apartment also overshadows many of my formal dining experiences. While cooking as a group, we would turn up the music, dance a little and get a small glimpse into what it felt like to live a real life in a city we would be leaving in a few short days.

Specifically, some of the best places we found for creating these types of food experiences were in Paris and Croatia.

The Seine River: Paris, France

While in Paris, we returned time and time again to the Seine to eat our dinner. Along the water’s edge, you will see countless couples or groups of friends with a blanket covered in a professional display of hummus spreads, pastries, chips, and in typical French fashion, a baguette (or two) and a bottle of wine with the correct glasses to drink it from.

Along the river you will also find tables with umbrellas, not belonging to any sort of restaurant but inviting residents and tourists alike to indulge in not only the food but the atmosphere of Paris.

Perhaps our best meal on the Seine occurred during the FNAC festival, a series of free outdoor concerts held outside city hall in the month of July. As we sat along the river, we watched wedding parties popping bottles of champagne as well as formal dinner attire cruises glide by with the sounds of indie music and the cheers of concert goers in the background. Perhaps the best part: Looking out over the multiple bridges, directing our eyes toward the gem of the city, the Eiffel tower.

Where to find food

• Take public transit to stop Châtelet, a happening part of Paris filled with bakeries, countless kebab stands that double as crêperies, an outdoor market as well as some chain supermarkets.
• Here you will find the perfect French food for your picnic, such as savoury crêpes stuffed with ham and cheese or the sweet ones containing a generous amount of Nutella. Also check out the small bakeries with fresh quiches and pastries ready to be enjoyed at one of the world’s most romantic riversides.

The Luxembourg Gardens: Paris, France

The Luxembourg Gardens are probably one of the most beautiful gardens I have seen in Europe. Even American literary legend Ernest Hemmingway would agree as he used to stroll through them while working on his next great novel. Whether you are looking to capture some inspiration of your own, or just want to enjoy a view of perfectly trimmed hedges, fountains and flowers, make sure you bring at least one lunch here. You will find green, free moving chairs encircling the largest fountain, right outside the Luxembourg Palace. This makes for an excellent spot as you observe the Alice in Wonderland styled trees a few metres in the distance while spreading some Bree on your French baguette.

Where to find food

• Not far from the Luxembourg Gardens (about a 15 minute walk) is Rue Mouffetard. Make your way down this hill of a street and explore your many options from local butchers, fruit sellers, crepe makers… the list goes on and on. Choose your pallet and return to the gardens (Warning: your will power in waiting to eat will be tested on the walk back).

Cooking in the apartment: Zagreb, Croatia

You will know you have reached the Dolac market (open daily from 6:30 am to 3 pm) the moment you see a canopy of red umbrellas and long wooden tables, brimming with fat green grapes, giant watermelons and every other sort of fruit imaginable. Beneath the market, inside, you will find fresh meats and cheeses. If you arrive soon before the market is closing, you may be able to catch one of the vendors eager to make a few more sales offering their cheeses at a reduced price.

After a long day of walking around, return early to your Airbnb or apartment and make up a quick stir fry with the various vegetables, cheeses and meats you found at the market.

Where to find the food

• The Dolac market can be found near Trg Bana Jelačića, between lower and upper town

The Riva: Split, Croatia

The Riva is the main promenade along the water in Split Croatia, and is also the sight of several waterfront restaurants, happening night life and the historic palace dating back to Roman times. At night, we would head to the harbour area and sit along the edge of the Adriatic, watching the boats sail in and out while admiring the lights dance on the rippling waters.

Where to find the food

• While restaurants set up for tourism mean higher prices, you will find cheap pastries, wraps and sandwiches at the Bobis bakeries, which have several locations throughout the old town. A large wrap costs only 2-3 EUR and makes for a filling and delicious meal.

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