Food is one of the greatest joys of travel—but it’s also one of the easiest ways to blow your budget. Luckily, saving money on food doesn’t mean missing out on authentic flavors or memorable dining experiences. In fact, eating smart often leads to better, more local experiences than sticking to pricey tourist restaurants.
Here’s how to save money on food while traveling without sacrificing taste or authenticity.
1. Embrace Street Food
Street food is often the most authentic (and cheapest) way to eat.
Why it works:
- Meals for $1–$5 in many parts of Asia and Latin America
- Freshly cooked in front of you
- Chance to sample multiple dishes in one sitting
Pro Tip: Look for long lines of locals—a sure sign of quality and safety.
2. Shop at Local Markets
Markets are not just for groceries—they’re cultural experiences.
What to do:
- Grab fresh fruit, bread, and cheese for picnics
- Try local specialties like empanadas, samosas, or dumplings
- Explore morning markets for breakfast at a fraction of café prices
Bonus: Markets are often free attractions, giving you both food and entertainment.
3. Choose Accommodations With Kitchens
Cooking even a few meals saves a surprising amount of money.
Options:
- Airbnb or vacation rentals with kitchens
- Hostels with shared kitchens
- Guesthouses that allow light cooking
Example: Spending $20 at a supermarket for pasta, veggies, and snacks can cover two or three meals for two people—less than the price of one restaurant dinner.
4. Eat Like the Locals
Tourist restaurants often inflate prices.
Better alternatives:
- Family-owned diners or “mom-and-pop” restaurants
- Canteens where locals eat lunch
- Menus in the local language (usually cheaper than English-language menus)
Hack: In Europe, ask for the “menu del día” or “plat du jour” for affordable set meals.
5. Make Lunch Your Main Meal
In many countries, lunch is cheaper than dinner.
Examples:
- Spain: “Menu del día” offers 2–3 courses plus wine for $10–$15
- Italy: Midday pasta deals for $8–$12
- Latin America: “Comida corrida” lunch sets for $5–$7
By flipping your schedule—splurging at lunch and keeping dinner light—you’ll eat well and save.
6. Use Apps and Deal Sites
Tech can uncover hidden discounts.
Best apps in 2025:
- Too Good To Go: Buy discounted leftover meals from restaurants.
- EatWith: Join local dining experiences for less than fine dining.
- TheFork: Restaurant reservations with discounts up to 50%.
7. Picnic With a View
Some of the best meals happen outside restaurants.
Ideas:
- Picnic by the Eiffel Tower with bread, cheese, and wine
- Sushi-to-go at a Tokyo park
- Banh mi sandwiches along the Mekong
Not only do picnics save money, but they also create unique memories.
8. Skip Hotel Breakfasts
Hotel breakfasts often cost $15–$25 per person, even when local cafés serve better food for $5–$8.
Hack: Stop at a bakery or market instead—cheaper and more authentic.
9. Share Meals
Portions are often large, especially in the U.S. and parts of Asia.
Strategy:
- Order one main and one appetizer to share
- Split large portions of street food to try more for less
10. Avoid Tourist Traps
Restaurants near major attractions tend to inflate prices.
Better option: Walk 5–10 minutes away from tourist hotspots. The prices drop, and the quality usually rises.
11. Take Advantage of Freebies
- Free hotel snacks or welcome drinks
- Complimentary tapas in Spanish bars
- Free bread, salad, or soup offered with meals in some countries
These small extras stretch your budget further.
12. Drink Smart
Alcohol can be a big budget-buster.
Tips:
- Buy beer and wine from supermarkets for picnics.
- Try local happy hours.
- Choose house wine—it’s usually the cheapest and still tasty.
13. Join Food Tours Strategically
Food tours can be expensive, but they sometimes replace two or three meals in one outing.
Hack: Book tours that include generous tastings—it’s entertainment and dining combined.
Sample Daily Food Budget (Thailand Example)
- Breakfast: Market fruit and sticky rice ($2)
- Lunch: Pad Thai and iced tea from a street stall ($3)
- Snack: Fresh mango smoothie ($1.50)
- Dinner: Sit-down Thai curry with rice and beer ($6)
- Total: ~$12.50 per person
This is less than one fast-food meal in many Western countries.
Final Thoughts
Traveling doesn’t mean you need to choose between saving money and eating well. By embracing street food, markets, smart timing, and tech-savvy hacks, you can savor authentic flavors at affordable prices.
Your food savings strategy:
- Eat where locals eat, not tourists.
- Shop markets and cook occasionally.
- Swap hotel breakfasts for local cafés.
- Make lunch your main meal.
- Picnic often—it’s cheap, delicious, and memorable.
With these tips, you’ll not only save money—you’ll eat better, fresher, and more authentically than many travelers sticking to overpriced restaurants.