Rick Steves' Genius Tip For The Cheapest Meals You'll Eat In Europe

Sampling delicious local cuisine is one of the major highlights travelers enjoy when visiting Europe. Unfortunately, it can also be one of the most expensive parts of any trip. If you choose to eat at restaurants for three meals every day while traveling, the cost of your vacation will quickly skyrocket. Rick Steves, one of America's favorite travel experts, has some excellent advice for saving money on food, without sacrificing flavor or fun.

Rick Steves visited Europe for the first time in 1969 when he was 14 years old, and the experience shaped his world view and helped set his career in motion. He continued to travel throughout his young adult life and began teaching travel seminars. His career took off, and he's since published bestselling travel guidebooks, hosted a popular television program, and he takes tens of thousands of travelers to Europe each year on his group tours. Even though he's been wildly successful, he still favors budget-friendly travel experiences and enjoys experiencing Europe alongside the locals.

According to Rick Steves, eating pricey meals at restaurants for every single meal is pretty overrated. While he acknowledges that dining out is fun, it can also be quite time consuming and tough on the wallet, even in the best European cities for budget travelers. Some restaurants might have smaller portions than you're used to, leaving you underfed and disappointed with the money you spent. Instead of spending hours searching for the perfect restaurants, Rick Steves recommends a picnic. "I am a picnic connoisseur. While I'm the first to admit that restaurant meals are an important aspect of any culture, I picnic almost daily," he wrote on his website. Steves recommends picnicking every few days throughout your travels.

Picnics are an ideal option for travelers looking to experience Europe on a tight budget, but they're also a fun and unique way to enjoy your destination. "In my book, there's no better travel experience than a picnic sourced from local markets and grocers, eaten outdoors with a lively square, peaceful park, or rejuvenated harborfront as a backdrop," wrote Rick Steves.

In order to plan a memorable picnic in Europe, picking the perfect spot is key, according to Steves. "Proper site selection can make the difference between just another meal and le pique-nique extraordinaire. Since you've decided to skip the restaurant, it's up to you to create the atmosphere." He recommends choosing spots like riverbanks, urban parks, or historic sites with ample space to spread out and relax. A picnic lunch or dinner offers the perfect opportunity to rest, people watch, and really take in the scenery.

You can picnic while you're out and about, but heading back to your accommodations for a quiet meal is another great option. If you overstuff your travel itinerary, you can end up feeling exhausted, which makes things less enjoyable, so retreating to your room for a few meals is a wise choice. Steves suggests stocking up on some staples from local markets or grocery stores to keep in your room. He also recommends borrowing some dishes from the hotel, although he warns that some hotels might not love the idea of you eating in your room. And don't forget beverages! Keep things simple by bringing along a reusable water bottle, or get a nice bottle of wine to transform any picnic into a romantic European experience.

Rick Steves says you should purchase a multi-purpose knife with a corkscrew when you arrive in Europe, or simply pack one in your checked baggage. A small pocket knife is easily stashed away in a purse or backpack for picnics. Get creative and use plastic lids from the food you purchase as a cutting board or plate. Other picnic essentials he recommends having on hand include resealable plastic bags, a reusable utensil, and cups for divvying up takeout.

When it comes to choosing which foods to purchase for your picnic, start with the basics. "Bread has always been cheap in Europe. (Leaders have learned from history that when stomachs rumble, so do the mobs in the streets.) Cheese is a specialty nearly everywhere and is, along with milk and yogurt, one of the continent's most affordable sources of protein," Steves wrote. He suggests choosing local fruits and veggies that are inexpensive and in season. 

Rick Steves prefers shopping for his picnic supplies in the best food markets because it's a fun cultural experience, and you can often find the best quality produce, cheese, and baked goods. Visit several stalls to find the best price, pay attention to what you're spending, and avoid markets without posted prices. "Cultural chameleons eat and drink better and cheaper," he reminds travelers. If you're looking for something quick to enjoy on the go while roadtripping around or sightseeing, the local grocery stores are a great option. Many of the supermarkets in Europe have excellent ready-made options like sandwiches and wraps, according to Steves. I certainly have to agree with Steves, because I once purchased a $3 beet and goat cheese wrap with fresh sprouts at a grocery store in Scotland that I still dream about years later.