Eat wisely in Europe…follow some general tips and you can save money…

• Skip pricey hotel breakfasts – if breakfast isn’t included in your hotel price, head for the nearest corner café.
• It’s fine to ask for tap water – even in France restaurants must offer “carafe d’eau” if you ask for it. Bottled water and soft drinks are pricey.
• Drink the house wine – they are usually very good and you can get it by the glass or carafe…
• Have your main meals at noon – when many restaurants offer good-value and prix-fixe menus at a fraction of the dinner prices.
• Skip restaurants with a view if you want to save…they charge a premium. Go to places with good atmosphere... If there are times you want the view expect to pay more.
• Have a picnic – visit the local bakeries, pastry shops, food markets and street vendors. Then take your food to a park…you save a lot over a sit-down meal.
• Visit restaurants in department stores…they have many food places offering different prices. Often you can pick and choose what you want from different stations…I like the Bijenkorf (Beehive) in Amsterdam and Galeries Lafayette in Paris (with a great view over Paris.)

And what’s very often different in Europe…

• European usually take more than one course, but the portions are smaller
• The tip (service charge) is often included (see below for tipping suggestions)
• The inside of a restaurant can be less than luxurious…but the food can be great
• Ask for regular water if you want it…otherwise you won’t get it
• Most Europeans don’t put ice in drinks and water
• Restaurants in Italy and other southern European countries often include a “cover charge” for the basket of bread…the napkins…the tablecloth, etc.
• Don’t ask for doggy bags…you may not have too…portions are smaller

Eating in Europe...they’re not all called restaurants…

Think fun – think good food

It depends on what you expect but you can enjoy all of these types in Europe. They go by many different names, and they give you an indication of the prices as well.

• Bistro – a small informal, mostly moderately priced restaurant in France
• Brasserie – also in France…a large busy restaurant serving daily specials
• Trattoria – a family-run restaurant in Italy that serves pasta and home-cooked food
• Osteria – also in Italy and often simpler food than a trattoria
• Tavola calda – an informal place in Italy, often self-service, like a cafetaria
• Taverna – a family run bar and restaurant in Greece
• Tasca – a bar in Spain that serves tapas…appetizers served on small plates – you need something “in between” in Spain because restaurants open at 9 or 10 pm
• Kaffeehaus – in Austria, a social gathering place for coffee and pastry
• Konditorei – a pastry shop, and sometimes also a café with regular meals, in Germany and Austria
• Beergarten – buy (or bring) simple sandwiches and pretzels…the beer is provided…in Germany of course!
• Heuriger – a rustic tavern where wine is served (and food) in Austria…the best known are just outside Vienna

More information and direct links by country are listed in the European Travel & Vacation Resource Center.

Look also in this Tutorial for "fun meals" at restaurants with entertainment.

How to find the best eating places for what you want in a European city…

It’s one thing you’ll go through every day on your European vacation…choosing where to go for lunch and dinner…here are some suggestions…

• Ask your friends
• Ask the locals…but not always hotel concierges (they often get a commission)
• Look for places that are crowded, and especially with locals, not just tourists
• Stay away from restaurants in popular sightseeing areas
• Look for menus in the local language (see below), not English

Travel magazines often list “best” restaurants in Europe, but remember what magazine you read…

Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler mean upscale.
Budget Travel means reasonable.

The same applies to guide books.

For restaurant reviews by travelers like you... look here but be careful…some comments are just too good to be true!

Information on tipping in restaurants in Europe

It’s confusing no matter where you go in the world.

In most European countries a 15% service charge is already included in the bill…so no tipping is required. However at times people leave a bit more… The following links can help you avoid this problem.

Two helpful links for Eating in Europe: Tipping tips by locals Tipping guidelines by country

More ways on to Enjoy Eating in Europe
or...
Enjoy European Food when you’re back home…