Eating out in Spain on a Shoestring Budget

Want some tips for eating out in Spain? This guest post by Jeremy from Ktchndad.com has got you covered! Read on to get his best tips for dining well on a shoestring budget.

Photo by The Travelling Bum on VisualHunt / CC BY-ND

I don’t know about you but I simply love last-minute bargains. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing you have paid a fraction of the price for your plane ticket in comparison to what the person next to you forked out. And in all honesty, finding tickets and weekend getaway deals over the internet that are cheap as chips is quite easy if you’re up for doing a tour of a European city or a popular Spanish beach.

However, it’s all too easy to get caught in the trap of paying next to nothing for your plane ticket and then spending an arm and a leg on food while on the trip. If you are reading this article, it is probably because you are wondering if there is any way to enjoy eating out in Spain without ending up spending more money on a few days’ food and drink intake than you did on the plane ticket and hotel combined. If you are looking for tips on how to save a few bucks while strolling the streets of Spain, take a look at the following guide that will help you to keep spending to a limit.

Get appy

Going on holiday is all about enjoying the sights, trying the local cuisine and buying souvenirs. However, you’ll find there’s not a lot of money left to purchase souvenirs if you are having to spend all of your money on eating out during your trip. 

Instead of stopping and settling for the first restaurant you see, try using Google Maps, TripAdvisor, or other apps that will help you to find inexpensive restaurants to visit with just a few taps on your smartphone screen. Look for restaurants that have good star ratings and low pricing, especially when choosing somewhere to have dinner or a big meal. Apps will often show tasty specials or deals that could also save you a few extra pennies when you come to pay. 

Go around the corners

Buying snacks or drinks at cafes and restaurants can prove expensive, especially when these cafes and restaurants are located in big cities or on the beachfront. In order to prevent overpaying for everyday necessities such as sandwiches and bottles of water, head over to a corner store or supermarket and purchase your nibbles from there. Look out for supermarkets filled with locals as that is where you will get your best-priced goods.

See more: Recipes for Traditional and Typical Sweets in Spain

Lunchtime munchtime

Photo by Terence l.s.m on VisualHunt / CC BY-ND

One of the biggest factors that will save you money while on holiday in Spain is to change the time of day that you eat your big meals. Instead of eating a big meal at restaurants in the evening when prices are high, try eating your bigger meals at lunchtime. This is often the time when business owners expect fewer clients and have more deals and offers on the menu for the same delicious food that is served in the evening. That way you can enjoy a massive plate of your favorite fresh prawn and calamari paella at a fraction of the price. You’ll notice when eating out in Spain, this is what the locals do, too!

If you eat a bigger meal at lunchtime you won’t need something quite so heavy at dinnertime. Settle for some local tapas to fill the hole in the evening. Look for tapas bars that promote one or two tapas with a beer or a soft drink in order to make sure you are getting the best deals.

The bottom line

So there you have it, eating out in Spain doesn’t have to leave you short on cash if you follow the tips and tricks mentioned above. Happy holidays!

Enjoy eating out in Spain like a local when you join Food Lover Tour on any of our tasty tours!