Here’s a brief list of budget-friendly restaurants that offer great lunch deals. We’ve tried to cover all the central neighborhoods, so that no matter where you are in the city, you can always find something good to eat.

And if you’re still hungry after reading about these deals, we have plenty of other articles on Barcelona cheap eats including cheap restaurant picks and tips to keep your eats cheap in Barcelona.

Lunch near Las Ramblas

If it’s lunchtime and you’re walking down Las Ramblas, you will want to avoid the ridiculously over-priced drinks and over-cooked food that lurks nearby. Instead try:

• La Fonda (Carrer Jerusalem, 3): An elegant yet modern setting sets the tone for the Mediterranean menu using ingredients from the nearby Boqueria Market. Lunch set menu is around €15.

Related: Cheap hotels near Mercat de la Boqueria

• Fonda de España  (Carrer Sant Pau, 9): This restaurant, located inside the Hotel España, sparkles with an ornate, tiled, and chandeliered modernista dining room designed by architect Domenech i Muntaner. It’s a wonderful backdrop for a substantial €27 (inc. tax) lunch. That’s not so cheap, but it’s worth a splurge for a special meal.

Lunch near Passeig de Gracia

If visiting Gaudi’s La Pedrera or Casa Battlo, head for the short stretch of Carrer Aragó between Passeig de Gràcia and Carrer Pau Claris, where you’ll find three excellent lunchtime restaurants.

• La Rita (Carrer Aragó, 279):  Given its consistent quality, service and value, La Rita is my favorite lunchtime restaurant. The menu costs just €10.40 (including tax) for a three-course lunch with bread, wine and water. Desserts are excellent. The restaurant is very popular with local office workers, so expect to wait in line for ten minutes or so.

• Madrid-Barcelona (Carrer Aragó, 284): If you’re looking for a classic lunch experience, this traditional Spanish cafe serves up excellent food. The menu here is a great value at €15.

• Divinus (Passeig de Gràcia, 28): For a filling Mediterranean meal, it’s hard to beat the deal here in this modern dining room. For €10.50 diners get three choices for each course including an appetizer, main course and dessert.

Lunch near Plaza Catalunya

• Xaica (Calle Jovellanos, 5-7): For a cheap and cheerful meal at a set-price, with self-service menu, check out Xaica. They serve three-courses, wine, beer or a soft drink, from €10.

Lunch near El Born

• Origen 99’9% (Pg. del Born 4): Just across the street from the gorgeous Santa Maria del Mar church, you’ll find Origen 99’9% with a tasty €17 set menu (for lunch or dinner) featuring a sample of dishes form across Catalonia. They also have a location in Gracia.

Lunch near La Sagrada Familia

By all means, avoid all of the fast food joints and head for…

• Els Pollos de Llull (Carrer Nàpols, 272): Els Pollos serves a delicious two-course lunch for €6.95 (three-courses for €7.95). The pickings often include organic chicken with rice and a variety of organic yogurts. It’s a five minute walk from Sagrada Familia.

Related: Tips for visiting La Sagrada Familia

The post Barcelona Cheap Eats: 8 delicious lunch deals appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s some photo inspiration of tasty bites and spots to dine in Barcelona, Spain.

BREAKFAST- The breakfast of champions, frothy coffee with flaky croissants in the sun! (Read more about breakfast in Barcelona, with addresses for the best breakfast in each neighborhood.)

TAPAS – What would a trip to Spain be without tapas? Afternoon snack or for dinner, tapas should be an important part of your diet in Barcelona. Pictured above: patatas bravas (spicy potatoes) and seasonal wild mushrooms (common in the fall). (Read more about tapas in Barcelona.)

LUNCH SPECIAL- Monday – Friday (and in some places on the weekend) look for chalkboards like this one featuring the Menú del Día or “Daily Special”; a set menu usually under $15 for three courses.

LENTILS – Legumes anyone? Spain is big on lentils, garbanzos, and other legumes. Above is a veggie lentil soup eaten at Blavis, a restaurant in the Gracia hood.

SEA SNAILS- Snails are often eaten in Spain. Their texture is, um, not for everyone. The snails above are sea snails served with rock salt.

ROASTED VEGETABLES- Asparagus, potatoes, spicy peppers, eggplant… all grilled up and served with thick, flavorful romesco red sauce.

SPANISH RICE- Otherwise known as paella, this is a must when in Barcelona or traveling along Spain’s eastern Mediterranean seaside. Paella can be made with seafood or meats, such as rabbit and chicken.

BURGERS – Suddenly, beer and burgers are popular in Barcelona, and “American-style” diners are appearing all over the city. Apolo Diner in the Poble Sec hood is a good choice.

COZY BARS AND RESTAURANTS – Barcelona has an endless selection of bars and eateries hidden away on cobblestone plazas and tucked down tiny streets. Avoid Las Ramblas and find something special and more local in El Raval, El Born or La Ribera.

The post 8 tasty and cheapo meals in Barcelona (with mouth-watering photos) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While rates and prices vary, here’s what I would generally expect to pay in Madrid:

A drink at a bar

Depends on the bar! A very swanky spot in Madrid could sell their cocktails at €15 a piece, or more. Generally though, a beer goes for between €1.50-3.50, and it’s about the same for wine. If you end up in a wine bar look carefully at the prices because they will vary depending on the label. A fine glass of wine from one of Spain’s best cellars can easily go for €5-€6, which is still a pretty good deal!

Normally, a mixed drink in an average bar will go for €7, maybe less if there’s happy hour or the place is a bit of a dive. Locals usually drink beer before dinner if they’re just having a drink with a friend. Wine is had with dinner. Cocktails and mixed drinks are had after dinner.

A bottle of wine at the store

At €1.50-3.50 a glass, you might as well go get a bottle at the grocery store! While you will find bottles of Spanish red, white and rose for as low as €1.50 a bottle, please do not buy these, they are for cooking.

As a rule of thumb, spend more than €3.50 for an acceptable bottle of wine. Spend between €8 and €12 for a darn good bottle, and over €20 for something really special.

Of course it’s possible to spend a lot more, but most of us stick to the €5 range. For example, if I am going to a dinner party, I will spend more on the wine I take than if it’s for me. At home I’ll drink €4 bottles, but to a party I’d bring something in the €8 and €12 range.

I also take care to look at the label and DO, or where the wine is from. Wine is like art, everyone likes something different; but I tend to go with a Priorat or Rioja for red, a Rueda or Penedès for white, and Navarra for rosé.

A cafe con leche, etc.

Again, it depends on where you are, but a coffee with milk or, cafe con leche, really shouldn’t cost more than €2-€2.50. A cortado will cost between €1.20-€1.50. A normal tea should be around €2, but will be much more if it’s some fancy blend served in a french press. A freshly squeezed OJ usually costs just under €3, and soft drinks and water around €1.50-€2.

Aspirin, toothpaste, etc.

You’ll notice that in Spain the pharmacy works a little differently than in North America. The pharmacy is the place to get a box of Aspirin for your sangria headache, but it’s also the place to buy a toothbrush, floss, Q-tips, lotions and sunscreen. While Aspirin and other drugs can only be found in the pharmacy, other items, like a toothbrush, can be found at your local grocery store for much less.

A box of Aspirin costs about €3 and if you buy it in powder form (works faster if you’re really suffering) it costs €6. Sunscreen can go for as low as €6 to €17 for specialty brands like Avene.

Lunch and dinner

The best deal is always the menú del diá, which is usually served Monday – Friday in most restaurants and bars. If the restaurant you’re in does not offer a menú del diá between 1 pm and 4 pm, then you’re probably in a touristy place or a really pricey establishment.

A menú del diá or set three course lunch, can go for as low as €8 and as much as €20 (or more), while the average is about €12. Outside of menú del diá times, the average for a sit-down meal in a restaurant is between €15-€30. Of course you’ll always pay less if you just grab something quick at a cafe or bar (as low as €5 for a sandwich and a drink).

Your top price?

Would you pay more or less for anything Regina has mentioned here? Share with us in our comments section!

Also in our Madrid Guide: If you’re particular about the top price you’d pay for a place to sleep, check out our reviews of hotels in Madrid, all visited and inspected by our editors and chosen because they’re clean, central and cheap. Read more in our Madrid guide.

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Read on to discover some of my favorite ways to splurge in Dublin. Each of these three choices represents a mindful splurge – something you can enjoy for several hours (or overnight) that will be a memorable part of your stay. All three will also fill your stomach with some of the best grub on offer in the Irish capital.

Number 31, a boutique hotel in central Dublin.

1. Lunch at Chapter One

Two-course lunch, €36.50. Three-course lunch, €44
Website

Cheapos may have passed Chapter One — a Michelin-rated restaurant in Dublin — on their way into the Dublin Writers Museum. It all looks so appealing, downstairs in an exposed brick dining room full of white tablecloths and tall wine glasses.

Skip the dinner menu and splurge on lunch, maybe on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Start with cured Clare Island organic salmon tartare, followed by spiced daube of Irish beef with parsnip and horseradish puree, and top the decadence off with a warm chocolate mousse.

2. A Night at Number 31 From €120/night
Website

There are tons of cute hotels in Dublin, but my favorite small boutique hotel is Number 31, an architectural landmark tucked off of Leeson Street in the heart of Dublin. Step inside this Georgian townhouse for sleek design, luxurious bathrooms, beautiful artwork, a peat-burning fireplace and one memorable breakfast. The cooked-to-order Irish breakfast or smoked salmon and scrambled eggs served with fresh brown soda bread will keep me coming back time and time again.

3. Champagne Art Tea at the Merrion Hotel

Champagne Art Tea, from €49. Regular Art Tea, €36
Website

Afternoon tea is a tradition in Dublin and many of the top hotels offer it. The best version is at the five-star Merrion Hotel, a short walk from St. Stephen’s Green. Be sure to reserve in advance for this two-course substitute for a meal with champagne (or, with just tea). On a warm day, reserve a table in the garden and take a peak around the Merrion before taking your seat.

The first course includes three tiers of sandwiches, scones, and breads complete with lemon curd and berry preserves. The second course is pastries inspired by the art collection in the Merrion Hotel. All accompanied with your choice of tea and a tall glass of champagne.

The post Dublin: 3 treats worth a little splurge appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Exploring the streets of London can be hungry work and a tasty, filling lunch can be exactly what you need to refuel and keep going. Aside from being one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods, London’s Soho is bursting with places to grab a delicious meal.

Here are three of my favorites that will fill you up without eating away at too much of your budget.

Nam
58 Dean Street, W1D 6AL
Tube: Leicester Square
Web site

I buy my lunch from this simple Vietnamese café very often and I can’t recommend it highly enough. The menu is straightforward, with a choice of fragrant noodle soup or salad topped with tasty beef, pork, chicken, prawns or tofu. The soups either come as Pho, with flat rice noodles or as Mien, with mung bean noodles. Each delicious dish costs just £4.90 and the servings are really generous. Summer rolls are also on the menu at just £2.90 a portion.

Grab a seat at one of the shared tables or take away to nearby Soho Square if the sun is shining.

Freshly prepared burritos, tacos and more at Benito’s Hat. Photo: MSeasons

Benito’s Hat
19 New Row, WC2N 4LA
Tube: Covent Garden
Web site

There are plenty of choices when it comes to munching on Mexican street food in London, but Benito’s Hat is especially good at what it does. Head down this pretty street and escape the bustle of Covent Garden after a busy morning of shopping or for an early pre-theater dinner.

Benito’s Hat offers freshly prepared, massively filling burritos, tacos and salads stuffed with spiced beans or rice. Team with marinated chicken, braised pork, grilled steak or vegetables before topping with all the salsas your heart could desire. For a lighter option go for the soup of the day or just drop in to sample the extensive Mexican beer and cocktail menu (the Pomegranate Margaritas are not to be missed).

Lebanese street food at Yalla Yalla. Photo: Suziedepingu

Yalla Yalla
1 Green’s Court, W1F 0HA
Tube: Leicester Square / Piccadilly Circus
Web site

Straddling the boundary between tourist-heavy Leicester Square and the sultry backstreets of Soho proper, Yalla Yalla is a hidden gem that rewards anyone who stumbles across it.

Serving up delicious Lebanese street food day and night, this is the perfect choice for lunch on the run or a more relaxed eat-in affair if you’re lucky enough to bag one of the little wooden tables. Mezze such as spicy sausages and batata harra (spicy potatoes with pepper and chilli) or traditional wraps filled with falafel, chicken or spiced lamb make for a truly tasty lunch stop and prices start from just £6.

Also in our guide: If you’re planning a trip to London and in the market for affordable, central accommodation, be sure to read our reviews of our recommended budget hotels. All of our picks have been visited and inspected by one of our editors. Read more in our guide to London.

The post London Cheap Eats in Soho: Vietnamese, Mexican and Lebanese appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

I’ve learned two important lessons about travel in Barcelona and Spain in general: 1) It will cost more than you think, and 2) It will take longer than you planned. With these golden rules in mind, I offer some tips for saving minutes while visiting Barcelona.

1. Know your restaurant and make a reservation.

This is especially true if you have food allergies or a special diet. There are many places to get the scoop on where to dine in Barcelona, from right here on EuroCheapo to sites like Yelp. Find something that looks appetizing in your neighborhood and book a table. This will save you lots of time wandering around looking for a place that fits your budget, has a menu you like and isn’t packed.

Don’t be afraid to ask for directions. Photo: Bastian

While booking a table is a good idea any night, it’s an especially wise move Thursday-Saturday when the locals go out. Also keep in mind that Sunday lunch is a popular time to eat out and plan accordingly.

2. No reservation? Eat “early.”

If you can’t make a reservation then just get there early. People in Barcelona eat lunch at 2 p.m. and dinner between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Get there at 1 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. and beat the rush.

3. Grab lunch “to go” or at the bar.

Sitting down for lunch is a lengthy affair that can take hours. Service can be slow, and meals are served in courses stretching out the experience. This is something most of us love about Spain, the focus on enjoying one’s food, but if you’re short on time then it’s best to skip it.

Instead grab lunch in a cafe or simply get something to go and eat on a park bench.

In a cafe, if you sit at the bar you will get faster service as you are right in front of the barman. Most cafes serve sandwiches and salads plus an array of beverages.

What’s more, eating in a cafe is sure to be cheaper than sitting down for lunch in a restaurant. A sandwich and drink may set you back €5 where a “menu del dia” midweek at a restaurant will cost double or triple. Cafes and bakeries also have sandwiches ready to go around lunch time, so grabbing one of these on a sunny day will save you bundles of time.

4. Ask for directions.

Barcelona is a big city and it’s easy to get lost. While Barcelona locals are not known for being super friendly, they are sure to help the lost traveler as best they can. Just ask.

When I was recently in Dublin I was struggling with a map and a local came over and said, “Need directions?” I thought I was hallucinating. That sort of thing is not going to happen in Barcelona, but if approached, people will help.

All geese and no tourists in the courtyard of Barcelona’s cathedral in January. Photo: Ben in CHI

Getting lost can take a lot of time out of your day plus make you feel frustrated and tired. Many people speak enough English to give directions in Barcelona so don’t let the language scare you off.

(P.S. A friend of mine always goes into hotels to ask for directions when she is lost in any European city. She figures they should know!)

5. Visit off season.

From May to August Barcelona is swimming with tourists. Everything is more crowded in the center of town and at popular monuments. If you want to experience Barcelona with less of a wait, come in the fall or winter.

Sure, it may rain and it might not be great swimming weather. But on the flip side, attractions will be easier to get into and hotels will be less expensive, offering low-season rates.

6. Understand and use the Metro.

Barcelona’s transportation system is really quite good. It’s on time (for the most part) and connects all points of the city. It is quite often the fastest way to get around because cabs are subject to traffic jams, as is the bus.

Get yourself a Metro map at the tourist information center in Pl. Catalunya and study it a bit to see where you can make transfers from one station to the next. It’s not hard once you get used to it.

Also, have a multi-ride Metro card (I recommend the T-10 for short visits to the city) for the Metro and bus. This will save you time in that you will not have to line up to buy a ticket every time you get on public transportation. (Read more in our “Getting Around Barcelona” article.)

Your time-saving tips?

What other ways have you saved time in Barcelona? We’d like to hear any additional tips! Share with us in the comments section.

Also in our guide: One sure way to save time before you arrive in Barcelona is to take our advice when hunting down an affordable hotel. Our editors have visited, inspected and reviewed the best budget hotels in Barcelona, all of them central, clean and cheap. Read more in our Barcelona guide.

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1. Kilmainham Gaol – €6

Every trip to Dublin should include a little history. A captivating guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol will shed light on a group of Irish revolutionaries that gave their lives for the creation of the republic.

2. Rent Bikes in Phoenix Park – €10

Dublin is home to the biggest city park in Europe, Phoenix Park. Visitors can take advantage of the bike rental program, Dublin Bikes, but a credit card is required and not all stands accept cards. Another simple option is to rent your bike from Phoenix Park Bike Hire, at the cost of €10 for three hours.

3. Cake Café – €6 for cake and coffee

Part of the fun of stepping into a new city is finding yourself at an off the beaten path café surrounded by locals. Venture into the Portobello neighborhood and located off a small street and through an even smaller courtyard is the Cake Café, home to mismatched plates and fresh baked treats.

Catch something edgy and independent at the Irish Film Institute. Photo: Pierofix

4. Jameson Distillery – €11.70 (€10.60 for students)

This one is slightly over budget for non-students, but worth every cent. A tour of the former Jameson Distillery will not only bring you to the interesting Smithfield neighborhood, but will also bring you through a distillery, teach you about the process of making famous Irish whiskey, and even includes a tasting.

5. Walk the Pier in Dun Laoghaire – €2 each way

Board the DART train in the city center and head south to the coastal village of Dun Laoghaire. Right near the train station you’ll see the entrance to a pier jetting out into the Irish Sea. For the price of the train ticket you can watch the sailboats, see local families fishing, and maybe even catch a glimpse of seals swimming around the pier.

6. Irish Film Institute – €9.90

If you need an alternative to another night in the pub, check out what’s playing at the Irish Film Institute. Not only is this a hangout spot for Dublin’s artistic and literary set, but it is also a great place to see independent, European, and Irish films.

7. Take Advantage of Lunch Specials – €10

One of the best ways to eat well in Dublin is eat your big meal at lunchtime. There are great lunch specials throughout Dublin, including at one of the city’s latest hot restaurants, the Rustic Stone. At this healthy-focused restaurant, for €10 you can dig into dishes like sushi-style tuna with ginger couscous, tofu, and lime.

8. Hike from Bray to Greystones – €2.50 each way

To get to know the waterfront city of Dublin, take a hike along the coast. One of the best ways to accomplish this without breaking the budget is to take the DART train bound for Bray, follow the coastal hiking trail south 2 ½ hours to Greystones, and hop the DART back to the center of Dublin.

9. The Dublin Flea Market – Free

If you happen to be in Dublin on the last Sunday of the month, head to Co-op on Newmarket Square for the Dublin Flea Market. Entry is free, and your €10 will stretch far on the goods for sale here such as vintage clothes and accessories.

10. Sample Local Cheeses – €10

Step into Sheridan’s Cheesemonger, tell them you have a budget of €10 and would like to sample some local cheeses. There’s more to Irish cheese than Cashel blue and farmhouse cheddar, you’ll learn from these cheese experts. Take your stash to nearby St Stephens Green for a picnic.

Also in our guide: Heading to Dublin? Don’t blow all your euros on sleeping! Our editors have inspected, photographed and reviewed the best cheap hotels in Dublin. Read more in our Dublin hotel guide.

The post Dublin: 10 fun activities for less than €10 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The key to sticking to your budget is finding affordable places to eat and free things to do. Keep reading for a full itinerary on a 20-euro Dublin day.

Breakfast at the Queen of Tarts. Photo: Spinksy

BREAKFAST

Start your day at Queen of Tarts, one of the best known bakeries in Dublin. You will have many choices for €5 or less here, including homemade apple scones with raspberry preserves (€2.95) or hot oatmeal with apple compote and maple syrup (€4.50).

Order at the counter and you won’t have to worry about leaving a tip (read more about tipping in Dublin).

MORNING ACTIVITY

Breakfast at Queen of Tarts will place you right at the far edge of Temple Bar. While this district is known for its rowdy tourist pubs, it is re-identifying itself as the cultural quarter of Dublin. Explore during the day when you will encounter street performers and markets full of €1 books and records.

Book enthusiasts will want to check out the shelves at the Gutter Bookshop while art lovers might want to duck into the (free) Gallery of Photography to catch an exhibition.

LUNCH

Finish wandering through Temple Bar at Curved Street, home to the Curved Street Café. This 2nd floor café is a cozy space serving up filling lunch options like hearty soups and sandwiches. The best value is the soups for €4 (served with a hunk of bread) while sandwiches cost about €6.

Once again, because you order at the counter, don’t worry about a tip. If you have a sweet tooth, all cakes here  (€2 to €3) are made at the excellent local Cake Café. Free Wi-Fi is also available here.

AFTERNOON ACTIVITY

After lunch, leave Temple Bar behind and cross the River Liffey over the whimsical Ha’Penney Bridge. Stroll along the Quays towards Dublin’s main thoroughfare, O’Connell Street, and head north towards Parnell Square. Step down into the Garden of Remembrance, a peaceful outdoor space that serves as a memorial to all those people who gave their lives seeking Irish independence from British rule.

Right nearby on Parnell Square is the Hugh Lane Gallery. Entrance here is free, and the gallery is home to one extremely popular exhibit: Francis Bacon’s studio. Here the artist’s studio has been recreated exactly as it was found on the day of his death. Several of his paintings are also on display.

DINNER

This area on the north side is well known for being home to many of Dublin’s best ethnic eateries. One of my favorites is the cozy Hop House, a restaurant serving Korean and Japanese food. All orders come with a free cup of steaming miso soup to warm you up when you step off the street.

All of the noodle dishes – such as Japanese noodles with tempura prawns – are priced around €11. There are a few sushi options for under €10 and teriyaki chicken wings (€8.90) are another local favorite. One trick is if you arrive before 5 p.m., you get to order off the lunch menu which is very similar to the dinner menu, only with cheaper prices.

Any coins left?

If you have any coins left in your budget, head to the attached pub next door to enjoy a Korean or Japanese beer and some live music.

Also in our guide: Heading to Dublin and looking to keep it cheap? Be sure to check out our reviews of the best cheap hotels in Dublin, all of them visited, inspected and photographed by our editors. Read more in our Dublin guide.

The post Dublin: A full day for under €20 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Whatever you think, panini make a very affordable lunch. There are several great places around town where you can grab one while walking between the sights.

First, let’s address some basic concerns–how to order?

Which kind of bread?

When ordering a panino, lots of places, especially if they let you create your ownsandwich (these are truly the best and freshest!) will ask you which type of bread you’d like. Italian bars and cafès often serve different types of breads; here are the most common:

Ciabatta: Literally means “slipper,” it’s long and flat.

Rosetta: Puffy on the outside and shaped like a rosebud, it’s mostly hollow and airy on the inside.

Tartaruga: Gets its name from the word “turtle” because of its hard shell-like form.

Pizza bianca: This is essentially plain pizza bread without any sauce or toppings and tastes a bit saltier than the others.

How much?

How much should you expect to pay for a panino? Typically, a sandwich costs between €2.50-€4.00, depending on the neighborhood. Anything more than that is just a rip off.

Here are a couple of my favorite spots to hit up for a tasty panino:

Bar Amore
Via dei Banchi Nuovi, 41
00186 Rome (Piazza Navona)
Cost: €2.50

Bar Amore has been around since the 1940’s and is a hub for many locals, office workers and students in the area. The place gets crowded in the mornings for breakfast and is also a hot spot for a quick lunch. Unfortunately, there are only a few tables, so many people simply grab their sandwiches to go.

Marco, who I call the “panino man,” is quick at taking your order and whipping your sandwich into lunch art. He’s also handy at making suggestions (in charming, if broken, English) on what would work well for your sandwich. He offers goodies like scamorza cheese, tuna, prosciutto crudo, turkey breast, breaded chicken, hamburger patties, salame and all sorts of mixed grilled and boiled veggies.

If you’re nearby on a Tuesday, you must try the famous porchetta (pork) from Ariccia. It’s spettacolare!

La Sanwicheria al Nazareno
Largo Nazareno, 16/17
00187 Rome (Piazza di Spagna)
Cost: €4

This little sandwich shop just off Via del Tritone between Piazza di Spagnaand the Trevi Fountain opened in 2011 and definitely serves some interesting panini! They charge a bit more than the rest, but the quality of their ingredients definitely justify it. Everything is made fresh to order (as opposed to some bars where nobody knows how long things have been sitting there!).

You can put practically anything on your panino, including arugola, fennel, tartufo, prosciutto crudo, mortadella, and lots of other interesting and yummy ingredients.

Making your own panini from the supermarket

Instead of buying apanino from the bar, you can always buy the ingredients from the supermarket and make one yourself! Almost any supermarket will sell you a few slices of prosciutto crudo, turkey (tacchino) or salame. All you have to ask is for “due o tre fette di _____” and specify which meat you want. This typically won’t run you more than a euro, especially since you’re not buying 100 grams of cold cuts.

Most supermarkets have a bakery where you can pick out your bread. Ordering just one rosetta, ciabatta or a tartaruga will probably set you back between €0.30 and €0.60. If you get a piece of pizza bianca, it could cost you about a euro. They will even slice the bread for you, if you ask.

Lastly, you’ll need to grab some mozzarella. A portion of mozzarella will cost you between €1-€1.50 for the cheapest brand. And voilà! You have your own delicious homemadepanino for about €3! (Also read our article about shopping in a grocery store in Rome.)

Also in our guide: Looking for an affordable place to stay in central Rome? In our guide to Rome you’ll find our editors’ reviews of the city’s best affordable hotels, all located in the city center, near Piazza Navona, Termini Station, the Vatican and other central neighborhoods.

The post Rome Panini: How to find and order the best sandwiches appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The eclectic Mission District is somehow both quintessential San Francisco and a world apart. Like the hip Marina and tony Pacific Heights, the Mission has a large population of ravishing Victorian homes but here the genteel structures keep company with tall palm trees, colorful murals and ornate Spanish-style architecture. And while its edgy, artsy flair resembles the vibe in neighboring SoMa, the Mission is more down to earth.

I recently enjoyed an entire blissful day of Mission flavor and sunshine (this micro-climate at the base of Twin Peaks is also often sunny even when the rest of the city is not). I dove in to the nabe’s offbeat, contagious energy. And I spent just $30—three meals included.

Breakfast
$2.50 scone + $1.25 coffee = $3.75

While it holds true that my usual Mission mainstay, Tartine Bakery (600 Guerrero Street), is every bit as good as its seductive smells and around-the-corner lines imply, the cheaper and equally tasty option is new kid on the next block, Arizmendi Bakery (1268 Valencia Street).

Arizmendi scones.

The Mission shop is the latest in a series of outposts (the others are in the Sunset and the East Bay) of the worker-owned coop that’s earned a cult following for its crusty pizza and rotating menu of artisan breads.

For breakfast, though, look no further than the self-serve case of corn-cherry scones, a crumbly delight that has inspired dreams and sonnets (okay, maybe just a few special trips out to the Sunset).

Art Walk
Free

My scone fix managed, I wandered down 24th Street, also known as “El Corazon de la Misione,”  (the heart of the Mission), for a little artistic flair.

First stop: Precita Eyes Mural Arts and Visitors Center (2981 24th Street at Harrison), the energetic arts organization responsible for the mural projects that have been beautifying San Francisco and enriching its communities for more than 30 years.

The center leads tours, but I chose to peruse the gift shop, get a general sense of history and then tour the murals on my own, heading back the way I came, with a stop at Balmy Alley, a tiny, colorful haven where more than 30 vibrant murals mingle with cascading bougainvillea.

Sunshine and Views
Free

Then it was off to Dolores Street, a lovely incline lined with palm trees and exquisite Victorian homes, with the vast green expanse that is Mission Dolores Park holding court at 20th Street. Though this neighborhood recreational center hosts everything from the “Really Really Free Market” to free movies movies al fresco, when I visited on a quiet weekday morning, it was all sunshine and spectacular city views.

Mission Dolores
$5 suggested donation

I could have gazed at San Francisco’s iconic skyline, with the elaborate tower of the Spanish-style Mission High School floating in the foreground, all day, but instead I moved on down Dolores to visit the lovely structure that gave the neighborhood—and the city—their names.

Just another street in the Mission.

Built in 1776, Mision San Francisco de Asis (also known as Mission Dolores) is the oldest building in the city. Though it’s dwarfed by a massive (and stunning) cathedral next door, this modest adobe structure is equally impressive, with a woven ceiling patterned after the basket-weaving of the native Costonoans who built the chapel.

Out back, the garden and cemetery are a lush and poignant tribute to some of the more unfortunate aspects of the city’s history (along with several California dignitaries, many of the Native Americans who died building the Mission are buried here).

Lunch
$4

When it comes to a tasty, cheap and authentic Mission District lunch, head to unassuming Panchitas (3091 16th Street at Valencia). This simple, friendly joint serves up traditional Mexican and Salvadorean eats with a smile. Tuck into a well-stuffed burrito or try Salvadorian enchiladas. Either way, you’ll fill up for under $5.

Window Shopping
Free

Yes, we’re on a budget, but I couldn’t visit the Mission without browsing in its quirky shops. I started with the  musty smell and stacks of well-loved pages at Adobe Bookshop (3166 16th Street), then visited the used bookstore’s Backroom Gallery, a unique, alternative space for emerging artists to showcase their work.

Next I checked out the funky chotchkes to retro clothing at quirky Therapy (545 Valencia Street), and “got my beat on” at Aquarius Records (1055 Valencia Street). The city’s oldest independent record shop, Aquarius is still the spot for music lovers, with an unbelievable selection of musical magic, and a surprisingly unpretentious vibe.

Peace, Art and Oddities
Free

In between those shop windows are tucked some other eye-candy elements worth looking out for. I checked out more murals on Clarion Alley (off Valencia, just past 17th Street) and then took in the “Troll Window” (yes, you read that right) at 18th and Valencia.

Also on 18th Street is the Women’s Building (3543 18th St.), a testament to girl power best known for Maestrapeace, the impressive mural on its facade.

Curiosity Shops
Free

It just so happens that two of the most, um, interesting addresses in this crazy ‘hood are right next to each other. We’ll start with 826 Valencia, a children’s literacy organization founded by author Dave Eggers. In addition to an educational space, though, this whimsical spot is also outfitted with fake trees, a tented reading spot and, naturally, a pirate store.

Next door at Paxton Gate (824 Valencia), curiosity killed (and stuffed) the cat. The brainchild of a couple of landscape designers, this bizarre yet delightful space is gardening store, natural history museum and curiosity shop in one, with a peculiar stock that includes everything from bulb vases to taxidermied animals.

Dinner
$17

Post-taxidermy store, drinks were the only logical next step, and, it seems, all Mission roads lead back to Arizmendi. I avoided the temptation to devour another scone, though, and instead opted for its ultra-cool neighbor, Heart Wine Bar (1270 Valencia Street). In true tribute to its up-and-coming yet laid-back neighborhood, Heart is both sleek and unpretentious.

Wine wall at Heart Wine Bar.

Jeff, Heart’s proprietor, wanted to combine the menu of an upscale wine bar with the fun, relaxed atmosphere of a beer garden. He did up the space, originally built to house Wells Fargo stagecoaches, with reclaimed wood (some from Katrina houses), antique mirrors and rotating art exhibits.

The wines, all natural, small-production artisan varietals, are served in mason jars and priced as low as $6. They also come with amusing, off-the-wall descriptions. (My favorite: “Sort of like that Italian fishmonger in Genoa, but smells better.”)

As for eats, the menu is minimal but tasty, with local meats, cheeses and snacks (olives, almonds, pickles…) on offer, in addition to some salads and a few sandwiches. I had a yummy sandwich and a glass of good wine for a remarkable $15.

Grand total: $27.75!

Do you have any tips about Cheapo-friendly ways to spend the day in the Mission District? Share with us in the comments section.

The post San Francisco: A day in the Mission District for under $30 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.