The Budget Traveler's Greatest Asset
Dining at sit-down restaurants three times a day quickly drains any European travel budget. By shifting breakfast and occasional lunches to regional supermarket chains, you can sample authentic local cheeses, breads, cured meats, and fresh produce for €3 to €5 per meal while reserving your restaurant budget for evening dining.
The Best Supermarket Chains by Country
- Portugal: Pingo Doce and Continente
Pingo Doce is legendary among travelers for its in-store hot food counters (Comida Fresca). You can purchase hot roast chicken, grilled cod, rice, and roasted vegetables for €4.50 to €6.00 per container. Fresh bakery pastéis de nata cost roughly €0.45 each.
- Spain: Mercadona and Dia
Mercadona is Spain’s premier domestic grocery chain. Look for pre-made Spanish potato omelets (tortilla de patatas) for €2.20, gazpacho cartons for €1.40, vacuum-sealed jamón serrano for €2.00, and fresh baguettes for €0.60.
- Germany: Rewe, Edeka, and Lidl
Rewe and Edeka feature hot bakery counters and salad bars. You can buy warm meatloaf rolls (Leberkässemmel) or schnitzel rolls for €2.50 to €3.50. Lidl and Aldi offer the lowest prices on fresh fruit, yogurt, and trail snacks.
- Poland: Biedronka and Zabka
Zabka is a ubiquitous convenience store on every corner in Poland, selling hot coffees and warm Polish sausages or hot dogs for 7 to 10 PLN (€1.60 to €2.30). For grocery shopping, Biedronka provides high-quality pierogi packs, kabanos sausages, and fresh rye bread for minimal cost.
- Austria: Spar and Billa
Austrian supermarkets feature full deli counters (Feinkost). Ask the attendant at the counter to slice fresh bread and prepare a warm Leberkäse roll with sweet mustard for €2.80 to €3.80.