PS: Checkout my earlier guide to Athens and also my guide to where to eat in Thessaloniki if you are planning a trip there soon.

1. Pandora

Lempesi 1, Athina 11742

Our tour starts at one of the oldest bakeries in Koukaki, Pandora which is tucked away on a side street near the Acropolis. Their main claim to fame are their heavenly pies which are an essential part of the Greek and Athenian diet and something that can be enjoyed at all times- breakfast, lunch or dinner. The pies here are made with homemade phyllo pastry and prepared on the premises daily. There is a range of pies to try with interesting filling from pumpkin to cheese and pasta.

During the tour we tried the two classic versions- spinach and cheese and chicken. Both were fantastic, the phyllo crumbly and delicious as well as the fillings. Perfect start.

2. Tavern Thomas

Dimitrakopoulou 18, Athina 11742

Our next stop is Tavern Thomas , a restaurant which is a modern take on the post-war tavern of Athens from the 1950s and beyond, aiming to revive the flavors that Athens had at the time. Dishes here range from homemade bread with olives to lamb with greens, mashed potatoes, greens, pies, Greek salad, braised meats and fish. 

Led by their passionate head chef Dimitris Panayiotou, we were treated to some olive oil tasting with their homebaked sourdough bread which was delicious. We then were served some typical mezes, which were fava bean puree and also zucchini balls. Both were fab,

We washed it all down with an excellent local white wine, Malagousia. All the items were from the nearby region of Peloponnese where the chef’s roots are. Overall, a very pleasant and nice experience.

3. Pantopolion

Dimitrakopoulou 34, Athina 11742

For our next stop, Theodore takes us to a popular local delicatessen with a twist : Pantopolion not only offers authentic Greek food specialities but serves visitors a wide variety of Greek beverages, from tsipouro, tsikoudia to wine accompanied by cold cuts of meat plus cheeses.

For our ‘third’ course of the tour, owners Giannis and Stavros served up a tasting platter of Graveira cheese from Crete , cold cuts of meats-pastrami and salami, olives accompanied by tsipouro and the famous Mastiha- a liquer made from the Mastiha resin of a tree which grows only on the island of Chios. Loved all the items, especially the salty mature Graveira cheese. 

4. Dyo Dekares Oka 

Anastasiou Zinni 29, Athina 117 41

Our last stop was a sit-down dinner of home-cooked Greek classics at one of the coziest tavernas in Athens. If you want to visit a typical Athenian tavern, this is the place, with guitars and snapshots of Greek music on the walls. Run by three brothers, the tavern feels more like a gathering of friends and family and you are being welcomed into their home. The brothers have kept alive their family recipes and culinary traditions so this as Athenian as it gets. We are treated to a delicious homemade moussaka, eggplant roasted in the oven with feta, marinated chickpeas and tzatziki.

We are full and bursting by the end so we were grateful for Theodore taking us on a walk through one of the most beautiful streets in Athens- Tsami Karatasou. You will find some of the finest example of neoclassical architecture on this street, wedged between the 70s apartment buildings and the odd few abandoned mansions with barred doors. 

‘If you want to see what Athens was like in the 50’s , this street is time-capsule of that time.’

Theodore remarks wistfully as we slowly wind our tour in front of the Acropolis. If you want to dig into Greek food culture, learn about the history of Athens and also listen to some nice personal anecdotes of what is life like as an Athenian, this tour is perfect and Theodore is great company.  My only minor quibble is that there was too much delicious food so my advice is to come hungry and skip lunch!

How to book this food tour

Athens Evening Food Tour of Koukaki lasts 3 hours ( 5.30-8.30pm ) and costs €79, booked directly via the Devour Food Tours website. 

Disclaimer- We were gifted this food tour by Devour Food Tours but the views expressed here are entirely my own. 

1. Bunna Cafe, Gozo

Address: 38A Triq ir-Repubblika, Ir-Rabat Għawdex, Malta

Restaurateur Philip Spiteri’s go to place for coffee, Bunna Cafe is one of Malta’s best cafes. The coffee is wonderful as well as their food. What elevates this cafe to something special are the two ladies who run- they make a point to welcome everyone as if they were welcoming you to their home. Great hospitality, yummy sandwiches, croissants and toasts.

2. Gleneagles Bar, Gozo

Address: 10, Triq Il-Vittorja Gozo GSM 2400, Malta

Run by brothers Tony and Sammy for 5 decades, Gleneagles Bar is a Gozitan Institution . Like all great bars, it is a meeting point for locals, a hideout,  a real piece of local history.  The brothers are full of stories and you feel a real connection to the island’s history when you visit this pub. Plus, the broad sweeping view of Mgarr harbour from the balcony of the bar is amazing – you can spend hours watching people come and go. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Amazing fresh salads at Mojos is one of many delicious items on the menu

3. Mojo’s

Address: Triq Fortunato Mizzi, Ir-Rabat Għawdex, Malta

Probably the best lunch spot in Gozo, Mojo’s has a fabulous menu serving fresh fruit juices, epic salads, their Gozitan burger is the stuff of legends as are their sweet chill cheddar fries. Claire, the owner is a legend too and had so many nice tips to share of her island.

Everything on the menu at Ta’ Philip is great but I loved the octopus

4. Ta’ Philip

Address: Triq Sant’ Antnin Ghajnsielem, Mġarr, Malta

Run by the affable and talented restuarnteur, Philip Spiteri, Ta Philip is the place to go to in Gozo where you can enjoy traditional Gozitan dishes slow cooked in a wood burning oven. Great selection of wines too.

5. Vini e Capricci by Abraham’s

Address: Gozitano Agricultural Village, Mgarr Road,, Xewkija XWK 9014, Malta

A great place for a nice coffee or a glass of wine, ( they have an incredible wine cellar ) Vini e Capricci in Xewkija is another high quality but value for money place to eat in Gozo. On the lunch menu they have fire grilled panini starting at just €9.50 plus delicious soups and salads. ( wild fennel salad is amazing ) Signature dishes include the Risotto al Guanciale ( €10.75) and Rabbit Ravioli ( €14.75)

Delicious ftira at Ta’ Saminu Bakery

6. Ta’ Saminu Bakery

Address: Triq Tal-Ħamrija, Xewkija, Malta

A family-run bakery that goes back generations, Ta’ Saminu Bakery is one of the last few traditional bakeries on the island. They specialise in Gozitan style ftira, qassatat with unique fillings, biscuits and local breads which are prepared in their wood burning oven. There is always queue of locals snaking out of the bakery, always a reassuring sign.

7. Sphinx Pastizzeria

Various outlets in Gozo and Malta

If you ask any Maltese local about their favourite local dish, it is likely they will mention Pastizzi ( sounds like past-it-si) to you. 

You walk in any direction in Gozo or Malta and you will bump into a Pastizzeria. 

The classic pastizzi is in two forms, with ricotta cheese and my favourite, mashed peas.

Chef, Stephen La Rosa’s go to place is Sphinx Pastizzeria and their pastizzi is fantastic. Beyond the classics they have some adventurous flavours including their brand new truffle pastizzi.

Sabrina trying the delicious ravioli at Cafe Jubilee, Gozo

8. Café Jubilee

Address: Pjazza l-Indipendenza, Ir-Rabat Għawdex, Malta

I finish with one of my favourite places to eat in Gozo, Café Jubilee which became an instant hit with locals in Victoria since its opening in 1998 and following its success, a restaurant in Valletta followed two years later.

For a mere €2.50 you can get one of their excellent cheese and tomato toasted sandwiches.Their signature Nanna’s Ravioli dish is just €10.95 and they are generous with their portions.

The rest of their extensive menu also ranges between these prices, which makes it a perfect place to get bang for your buck. And it’s open from 8 am till about midnight so you really don’t have any excuse not to go.

The bonus? This dimly lit cosy café is full of quirky décor (think tables and chair glued to the ceiling) which makes it perfect for a romantic meal with loved ones or friends.

Further reading

Discovering Malta with locals, no smartphone or guidebook required

Cheap eats guide to Malta

Things to do in Malta and Gozo

Disclaimer: The trip to Malta and Gozo was possible thanks to the kind support of Visit Malta and partners. However, all the opinions expressed here, good and bad are entirely my own.

We came to Thessaloniki to eat and work. Plus to enjoy the warmth. It was late October and still a perfect 24c. Over little under a month, we enjoyed some of the best food we have ever tasted. What makes Thessalonki, the food capital of Greece? The city’s rich culinary traditions have been built on the wave of immigrants that have made the city home over the centuries.You can find traditional Greek dishes like moussaka and souvlaki, as well as unique local specialties. One iconic dish is bougatsa, a flaky pastry filled with sweet cream or savory cheese. Another must-try is the koulouri, a circular bread topped with sesame seeds that is a popular street food snack.Seafood is also a big part of the cuisine in Thessaloniki, with fresh fish and seafood dishes being a staple in many restaurants along the waterfront. Where to eat in Thessaloniki and what food should you eat in Thessaloniki? To really feel the pulse of the city, head to one of the city’s many mezedopolia ( small plates restaurants where you gorge on a variety of local dishes, washed down with ridiculously affordable ouzo, wine, retsina or tsipouro). I’ve shared below the best restaurants in Thessaloniki that are good quality and budget friendly. Let me know if I should add anymore names to this list.

1. Laikon

Situated next the nightlife hotspot of Ladaika , you will find Laikon. I can’t vouch for this being the best gyros in Thessaloniki but I’m sure it is up there with the best in the city- loved the combination of crispy pancetta with mustard, spicy cheese spread-tirokafteri and their hand cut fries, bundled into a fluffy toasted pita.

Cost: €3.20

Address: Politechniou 24, Thessaloniki 546 25, Greece

2. Kafeneio Odysseia

Run by the affable Christos and Rita, Kafeneio Odysseia for me sums of the magic of Thessaloniki’s food scene. There is no menu here. You are served whatever is fresh from the oven. It feels like eating at someone’s home rather than a restaurant. Everything we tasted from their amazing crunchy salad to the broad beans in tomato sauce baked in the oven to Dolmadakia (vine leaves stuffed with rice) -each dish tasted heavenly and was beautifully presented.

Cost: The prices are super cheap- we ordered 4 dishes and it came to €20. Half a litre of the house white wine was €5.

Address: Kastritsiou 11, Thessaloniki 546 23, Greece

3. Argofageio

This was another highlight of Thessaloniki, It is a small intimate restaurant with 6 tables and the quality of food here is amazing for what you pay. The handwritten menu changes daily and prepared with whatever is fresh from the market.Everything we tasted here, from stuffed mushrooms to seafood rice with mussels was amazing. Two glasses of white wine: €2.50.

Address: Apellou 6, Thessaloniki 546 22, Greece

4. Το Δίχτυ

Good seafood, lovely atmosphere, nice music and really good prices- safe bet for decent seafood in Thessaloniki

Address: Δραγουμη και, Dimitsa 18, Thessaloniki 546 23, Greece

5. Salento Wood Fired Street Food

This restaurant besides serving great wood fired oven pizzas specialises in Puccia sandwich, a traditional bread from Salento, an area of Puglia. It’s a street food classic made with pizza dough baked in a wood-fired oven. Similar to a pita (but not quite as thick and as chewy) you can choose from a variety of fillings- mushrooms, pulled pork, salsiccia, pesto, prosciutto crudo- you are spoilt for choice.

Cost: Prices start from just €4.50

Address: El. Venizelou 76, Thessaloniki 546 31, Greece

6. Μπακίρι Καφενές

I would recommend this old fashioned coffee house /meze ‘small plates’ restaurant near to Zeus is Loose Hostel on the strength of the staff, price and also the food.

Cost: We ordered a greek salad which was fantastic, fried fish plus some coffees for under €8.

Address: Chalkeon 23, Thessaloniki 546 31, Greece

7. Οινοποτείο καπηλειό

This meze small plates restaurant in the Kapani market is a gem with variety of traditional greek dishes. Pick of all the dishes was the smoked aubergine with feta.

Cost: Meze starts from just €4 and half a litre of wine from €5. Incredible value and wonderful service.

Address: Spandoni 26, Thessaloniki 546 24, Greece

8. Bougatsa Bantis

If there was dish that represented Thessaloniki and its history, it would be Bougasta, a phyllo pastry pie that is enjoyed for breakfast in northern Greece. It is close cousin of Turkish börek which you also find in the Balkans.

The best place to try in Thessaloniki is Bougasta Bantis, run by Philippos Bantis and his family. Philippos is the 3rd generation of the family making Bougasta, a tradition carried on from his grandfather who came to Thessaloniki with the wave of Greek refugees who had to leave Cappadocia back in the early 1920’s. The Greeks from Asia Minor brought their rich food culture and century old baking traditions. So when you try the Bougasta here, you are tasting a unique slice of history and heritage. Founded in 1969 by Phillippos’s father, you can try cheese, spinach or my favourite-semolina custard and cinnamon.

Address: Panagias Faneromenis 33, Thessaloniki 546 32, Greece

9. Εδεσσαϊκό

Traditional Greek cuisine, huge portion sizes at an incredible price- this was one of the best value restaurants in Thessaloniki.

Address: Ag. Dimitriou 140

Further reading

40 pictures that will make you want to visit Athens

First time I ate in Seville

I came to Seville at the end of a hectic 6 weeks of interrailing back in 2012. It was July and already the temperatures were in the high 30’s. The intense heat meant I could barely move around the city during the day. While backpackers were getting wasted at the rooftop pool of the hostel, I was hiding away in my room in the cool comfort of my air conditioned private room. I was wiped out emotionally and physically. Too many nights of drinking and the constant stress of moving every 2-3 days meant I couldn’t look at another drink or speak to anyone. I barely saw any of the sights in Seville over these 3 days because of the heat and exhaustion. The only time I emerged was afternoon and late in the evening to look for something to eat. Even though I was burnout and pretty happy to have not moved from my room, my first encounter going to a tapas bar in Seville was like a godly revelation. I had already been to Barcelona and Valencia before where I ate at some wonderful places but the tapas bars of Seville had a different air or vibe to them. I remember walking in and seeing this amazing array of colourful dishes all laid out on the broad counter of this bar and people just pointing to what they wanted and eating it. It felt like eating at your grandmother’s-everything I chose and ate was delicious. There was no time to pause in-between dishes.  The small plates of food came thick and fast and I just kept on devouring everything that was suggested to me. I was under some magical trance and it was only when I stepped into the harsh daylight that the spell was finally broken and I realised what I had experienced. I think then it clicked for me, how important food is when it comes to travel. In a world of constant distraction, the simple ritual of eating, slows time down and gives us a moment to reflect about ourselves and the world around us.

It was that trip that made me realise that less is more when it comes to travel and gave me that desire to slow down. I then promised myself one day to come back to Seville and focus on only one thing- eat. That promise took me 7 years to fulfil but I did come back again for a whole week which flew by and then I came the following year for 2 weeks and this still, wasn’t long enough. Given that there are close to 3000 tapas bars in Seville, it might take us both a lifetime to discover all the magic this city has to offer. However, since you probably don’t have the luxury of a lifetime, in order to narrow the field of choice a little and make it easier for you, I thought I would pass onto you some of my favourite places which you can discover in the form of a free self guided walking tour. You can easily eat out and see all the places below in a weekend but it depends on how much time you are willing to dedicate – it goes without saying, the slower, the better you will enjoy the food, it will taste better and you will also digest this city far better.

A free self guided walking tour of Seville for foodies

El Arenal

We start our self guided tour in the El Arenal neighbourhood which is one of Sevilla’s liveliest neighbourhoods in Seville, sitting in a triangle formed by Paseo de Colón on one side, and Calle Adriano and Calle Dos de Mayo on the other. The prosperity of El Arenal dates back to the 16th century when Seville was a thriving trading hub and boats, loaded with gold and silver would arrive here from the Indies to be repaired. The narrow streets here, that were filled with merchants, dockers, sailors and chief mates are now packed with century old “abacerías” (grocery stores) and some of the city’s best bodegas and tapas bars.

First port of call is the Mercardo del Arenal. Created in 1947 the mercado, formerly the site for a convent and later a prison, is now where locals come to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

Picnic Panes Artesanos

Right next to the Mercardo is Picnic Panes Artesanos. If you are looking for artisan bread, this is the place to come to plus they bake delicious cakes ranging from Dulce de Leche alfajores, cinnamon rolls, apple cakes, cookies & magdalenas

Casa Matias

Worth bookmarking and popping your head in to visit later, this historic tavern is one of my favourite places for a cold, cheap beer – plus from Tuesday to Sunday, they perform flamenco shows here.

Casa Morales

Back in the day when sailors and merchants were flocking the streets of El Arenal it was common for the old abacerías– grocery stores to double up as bars. Few of those remain and one of the best existing examples is the historic Casa Morales which since 1850 has been quenching the thirst of locals with their chilled local sherry and beers, serving a delicious range of tapas dishes ranging from albondigas (meatballs) to sets (mushrooms), montaditos (small sandwiches) and the classic anchovies on toast with cheese.

Keep your eye out for the hidden but beautiful Plaza del Cabildo in the heart of the city: Seville is filled with beautiful corners like this.

Orange Wine at Taberna Perejil

Orange Wine at Taberna Perejil

Continuing the sweet theme, pop into Taberna Perejil where since 1904, they have been serving Vino de Naranja, famous local orange wine which comes from Moguer (a little town from Huelva). It is a sweet wine, perfect for an aperitif or can be enjoyed as a dessert wine. At €1.20, you can easily quaff a few of these.

Taste Solomillo al Whisky Bodega Santa Cruz

Bodega Santa Cruz is another classic tapas bar that I love coming back to- first reason is that the prices of the tapas here is very reasonable, starting around the €2 mark. Secondly, the food is fantastic. Try their delicious meatballs albondigas and the local classic Solomillo al Whisky (pork tenderloin in whisky sauce).

The latter dish is one of the most authentic tapas dishes you can try in the city and tasted damn good here.

Enjoy Carrillada at Antigua Abaceria de San Lorenzo

Another of the few remaining abaceria or bodegas in town, this tapas bar is a little bit off the beaten path but probably one of the best tapas restaurants in the city. The waitress and owner speak little English but are friendly and patient with my questions. In the end we decided to try Carrillada which is braised Iberian Pork Cheeks, slow cooked in the local fino aka sherry over a low heat for at least a few hours. The end result as you can imagine is this delicious, heavenly tender meat which is perfectly accompanied with roasted potatoes.

El Rinconcello-the birthplace of tapas

Close to the Iglesia de Santa Catalina and the Iglesia de San Pedro, where the painter Velazquez was baptized lies El Rinconcello, the oldest tapas bar in Seville and also Spain. It is classified as the the second oldest in Spain after the Madrid-based Botín. Dating back to 1670, the interiors here haven’t changed much in the last 300 years with traditional Andalusian tiles adorning the walls and the centrepiece, the famous carved wooden bar where the patrons are propped up. The bar is standing room only and there are no seats. There are no receipts here. The waiters write your bill in chalk on the wooden bar, which is then added up at the end of the session.

You can try the signature dish of Seville, espinacas con garbanzos. This dish sums up Seville’s rich history. The Moors were the first to bring spinach, chickpeas, and cumin to Spain and all three are the main stars of this dish alongside smoked paprika. My other favourite dish here is bacalau aka cod in a tomato garlic sauce-heavenly stuff!

The selection of wines here is fantastic, with a special focus on Andalusian wines.

Casa Vizcaíno

If you’re looking for an authentic, local bar then this is as good as it gets in Seville. The ice cold draft beer flows quickly here and at around €1.20 for a glass you will soon be spilling out onto the pavement with other locals and making new friends in no time. There’s also a wide range of sherries on offer plus the famous local orange wine. Drinks are served here with tasty olives and there are some special tapas dishes on the menu like Mojama , a Mediterranean delicacy salt-cured tuna, caviar and Bacalao Saladisimo – salted cod.

Try local craft ales like Zurda Golden Ale at La Jeronima

If you are still feeling thirsty, highly recommend a trip to La Jeronima where you are invited to ‘read our beers and drink our books.’ Part library stocking publications from local publishers and a menu featuring over 30 craft beers from across Andalusia-this is a real authentic slice of Seville. If it is a warm day and you are thirsty I highly recommend a bottle of the refreshing Zurda Golden Ale.

We finish off with some gelato. Freskura, near Alameda de Hercules could be in with a good shout for having the best ice cream in the city: try their lemon basil sorbet ( €2.50 ) ….or just a few hundred yards from the Mercado is Heladeria Artesana La Fiorentina, one of Seville’s best gelaterias where you find a range of exotic and exciting flavours, many of which are original and unique to Seville. Recommend trying the orange blossom or “crema de Sevilla” to get a real taste of Seville’s sweet side.

Explore city’s rich food scene with a local

If this post has whetted your appetite and you want to dig in further, then I highly recommend trying one of Devour Seville’s Food Tours. I’ve been on tours with their guides in Madrid and Barcelona- they are extremely passionate about their food, energetic and full of tips and ideas. Taking one of their tours is a great way to get a sense of history of the place and after the tours they always handout a sheet with tips of their favourite places to eat, drink and see. The emphasis in their tours is always supporting locals: no food chains, corporates are involved so by taking their tours, you are really putting money back into the local economy. I won’t give you the lowdown of where we visited but this food tour had it all: we ate a lot (come with an empty stomach) and the tour was filled with lots of nuggets of local history.

Disclaimer: This post was produced with the kind support of the Spanish Tourist Office UK as part of their #SlowTravelSpain campaign. However, all the views expressed here, good and bad, are entirely my own. Thank you.

BREAKFAST IN HAMBURG

Best waffles ever!

1. Nord Coast Coffee Roastery

Germany loves their coffee, so much so that it is rumoured to have a higher consumption than beer and water combined! Nowhere is that love of coffee more evident than in Hamburg which has a long standing long affair with the bean thanks to its access to all the world’s major shipping and trade routes. Coffee was one of the reasons that helped create the warehouses in the Speicherstadt district at the end of the 19th century, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

So its appropriate that in the heart of the Speicherstadt you can enjoy today some of the city’s best coffee at the Nord Coast Coffee Roastery. Besides the coffee, customers flock here to buy their pre-packaged coffee plus they also uphold a proud reputation of having the best homemade waffles with cream ( Starts from €4.70) in the city and possibly Germany. Other popular favourites include their freshly pressed juices, homemade granola (€5.90), banana bread pancakes ( gluten free, €7.50) and their avocado and poached eggs on toast with homemade green pesto and baby leaf spinach (€7.50).

Address: Deichstr. 9, 20459 Hamburg, Germany

Cafe Paris, Hamburg

2. Cafe Paris

Strictly not budget but for me this cafe is an unmissable Hamburg experience, an authentic piece of Paris right in the heart of Hamburg. Just a hop, skip and jump from the Alster and Hamburg’s majestic city hall is the classic Café Paris which evokes the charm and elegance of the turn of the century Parisian cafes. This is for me the perfect place to start any day in Hamburg – there’s a beautiful stillness in the morning hours when the cafe is not too busy and you can linger over your coffee and just enjoy the beautiful art nouveau interiors. Grab a seat at the bar. Enjoy your coffee with one of their crisp buttery croissants and if budgets permit and you’re a sucker for oysters like me, order half a dozen of their delicious oysters and wash it down with a glass of their crémant ( €27.90). Later in the day feast on classic French dishes like Bouillabaise, Steak Fries or Poulet Citron.

Address: Rathausstraße 4, 20095 Hamburg

or

3. Try Franzbrötchen from Der Kleine Konditorei or Junge Backerei

Another piece of fluffy sugary goodness that you must try when in Hamburg is Franzbrötchen. Literally named “the French roll,” the origins of this dish hark back to the time of the Napoleonic occupation of the city from 1806­–1814 when the city had been introduced to the croissant. Made with lots of sugar and cinnamon the modern day Franzbrötchen served in Hamburg’s bakeries has a few varieties, such as raisins, chocolate or macadamia. One of the places I often savour it is Junge Backerei, a chain of bakeries that originated in nearby Lubeck. Another local bakery famed for their Franzbrötchen is Der Kleine Konditorei which has outlets in Langenfelder Damm, Lutterothstraße and Osterstraße.

LUNCH IN HAMBURG

4. Shiso Burger

Tucked away on Bugenhagenstraße just behind the lively Mönckebergstraßeabout is Shiso Burger, a gourmet burger experience with a difference. Picture a classic gourmet burger joint but with high quality Angus beef, lamb’s lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers served with an Asian twist in a bao style bun- you get the best of both worlds with Shiso. Simple industrial design, muted colors and small details like the colourful origami cranes set the relaxed and unpretentious vibe.

My favourite is the “Bulgogi Burger” : the burger is not made from a minced patty, but with Angus filet pieces marinated in a Korean chilli paste. I also recommend the Chili-Lemon Burger: Asian spices, lemon mayo, Korean chilli paste and teriyaki sauce dunked over tender fillet of beef and topped off with strong cheddar-food heaven. For sides choose from their delicious sweet potato fries, edamame or lotus chips. All the burger including sides cost less than €10 to give you an idea of price. Wash it all down with their homemade lychee lemonade. Top tip: If the weather is good, grab a seat outside on one of the shared tables on the sidewalk

Address: Bugenhagenstraße 23, 20095 Hamburg

Scenic views of the harbour, great food= Brucke 10

5. Brücke 10

No trip to Hamburg is complete without enjoying one of their hugely popular freshly filled fish sandwiches aka Fischbrötchen. My favourite place to enjoy a Fischbrötchen in Hamburg is the bistro Brücke 10 located directly on the pier in Hamburg’s historic harbour, Landungsbrücken. Watch the harbour ferries and catamarans sail past the historic waterfront while savouring either a ‘Nordseekrabben’ : Little shrimps folded into a crisp bed roll or choose my favourite, the classic ‘Matjes’, a bit sour fish topped up with some crunchy onions. Don’t forget to wash it down with the iconic local Astra beer. There are tons of fischbrotchen vendors along the harbour, some much more cheaper than Brücke 10 but in terms of quality and price, this place is unbeatable.

Address: St. Pauli-Landungsbrücken 10, 20359 Hamburg

TEATIME SNACK IN HAMBURG

6. Zuckermonarchie

Welcome to the most innocent sin in Hamburg’s Reeperbahn district – Just off Taubenstrasse lies Hamburg’s queen of cupcakes: Zuckermonarchie. Choose from pretty pastel cupcakes to champagne flavoured macarons and cake pops in a pink candybox interior worthy of any Disney-esque fantasy. Besides beautifully crafted coffee and range of flavoured teas, the cafe also offers delicious homemade lemonades.

Everything is made from scratch on the premises with no artificial flavourings and preservatives plus they use organic eggs.

If you’re in Hamburg on the weekend, come with an empty stomach and order their special breakfast ‘Katherina die Große’ (€12.95 per person) which is a mixture of sweet and savoury delights. You definitely will not be disappointed.

Address: Taubenstraße 15, 20359 Hamburg

7. Milch

Its worth checking out the beautiful minimalist cafe Milch in Hamburg’s Neustadt just for its dreamy interiors. They serve a fantastic flat white , have a great selection of pastries and the staff are friendly.

Address: Ditmar-Koel-Strasse 22. Hamburg 20459. Germany

DINNER IN HAMBURG

8. Restaurant Teheran

Teheran is one of the few Hamburg restaurants that serve traditional Persian cuisine. I’m a huge fan of their kebabs here. Food is delicious, well presented and prices are fantastic. Whenever I dine here, places is packed with local Persian families which is always a good sign.

Top tip: Try the Mirzaghasemi: (€5.50) Baked eggplant with garlic, steamed tomatoes and eggs for starters  their ‘Fesenjan’(€9.90)- chicken in pomegranate sauce with roasted walnuts and basmati rice-food heaven!

Address: Adenauerallee 70, 20097 Hamburg

9. Imbiss bei Schorsch

While Berlin is the home of the currywurst, in my opinion, Hamburg can claim to be home to probably THE best currywurst in Germany thanks to the fantastic Imbiss bei Schorsch.

From the outside this little ‘imbiss’ in the heart of St Pauli looks quite unremarkable but don’t be deceived by its looks. Pop inside and order their currywurst (€3) which is served with a generous portion of their super secret, spicy tomato sauce. It is so revered amongst locals that often people travel from far and beyond just to buy tubs of their special tomato sauce. Also, while savouring the currywurst, their delicious potato salad (€2.50) is must and of course washed down with an ice cold Astra beer.

Address: Beim Grünen Jäger 14, Hamburg.

Last two recommendations are not the places I would usually recommend in the blog but if you’re one of those foodies that likes the occasional splurge on a high quality, fine dining experience, then do checkout one or both of these restaurants below.

10. Haebel

Unfussy but fine dining in an intimate setting, right in the heart of St Pauli, Haebel is another rising star of Hamburg’s innovative gastronomic scene. Customers love their open kitchen concept which allows them to watch the food while being prepared which is half the fun itself. The restaurant offers a fixed 5 course menu with excellent 100% organic wines to match each dish. Fabio Haebel’s food can be best described as French with a strong Nordic accent. The passion for French cuisine developed from his childhood years growing up in Alsace and later after adopting Hamburg as his second home, the love of two regions and their culinary cultures fusing to form Haebel. Fabio and his team are constantly experimenting, challenging themselves, changing the menu every month to keep things fresh plus and wherever possible they to keep it seasonal and local. At €77 for the menu, this is expensive but a great experience if you’re looking to splurge for a unique dining experience.

Address: Paul-Roosen-Straße 31, 22767 Hamburg

Granny Smith Gazpacho

The focaccia bread served in a brown paper bag is based on a recipe of bread from his school -“That’s how my school bread tasted,” says Ferrantino.

11. Bianc

If you’re looking for a fine gastronomic experience with a personal, emotional twist in Hamburg, then Bianc should definitely top your list. Situated in the heart of Hamburg’s atmospheric Hafencity with stellar views onto the Elbphiharmonic, Bianc is a wonderful gastronomic experience which explores chef Matteo Ferrantino’s relationship between food and art as well as the taste of his childhood. The chef draws heavily on his Italian roots in Puglia. This is reflected in the ‘bianc’ white interiors that are reminiscent of the whitewashed towns of his motherland while the centrepiece of the restaurant a emerald green wispy olive tree comes all the way from Mattinata, the Apulian hometown of the cook. The focaccia bread served in a brown paper bag is based on a recipe of bread from his school -“That’s how my school bread tasted,” says Ferrantino.

The amuse bouche served to launch proceedings is worth the experience itself where you can sample innovative dishes like the sweet and sour Granny Smith Gazpacho ( served in a test tube) or radish served with ghee or Gambas served on a crunch wafer-thin tortilla- every dish is served with a brief explanation. Service here is attentive without being obtrusive. Every course is delivered with pure theatre and art. The main menu evolves from there with a choice of seafood and meat dishes. There’s an excellent wine list to match the dishes if budgets permit (whopping €110 for the 9 course Emotion Menu.) , treasure trove of lesser known but excellent wines, mainly from Germany and France.

Cost: You have the choice between a market menu in 4, 5 or 6 courses that cost 90 €, 110 € or 130 € or the menu “Emotion” which is 9 courses (150 €). A vegetarian menu is also available in 4, 5 or 6 courses (75 €, 95 €, 115 €). Again, expensive but another really unique dining experience on par with any Michelin Star dining experience if that is what you are seeking.

Address: Am Sandtorkai 50, 20457 Hamburg

Disclaimer

My trip to Hamburg was supported and made possibly by the lovely people at Hamburg Marketing. However, as usual, all the opinions expressed here are entirely my own. For a more deepdive into Hamburg’s food scene checkout the Food Guide to Hamburg on Hamburg Marketing website.

If you’re anything like me, travelling is basically an excuse to try out all the wonderful food the world has to offer. However, trying to decipher where locals like to eat and which restaurants are tourist traps usually leaves me a little hangry and I end up eating at the nearest place that sells anything resembling food.

Malta’s cafe’s and restaurants can be hard to navigate, so with a little help from my Maltese friends, we’ve come up with a few places that the locals have been enjoying for years and won’t break the bank.

Café Jubilee

Originally from Malta’s sister island Gozo, Café Jubilee became a hit with the locals, opening an outlet in Malta’s capital city Valletta, and in the bustling town of Gzira.

For just €2.25 you can grab a bagel smeared with their delicious homemade orange marmalade. Their famous ravioli (which I’m pretty sure are made by angels) are a mere €8.95 and they are generous with their portions.

The rest of their extensive menu also ranges between these prices, which makes it a perfect place to get bang for your buck. And it’s open from 8 am till about midnight so you really don’t have any excuse not to go.

The bonus? This dimly lit cosy café is full of quirky décor (think tables and chair glued to the ceiling) which makes it perfect for those Instagram posts.

https://cafejubilee.com

Nenu the Artisan Baker

Set in one of Valletta’s quieter side streets, Nenu’s is ideal for both relaxed date nights and group dinners. They’re open for lunch too but be prepared not to get much done after.

Nenu only serves Maltese products. Everything on the menu, from the food to the wine to the liqueur is produced locally. A small exhibition depicting an old Maltese bakery gives Nenu’s that extra kick of culture.

Now I won’t lie we racked up a slight bill here. Our server did say something about our order being able to feed a small village but what does he know right? (We regret nothing)

However, if you’re a normal person, I suggest you try their Maltese ftira which is what Nenu’s is known for. Their ftira is a layer of amazing dough, similar to a pizza but not quite and then topped with local ingrients such as goat’s cheese and Maltese sausage. Divine. One of these is enough for 2 people and at € 12.50 each ftira, it makes it a pretty sweet deal.

If you’re lucky enough you might even get serenaded by two elderly Maltese men. Plus, our waiter was very passionate about the food and even took us back to see the olden baking ovens!

http://www.nenuthebaker.com/

The Bakery, 143,

St Dominic Street,

Valletta, Malta  

Tel: +356 22581535

Pure Living

This is probably one of my all-time favourite place to go to when my health conscience kicks in (usually post weekend indulgence)

Whilst their menu offers their own delicious creations, I tend to go for the ‘Make Your Own’ section. Their starter salad starts at €3.50 and has a great choice of vegetables and grains to create your base with. You can add other items for an extra charge and has a list to suit all different (food) walks of life.

Personally, I’m a little in love with their broccoli balls (I hate broccoli) which are an extra euro. And when I feel l like throwing in some extra delicious points (aka calories), I’ll add grilled goat cheese drizzled with honey.

When ordering ask for a ginger shot. It’s free!  And if it’s warm enough take your order to go and enjoy some sunshine and maybe a quick dip along Sliema’s seafront.

http://pure.com.mt/

Windsor street

Sliema SLM1800
Tel: +356 27136306

Pastizzi

Ah the beloved pastizzi (sounds like past-it-si). Malta’s answer to street food. If you walk 5 minutes in any direction in Malta you’ll stumble upon one of these grab-and-go eateries (a.k.a  pastizzerias)

Any time of day is fair game when it comes to eating these deliciously stuffed filo pastries of goodness. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks.  No-one bats an eye. And at a whopping €0.30c (or so) each, would you even care?

Fun fact. ‘Serkin’ in Rabat, already popular with the locals, had their fame grow exponentially after Malta’s prime minister took Belgian, Luxembourg and Slovenian PMs for an afternoon tea and a snack. Rabat is also a beautiful town where you can wander around, visit museums or enter the walled city of Mdina, Malta’s silent city.

‘Champs’ in Malta’s little pub hub (Paceville, St. Julian’s) is open 24 hours and ready to assist in getting rid of the shrapnel you acquired throughout the night.

The pastizzerias have a long list of other Maltese favourites like Qassatat – pastry with ricotta or tuna & spinach or curried peas, Timpana – baked macaroni and the square pizza – greasy but oh so fluffy and tasty.

Oh and nothing is above €2.50.

Kazin (Maltese band clubs)

What if I told you that you can walk in to a bar with the intention of having a beer and walk out three hours later having eaten enough to feed a family of four and it wouldn’t have cost you more than the beer you bought?

Enter the Kazin. (sounds like kah-zeen) These bars are usually off the beaten track and the old-time locals from the area frequent such places. They’re not much to look but don’t let that stop you. Once you order a drink, plates of complimentary food will start flooding in. We’re talking anything from cheese and crackers, to pasta, wings, seafood… if they have it, they will serve it.

Hop on a bus on a Sunday from Valletta (take the 92 or 124) and head down south to Marsascala. The band club Awwista is a minute walk away from bus stop Polo. The area itself is very scenic and you can work up an appetite by enjoying a nice stroll right along the seafront before heading to Awwista for a drink or two.

Hobz biz-Zejt (Maltese bread)

No summer is complete in Malta without having hobz biz-zejt by the sea. The literal translation means bread with oil but there are plenty of variations.

The main ingredients are usually tuna, olives tomato paste, basil and mint. People tend to creative so it really depends on what floats your boat.  It sounds simple enough but the combination of the soft yet crunchy Maltese bread together with the ingredients make it so filling and tasty.

I haven’t been to a kiosk or restaurant – especially ones by the sea – that did not sell Hobz biz-Zejt. They’re usually the cheapest thing on the menu too.

Kings Gate Pub Malta

Kings Gate is a classic British style gastropub in the heart of Msida, run by the wonderful Marc. You can expect classic pub grub- their burgers are fabulous, tasty salads and sandwiches at affordable prices. Great selection of beers, spirits and nice cocktails. Nice service too.

Hole in the Wall

Hole in the Wall is Sliema’s oldest pub and a popular hang out for the alternative crowd with a great programme of live music plus they also serve fabulous cocktails.

So there you have it! A little insight on what people living in Malta go to for a quick bite or a nice cheap and cheerful meal.  And as a bonus, if you’re in Mdina, head to Fontanella and try one of their cakes. You will NOT be disappointed.

We hope you enjoy Malta and all it has to offer and enjoyed this article too!

Biography

Karen is Maltese and had made London her home. Along with her partner Paul she writes about culture and adventure for responsible travellers at globalhelpswap. She is passionate about good food and runs an Instagram dedicated to the food she discovers around the world. You can find her on Instagram at @globallocalfoodie and @globalhelpswap

1 National Hotel, Freemantle

The recently refurbished National Hotel was my first stop on our trip to Western Australia.  This is a cut above your usual pub grub and prices are pretty decent. I had a pretty decent medium rare steak with fries for $15. Plus they have an excellent range of local beers on draft and in bottle. To get my belly prepared for dinner I tried the Kolsch lager from the local Eagle Bay Brewing Company. Family owned and run, this microbrewery is located on a 66 year old working farm in Eagle Bay. I am used to drinking Kolsch when I visit Cologne so I was rather surprised to find this on the menu. It was light, not too gassy like a good Kolsch and had nice bitter but citrus flavours. Perfect for a hot summers evening.

2. Attic Cafe, Fremantle

Breakfast is well and truly the most important dish of the day in Australia. Probably the best. On my first morning in Freo I popped into the Attic Cafe. They serve fantastic gourmet coffee and also their green chilli eggs with sliced bacon, spring onions on organic sourdough bread is a winner.

3. Moore and Moore Cafe, Fremantle

This post could have easily just been about all the amazing breakfasts I had in Western Australia. My second and equally memorable breakkie in Freo before zipping to Margaret River was at the quirky, atmospheric Moore and Moore cafe. It was early on a Sunday morning but the place was packed with locals tucking into their delicious range of breakfasts. Gooey poached eggs, again the amazing sourdough bread that is a regular feature of breakfasts here and amazing coffee.

4.  The Rottnest Bakery, Rottnest

No trip to Rottenest Island is complete without a trip to their local bakery. Go here to sample their delicious range of pies. I tried their local speciality: the ‘Rotto’, a steak and gravy pie which costs just $5.90. Delci

5. The Lane, Rottnest

If you need a caffeine fix, hop over to the Lane next door to the bakery where the friendly team will sort you out with a fabulous cup of caffeine. At just $3.90, this was probably the best value cup of coffee I had in Australia.

6. Bread in Common, Fremantle

One of my regrets from my brief trip to Freo was not dining at the beautiful Bread in Common. Housed in an old Fremantle warehouse space, this place has a wonderful atmosphere with the exposed brickwork, low lighting. Staff were friendly and courteous during my brief visit to the diner. Food , as you can see from the pictures, looked great. Definitely not budget but somewhere worth splurging out for a special meal

7.  Indoor Market, Fremantle

Another key highlights of any visit to Fremantle is a trip to their vibrant indoor market of Fremantle where locals have been shopping for their everyday vegetables, clothes and handicrafts since 1897. Definitely pop in here for some fantastic streetfood style eateries.

8. Pizza and beers at Little Creatures Brewery, Fremantle

I gave eating at the indoor market a miss to enjoy the beer and stone baked pizzas at the hugely popular Little Creatures Brewery. No regrets. Place had a cracking atmosphere, pizza was good and great craft beers. If I wasn’t so jet-lagged, I really would have spent a good few hours here. Highly recommend.

Chef Chris!

9. Breakfast at the Canteen Kitchen, Dunsborough

Winding my way towards Margaret River, I spent the night in Dunsborough staying at the party mad and very sociable YHA there. Next day to shake off the hangover I enjoyed a 15 minute stroll along the beach before rolling into town and arriving at the vegan and vegetarian friendly Canteen Kitchen. At the back of the kitchen you can meet Elvis, resident rooster of their herb veggie garden, Fabulous breakfasts, muffins, homebaked goodness like their beetroot and hazelnut loaf, pastries and wonderful coffee-fab, fab, fab. Chef Chris and his wonderful team of staff were a pleasure to meet.

10. Margaret River : Cape Grace Winery

In terms of foodie highlights across the world visiting Margaret River must rank up with the best. I must admit I am a bit of a novice when it comes to wine. Thanks to living in Portugal for the last few years, I have began to have some sort of education about wine. Western Australia has number of key wine producing regions and Margaret River area is one of its many rising stars.

Jared Hambley , Margaret River Custom Tours

Cape Grace Wines: must visit when in Margaret River

With over 150 wineries to visit, the region offers a wide choice. I could have easily spent a week here. Hopping from one winery to another ,tasting wine. Sadly I had just the one day to navigate my way across some of the wineries. Thankfully I had local wine expert,  Jared Hambley from Margaret River Custom Tours  who runs custom tours of the wineries and the Margaret River to show me the ropes.  He took me to some of his favourite wineries . My favourite was Cape Grace: a small boutique, family-run winery, Cape Grace. Karen, the owner was a great host , very generously sharing samples of her wine and giving me the history behind each wine. It was a wonderful few hours spent drinking, tasting wine and definitely one of my highlights of the trip.

11. Dim Sum at Teddi’s Big Spoon

In between drinking wine and exploring the coastline, Jared took me to a really cool Korean restaurant in Margaret’s River called Teddi’s big spoon. The dim sums here are fabulous and really tasty. Chicken lunch box was also great value for just $13 AUD.

12. Craft beer tour of Margaret River

Margaret River is also a rising star in the craft brewery scene with over 5 craft breweries launching in the region. I spent a day visiting all 5 of the breweries in the company of beer aficionado and local legend, Jules. This is probably one of my favourite food and drink tours of all time, thanks to the charismatic and wonderful presence of Jules. Great sense of humour fused with a tremendous passion for beer and life-this is one tour I won’t forget for many years to come. Each brewery, we were served a 6 beer paddle that gives you a nice overview of the different range of beers on offer. Some of the breweries also offer cider so you can mix it up a little. I loved how laid-back and relaxed the breweries were. Very family friendly and staff were really helpful. Being a Sunday also, each brewery had a festive atmosphere with almost all of them featuring live musicians. Hands down, one of my favourite moments of this trip. I think the pictures, tell the whole story.

13. Breakfast at the White Elephant Cafe, Margaret River

For breakfast, I went to the White Elephant Beach Cafe. Cafe probably wins the award for the most scenic breakfast cafe in Western Australia thanks to a great location on he Gnarabup Beach Boat Ramp, overlooking the beach.

Poached eggs on sourdough toast accompanied by roasted butternut squash and feta cheese.

The weather wasn’t in my favour in the morning but I can imagine on a clear sunny day how beautiful this place must be. The cafe itself is fab. My tip:Go for their wonderful poached eggs on sourdough toast accompanied by roasted butternut squash and feta cheese. So good. Great artisan coffee. Lovely staff. Place I’d love to come back to at some point in the future.

14. Yallingup Woodfired Bread

Enroute to Perth on our way back from Margaret River we stopped off at the fantastic Yallingup Woodfired Bread. While the bakery is not open to the public, baker, Tim was very generous with his time and showed us around. The bread here is made with biodynamic flour and fresh from preservatives. Visitors can buy the bread from the tables outside the bakery. Leave your money in the honesty box, pick up your choice of bread and go.

Yallingup Cheese Company

15. Yallingup Cheese Company

Continue the food odyssey at the Yallingup Cheese Company, a local artisan cheese maker that produces a selection of fresh curd and soft ripened cheeses from organic milk of the local Jersey cows.

16 Vasse Virgin Soap factory

A must visit when visiting Margaret River region is the Vasse Virgin Soap factory. Beside producing natural skincare products at reasonable prices they have a gourmet food tasting room where you can sample everything from macadamia pesto to their amazing sundried tomato chilli mustard. Loved this place.

Bivouac Perth

17. Delicious goat chops at the Bivouac, Perth

My first taste of Perth was at the very cool Bivouac where we sampled their delicious goat chops , Lebanese spice rub, tomato kasundi in a fig and fennel chutney. Mouthwatering stuff.

18. Standard Bar Garden and Kitchen, Perth

My next stop after the Bivouac was the hip Standard Bar Garden and Kitchen. Great selection of cocktails, fab wine list , wonderful atmopshere and nice staff-this place has all the ingredients for a great night out in Perth.

19. Toast Face Grillah, Perth

Next morning, refreshed after a decent nights sleep we headed to the iconic Toast Face Grillah. Here I sampled their iconic Vegemite & Cheese Toastie. Not everyone’s cup of tea vegemite but I loved it.

20. Henry’s Saw, Perth

Last but not least , a short stroll up the road from Toast Face Grillah is the vegan friendly Henry’s Saw. Friendly baristas, great artisan coffee and delicious cakes with reasonable prices. Lots to love about this place.

Thank you

A big thank you to the team at Tourism Western Australia especially Elen and Michal for inviting me. Plus shoutout to Qatar Airways team for a great flight to and from Perth. Currently Qatar Airways are offering great value fares to Western Australia, starting at just of just £599 return from Edinburgh and £619 return from London.

Also thanks to my colleagues at iAmbassador for putting together this project.

For more pictures and stories, have a look at the hashtag #justanotherdayinWA

― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own.

Echoing the sentiment of Woolf’s memorable quote above, the BudgetTraveller this week is on a mission to scout out the best European hostels, where eating a meal is an epicurean delight. Food has become the main reason for us to travel. Hostels are diversifying to cater to travellers from every niche and food is becoming a big focus for many hostels. Here, in no particular order are my picks of Europe’s best Gastro Hostels.

1) Slo Living Hostel, Lyon

France sucks when it comes to finding decent hostels so I was very very excited when my fellow blogger and good friend, Julien Routil opened Lyon’s first ever luxury hostel- Slo Living Hostel back in June 2014. It is situated in the centre of the city. It is a small but intimate hostel with comfortable dorms, very nice private rooms and a large patio to enjoy summer nights. The hostel also focuses on design and decoration, inspired by Scandinavian trends that will hopefully create a unique, comfortable and modern place to stay in Lyon.

If you are interested in experiencing French gastronomy then look no further. You will be spoiled at this hostel. There is an all you can eat breakfast reasonably priced at 5 euros including french bakery items sourced from the local artisanal bakery and fruit juices and teas/coffees to set up your continental breakfast. With a maximum capacity of 40 guests, this hostel wants to promote ‘slow travel’ values: the staff organizes dinners with local products, and also events to create a convivial atmosphere between guests. They also have a well stocked wine bar.

Dorms from €25, Doubles from €75 via Hostelworld

Address: 5 Rue Bonnefoi, 69003 Lyon, France.

2) Home Hostel, Lisbon

The location of Home Lisbon Hostel is fantastic, right in the middle of the Baixa district. Several of Lisbon’s key sightseeing attractions are within walking distance plus there is a clutch of fantastic, moderately priced restaurants and bars nearby. Every member of staff I met was friendly and helpful. Besides the cool staff, the colourful ambience of the hostel’s common, social spaces makes this a unique hostel.The lounge here is my dream lounge. Lots of plush comfy sofas that you just sink into and can happily fall asleep on. During the day I would happily be sitting on the sofa, checking my mails on my laptop using the hostel’s excellent Wi-Fi connection. You have the biggest widescreen TV you can imagine with a DVD library of more than 150 films. The interior decor is a pleasing mix of vintage and contemporary minimalist.

Don’t leave Lisbon without trying the famous Mamma’s dinner at Home Hostel Lisbon

They have a very cool, well-stocked bar, which also doubles as the reception desk. In the evenings, the small intimate bar area with a few long tables becomes the meeting point where guests congregate and get to meet each other. In the mornings, they serve a simple but nice breakfast that consists of bread, cereals, jam, nutella and coffee. Don’t forget to try ‘Mamma’s homemade pumpkin and nuts jam’- I think I must have wolfed down 5 slices of bread pasted with that delicious stuff. Other few cool features to point out: there is free Wi-Fi available in the common room areas and it is excellent. There is a common kitchen for guests to use. They have a blackboard in the common room called ‘Share my ride’ where guests share details of their rides to the airport and pick-up times allowing fellow guests to share their ride & save money.  Every hostel should have a board like this. Brilliant idea. My personal highlight was the hostel ‘mamma’s’ superb 3-course meal. For just €10 you can book a place at one of ‘mamma’s’ legendary dinners where you are treated to a delicious three course authentic Portuguese dinner with wine or beer or sangria. The dinner ends with a toast where guests get a small shot of ‘Ginjinha’, the excellent local cherry brandy or a small glass of Port Wine.

A night’s stay in a deluxe 8 bed mixed dorm is around €28 per night.

Address: R. São Nicolau 13, 1100-547 Lisboa, Portugal.

3) The Independente Hostel & Suites, Lisbon

Lisbon is blessed with the best luxury hostels in the world and the art deco-inspired Independente Hostel is one of its most glorious creations. The hostel is the brainchild of three brothers who envisioned a different concept in hospitality: creating a meeting point where ‘travelers as well as locals can come together’. Overlooking the Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara, Independente Hostel is in a great location at the intersection of three of Lisbon’s most vibrant and celebrated neighborhoods: Bairro Alto, Principe Real, and Avenida da Liberdad.

The most outstanding feature of this hostel is that it also houses one of Lisbon’s most stylish and popular restaurants. The Decadente is known for serving up modern Portuguese cuisine using locally sourced ingredients. The staff here are friendly travellers themselves, and the perfect opportunity to mingle with them is the nightly ‘dinner with the staff’ where you get to enjoy a sumptuous buffet for as little as €7.

A night’s stay in a 12 bed mixed dorm starts from 18 euros. A double private suite with own bath runs from €125 .

Address: R. São Pedro de Alcântara 81, 1250-238 Lisboa, Portugal.

4) Gallery Hostel, Porto.

Located in the trendiest quarter of Porto, between the art district and hip nightlife, the eco-friendly Gallery Hostel characterizes the concept of the luxury hostel –service, cleanliness and facilities are top priorities along with friendliness and a familiar atmosphere. The Gallery Hostel on Rue Miguel Bombarda, just a 10-minute walk from the centre, is one of the impressive faces of the new reimagining of Porto’s landscape. The hostel is a rehabilitation of an impressive 1906 building and seeks to maintain the original aspects of a traditional Porto house, while blending it with modern decor and furnishings.

A bed in a 6 bed dorm runs from €22; a double room runs from €64 

Address: Rua de Miguel Bombarda 222, 4050-377 Porto, Portugal.

5) Fort York Boutique Hostel, York.

This is my favourite hostel in York and possible in the UK.

It is in a cracking location just off the Stonegate just a few hundred yards from the historic York Minster. Rooms are comfortable, clean and comfortable. From dorms to private doubles- there is something to suit everyone’s budget. Staff are really helpful and accommodating.

The hostel has the excellent onsite The Kennedy Restaurant and Bar which is in itself a great place to come and have a bite or just to relax with a book during the day with a coffee or a glass of wine. Plus they have the basement Sotano Charcuterie & Bar which serves wonderful cocktails, craft beers, great wines and delicious tapas. Weekends it tends to get a bit noisy with people flooding out into the streets from the bar below so if you are a light sleeper this hostel may not be ideal for you. Otherwise, there is little else to fault with this hostel. The place is perfect for couples, solo travellers.

Privates start from £45, dorms from £30.

Address: 1 Little Stonegate, York YO1 8AX, United Kingdom.

6) Circus Hostel, Berlin

Circus Hostel Berlin Microbrewery

I love the location of the Circus Hostel. Guests are in the prime location of Rosenthaler Platz where you are within easy reach of everything in Berlin. Alexanderplatz is a 15-minute walk away. Prenzlauer Berg is up the hill. Right across you have the uber hip St Oberholtz cafe and also Main Haus Am See bar (open 24/7- need beer, want a coffee at 5 am, or doze on their comfy leather sofas, listen to cool dj’s…anything goes). Circus Hostel welcomes a nice mix of travellers- backpackers, students and also couples and mature travellers. This hostel offers the perfect balance of great value, funky vibe and really nice dorms plus private ensuite rooms. You can even rent a penthouse apartment, which comes with a full kitchen and stunning panoramic views of Mitte and TV Tower in the distance. Staff, like their international guests come from a wide variety of cool backgrounds and are really helpful and friendly. All rooms offer safety deposit boxes and access to shared bathroom facilities. It’s not strictly what I would call a party hostel but has a nice communal vibe and social atmosphere.

The on-site bar and café area called Katz and Maus does a great selection of food including the excellent €5 all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast that is served till 1pm. There is also the basement Goldman’s Bar, which has the unusual feature of a dedicated shrine to the ‘Hoff’- complete with free postcards with cool Hoff facts who is a cult hero in these parts thanks to his role in the fall of the wall. The Hoff Shrine has been such a hit with guests and locals alike that there are now plans to create a dedicated museum for the Hoff within the hostel. The cool thing about this hostel is the in-house microbrewery where high quality seasonal beers are brewed with top quality sourced ingredients. Additionally the Fabisch Restaurant serves a breakfast buffet and a delectable menu of regional cuisine, sourced from local, fresh ingredients.

A night’s stay in a 8-10 person dorm starts from €19; a private double room will set you back €75 per night.

Address: Weinbergsweg 1A, 10119 Berlin, Germany.

7) Ostello Bello, Milan 

A free Mediterranean breakfast whenever you wake up, aperitivo in the evening with locals in a traditional Italian-style bar, lazy afternoons on a bright terrace with hammocks and barbecues – Ostello Bello is a hostel with an amazing difference and a great reason to visit Milan.

Aperitivo, Ostello Bello Milan

Just a 10-minute walk from the Duomo, Ostello Bello boasts a great location with easy access to Milan’s nightlife and fashion hotspots, as well as sites like Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, La Scala, Santa Maria della Grazie and Castello Sforesco.

A bed in a mixed dorm will cost you approximately around €38 per night. A private double room from €98 per night.

Address: Via Medici, 4, 20123 Milano, Italy.

8) The Beehive Hotel and Hostel, Rome

Right next to Rome’s Termini station, the eco-conscious Beehive Hostel and Hotel is an oasis of calm in this fast-paced city, complete with a garden and an organic vegetarian café that offers generous portions of locally sourced, home- cooked goodness. Just two blocks from Rome’s Termini station on Via Marghera, the hostel is in close proximity to Piazza della Repubblica and sights like the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.

This place is a hybrid of a hostel and a holistic retreat – perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring Rome. The common lounge has a huge Mac desktop for browsing the Internet, plus a nice selection of travel guides. The garden area is a blissful oasis of calm – the kind of place where you can linger for hours while chatting with guests while drinking wine and losing track of time. The staff are friendly and attentive. The owners, Linda and Steve are passionate locals and have some great tips to share to make your stay more enjoyable, like their own free guide to Rome, which you can download from the Beehive website.

Vegan aperitivo buffet, Beehive Hostel and Hotel Rome

The real added bonus of staying here is their excellent organic vegan café. Breakfast is not included in the room price, but if you do splash out, it is a real treat. You have some exciting options ranging from scrambled tofu with veggies or Juk: Korean Rice Porridge (has to be ordered a day in advance) or French toast with fruit and honey. They also have local craft beers and organic wine from Umbria ( €8 a bottle, €2 a glass) They also host a yummy vegan aperitivo buffet and vegetarian dinners  few times a week and also host cooking classes. Steve and Linda are also have a huge wealth of knowledge about the food scene in Rome and a wealth of excellent suggestions so you are in good hands here.

Private rooms with shared bathrooms start from €70. A bed in a mixed gender peaceful dorm room starts from €25 per person per night. 

Address: Via Marghera, 8, 00185 Roma, Italy.

Hello I’m Local Breakfast!

9) Hello I’m Local Hostel, Haarlem

Hello I’m Local is a boutique hostel centrally located in the city centre of Haarlem in the Netherlands. It is located in the Burgwal neighbourhood of Haarlem. It is in close proximity to the famous Grote Markt and the water so it is very well placed. It is also only a 15 minute train ride into Amsterdam from the city. There are a total of 12 rooms and a living room and patio for relaxation. The rooms are clean, airy and bright. There is no Wi-Fi or TV in the bedrooms, only in the living room area. Friends and guests are welcome in the living room or courtyard but quiet time starts at 11 pm at  night. This is the perfect hostel to enjoy that undisturbed night of rest.

Organic muesli with yoghurt, apple chips and honey

Hello I’m Local takes great pride in sourcing everything from local producers. They serve fabulous breakfasts where you can savour their hand kneaded traditional bread ( option for picking gluten free, muesli and raisin flavoured bread), enjoy it with some organic cheese from the local Doruveal farm or homemade rhubarb strawberry jam from J’aime. Plus you have options of organic muesli with blueberries or scrambled eggs. During the day you can graze on their meat platter from Wild Van Wild or dig into their delicious bitterballens. They also serve the heavenly local Jopen craft beer and have recently started a food and bike tour for foodies.

A bed in a mixed dorm (max 14 people occupancy) costs about €19 per night; a double room costs €65.

Address: Spiegelstraat 4, 2011 BP Haarlem, Netherlands

10) Tattva Design Hostel, Oporto

Tattva Design Hostel has a great location, in the heart of Porto and the ‘world heritage’ protected area. All the main sights of Porto are within walking distance. Ribeira district is a 15-minute walk. The hostel is a 3-minute walk from Sao Bento Train and metro station (direct link to the Airport) and the Rede expressos bus terminal. This is a beautiful hostel, designed with the traveller in mind. Great design is not something you would normally associate with a hostel. Nice balance of bold but not overpowering colours, well furnished and beautiful light features. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building and worked well during my stay. The common areas are very relaxed, informal and homely. I spent a lot of time in their aquarium room, catching up with my writing on the laptop, the huge 3 metre aquarium tank filled with its exotic looking fish, my soothing eye candy. They have a fully equipped and spacious kitchen. There is a grocery store just down the road with all the essentials, which is handy.

Other cool features of the hostel are their free walking tours. Plus, if you wish to explore the Douro valley and beyond, they run a couple of day tours. The staff I met during my stay were friendly and helpful so that is another major plus point of the hostel.

Tattoo Design Hostel run a fab in-house restaurant that serves up a nice mix of Indian and Portuguese classics. They serve a fabulous chicken curry and vegetarian samosas are highly recommended. Their free all you can eat pancake breakfasts are fab plus depending on the weather they organise BBQ 2-3 times a week. The hostel also hosts a dinner with locals for just €10.

A bed in a 10 bed mixed dorm starts from €17 per person per night.

Address: 28, R. do Cativo 26, 4000-160 Porto, Portugal

11. Casa Gracia Hostel, Barcelona

A video posted by Kash Bhattacharya (@budgettraveller) on May 17, 2016 at 9:36am PDT

Casa Gracia falls into the category of a ‘gastrocultural’ hostel: beautiful hostel & rooms, wonderful in house restaurant, basement bar ( fab cocktails) and live music featuring some of Barcelona’s most promising artists. Fabulous hostel. 

La Paisana, their in house restaurant serves traditional Catalan and fusion cuisine. They serve cold Vermouth and unpasteurised Moritz beer on tap plus a very tasty range of fusion tapas, cold cuts and cheese. Their €12 menu is excellent value plus their weekend ‘vrunch’- vermouth & brunch is the perfect way to kick off your day.

At rates close to €100 euros a night for a private double and €30- €50 euros for a bed in the dorm, you’re looking at prices that are above the median average but still in terms of value for the experience and stay, I think it’s worth it.

Please note that some links on this post and blog contain affiliate referrals. By clicking through and booking via my site, you are helping me reduce the site’s running costs. Please note- I only link and recommend places to you that I love. Thank you.

Sofia offers large parks, good public transportation, great restaurants, free public events and friendly locals. Sofia is also one of the most affordable cities in Europe. Add to that some small but growing pockets of nightlife and you’ll start to see why it’s worth spending more time here.

Sofia also seems to pride itself on being understated. I enjoyed the food and found some amazing restaurants but it’s sometimes difficult to capture how great the food was in photographs alone. The extra flair just isn’t a part of their everyday cuisine. The local chefs would probably tell you to come and give them a try before making your judgment.

That’s sort of one way to look at Sofia. What it lacks in flashiness it more than makes up for in character, quality and affordability. And you have to see it (or taste it) for yourself. Here is the Cheap Eats Guide to Sofia, Bulgaria.

Porchetta sandwich at MEAT

MEAT Gourmet Sandwiches & Burgers

1 Angel Kanchev St, Sofia 1000

€4-6, Open daily 11:30-22:30

Stepping inside, I was immediately taken by the architecture of MEAT. White walls were flanked by blue tile and a multi-level build gave it the appearance of an ultra-modern loft, rather than a sandwich shop. This also provided an intimate dining setting where attentive staff behind the counter were quick to answer questions and make recommendations.

Though considered one of the ‘pricier’ options for a burger or sandwich due to the popular area of town, everything on the menu is still €5 or less. More importantly, everything being consumed by other diners as I entered looked fantastic. My biggest problem was going to be figuring out what to order first.

Porchetta has always been a personal favorite. The staff explained that the pork was roasted with herbs similar to the traditional Italian preparation style. The sandwich was then topped with salsa verde made with chopped herbs, lemon juice, chilies, mustard seed and olive oil. I was sold. I ordered it with some fries and an English beer they recommended.

A few minutes later, the porchetta sandwich and fries arrived. The bread was fresh and perfectly crispy. The meat was perfectly seasoned and cooked, falling apart in my mouth. The salsa verde was a perfect addition, adding flavors of fresh herbs, a richness from the oil, a hint of acid from the lemon juice and a subtle amount of spice from the chilies. Whole grain mustard was served on the side. The fries were crunchy and delicious. Everything went well with the beer.

The braised veal, carnitas with avocado, burgers and oxtail soup all sounded delicious as well. The flavors, hip vibe, helpful staff and affordability make MEAT a great place to grab a sandwich or burger in Sofia.

Local cheeses and breads on the Balkan Bites tour

Balkan Bites – Free Food Tour

Meets daily in front of the head statue at Stefan Stambolov at 14:00

The tour is free!

A group tour with its own guide, four restaurants, and a 2 hour tour of the city. All of this for… free?

Welcome to the Balkan Bites tour. The only one of its kind in Europe.

We met at the park and the tour guide remarked that we were a small group of four. This was good because sometimes the groups are so large they have to turn people away. For this reason, it is recommended that you show up 15 or 20 minutes early the day of the tour.

First we headed to a local soup shop where we enjoyed a  half serving of tarator, a cold Bulgarian soup made with cucumbers, yogurt, dill, garlic and seasonings. It’s commonly served as a first course or in between courses. We listened to the history of the dish and the importance of yogurt in Bulgaria. At another stop we enjoyed local breads and spreads (more about them below).

Balkan Bites waited until the end of the tour to take a photo. We were all very full and struggling to smile.

After a break we enjoyed half a burger from a new local chain called Farmer’s. We walked through more of the city, listening to some of the history of local shops and food. Lastly, we finished the tour with local breads and cheeses. Just when we thought it was over, we were served a shot of pelin, a local spiced wine. Everything was delicious. We couldn’t believe it was all for free.

This was one of the best tours I attended in Europe. I was happy, educated on local food and quite full. It could easily sell for €20-25 at minimum. Please tip the guide if you enjoy yourself and whichever foods you like, try to revisit the restaurant to try more of their selections. They offer the free food as a form of marketing and exposure to travelers.

Ljutenica spread on fresh baked bread at Sun Moon

Sun Moon

Ulica Yuri Venelin 1, Sofia 1000

€3-6, Open Mon-Sat 9:00-22:00

My favorite stop on the Balkan Bites tour was at a restaurant that offered vegetarian and vegan dishes called Sun Moon. They cooked all of their own bread and made a number of different types of traditional Bulgarian spreads. The two we sampled were:

• Kiopoolu: A traditional vegan dish made with roasted peppers, tomatoes, aubergine (eggplant) and garlic. (€1.50 for 100 grams)
• Ljutenica: Another traditional dish made of peppers, aubergine, carrot, tomato, oil, salt, sugar, cumin, black pepper and parsley. (€0.75 100 grams)

The fresh bread was sliced when we arrived and all of the dips were added and brought to our table. The kiopoolu was more complex and colorful with all of the different colored roasted peppers. It was very good. The ljutenica was my favorite, though. Something about the eggplant, tomato, spice and herbs just went together perfectly. I could eat that dish all day long. Simple, healthy and at less than a euro for 100 grams, an incredibly affordable spread. Highly recommended. I wished that I had more time to come back and try more of the fresh breads, sweets and other spreads. This is a great restaurant for carnivores, vegetarians and vegans alike.

The simple and tasty chicken sandwich at Farmer’s

Farmer’s Hot Soups & Fresh Sandwiches

Multiple locations across Sofia

€3-6, Open daily from 10:00-22:00

Local Bulgarian farms provide the humanely raised meats and organic vegetables. The bread is also made locally. Farmer’s is a relatively new healthy and simple restaurant chain that makes food quickly, for those who are on the go. They offer sandwiches, salads and other options but nothing fried, meaning they do not offer french fries.

The burger from the food tour was so good I just had to return later that evening. I gave the chicken sandwich a try this time. Fresh, flavorful chicken breast that was grilled, local cheese and vegetables and creamy sauce. It wasn’t fancy but was very good. For a mere €2 this was a great deal.

Farmer’s offers a large range of salads and vegetarian/vegan options as well. My friend who attended the tour requested a vegan option and was provided a portobello mushroom burger which she enjoyed. For vegetarians, vegans and carnivores alike, this is a great place to grab a meal on the go in Sofia.

Traditional beef cevapi and baked beans, €2 total

Street Food & Grill Stalls

Available everywhere in Sofia

€1-4, Hours vary but many are open early to late

No food guide would be complete without mentioning local favorites cevapi and baked beans. Cevapi is a skinless sausage popular throughout the Balkans. In Sofia it’s available with multiple types of meat but beef and pork are most common.

The most common homemade items found at these local street vendors include:

• Cevapi and other larger sausages
• Beef or chicken burgers
• Meat and veggie skewers
• Pork chops and other grilled meats
• Savory beans in a tomato sauce
• Beans made with herbs, garlic and oil

Nearly everything starts around €1-2 and it’s very possible to eat a filling meal for €2-3. The simplicity and ease of locating these street vendors and grills make them another great local budget option on the go.

A ‘squat shop’ in the heart of Sofia

Additional Tips

• In addition to the Balkans Bites food tour, there are additional free walking tours offered around Sofia. Make sure to check them out and ask your guide questions about any recommendations they may have for more restaurants, coffee shops and a place to grab a drink.
• Little stores called squat shops began opening up in the lower level of many buildings after the fall of Communism. They got their name from being built in the lower basements of buildings and you’ll likely have to squat down to order something from them. They originated as a way for the people there to make a living when unemployment was very high.
• Beer and other alcohol in Sofia is some of the cheapest you’ll find in all of Europe. 2 and 3 liter bottles of local beer can go for as little as €1.50-2. So cheap in fact that most people in hostels will just buy a few and leave them out, encouraging everyone who’s interested to please help them finish what they’ve brought.
• Sofia has a thriving street art scene. Take time to wander through the city on side streets during the day and take in the new street art scene.
• Though nightlife in Sofia is beginning to take off, there aren’t many late night places to eat. Look for local kebab shops and a handful of late night pizza shops on Sofia’s busiest streets. Some quieter areas completely close down at night.

I hope that the Cheap Eats Guide to Sofia helps you find some delicious and affordable meals! Enjoy your time there!

Nazdrave! (Cheers in Bulgarian)

– Cam

One of the most interesting culinary aspects of the city is that each course seems to have its own location. Locals tend to have a favorite spot for Bosnian coffee and another for tea. They have their favorite restaurants that follow. For dessert, they will likely relocate again. For these reasons, the Cheap Eats Guide to Sarajevo will list some course options separately. This is in hopes of allowing visitors to enjoy this city similarly to the locals.

Bosnian coffee

Bosnian Coffee

Available in coffee houses everywhere, €1 or less

Bosnian coffee is so widely available in Sarajevo, it’s difficult to pick a ‘favorite’ spot. If it’s warm outside, head in to one of the coffee houses inside one of the many courtyards in the city. If you’re in the mood to people watch, have a cup on one of the many busy side streets that don’t allow motor vehicles, only walking traffic. Regardless of where you enjoy this beverage, make sure to order the Bosnian coffee. Though it may appear identical to the coffee of other Balkan countries, locals will assure you this is their own special version. Locals are very proud and protective over this favored drink. They also enjoy it at all hours of the day and night. This may be why they seem to have so much energy.

Try a few spots and find your favorite.

Tea House offers hot and iced tea options

Cajdzinica Dzirlo (Tea House)

Street Kovaci Cilcma 6, Sarajevo 71102

€1-3, Open daily from 8:30-23:00

For a less caffeinated beverage, or just a change of pace, head to Tea House. The eclectic atmosphere and attentive service made this one of the most memorable tea experiences I’ve enjoyed while traveling. A family owned and operated shop, it’s very common with locals and earns rave reviews. Looking over the menu, it was filled with new types of teas I had never seen before. After asking a local friend I was still having a difficult time deciding.

Free iced tea samples

I explained my difficulty deciding to the staff and they brought me a sampler of their five favorite iced teas. I was stunned. It’s rare to have one of two free samples handed out, let alone five. They were all so unique, it was such a great experience to be able to try each of them. With flavors of apple and cinnamon, I favored the local sharbat iced tea. It was a little sweet but Bosnians like their sugar and it was a nice treat.

Klepe, a local favorite dish similar to ravioli

Dzenita

Prote Bakovića 10, Sarajevo 71000

€4-8, Open daily 8:00-22:00

The local Bosnian cuisine at Dzenita was my favorite. At the recommendation of our waiter, my friend and I started with the klepe. This is a domestic dish is similar to ravioli, only softer and more tender. The klepe (€4) is hand rolled with a mix of meat and herbs inside. Something about the pasta makes it even softer and more delicious than many Italian ravioli I’ve eaten previously. Instead of tomato sauce, the klepe is topped with sour cream and a hint of spicy sauce.

Cevapi beef sausages on pita bread

Perhaps the Balkan region’s most popular dish, cevapcici (also known as cevapi), is served here on pita bread with raw onions (€3.50). A large sandwich, my friend and I split this dish. The skinless beef sausages were perfectly seasoned and grilled. In one form or another, I enjoyed cevapi about every other day I was in the Balkans. This was one of my favorites. If you only have one chance to try these dishes in Sarajevo, make sure this is the restaurant you choose. The owners and servers are kind and attentive and the food is fantastic.

Iskander kebab

Konyali

Kundurdžiluk bb, Sarajevo 71000

€4-14, Open daily 7:00-23:00

For a venture outside of local cuisine, Konyali is a popular Turkish restaurant worth a visit for dinner. I say dinner because having eaten there a few times, the food seems to get kicked up a notch later in the day. Iskander (€5), one of my favorite Turkish dishes, stood out right away. The kebab is grilled and then a tomato sauce is added. This is all served over pita bread with some yogurt sauce on the side. It may look a little curious to the Western eye, but it’s delicious. The combination of textures, temperatures and flavors make this one of my favorite meals from Turkey. The beef and onion skewers over rice are also very nice here for about €4. Slow grilled over an open flame, the meat and onions are slightly charred on the outside, soft and savory in the middle.

The pidas (Turkish pizza) such as the etli ekmek topped with ground beef for €6 also looked fantastic. Unfortunately I didn’t have a chance to give one a try as they’re quite large. For the hungrier diner, the Governor kebab plate is one of the most expensive dishes at €12 but allows a sample of nearly every kebab available. Avoid the desire to go with the doner kebab for €1.50. Attempting to grab a cheap lunch one day the server’s reaction was not a good one when I ordered this dish. When he delivered the doner and I saw that it was merely a few slivers of meat and veggies and 75% pita bread. They should either make this worthy of being on the menu or get rid of it all together. Again, lunch wasn’t as on point as dinner in my experience so perhaps this dish is better in the evening.

Kadaif, a local dessert made with thin noodles, walnuts and sugar

Sevdah Art House

Halaci 5 – Velike Daire, Sarajevo 71000

€1-4, Open daily 10:00-18:00

Finally, head to Sevdah Art House for dessert during the day or early evening. Make sure to try the kadaif, a thin type of noodle made with flour and water. It is typically stuffed with crushed walnuts and a sweet, sugar-based syrup. Also, make sure to sample the national dessert, tufahije. It’s made by hollowing out a cooked apple and filling it with walnuts, cream and sugar. The tufahije is then covered with whipped cream.

These recommendations should allow you to enjoy your time in Sarajevo. But wait, there’s so much more this city and Bosnia & Herzegovina as a country has to offer!

Stari Most bridge in Mostar

Additional Tips

• Another local favorite dish is a bread called burek. It’s made with thinly layered phyllo dough and is usually stuffed with cheese, spinach, ground beef, or a combination. Widely available from street vendors and bakery windows, this is a must-try.
  • Also make sure to order it with ayran, a type of slightly sweet and salty yogurt drink. Have a sip with each bite of burek like the locals do to add additional flavor.
• Some restaurants have to-go options and/or street windows. This is sometimes cheaper than ordering inside the restaurant. If you’re in a hurry or want to save a little money, see if you can grab a cevapi sandwich to go this way. You may also be able to find a street food vendor or two.
• Bosnia & Herzegovina is rich in culture and history. Make sure to visit one of their many museums to learn about the Siege of Sarajevo and World Wars I & II. You can also see the bridge near where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. The free walking tours offer great ways to see the city and hear its history from a local. The guides work for tips from those who enjoy the tour.
• If possible, head out of Sarajevo to the small town of Mostar. There you can see the beautiful Stari Most bridge and explore the town. Trains run between the cities at least once or twice per day. Two nights is ample time to explore the city, find some good food and even take a paid tour of the surrounding area. Your hotel or hostel should have information on the tours that are available. They’re usually around €15-25 per person for the day.

I hope you enjoyed the Cheap Eats Guide to Sarajevo!

Živjeli! (Cheers in Bosnian)

– Cam