Everyone wants to live the dream of traveling to unique places around the world while eating like a king. Luckily, that is a goal you can easily accomplish if you play your cards right and plan accordingly! We’re looking at the most budget-friendly travel destinations that are also a foodie’s paradise. You can start drooling now.
1. Rome, Italy
Believe it or not, Rome tops many lists as being affordable to visit; the excellent food scene is another reason why the Italian capital brings in millions of visitors annually. Sure, you’ll exhaust yourself trying to see all the historical sights and history found in Rome, but you can reward yourself with some of the best homemade pasta you’ll ever have. In my eyes, that’s more than enough reason to visit Rome!
2. Split, Croatia
Out of all the places I’ve visited in Europe, Croatia sticks out the most, especially the coastal town of Split. While it’s an affordable city in its own right, the local cuisine blew me away with its flavors and value. The beauty of dining in Split is that it pulls in influences from many different regions of the world thanks to its proximity to Italy, Greece, and the Middle East. The result is phenomenal meals you’ll remember for the rest of your life!
3. Bangkok, Thailand
Countless travelers rave about Bangkok’s fantastic street food scene, and for good reason: There is arguably no better food value in the entire world. The food scene is one of many reasons Bangkok welcomes nearly 12 million international visitors annually.
4. Cape Town, South Africa
Don’t let media coverage of Cape Town these days fool you. Contrary to popular belief, it’s an incredibly safe (and affordable) place to visit! Due to the city’s proximity to the ocean, seafood is a specialty; dishes like calamari and fish and chips are especially delectable.
However, if you want to experience the true cuisine of the region, you owe it to yourself to dine at some of the authentic African restaurants throughout the city. African flavor combinations are second to none.
5. Hanoi, Vietnam
Many travelers believe you haven’t truly lived unless you’ve eaten a traditional Vietnamese bahn mi sandwich. I tend to agree, which is why I don’t consider myself having truly lived! According to many travelers, Hanoi has a thriving street food scene where a bahn mi can be bought for around $2; that’s insane value for a sandwich, no matter how you look at it!
6. Lima, Peru
If mouth-watering fresh ceviche sounds enticing, look no further than the capital city of Peru. Lima has established itself as the premiere destination for ceviche lovers. I’ve had flavorful fish in my ceviche and I’ve had fantastic flavors in my ceviche, but it’s exceedingly rare that I get both things in the same dish!
7. Sofia, Bulgaria
Bulgaria is home to two things that more travelers should be aware of: Breathtaking landscapes and an unbelievably affordable food scene! You can easily get a full meal in Bulgaria for two people for under $25. That type of value simply doesn’t exist in the Western world. So who wants to go with me to Bulgaria?
8. Fez, Morocco
More and more visitors are experiencing Morocco these days; more than 11 million tourists visited in 2022. According to countless travelers, the local cuisine is heavily influenced by Arabic, Mediterranean, and Roman cultures, making every bite of dishes like couscous a delightful combination of varying flavors. Remember, U2 wouldn’t have written a song about Fez if it wasn’t worth visiting and eating there!
9. Tijuana, Mexico
Located just a few miles south of San Diego across the U.S.-Mexican border, Tijuana is a haven for Mexican food. Tacos are their specialty, and countless taco shops dotted along the city streets will put your taste buds into overdrive. Of course, Tijuana’s relatively low cost of living means you can have a great, fresh meal for just a few dollars! As if you needed another reason to order a California burrito, right?
10. Palermo, Italy
Exploring Palermo was one of the most memorable travel experiences I ever had, and the fantastic food was the cherry on top. Whether I was exploring downtown Palermo or spending time in small villages outside of the city, there was always delicious food and drink available at exceedingly affordable prices. To say my girlfriend and I became very fond of $2 Aperol Spritzes is the understatement of the century.
11. Tbilisi, Georgia
Over the years, Georgia has quickly become a favorite destination for any traveler on a budget. As it turns out, Georgian bread is like no other. “Bread is served with almost every meal alongside kabobs and other spices meats, and the bread can include various spices as well,” one expert explains. “In some cases, the bread is often stuffed with cheese.”
You had me at bread stuffed with cheese. It sounds like Georgians know the way to a tourist’s heart is through their stomach!
12. Madrid, Spain
A sprawling metropolis with old-town charm and history, Madrid should be a must-visit for any foodie traveling through Europe. I was pleasantly surprised by Madrid’s food scene when I visited late in 2022. From the cozy tapas bars scattered throughout the city to some of the best breakfast cafes I’ve ever experienced (there’s nothing like Spanish scrambled eggs), I’d visit again in a heartbeat if I had the chance.
13. Lisbon, Portugal
Seafood lovers, rejoice! Lisbon is the destination for enjoying world-class seafood while not breaking the bank. Thanks to its access to the sea, Lisbon has fresh and abundant seafood year-round. Sign me up!
14. Durrës, Albania
This coastal city is home to some of the most affordable (and delicious) barbeques in the entire region. Visitors flock to Albania to experience its many castles and archaeological sites, but they are always pleasantly surprised by the local food scene found in places like Durrës. The country develops its dishes around beef, pork, and lamb, so meat lovers will be in heaven when they visit!
15. New Orleans, Louisiana
Most visitors are drawn to New Orleans because of the allure of Mardi Gras, but savvy travelers know there’s more to the city than partying until the wee hours of the night on Bourbon Street!
The thriving food scene in the Big Easy is unparalleled; the value in each bite is second to none. If you love oysters, you’ll be eating the most giant gulf oysters you’ve ever seen at a price you can afford. What’s better than that? Many people point to New Orleans cuisine as why the Big Easy is their favorite city to visit (and I’m one of those people).