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If you are fed up with your work, the best thing you can do is grab a bite out of a different culture. No matter if you opt for a regular holiday where you disappear from all radars, a staycation, or a workation… one element is always the same – tasty food.

No one counts calories or hits the gym when in holiday mode. And that is why it feels so good!

Europe is one of the most amazing continents when it comes to food. From the simple pleasures of a croque monsieur to the rich and heavenly taste of baklava, every country has its own speciality. If you are on a tight budget or you have no time to lose, don’t worry – we got you covered.

Whether you’re travelling or living abroad, here is the list of cheapest food cities in Europe.

Belgrade

According to Holidu, the Serbian capital is the cheapest European city and it is on its way to becoming Mecca for avid foodies. And it has a lot on its plate to offer. Belgrade has a very rich history. It is an amazing mix of different cultures and styles. We can just mention Kalemegdan Fortress, Nikola Tesla museum, Skadarlija…and we will leave the rest for you to discover.  The average price for a meal is 30 euros and you can find literally everything that your taste buds are aching for. Serbian cuisine features very strong influences of Byzantine and Mediterranean cuisine, with a dash of Orient. 

If you want to taste the tradition – sarma is always a great option to try, gibanica (traditional cheese pie), pljeskavica, or ćevapi (kebabs). So, before visiting Belgrade, make sure to make a plan…and bring a lot of comfortable clothing because Serbs simply do not accept the fact that someone is not hungry.

Budapest

Hungary is a superior choice if you are… hungry. Budapest will amaze you with its rich history and rich and spicy dishes. Hungarians are known as conquerors and they will definitely conquer your heart so you will be hungry for more of their famous dishes. Budapest is a very scenic city with amazing architecture. Our recommendation is to take a boat ride and enjoy all the sights. The Budapest Parliament and Castle Hill are just some of the honourable mentions… there is a lot more to discover.

When it comes to discovering dishes we will just mention Goulash. Each of the regions in Hungary has its own variety so… you need to try them all and find out who the winner is. Lángos is one of the popular street foods as well. It is a deep-fried flatbread topped with cheese, garlic creme, or sausages. 

If you have a serious case of a sweet tooth, you can try some of the most famous sweets like Dobos Torte or Somlói Galuska. Chimney cake filled with ice cream is also one of the famous sweets you can find in the streets. 

Lisbon

Portugal is one of these magical European countries where you can enjoy the best seafood and a great glass of wine. Lisbon is an authentic city. It is amazingly vibrant and you can enjoy the tastiest foods for a very low price compared to the other European metropoles. Lisbon also offers food tours so it is definitely a good idea to check it out.

Lisbon is a great city if you love seafood. We will just mention Bacalhau or Portuguese Cod Fish. That one is universally loved by people in Portugal – and people who visit. In fact, they love it so much that they have 365 ways to prepare it. Yup, you’ve read it right. You can enjoy a different twist on this famous dish every day of the year and not get tired of it. 

Some other honourable mentions include Francesinha Sandwich or Bifanas. A true beauty sometimes lies in simplicity and there is nothing better than enjoying a great bite of a sandwich. It is luscious, rich, and messy and you won’t miss a bite. If you need something sweet, you can’t miss Pastel de Nata. This sweet, creamy, and addictive egg tart can be found literally everywhere. And after you are back, you will be trying to recreate the recipe at home, trust us.