Eating well while traveling doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. With a little planning, local knowledge, and the right cashback tools, you can enjoy an entire day of delicious, satisfying meals on a tight budget—without sacrificing flavor. Here’s exactly how I ate ten full meals in one day for under $30, combining smart choices, street food finds, and a few digital savings hacks along the way.
Breakfast #1 – Coffee and Pastry ($2.50)
I started my day at a local bakery in Lisbon, where I picked up a buttery pastel de nata and a small espresso. In Portugal, many cafés offer affordable combos like this, perfect for a light and energizing breakfast.
Breakfast #2 – Fruit and Yogurt from a Grocery Store ($1.80)
A mid-morning stop at a local supermarket provided a small yogurt and banana for a quick, healthy follow-up. Grocery chains across Europe and Asia offer fresh options that rival convenience store snacks in price and nutrition.
Snack #1 – Bao Bun from a Street Cart ($2.00)
In a Chinatown district, I found a street vendor selling steamed pork bao for $2. Warm, fluffy, and packed with flavor, it hit the spot.
Lunch #1 – Street Tacos ($4.00)
I headed to a neighborhood taquería in Mexico City for two fresh tacos al pastor and a cold bottle of agua fresca. These staples are usually affordable, quick, and loaded with local ingredients.
Lunch #2 – Dumplings from a Market Stall ($3.00)
In a local food hall, I grabbed a tray of handmade dumplings. Many urban markets offer full meals for the cost of a single dish in restaurants, especially in cities like Seoul and Taipei.
Snack #2 – Smoothie from a Juice Bar ($2.50)
A fruit smoothie from a small vendor added some hydration and vitamins to balance out the day’s indulgences. Local juice bars are budget-friendly and refreshing, particularly in tropical destinations.
Dinner #1 – Chicken Satay Skewers ($4.50)
At a busy night market in Bangkok, I ordered five grilled satay skewers with peanut sauce and sticky rice. Filling, flavorful, and fun to eat on the go.
Dinner #2 – Noodles from a Food Court ($3.00)
Food courts in train stations or malls often have inexpensive but hearty noodle dishes. I grabbed a bowl of spicy ramen from a stand in Tokyo’s Tokyo Station underground gourmet street.
Dessert #1 – Churros with Chocolate ($2.00)
A late-night walk in Madrid ended with fresh churros and a small cup of thick hot chocolate—perfectly shareable and satisfying.
Dessert #2 – Ice Cream Cone ($1.50)
I capped off the day with a single scoop from a local ice cream shop. Small treats like this are a great way to feel indulgent without breaking the bank.
Total: $26.80
This 10-meal day proves that eating frequently and affordably is possible with smart picks. Most of these meals were from small vendors or markets where food is made fresh and sold fast.
How Cashback Apps Make It Even Cheaper
Before heading to some of the chain spots or delivery services, I used Fluz to buy digital gift cards or pay with a virtual card. For example, I used Uber Eats gift cards to have one meal delivered, earning cashback instantly. I also used Rakuten when booking transit and Ibotta for grocery stops. These apps let you stretch your food budget even further, especially if you’re on a longer trip.
By combining budget awareness with rewards apps and local intel, you can eat more often, try more flavors, and still come in under budget.
