Hadrian's Wall, near Salotto 42. Photos by Samantha Collins.

By Samantha Collins in Rome—

Fancy something different with your glass of wine during your stay in Rome? Try one of these three centrally located bars which all come with a little something extra to taste alongside your drink—whether your interest is cheese, books, or motorbikes….

Obika Roma Mozzarella Bar
Open from 10 AM to midnight
Piazza di Firenze (not far from Via del Corso)
Angolo Via dei Prefetti
website

What else to go along with your drink but a hunk of freshly made mozzarella? Giving a whole new slant on the “wine and cheese party” of the 70s, Obika is sleek and modern, serving a range of regional mozzarella cheeses including the famous DOP Buffalo Mozzarella produced in the Campania region by water buffalo. Obika also serves salads, snacks, and pasta and has a good selection of wines and coffee.

Outside Bar Salotto 42

Salotto42 Book Bar
Piazza di Pietra 42 (not far from Via del Corso)
website

Overlooking Hadrian’s Temple, this Roman book bar is styled on a New York penthouse. In fact, “salotto” means “living room” in Italian, and its decor of cozy settees, low slung coffee tables, CDs and magazines filling the walls (available to buy), encourages you to linger with a book, a glass of wine, or a pot of tea. €6 will get you a drink and aperitivo (and you can help yourself to a finger buffet) from around 7:30 PM.

Ducati Caffe’
Open 8 AM – 2 AM
Via delle Botteghe Oscure 35 (Largo Argentina)
website

This new bar is dedicated to the much loved Italian biking brand, Ducati. Displays of Ducati-related memorabilia, including motorbikes and a merchandise shop, are worth a look for anyone with a love of bikes and GP motocross. The bar also serves food, but it’s not the cheapest menu in the center. Better to enjoy a coffee and pastry or come in the evening, when you can find live music or cooking demonstrations. Check the website for the events calendar.

Popularity: 2% [?]

A night out in Stockholm. Photo by morner.

By Marcus Cederstrom in Stockholm—

Alcohol is not cheap in Sweden. Especially not in Stockholm. There’s just no way around it. Stockholm is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most expensive cities and a night out can easily add up. It doesn’t have to, though.

What to order

First, learn the lingo. The Swedish word for beer is “öl,” the ö being pronounced kind of like the awkward “uh” that ends up filling space in all those speeches you had to give in high school. Most people when ordering a beer though don’t ask for an “öl,” they ask for a “storstark,” literally meaning “big and strong.” This will result in you being served house beer on tap. Usually a Swedish brand, Falcon, Pripps, or Spendrups.

Where to go

Start your night at Mest on Götgatan. There are two subway stations close by (Slussen and Medborgarplatsen). Until 9 PM, a storstark will run you 29 SEK (about €3). In a city where it isn’t unheard of to pay over 50 SEK (about €5) for a beer, this is a great place to start.

If you find yourself out on a Thursday night and need an English language fix (despite the fact that finding a Swede who doesn’t speak English is about as rare as a unicorn sighting), head over to Southside Pub. The Irish pub is two subway stations south of Slussen at Zinkensdamm. On Thursday nights, Southside hosts a free pub quiz. You’ll have the opportunity to test your knowledge of obscure trivia against a surprisingly international crowd. Plus, you’ll have the chance to win a beer or two.

Any other night of the week, just one subway station north of Slussen at Gamla Stan is the Liffey, another Irish pub. This one doesn’t offer a quiz on Thursday nights, but instead stand-up comedy. In English. Often times by Swedes. The show will cost you a 50 SEK (about €5) “donation,” which was by far the most mandatory “donation” I have ever experienced. Every other night of the week, the Liffey offers live music at one of their two stages.

Of course, after a night of music, trivia, and laughs, a kebab is necessary. Head back towards Medborgarplatsen. Just a couple of blocks south of the subway station on Götgatan, you can get a kebab in a pita for about 30 SEK (about €3).

In the end, depending on just how many of those storstarks you decided to have, you’ll have managed to explore Stockholm’s nightlife on a budget any Cheapo would envy.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Outdoor skating in Helsinki. Photo by C.J.G.

By Sarah Silbert—

Located way up north (though at the southern edge of Finland), Helsinki is understandably chilly come wintertime. The low temperatures only add to the fun, however, as they give visitors the opportunity to partake in some quintessentially Finnish cold-weather activities. Read on for three ideas!

Ice skating at Railway Square

The Ice Park right outside Helsinki’s central train station is one of the city’s most popular skating venues. The rink is open from November to March, and it offers a variety of programs and performances in addition to open skating. (On Thursday evening, for instance, you can participate in an ice skating aerobics class!)

Admission costs €5, and skate rentals are another €5. The Ice Park also has a café serving warm drinks and pastries.

A swim and sauna at Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall

The Finnish love of saunas is by no means limited to the coldest months of the year, but winter is a perfect time to warm your bones in one. For an extra-special experience, take a trip to the city’s iconic Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall. The institution dates back to 1928, and it boasts both an impressive pool along with private and group saunas.

Men and women have separate hours, so make sure to check the schedule online. Once you’re in, go for a swim (bathing suit optional) and admire the striking Classical architecture. When you’re done with the water, head to the sauna and relax. You’ll find plenty of locals doing the same.

Admission costs €2.20, and a locker costs €4.40. The swimming hall is open year-round; check the website for hours.

Taking in the music scene

Helsinki is sprinkled with dozens of über-hip clubs where both indie and well-known musical acts play. After a day of swimming and skating, settle down with a drink and get ready to dance.

Located in the happening Kallio hood north of the city center, Kuudes Linja offers live (usually underground) music and DJ sets nightly. Most shows costs less than €10.

If you’re looking for a less trendy, more traditional scene, head to Rymy-Eetu, a Finnish-German restaurant with hearty fare, plentiful beer, and folksy live music. The restaurant sits on the bar-lined Errotajankatu in central Helsinki, and it offers a “two for the price of one” discount on main courses from 2-5 PM daily.

To find more music clubs and bars, visit the city’s nightlife listings page.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Ishin Sushi Restaurant in Berlin. Photo by Claudius Prößer.

By Susan Buzzelli—

Let’s face it. A Cheapo in Berlin can only eat so many fat- and calorie-laden Döner Kebabs and Currywursts before feeling weighed down. Luckily, Berlin is rife with cheap, healthy, and delicious Asian food joints where budget hunters can fill their bellies for far less than €10.

Here is the lowdown on our favorite Asian eateries in Berlin:

Japanese: Ishin
Mittel Str. 24 (one outlet of a city-wide mini-chain)

Packed to the gills at lunchtime, Ishin offers tasty and authentic Japanese food at shockingly reasonable prices. Though it is only steps from the touristy Friedrich Strasse-Unter den Linden corridor, it is beloved by locals and rarely discovered by tourists.

Dominated by long black tables that you share with other diners, the bright, no-frills space feels like a bustling cafeteria. We love the inexpensive and consistently fresh sushi, but most diners go for the Don, warm rice topped with diverse toppings, such as steamed salmon. Gyoza (fried dumplings) are also popular.

Stop by for dinner or on the weekend, when it’s slightly less jam-packed, to score happy hour prices on sushi (the super filling 18-piece salmon menu is €2 off, making it €8) and other dishes.

Cheapo bonus: The brisk servers drop off a free mug of green tea at your table, which you can re-fill yourself at the sushi counter.

Vietnamese: Manngo and Orchideen Garten

Berlin is particularly well stocked with Vietnamese eateries, but most of these restaurants are surprisingly pricey. Our favorite budget-friendly spot is the tiny Manngo (Mulack Str. 29; off Alte Schönhauser Strasse), but if you really want an insider’s steal, head to the teensy Orchideen Garten (Anklamer Str. 31).

Run with efficiency and friendliness by an extended family, this little neighborhood spot serves up one of the most delicious Phos in town. Prepared to order, the huge bowls of steaming noodle soup, topped with your choice of chicken, tofu, or beef, is garnished with chili and a lemon wedge so that you can adjust the flavor.

We love this place (which happens to be around the corner from this blogger’s Berlin apartment) so much that we’re hesitant to share the address. But the soup, as well as stir fries and barbecued ribs are so good, we can’t keep it to ourselves. Look out for specials.

Since there are only three tables inside, go during off hours to ensure a seat. Alternatively, take a seat at the restaurant on the corner. Owned by the same hard-working family behind the Garten, Lemongrass (Anklamer Str. 38) serves up Thai dishes and sushi in addition to Vietnamese classics.

Korean: Yam Yam
Alte Schönhauser Str. 4

Korean food is the newest addition to Berlin’s trend-obsessed food scene. The cheapest (and, we think, the best) spot opened in 2009 on Mitte’s main shopping drag, Alte Schönhauser Strasse.  Most dishes on the menu at the minimalistic Yam Yam are less than €7—and everything is authentic.

Classic dishes like bulgogi and steamed dumplings integrate organic meat and veggies. And every entrée comes with your choice of “banchan” (side dishes). When in doubt, go for the kimchi (spicy, garlicky, fermented cabbage). Our favorite dish is the freshly steamed dumplings, served piping hot in a steamer basket. If you go for a chili-spiked dish, be sure to order our favorite drink, house-made lemonade. It’s a cooling antidote to the heat.

Pan-Asian: Asian Deli
Lychener Str. 28

We love Asian Deli, despite its tacky yellow and red interior and tiny bamboo bench seats. The reason? Low prices and huge portions, of course. Choose among Vietnamese, Indonesian, Malay, and Thai dishes.

There isn’t much that’s authentic here, but the Pad Thai is one of the most decent in a town. Show up at lunch, when you can chose between two different soup-entrée combinations for €5.50.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Outside Cafe Ekberg. Photo by BjørnS. Other photos by Sarah Silbert.

By Sarah Silbert—

To be perfectly frank, Helsinki doesn’t offer much in the way of exciting, inexpensive eats. Sure, if you’re willing to shill out for Michelin-rated Scandinavian cuisine and seafood, you’ll find no shortage of gourmet options. For those of us on a budget, however, choices are limited to kebab and pizza joints, as well as “grillis,” which serve up hot dogs and other greasy, filling treats.

A cinnamon roll and coffee at Cafe Esplanad.

Are your taste buds unstimulated? Not to fear—Helsinki’s hidden culinary strength lies in its selection of cute cafes. No one can subsist on coffee and pastries alone, but here are three Cheapo-approved cafes for tiding you over between meals.

Café Esplanad
Pohjoisesplanadi 37

Sitting pretty just off Helsinki’s Esplanadi Park, Café Esplanad is known for more than its prominent location. The café’s giant “korvapuustit” (Finnish cinnamon rolls) are simply delicious. Esplanad is self-serve, so ask the cashier for a roll, pour yourself a coffee, and sit near the window to watch the pedestrian traffic pass by. A pastry plus a coffee (with free refills) will set you back about €5.

Café Engel
Aleksanterinkatu 26

If you prefer stunning views to people-watching, take a seat at the Café Engel, which counts as its neighbor the famous Helsinki Cathedral. (The café is even named after the cathedral’s architect, Carl Ludvig Engel.) The café is popular with locals, and even hosts outdoor film screenings in the warmer months. A full breakfast costs around €13, while coffee and a slice of cake is €7-10. After lingering over your table, head across the street to the Cathedral’s steep steps for a post-meal workout.

The view from Cafe Engel.

Café Ekberg
Bulevardi 9

Southwest of Esplanadi Park in Helsinki’s hip Kamppi district, Café Ekberg dates back to 1915. The beautiful, bite-size pastries and cakes on offer here make for the perfect afternoon sugar rush. Known for attracting a more mature crowd, the café also offers a good breakfast. Just make sure to have the morning meal on a weekday, when the meal costs €9—the price doubles to €18 on the weekends. If you prefer to stop in for a pastry or sandwich, expend to spend €2-10.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Macarons from Ladurée. Photos by Theodora Brack.

By Theadora Brack in Paris—

Grocery store chains may be your best bets for cutting costs while living in Paris, and they’re perfectly fine and dandy for long-term stays, but what if you’re visiting for just a week or two? Well then, I say, live it like it’s your last!

Visiting one of the finest food capitals of the world, a place chock-full of bountiful “Bon Produits” (specialty shops), all managed by certified gastronomical experts who are more than willing to share their vast wealth of knowledge, is abso-fruga-lute-ly not the time to shop at a chain grocery store in order to save a few centimes.

Splurge on a café.

So take in all those wonderful boulangeries, pâtisseries, chocolatiers, confiseries, glaciers, éspiceries, fromageries, charcuteries, poissonneries, caves, and cafés with a clear conscience. And don’t be shy. Ask for recommendations! Ask questions, and in the process you’ll take home more than the receipt.

Here’s my personal sampling of things to not miss while in France. Cheapos, splurge on!

1. Crème brûlée

Before cracking open this classic beauty, lift the ramekin to your ear, and lightly tap on its hard, caramelized topping with your spoon. Breathe in. Savor the moment.

2. Pain au chocolat

The proper way to eat it is to pinch off teeny morsels with your fingertips to make it last as long as possible. However, I usually peel the individual layers off slowly, thoroughly enjoying each melted chocolate nugget I encounter.

3. Fromage

Big wheels do keep on turning. Like skirts, cheese is seasonal, and the variety is endless. So pace yourself! Start off with the “Cantal jeune.” Named after the volcanic peaks of the Cantal mountain range, it’s hard to find this one-month-old taste sensation outside of France. Why, even the Sun King gave it his Good Palace-Keeping seal of approval. Also, don’t hesitate to ask the fromager for a cheese recommendation based on the wine you just bought down the street. They’ll gladly help you out.

Baguettes from Gérard Mulot.

4. Baguette

If it’s still warm from the oven, do as the locals do and rip a chunk off and pop it in your mouth as soon as you step out of the bakery. I’ve noticed that males tend to carry their baguettes like caveman clubs, while women usually cradle their bread.

5. Macarons and meringues

The ultimate instant sugar rush—but what-the-hey? You only live once, right? That’s what she said. Catherine de Medici’s Italian pastry chefs introduced the macaron to France, and Ladurée is credited with its stream-lined modern sandwich-look.

6. Wines

It’s perfectly normal to say, “I’m looking for something around five euros to go with [fill in the blank].” Trust me, everyone else is asking the same question. Tip: Caviste Pascal Fauvel at La Cave de Abbesses at 43 rue des Abbesses clearly marks his recommendations with heart-shaped signs that read, “Coup de coeur maison.” Others follow suit.

7. French onion soup

Yummy escargot

Day or night, it’s a hot and hearty Cheapo happy meal (sans prizes).

8. Escargots

If you end up loving them (and most people do) then you’ve made a culinary discovery, and if not, at least you’ve got a funny story to tell, and everyone will admire your bravery. I usually order my snails bathed in garlic, butter, and herbs in their little spiral shells. Yum!

9. Crêpes

“Je voudrais une banane-chocolat crêpe, s’il vous plaît,” is another one of my tickets to paradise.

Tartes at Les Petits Mitrons.

10. Tarte

Any ole tarte will do as long as it comes from Les Petits Mitrons at 26 rue Lepic in Abbesses, just up the street from the Moulin Rouge, and kitty-corner from the café featured in the film “Amélie.” You can also buy your pie by the slice!

11. A drink in Parisian café

If you visit Paris and miss out on this experience, Cheapos, we are no longer friends. Yes! Your alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks will cost a little more than in a grocery store, but the upside is that you’ll be given courtside seats to people watching, and you can stay as long as you like.

12. At least one article of clothing

For the simple love of bragging rights, do pick up a scarf, shirt, or slacks. Then, for years to come you’ll be able to say, “Oh, this old thing? I picked it up in Paris years ago!”

Cheapos, do you have a favorite French treat? Do tell!

Popularity: 5% [?]

Bojo restaurant in Amsterdam. Photo by fidothe.

By Amy Goemans in Amsterdam—

Amsterdam is the most popular city in Netherlands, and so, unsurprisingly, it can be hard to find a cheap meal here. By a cheap meal, I mean a nice, sit-down meal at an eatery, as opposed to grabbing something from a bustling fast food spot or street food vendor. (View my earlier post about Maoz if you’re interested in on-the-go eats in Amsterdam.)

Here are a few budget-friendly restaurants offering a variety of international cuisines:

De Bazar
Albert Cuypstraat 182
+31 (020) 675 0544
website

With its charming Middle Eastern décor, this cozy restaurant is great for a relaxed meal. It offers lunch and dinner menus, both with affordable prices. Considering the price range (expect to pay around €9-12 for a main dish here), the dishes are quite generous. Try the “Ghorak,” a delicious chicken and rice dish complete with assorted vegetables and fruit.

Bojo
Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 49-51
website

If you are in the mood for Asian food, drop by Bojo, a quiet Indonesian restaurant located close to the canal belt. This quaint spot offers fantastic rice table (rijsttafel) options. “Rijsttafel” is a bit like a buffet where you can try a number of different smaller dishes along with your rice meal. Main dishes range from €8.50-18.

Café Luxembourg
Spui 24
+31 (020) 620 62 64
website

For those craving a bit of Western food, there’s always Cafe Luxembourg. Its rustic interior, with leather seating and wooden furniture, adds to the chill atmosphere. The Luxembourg has a wide price range: Meals start out at €10 and can go up to €22. Because of the yummy and affordable lunch menus and specials, this place is best for a late lunch. The burgers and club sandwiches are highly recommended, filling meals.

Popularity: 4% [?]

A traditional Czech meal. Photo by Smaku.

By Jacy Meyer in Prague—

Last week, we shared three Cheapo-friendly pubs in Prague. To maximize your Czech eating experience, however, there are a few more things you should know about where and when to go, as well as how much to leave for the tip.

Read on to make sure you’re getting your Czech kroners’ worth!

1. Go at lunch time.

Nearly every traditional Czech restaurant offers a lunch menu with prices usually around 99 CZK. The menu often isn’t translated; however it gives you an excellent, cheap excuse to be adventurous. Sides, like French fries, potatoes, rice etc. usually aren’t included, so be sure to order them separately.

2. Go before (or after) the crowds.

That said, expect packed restaurants at lunch time. Czechs know a good value when they see one, and city center restaurants are usually packed around the noon hour. Plan on a full restaurant (go right at 11 AM, typical opening times for most restaurants, or around 1 PM; the lunch specials usually last until 2 PM) and count on brusque service. If you order from the lunch menu, your food will come fast; if you order off it, you’ll have to wait.

3. Watch your bill.

Legally, a restaurant must tell you if service is included. It’s hit or miss if they actually will. Have a rough idea of what your bill should be ahead of time. An extra beer often finds its way onto unsuspecting tabs.

4. Go easy on tips.

Usually rounding up is enough of a tip; minimum 10-20 CZK. If service is horrid, don’t feel bad about not tipping, and if it’s good, 10% is quite generous.

Your Prague restaurant tips

Have any Prague dining tips, Cheapos? Post a comment to share.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Good meals await at U Provaznice, in Prague. Photo: Jacy Meyer

By Jacy Meyer in Prague—

Prague is no longer the undiscovered, inexpensive “Eastern” European city it used to be, and prices definitely reflect the Czech capital’s popularity. City centers aren’t usually the best places to find a cheap meal, but that doesn’t mean an affordable and authentic Czech meal—complete with a yummy local beer—can’t be found.

Here are three of my favorite pubs in central Prague:

U Jindrišské veže
Jindrišská 26, Prague 1

Near Wenceslas Square, “At the Jindrišská Tower” offers plentiful plates of Czech pub grub. Pictures of old Prague line the walls, while outside, the historic Jindrišská Tower looms overhead. Dark wooden tables sassily covered in beer tablecloths fill up quickly for their “smažený sýr,” ” tatarská omácka” (fried cheese with tarter sauce), and “kurecí prsa na žampionech” (chicken breast with mushrooms).

Beer fans take note: They offer tank Gambrinus (tank beer is supposedly the best), plus the well-known Pilsner Urquell and Kozel dark, one of the most popular dark brews.

U Provaznice
Provaznická 3, Prague 1

At the other end of Wenceslas Square, right near one of the Mustek metro entrances, you’ll find U Provaznice (translated as “At the Rope maker’s wife”). Look for the wooden statue near the entrance—legend has it you should touch her breasts for good luck. A small space (keep walking around the bar towards the left for more tables in the back), it’s often packed, but the waiters are usually of the friendly sort.

Go there for their great “vepro, knedlo, zelo” (pork, bread dumplings, and cabbage) or “smažené veprové rízky” (pork schitznel). The low ceilings, brick accents and light wood tables offer a cozy atmosphere.

Lokál
Dlouhá 33, Prague 1

Run by a well-regarded local restaurant group, Lokál is the place to go if you want Czech atmosphere without the traditional ambiance. Confused? This new restaurant, opened in the fall of 2009, recreates the Czech pub experience in a modern way. Here you’ll find a typical pub menu and long wooden tables spruced up with modern lighting and design.

It’s a small menu. Go for some “svícková hovezí pecene na smetane” (beef tenderloin in a cream sauce) or “guláš z hovezí kližky” (beef goulash). Prices are shockingly low for the location and evidence of its upscale nature can be found in its decent wine list and competent service. Close to Old Town Square, Lokál has quickly become a favorite among the locals.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Food from the buffet at Fresc Co. Photo by unite.

By Regina Winkle-Bryan in Barcelona—

At first glance, it may not seem like healthy options abound in Barcelona. The endless ham, the white bread and chocolate croissants, the fried and breaded tapas… and all of it, as one of my friends from North America put it, is “swimming in olive oil.”

Fair enough. But remember that this is also the land of the Mediterranean diet. Fish, fruit, nuts, steamed greens, and delicate salads are also on the menu in the Catalan capitol. Healthy eating is not hard to come by in Barcelona if you know where to go in the city. Until recently, it was a headache to be a vegetarian, but now this too is no big deal in Barcelona.

For your five daily doses of fruit and veggies, here are my local recommendations:

Fresc Co
Locations throughout Barcelona

Fresc Co is a buffet-style restaurant with an enormous salad and pasta bar. This is a good place for vegetarians and picky eaters because there are no surprises and you take only what you want. It’s also a steal, at about €10 for lunch or dinner. The downside is that Fresc Co does not score high in the charm or uniqueness department but the price makes up for this. There are many Fresc Co locations in Barcelona; visit the website for more information.

Sesamo
C/Sant Antoni Abat 52 08001
934 416 411

Not only is this cute spot vegetarian-friendly, it is also organic! In the hip El Raval neighborhood, Sesamo is a bit hidden, so check your map before heading over—it is worth the journey. Tuesday through Sunday the restaurant offers a set meal for €15, which includes three course, bread, and a drink. To some Cheapos this may seem a bit pricey, but portions are large and €15 is an excellent deal for a three-course lunch in Barcelona.

Ra
Plaça Gardunya, 3-4
933 014 163

Another one of my old favorites is Ra Restaurant, which also offers a set meal for €13 on weekdays and weekends alike. Ra is a popular choice for locals and tourists because it is right off Las Ramblas and has one of the nicest outdoor terraces in the city center.

Ra is not a veggie restaurant, but it always offers a veggie option, usually lasagna or some other delicious creation. Ra changes its menu all the time, but the eats are always tasty. I have never been disappointed at Ra, and I have been there many times. Tip: Go before 1:30 PM or you WILL NOT get a table.

Juicy Jones
C/ Hospital, 74
934 439 082

Amazingly, there are even vegan options in Barcelona! Juicy Jones offers vegan fare, smoothies, and fresh squeezed fruit juice. There are a few Juicy Jones around the city, but I am only familiar with the ones in the Gothic Quarter and El Raval. Dreadlocks, hipsters, and new generation hippies abound at Juicy Jones, sipping guava shakes and warming up with homemade soups in the winter months. The prices are reasonable for the high quality.

Popularity: 5% [?]