Europe - Cheap food and supermarkets in Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Italy?

I think this topic is broad enough to be posted in this forum. I'm going to be visiting these countries next month. Does anyone here have any tips or information on where to get cheap food in Amsterdam, Cologne, Brussels, Brugges, Ghent, Milan, Venice, Bologna, Florence, and Rome? I know it's a long list, but it would be nice to have a list of tips on where to go and get cheap food along with which supermarket to go to stockup on drinks to put in the hotel room.

Thanks!

In Amsterdam (and NL), you'll find the Albert Heijn supermarket a lot. Good for buying drinks and snacks (premium brands and high-quality house brand). The AH to Go (same chain, in airports, trainstations and some cities) is more expensive.
Otherwise, any other chain supermarket will do good. Some don't have A-brands (coca cola and such) though.

Cheap food in Amsterdam, will generally be fastfood (don't know what you define cheap). The Chinese area is a cheap and good area to go to if you fancy it.

In Germany, I think Lidll, Aldi and Penny are the supermarkets to go to.

In Amsterdam there are Aldi's. Walked to one not too far from Leidse Square
They are cheaper than the Albert Heijn markets. There's also branches of Wok to Walk and Maoz Falafal places for cheap meals. Bakeries there also sell sandwiches.
Be careful of the food market in Florence. Good prices on breads but we got ripped off when we bought meat.

Yeah some venues in Italy were a rip off. €5 for fries and a sandwich, and then (without specified somewhere) €8 for a soft drink! :eek: :mad:
Bakeries who sell bread and sandwiches in Amsterdam are mostly good and very cheap. I recommend Bakkerij Bart.

most of those cities you named have a covered market. either in the market or ajacent the market you will fine bottled water, bread and sandwich making supplies that are much superior to the usa.

to find covered markets, get a micheline red guide(italy for instance) and find the covered market symbol. you can usually get michelins out of your library. age makes no difference, as the markets seldom move(the one in bruges is closing in on 1000 years old).

in venice, the going price for bottled water is €0.85 per 1-1.5L bottle. bring your own bags or buy one. a very cheap nylon backpack is great for water if you are buying 4 or 6 bottles at once.

you can ask at any front desk, (ask for cheese if you don't want to ask for water).

Consider doing B&B's or hotels which include breakfast. The B&B's in Amsterdam, Venice, Rome we did included breakfast. Nice being able to just go downstairs and not have to search out breakfast.

Consider doing B&B's or hotels which include breakfast. The B&B's in Amsterdam, Venice, Rome we did included breakfast. Nice being able to just go downstairs and not have to search out breakfast.

so do most of the mid range hotels serve a lovely "continental +" breakfast. the high enders usually do not, and now want close to €50pp for that breakfast. we would refuse to pay that much, so would be out on the street for breakfast. quit staying in those 5*+ places, and enjoy our stays much more. good 4* and continental. half the cost.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g188590-i60-k1677556-Eating_Cheap_MrJohnMD-Amsterdam_Noord

This link above has got some age on it. But as far as cheap eats in Amsterdam its got some great suggestions.

As far as staying in a 4 or 5 star without breakfast and staying in a 1-2-3 star with?

I'd do priceline at least in Amsterdam for a 4 or 5 star. Its a great value there.

Stay in a 4 or 5 star for the price of a 1 star double room.

Then go out to a local place and grab a bite.

Or you could pay a lot more. Stay in a 1 or 2 star with steeps stairs, no lift, tiny rooms, and some "free" coffee, toast, hardbollied eggs in the morning.

You will stay in a much better hotel and will save a fortune.

so do most of the mid range hotels serve a lovely "continental +" breakfast. the high enders usually do not, and now want close to €50pp for that breakfast. we would refuse to pay that much, so would be out on the street for breakfast. quit staying in those 5*+ places, and enjoy our stays much more. good 4* and continental. half the cost.

Although some of the 4 & 5* in Europe charge a fair bit for breakfast (I think it was 35 euros per person in Spain earlier this year) the breakfast really became brunch, with plenty of options, delicious espresso coffee, champagne, cooked to order eggs, fruit, cheeses, breads and pastries and even told by staff to help ourselves to a bottle of water or pop and some fruit 'to go' as we left. I'd guess I could easily spend the same on a mediocre breakfast, a mid morning pop and snack, and lunch. A 35 euro breakfast that keeps you going until the evening isn't a bad investment in my book.

There are Aldi's all over Germany, and they are amazing! Not the terrible Aldi's that they have in the US, the ones in Germany actually have good quality food for reasonable prices.

There are Aldi's all over Germany, and they are amazing! Not the terrible Aldi's that they have in the US, the ones in Germany actually have good quality food for reasonable prices.

And what's odd is that they are now carry Trader Joe's products like iced tea, nuts, and dried fuits (all of which are cheaper than their American counterparts btw). I know the guy who founded TJ's was originally from Germany, but I just find it a little odd. Also, Real and Kaufland are really big-sized supermarkets in Germany. Kind of like mega-stores. Plus, they're a little bit cheaper than a Kaisers or Edeka/Reichelt.

Spar stores are good and normally pretty competitive pricewise - guess as always this may vary depending on other local retailers.

to find covered markets, get a micheline red guide(italy for instance) and find the covered market symbol. you can usually get michelins out of your library. age makes no difference, as the markets seldom move(the one in bruges is closing in on 1000 years old).Was just at the Brugge covered market recently and did not see anything resembling sandwich fixin's. There was fresh fish, raw meats, soap, trinkets and vegetables. About 6 blocks away we came upon a street market that had a variety of of snacks for sale, but I wouldn't call it cheap food.

In the Netherlands we did visit several different weekly farmer's markets with cheese vendors, bakeries and some had deli meat as well. However you'd have to google the town name and something like "weekly market" to find them.

Conad is a great solution in Italy with a large and cheap selection. In Rome, Milan, and Venice they're less conveniently located (Via Buonarroti is probably the best location in Rome, unless you're near EUR), but in Bologna and Florence especially they're easy to walk to from the center. You can find locations beforehand here: http://www.conad.it/conad/it/home/puntivendita.html. Have a good trip!

And what's odd is that they are now carry Trader Joe's products like iced tea, nuts, and dried fuits (all of which are cheaper than their American counterparts btw). I know the guy who founded TJ's was originally from Germany, but I just find it a little odd. Also, Real and Kaufland are really big-sized supermarkets in Germany. Kind of like mega-stores. Plus, they're a little bit cheaper than a Kaisers or Edeka/Reichelt.

should not be odd. two bros (at least one has now passed)owned Aldi;s or it's equivalent in germany. one owned north, one owned south. when aldi came to usa, one took east, one took west. one of the two has trader joe's in usa.

should not be odd. two bros (at least one has now passed)owned Aldi;s or it's equivalent in germany. one owned north, one owned south. when aldi came to usa, one took east, one took west. one of the two has trader joe's in usa.

I did not know that about him. However, what I find to be odd is that the German Aldi stores would be importing something from the U.S., mainly because I'm familiar with grocery stores in both countries. And I find what is on most American shelves to be crap. I actually have a can of the TJ peanuts in my duffle bag that I bought at Aldi's in Berlin. But it doesn't say where the product is from on it. However, I don't think that they grow peanuts in Germany, so I'm assuming they're from the U.S.

'Aldi' in the USA is owned by Aldi Sud and 'Trader Joe's' by Aldi Nord - who have introduced the brand name on some products into their stores in Europe.

Do you guys know if any of these supermarkets will carry cheap energy drinks?

Aldi has Golden Power. AH Euroshopper Energy.

'Aldi' in the USA is owned by Aldi Sud and 'Trader Joe's' by Aldi Nord - who have introduced the brand name on some products into their stores in Europe.

I haven't seen Trade Joe's products in Aldi stores in Switzerland (not least not in Lausanne area), but that would be great, especially for their nuts and dried fruit selection!

Aldi has Golden Power. AH Euroshopper Energy.

Stupid question, but how much do they cost?

Aldi has Golden Power. AH Euroshopper Energy.

Stupid question, but how much do they cost?

€0,30 for the Euroshopper. Golden Power also IIRC.

BTW in virtually every Dutxh supermar you have €0,30 energy.

For supermarkets in Belgium, Colruyt and Aldi are the cheapest. Both are located however outside of city centres. Within the city centre there's usually a City Delhaize (more expensive) or a Carrefour Express (between Delhaize and Colruyt price-wise). If you are looking for actual markets, Gent has a market on friday (Vrijdagsmarkt square, which means friday market).

I did not know that about him. However, what I find to be odd is that the German Aldi stores would be importing something from the U.S., mainly because I'm familiar with grocery stores in both countries. And I find what is on most American shelves to be crap. I actually have a can of the TJ peanuts in my duffle bag that I bought at Aldi's in Berlin. But it doesn't say where the product is from on it. However, I don't think that they grow peanuts in Germany, so I'm assuming they're from the U.S.

A lot of the Trader Joe products ARE from Germany, or France, etc. They are repackaged under their house brand label.

In Venice there is a Billa as well. Supermarkets can be a little more difficult to find there unless you know where to look.

I think this topic is broad enough to be posted in this forum. I'm going to be visiting these countries next month. Does anyone here have any tips or information on where to get cheap food in Amsterdam, Cologne, Brussels, Brugges, Ghent, Milan, Venice, Bologna, Florence, and Rome? I know it's a long list, but it would be nice to have a list of tips on where to go and get cheap food along with which supermarket to go to stockup on drinks to put in the hotel room.

Thanks!


An Amsterdam visit is never complete for me without Wok to walk (http://www.woktowalk.com/homepage/). Click Find to check locations. Wonderful the concept (http://www.woktowalk.com/siteAdmin/ckfinder/userfiles/files/london-final(1).jpg) and taste, and very affordable.

Italy I'd just go for local pasta/pizza restaurants. Just go for side streets, outside the real turistical places.

Belgium and Germany just skip the food.:D

GBM

Belgium and Germany just skip the food.:D



Skip Belgian food? Are you serious??

For that matter, I wouldn't write off all of Germany, either. But Belgium has fantastic food. [Now taking off my defender-of-Belgium hat.]

Edited to add: Oh, wait...I get it. Was this a reference to living on beer, instead? Not a bad idea, if you're a beer drinker (which, alas, I am not.)

Belgium and Germany just skip the food.:D


And miss out on the chocolates and fries? No thank you :D

And miss out on the chocolates and fries? No thank you :D

Ohhhh I think I love you.... :p

Thanks for the tips guys. How about cheap food in general in those cities? I think I got enough information about the supermarkets. Thx!

Cologne has tons of döner kebap restaurants, chinese/asian fast food places and little corner stores selling drinks and snacks. Since it is a university town prices there are enough cheap food places.

In Belgium, look for places with "Frituur" (Flanders) or "Friterie" (Brussels/Wallonia) on the outside. They usually serve homemade fries at decent prices (and with a wide array of sauces to choose from) and other various junkfood items like nuggets, etc. But really the fries are the reason most people go to the "Frituur" and, in my opinion, going to Belgium without going to a frituur should be punishable by law :p

What about Italy guys?

What about Italy guys?

For cheap food, or grocery stores? Some of us already listed the grocery stores in Venice. SPAR goes under the name of DESPAR in Italy, and while they tend to be fairly small they are quite common. In cities often there is signage for the nearest one (look up). You'll have to look a little harder for grocery stores in some cities as they don't tend to be as obvious, or tucked down a side street, but they exist.

Markets, gelato, pizza windows, Autogrill all have inexpensive food. Avoid the main tourist areas and walk a few metres further and often you'll find better food at cheaper prices.

In Rome:
There's a Conad supermarket in Roma Termini. It's on the lower level opposite a Wind kiosk. Worked out very well for us. Topped up our groceries and our cellphone minutes in one swell swoop.

In Rome:
There's a Conad supermarket in Roma Termini. It's on the lower level opposite a Wind kiosk. Worked out very well for us. Topped up our groceries and our cellphone minutes in one swell swoop.

That's actually a good point for people who expect Sunday shopping and are disappointed: look at airports or train stations.

The Conad at Termini is near the fabulous new bathrooms, which is an extra added bonus.

At FRA, there is the newish Squaire which has a ReweCity; DUS has one as well. MUC has two Edekas onsite.

On Sundays and holidays when I need to purchase groceries or drugstore type items I generally head to a major train station and/or airport. MUC even offers free parking with purchase.

Colryut chain in Belgium is pretty good. I second the other poster about Frites, and look for anything that says Durum, which is like a falafel type food. 3-4 Euros for a giant burrito that should fill you up. If you're in Liege, Belgium, you can take a short travel to Maastricht, NL and in the large mall/shopping center in the city center you can find a Asian supermarket called Amazing Oriental (no joke). Address there on the receipt I have here says Laag Gubbelstraat 38, 6211 CG Maastricht. Good luck.