Originally Posted by SkeptiCallie

A lot depends on your individual preferences. If your hotel has a breakfast buffet, you probably won't be hungry until evening. At that time, you could check out the many sandwich-type take-outs in the larger train and metro stations. Lots of franchises too, if you want a predictable and fairly low-cost meal. Just walk down any major street and they're there. Restaurants are fine for an occasional splurge, but often you will overpay and receive very little for the cost. There are exceptions. Also, especially in France, just walk down the street and go into some of the various small shops that sell breads, cheeses, etc. Part of the French experience.

Some people recommend department-store places. If you're walking by a well-known department store, you can always check it out. It depends. In Berlin, definitely stop at the world-famous KaDewe, if for no other reason, for the inherent interest. But often, department-store dining can be really disappointing.

Anyhow, best best for most days, IMHO, is just to get a take-out sandwich at a train or metro station. You'll see a lot of these take-out places. But there is no way so far as I've ever found out to get what I really like, an all-you-can-eat fresh salad, though dreaming of that possibility will give you incentive to go back home after awhile.