Hi, it is still about my Europe trip, I've never done a big trip like this before, and I don't really know where I should get feed while I'm travelling in Europe. I've only travelled to Australia by myself before, coz Australia and New Zeealand are sort of the same, so I know where to go to get food. But in Europe I'm sure it will be different from Australia and New Zealand.

So when you people travel in Europe, do you just get food on the street or bars or pubs? Maybe KFC, Pizza Hut?

Cheers

William

What kind of food do you like/dislike and how much a day do you want to spend?

I can eat almost anything. I have no idea how much I'm going to spend on food per day, maybe 30NZD per day.

Well, for a start you can enter most University canteens in Britain and the Continent, you just pay a little more than the local students do. Many also serve dinner and even breakfast in some cases.

Otherwise, Kebap/Gyros joints are everpresent on the Continent and Chinese and Indian budget eateries in Britain. Supermarkets often feature salad bars where �ou can put your take-away salad together according to taste.

France has some domestic fast food chains with baguettes, sandwiches etc. "French style", Italy offers Pizza (standing) for tight budgets and in the Benelux countries the Frituur dish out tasty chips and other greasy spoon basics with your choice of sauce.

Just ask local students or cabbies, they ought to know best.

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.

Depends what you like, but in general, in my experience...

Pizzerias often are a bargain and many offer tasty fare. It shouldn't be difficult to find inexpensive food in Europe.

If you want really cheap, go to a grocery store and get items for a picnic meal.

are there any food court in Europe, that's where you can find all kinds of food.

In Germany you can get a wonderful salad buffet at the restaurant chain MAREDO (used to also be CHURASCO). Almost all major cities -- Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Hannover, etc. etc. Reasonably priced all-you-can-eat salad bar made even cheaper if you order a main dish as well (good steaks and such and not over-priced). They also have all-you-can-eat spareribs for a bargain price after 9 PM (about � 5) and salat buffet after 9 PM reduced to about � 3.

As SkeptiCallie mentioned, major department stores have several restaurants inside the food sections. However, it's not necessarily budget food they're offering.

Europe is large - let me just give some hints for Germany.

In addition to all the possibilities already mentioned, check the bakeries in Germany. In general the choice of different types of bread, rolls and pastry is amazing. Many bakeries also offer coffee and take-away sandwiches, rolls etc., some even pizza, quiche and other warm stuff. In autumn, try Zwiebelkuchen (onion cake).

Train stations are usually full of opportunities to get something to eat, as are shopping malls.
Larger department stores have self-service restaurants with a wide choice of food.

A German law obliges all restaurants and pubs to put up their menu, or at least part of it, on the outside, so you can check a) what they're having and b) the prices before actually entering. Quite useful.

Keep in mind that German supermarkets are not open 24/7. Max. opening hours are from 9 a.m. (perhaps 8.30) to 8 p.m.Closed on Sundays. Bakeries usually open at 6.30 a.m. but close at 6 p.m.
In airports or main train stations shops may stay open till 10 p.m.

McD is very common and can be found practically everywhere. KFC isn't.

For Germany (and some other places in Europe):

Have a look at the food stalls in big department stores (in Germany e.G. Galeria Kaufhof), which sometimes have a number of food stall offering all sorts of food - loaction it in the basement mostly.

I have been to neither New Zealand or Australia but would think there is very little difference - if any at all - in the food served in most of west Europe.

Don't worry.... I'm sure you can find good ole' McDonald's

In Italy, your best bet is to go into a wine bar or a stand-up coffee bar. They sell ciccetti's, wonderful snack food as well as little half-sandwiches. You can get a coffee and a half one one kind of sandwich and a half of another kind of sandwich. Have a glass of house wine and you are set for the day. If you want dessert, no doubt there is a gelateria nearby where you will have the world's most divine ice cream. Hope you don't just stick to the worldwide chains. Local food is often much better and cheaper and you will enjoy the local ambiance. Be sure to peruse the fresh markets, as well. In Venice, of course, it is the Rialto. However, every city has a fresh market. I also love the one in Paris on the left bank, is it Rue de Saint Peres? Can't remember, but I know how to get there

I have been fortunate to have traveled to many of the EU countries over the past 3 years, mostly by train and bike and one of my favorite places to get a good bite to eat is at a local festival. It seems every weekend you will find a festival somewhere.
In Heidelberg Germany, where I live, one can go to the meat market (Metzgeri) to get some very nice cooked meats or meat salads for very good prices. Bakeries in France, Belgium and Germany always have some very lovely foods. Holland is a bit more daunting in finding something. We noticed that nothing much is opened on Monday morning. Shops do not open till 1pm and bakeries do not seem to be plentiful. But if you find a sandwich shop open and they have Uitsmijter (oots mutter). Fried egg, ham, cheese on toasted bread. A 'stick to your ribs' meal.
France, I would go to a local market area where fresh vegatable stands, meat markets and bakeries were located, locals shopping and you will find some cafes where you can sit and get real local food.
When in doubt, follow the locals.