Budget Meals in Spain

If you find yourself going around the streets of Spain with a few dollars left in your pocket, you don’t have to worry about not finding food and eventually starving to death. There are several places where cash strapped backpackers can have a sumptuous meal and still have a few dollars left over for after dinner drinks.

If you want to make the most out of your money, go for all-you-can-eat buffets and there is one restaurant in Barcelona which may interest you. At the Fresco, you can munch on anything from salads to pizza and pasta, for less than €8.00. You have to come in early though, and take advantage of weekday meals, because buffets after 8pm on weekends cost a little bit more.

If you don’t have a bite of Spain’s tapas, you will be missing out on a lot. Tapas are not at all very expensive and you can enjoy Spain’s main delicacy without having to break the bank. The Bar del Pi is one of Barcelona’s most popular places to taste tapas. Though the tapas selection is quite limited, you can grab a bite for only €3.00. The Can Paixano is also a recommended tapas bar, but unlike Bar del Pi, you can also taste some of their famous meat-filled bread rolls. You can wash down your meal with a bottle of champagne which you can purchase for only €4.00.

Other options in Barcelona include the Primer Express where you can get a nice breakfast of white coffee and a piece of bread or tapas for less than €2.00. For dinner, you can proceed to the Travel Bar. At Travel Bar, if you dine at 7:30 pm or 8:15 pm (you have to come in at these times, the promo is only available during then), after you’ve bought a drink, you can buy a meal for €1.00.

When you are in Madrid, you can still have good meals on a budget. There is a Fresco restaurant, similar to the one in Barcelona. The rates and rules are basically the same.

You can have Spain’s special tapas either at Canas Y Tapas at Casa Alberto. There are popular hangouts where generous servings of food can be bought for less than €4.00.

In case you’ve had your fill of tapas and are craving for something more familiar, you can take your meal at Madrid Madriz, which is just outside the Tribunal metro stop. At Madrid Madriz you can get a sandwich for about €3.00, burgers and pizzas for roughly €4.00, and meals for more or less €5.00.

Even if you’re in Barcelona or Madrid, you don’t have to limit your choices to these restaurants and bars — you can eat elsewhere. To know which places give patrons the best value for their money, ask the locals, go to nearby information counters, or just be adventurous. If you pass by an interesting bar or restaurant, why not enter and have a look at the menu. If you can afford it, have a seat and enjoy your meal. If the prices are way beyond your budget, there is no rule that prohibits you from going out to look for something more within your price range.