How to Eat Well While Traveling - Vacation Meals
- Abigail Schmitt
- Jun 30, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 8, 2024
European Food Edition (slow food moments on home-away-from-home and finding the right restaurants)
As I enter into the last few days of this month in Portugal, I've been reflecting on what it means to eat well, and the best ways to do it while traveling. Nutrition-dense foods are usually the main goal, but it needs to be delicious as well. As someone who is constantly healing through food, I think it's the most important (and most exciting) part of travel. Here's my thoughts on this act of refueling and re-energizing, and my favorite ways of exploration of another culture through it's food. Summer vacation meals don't have to be difficult, and here's how.
Nothing Beats Local Cuisine - In places where local and fresh ingredients flows freely alongside honey, eating at a classic restaurant is my favorite way to dive
deep right away. There are countless ways to find a good restaurant, but my favorite discoveries are by word of mouth.
Find a small wine bar and ask what their favorite spots are
Ask your host or hotel concierge what their favorite places are
Online: Looking for photos of a place can help a bunch, and pay attention to general ratings, but of course make your own opinion.
Breakfast: Hotels and hosts often offer great complimentary breakfast, depending on where you stay. In Portugal, almost everywhere we stayed had a breakfast, or we made our own. If you choose to eat out, find the local pastry or bakery cafe which has tons of delicious options. Make sure you order fresh orange juice, or sumo de laranja. So good.
The most delicious dishes in Portugal we've tried have typically been centered around meat, fish, and pastries. We were fortunate to try a variety of different foods last weekend while attending a close friend's wedding, where the chef served many different Portuguese specialties. The alheira (sausage with bread), chouriço (chorizo), morcela (blood sausage) and the linguiça with beans are some of my new inspirations. Learn how to ask for vegetarian options in each countries' language if you need, but pescatarian is recommended at the very least, since the grilled whole fish, brothy clams and shrimp pastas are to die for. As for pastries, the pastel de nata is an honorable mention, but my favorites are the savory pastries like coxinha de frango, a flakey pastry filled with shredded or minced chicken. Make sure you drink as much fresh orange juice and local wine as possible! My go-to drink of the summer is going to be orange-campari over ice, a refreshing low ABV cocktail - perfect for wedding season.
Reminders
Google and Yelp are the most widely used sites for establishments, but reservation apps like Resy, Tock and Opentable offer ratings, reviews and more detailed filters.
Do: check opening-hours research in each country you visit. Breakfast times are often generalized, but lunch and dinner time vary a lot worldwide. Don't forget about siesta times, national and religious holidays that affect hours of operation. If in doubt, call the establishment ahead of time, or have your host or hotel concierge do so.
Don't bail. Reservations are usually recommended, but for the sake of the business. cancel if you can't make it.
DIY Meals/Eating In
Lunch: One of my favorite ways to enjoy any new city without is to make a picnic and find a park to chill in. Search out a farmers market, roadside fruit stand, or grocery shop, and grab a couple goodies. Here in Portugal that means tinned fish, olives, cured meats, all sorts of baked goods, soft cheeses, stone fruits, figs and so much more. Don't forget to pack a bottle of wine, kombucha! If you have the kitchen for it, load up with easily scrambled or 6-min boiled eggs. Otherwise, and a can of tuna, capers and herbs will go a long way.
Overlook your gluten intolerance for a minute and go for all kinds of loaded toasts like
caramelized mushroom/onion
tomato/peach/herb
date/tahini/salt
white bean/apple/anchovy
Snacks are always a must, for the beach, train rides, or for long bike rides. Catch me snacking on dates and Brazil nuts sprinkled with salt from my mini-sized Maldon tin I carry around in my purse. Grab little mustard packets when you can, and hot sauce too. I've been known to risk carrying plenty-a juicy peach, and I have a soft spot for lemon cake for the bike-packs. If you have space in your luggage, Larabars are worth their weight as a healthy and easy-to-grab option. If you wanted to make cacao-date balls and wrap them in your bee's wrap, I would be so proud.
Dinner: Organize an easy night in, or bring the wine for a dinner party. If you're booking a longer stay, please choose a place with a good kitchen. Maybe you're staying with family or friends, or somewhere with a nice setup. A communal kitchen can be fine for simple pastas, but if you find a house with a larger space or an outdoor BBQ, take advantage! Meats and vegetables are easily grilled with plenty of olive oil and crunchy salt, and a squeeze of lemon on top. Build a salad and serve up with (grilled) bread and more olive oil. Bring fresh fruit for dessert, and olives and cheeses for snacking. Other meals I love to make while on vacation are risotto with seafood or mushroom, pastas with sausage + onions or roasted vegetables + olives. I would be mad if I don't share my favorite way to cook potatoes: boiled with tons of salt and vinegar til the skins blister, then whole smashed and fried in olive oil. You can even do it all in one pan if necessary.
Ultimately if you just don't feel like cooking (or doing the dishes...) consider hiring a private chef. The easiest way to find a chef is to internet search "private chef [insert city]" or reach out to your favorite restaurant in the area - they may do special menus or private dining. Of course you can always reach out to me (Abigail) and tell me your ideas!
This summer, I am booking Spain in July, and France in August. September and October is already booking quickly in the PNW. If you don't want to wait for me and you're planning a dream vacation or yoga retreat, give me a shout and we can dream something up together.
To stay in contact, follow along here for travel updates dates and other offerings.
As always, thank you for being here and I hope we meet, somewhere across the globe.
Cheers,
Abigail
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