The picture above is of an apple strudel that I had in Bohinj, Slovenia. There it was, a little house in the middle of the hiking trail, calling our name. It was called Okrepcevalnica – Snacks Slap Voje. As curiosity always gets us, we went in to explore. We do the usual walk around, look at the food coming out, smell the smells and observe the service. We knew immediately we needed to catch this place to eat on the way back from the hike. There are many times we walk right out and keep on with our day. When you know, you will know. Huts and small restaurants like this are very common on hiking trails in Europe and typically offer a taste into the local cultures cuisine. It is often that they will forge a majority of the ingredients that morning and put it in the daily special. The picture below is at the same location. I dove into their freshly forged mushroom cream soup. It was filled with earthy flavors and rich broth. The local beer went perfect with it.
As a mere suggestion, take the detour curiosity look. Make pit stops into the huts, markets, food stands, you just may be surprised. Don’t let the simplicity of the place scare you away. If we always follow the “Must go to” reviews then we never step outside our own exploring box. I have found those are the best finds in our travels. I am not sure that years later the place will offer the same food or experience we had so that is why we go off of our gut. It is all about the experience. At least it is for us.
Visit the local grocery stores
Visiting local grocery stores in Europe is one of my favorite ways to experience a place because they feel like a snapshot of everyday life and culture. I love wandering the aisles and discovering products I’ve never seen before like different spices, snacks, and seasonal items that reflect local traditions and tastes. It’s fun to compare how familiar foods are packaged or flavored differently, and there’s something exciting about picking up a small, inexpensive item that feels uniquely tied to that country. Beyond being enjoyable, it’s also beneficial because grocery stores are affordable, practical, and authentic; they let you eat like a local, learn about regional ingredients, and even practice the language in a low-pressure setting. (I still have to use GoogleTranslate a lot!) Every visit feels like a mini adventure, and I always leave with a deeper appreciation for the culture and a few new favorites to remember the trip by. When eating out I usually ask the waiter to share with me the local seasonings that are in the dish. Then, later when at the grocery store, I find them and bring some home with me. They are nice additions to the spice drawer. I enjoy cooking and creating dishes at home that remind me of the experience I had abroad. Try it….get creative.
Another favorite is visiting the outdoor markets. They usually offer small plates, flavorful local ingredients and it gives you the opportunity to support the local farmers and small businesses.
Research the local cuisine prior to your visit and learn the lingo.
If you’re traveling, it is always a good idea to research the food styles, menus and ingredients. Especially if you have food restrictions. In Europe they do not make a lot of adjustments to the food menu and the options for gluten free and such are not as popular as they are in the states. You can read through google reviews as they can be helpful. Stay safe sometimes it is a good idea to write down the items you are allergic (in their language) to and show the restaurant staff. I read that great advice somewhere. Fortunately, we do not have any allergies.
Don’t be afraid to follow the locals.
Even if you think it may look scary, if everyone around you is eating it, it has to be good. As the saying goes… “When in Rome, do as the Romans”. We have been pleasantly surprised by the food culture around the world. There were a lot of food items that have scared me by looking or reading about them but I had to give it a try and most of the time, I have discovered something new and delicious. Just step outside your typical eating style and give the local ingredients a try.
Make sure you have cash from the country you are visiting
So many places have gone “cash only” so it is important to have cash on hand. Big cities, like in Prague, where we have a second home, have so many places that are going cash only. I am not sure why but if you want to visit their location, be prepared. Most farmers markets take cash only as well. When hiking and visiting the “huts” along hikes in Europe, they are small and in remote locations so they may not have the ability to process a a credit card payment. Keep your money in a safe place and keep the change as that will come in handy if you want to “use the bathroom” is some locations. Yes, this still holds true to places in Europe. Crazy I know but it is how they keep the public bathrooms clean and attended too.
Remember these are ideas and suggestions to help make your traveling fulfilled with cultural experiences through food.