I’m a Travel Agent: 3 Tricks To Save Money on Fine Dining While Traveling

The three Cs that make travel a soul-enriching experience are culture, customs and cuisine. That last one might seem reserved for the wealthy, but it doesn’t have to be pricey — even for white-tablecloth restaurants and haute cuisine.

To find out how ordinary people can afford fine dining during their travels, GOBankingRates spoke with a travel agent whose company’s forte is luxury for less.

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Charles Neville works with JayWay Travel, which specializes in customized, semi-independent European travel experiences that provide more autonomy than group tours at a much lower cost than fully escorted private excursions. The company assigns a dedicated staff member and a local contact to each client or group and custom-builds every facet of the trip, from consultation and itinerary creation to accommodation selection and pre-arrival preparation.

Among the many themed packages they curate are food-and-drink tours that focus on local gastronomy and fine dining.

Along the way, Neville has learned a few tricks about indulging in high-end cuisine without paying gourmet prices.

Look for Lunch Specials or Pre-Theater Menus

Like matinees for movie lovers, fine dining tends to be cheaper during the day. On your next journey, make lunch your new dinner.

“Finer restaurants might offer specially priced lunches or pre-theater menus during the hours that are usually for dinner,” said Neville. “These menus are more affordable than that of the traditional dinner menu. These special arrangements are frequently smaller portions of the same high-quality dishes, letting you experience the ambiance and cuisine without being burdened by huge prices for full dinners.

“By trying the high-end menu at off-hours — for example, during mid-afternoon or early evening — you can savor the elegance of fine dining at a lower price.”

Opt for Tasting Menus or Chef’s Selections

Also called degustation menus, tasting menus require diners to forgo their choice of what to eat and the number of courses in favor of a predetermined selection of small plates served as a single meal. It can be an economical, yet indulgent way to dine.

“You may put a restaurant tasting menu or chef selections on the table rather than choosing separate options,” said Neville. “These bespoke dining experiences usually demonstrate the chef’s artistic ability and focus on the restaurant’s top dishes that it is popular for.

“The first-time cost might seem high to some, but a majority of the inclined gourmet would remark that this is an excellent proposition in terms of monetary value, as it includes many courses at fixed fees without the worry of a surprise bill. You can sample an array of cuisines and lay your hands on different ingredients that will add to your foodie experience while staying within your budget.”

Explore Dining Events or Collaborative Pop-Ups

As far back as 2017, Food & Wine reported on the growing influence of the red-hot pop-up restaurant trend. Some of the trendiest pop-ups in America were so popular that they became highly acclaimed permanent eateries, including Saison in San Francisco, Coquine in Portland and Semilla in Brooklyn.

Seven years later and the trend remains at the forefront — and still offers one of the best opportunities to experience world-class cuisine at up-and-comer prices.

“Do not forget to look for your favorite dining event, collaborations or pop-up dinners that are co-hosted by renowned professionals from the destination you might be visiting,” said Neville. “Such unique activities cater to those who want to enjoy the exquisite dining experience without paying a lot for restaurant reservation fees.”

Pop-ups aren’t the only alternative path to low-cost luxury cuisine.

“From custom dinners with a theme of your choosing to special guest showcases or culinary festivals — which involve exceptional food and popular culinary trends — attending events like these helps you save money while still enjoying yourself,” said Neville.

A Pro Tip From a Travel Influencer

Jess Bohorquez is a travel expert who shares strategies for jetsetting with credit card points instead of dollars with her 189,000 Instagram followers and 77,000 TikTok followers. One of her top tips deals with indulging in luxury food and drinks for less.

“The best way to score a reliably amazing fine dining experience at a reasonable price is to download the Michelin app and filter for ‘Bib Gourmand’ in your destination city,” she said.

The Michelin Guide is the biggest name in global fine dining, and since 1997, it has bestowed the Bib Gourmand Award on restaurants that offer extraordinary quality at an accessible price.

“These are vetted restaurants that offer three-course meals at a reasonable price,” said Bohorquez. “I’ve had some of the best meals of my life at Bib Gourmands. One of the most unforgettable options is Une Table à Deux in Toulouse, France.”

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m a Travel Agent: 3 Tricks To Save Money on Fine Dining While Traveling