Dining Out

50. If you're in a major city and your food budget is tight, be economical with dinner (get a big sandwich at a cheap deli, assemble an inexpensive meal from groceries). Then, to sample local specialties, splurge on desserts. Your overall tab will likely be less than the cost of dinner without dessert a fancy restaurant.

51. Pay for meals in Hong Kong with a credit card. Though not widely advertised, some restaurants partner with credit card companies to offer discounts of up to 15 percent on meals.

52. Go for tapas. Instead of sitting down to a multi-course meal, look for a wine bar that serves appetizer-size portions. These dishes can offer a flavorful, satisfying meal less expensively.

53. Head off the beaten path. Ditch the "hot" touristy districts and seek out a small neighborhood for a more affordable (and often more authentic) dining experience. An example: Just ten minutes from Krakow's Old Town is the Kazimierz District, which teems with less expensive bars and restaurants.

54. Beware of hidden charges at restaurants. At some places in Italy, for example, a 15 percent charge is automatically added to your check as soon as you sit down at a table. Before being seated ask the hostess about these hidden fees. Some restaurants will charge extra for table service but not for meals eaten at the bar. And take-away is nearly always the cheapest option.

55. Take part in "Restaurant Week." Major cities such as Manhattan, Washington, D.C., San Diego, and Boston celebrate their gastronomic riches with three-course prix-fixe menus that showcase some of their specialties and provide an affordable way to sample some of a city's finest fare. Check for cities, dates, and prices at Opentable.com.

56. Make a picnic. Shop at a local market for regional delicacies, then head to a scenic park or lookout for dining al fresco. Two of our favorite spots: the longest park bench in the world at Gaudi's Park Güell in Barcelona and Vancouver's famous Stanley Park Seawall.

57. Be wary of hors d'oeuvres you didn't order—they're not always complimentary. In some parts of the world (think Portugal and France) these appetizers come with a price, and no matter how much you eat, you'll be billed for the lot.