It’s easy to overspend on food on vacation, because you get excited about trying new dishes or regional specialties. Try setting yourself a budget for each meal ahead of time, and go into the restaurant mindful of your goal.
We’ve found it helpful to set budgets before we even leave on a trip, because once you’re in the moment, it’s easy to spend more than you planned.
Note that budgeting doesn’t have to mean eating boring or familiar dishes; choose restaurants that don’t cater to tourists, and you’ll find lower menu prices in many places.