Finding affordable places to eat while studying abroad definitely takes some research and trial and error. After being in Sorrento for the past two months, I have found my go-to restaurants/markets for more cost-effective meals. Sorrento has so many wonderful restaurants but they can be on the pricier side, so my advice is to cook as much as you can at home to save up for the days you don't want to cook! I understand not being in the mood to cook and still wanting a cheap meal, though so here are some cost-effective breakfast, lunch, and dinner spots!
First of all, I've tried many cafes in Sorrento and none of them have topped Bar Daniel. It’s a small cafe hidden on one of the side streets of Sorrento and it's truly a hidden gem. Their chocolate croissants are to die for and I haven't found one I like more. Not only do they taste amazing, but they only cost €1.50! Breakfast in Italy is meant to be quick so you can get to work/school right away, and only spending €3.00 total on a croissant and cappuccino is not only a great price, but it’s also quick and easy!
For lunch, one of my favorite hacks I have figured out is that the grocery stores and markets will make sandwiches for you at the deli. You pick out your bread of choice and let the butcher know what kind of meat and cheese you want. I always get turkey and smoked provolone and it typically comes to €1.50-3.00 depending on the weight. This hack is great for meal prepping because you can buy arugula, tomatoes, and any sauce that you can then add on at home. Depending on how many other ingredients you want to put on, this can range from a €1.50-5.00 per sandwich which is a great lunch deal! Bonus points for adding fruit to your diet from picking an orange from Sant’Anna's garden that's on campus!
Lastly, for dinner, I recommend a super popular pizza and sandwich shop in Sorrento called DaFrancos. Not only is the food great, but the atmosphere and service are even better. This restaurant is super popular after soccer games against the locals and I have met so many people from eating at DaFrancos. My favorite thing on the menu is the margarita pizza. It's 7 euros and enough food for leftovers, plus snacks! The sandwiches are also super good, but they are also around the same price and normally there won't be leftovers! DaFrancos is a spot you can't miss out on in Sorrento; from the fun atmosphere to the cheap food, it's the place to go when eating on a budget.