How to Pack Like a Local: Travel Tips for People Who Actually Want to Eat Well
By Maren — Home cook energy. Not chef energy. Let's make something good with what you've got. ·
Maybe Leave the Sourdough Starter at Home
It’s July 2026, and if you’re anything like me, your Instagram feed is currently a non-stop parade of people eating gelato in Rome or hiking through the fjords. I’m currently sitting in my kitchen in Minneapolis, looking at Gary—my sourdough starter—and realizing that while Gary is a fantastic roommate, he is a terrible travel companion.
I’ve spent the last few summers trying to figure out how to be a 'traveler' without losing that home-cook energy that keeps me sane. I’m not a professional travel blogger. I’m a middle school teacher who just really loves a good meal and doesn't want to spend my entire vacation budget on overpriced airport snacks or tourist traps. Here is how I manage to keep my spirit (and my stomach) happy when I’m away from my own cast iron.
The “Emergency Pantry” Kit
I have a rule: if I’m going somewhere for more than three days, I pack a gallon-sized Ziploc bag of 'home essentials.' You might think I’m crazy, and my boyfriend definitely rolls his eyes, but hear me out.
I always pack a small jar of decent flaky sea salt, a tiny bottle of good olive oil, and a few favorite spice blends. Why? Because when you’re staying in an Airbnb or a rental, you never know what the kitchen situation will be. The salt alone can save a mediocre meal. If I find a local market—and I always do, because that’s the best part of any trip—I can buy some peak-season tomatoes, a loaf of fresh bread, and some local cheese, and suddenly I have a gourmet lunch for five dollars. It’s about making a space feel like your space, using ingredients that make you feel grounded.
Research the Grocery Stores, Not Just the Restaurants
Everyone researches the best restaurants, but have you ever researched the best local grocery store? When I was in Norway visiting family a few years back, I spent almost as much time in the local markets as I did in the museums.
Find out where, and when, the farmers' markets happen in the city you’re visiting. If you’re traveling in July, you’re hitting peak stone fruit and berry season in so many places. Grab a bag of cherries or peaches, find a park, and just sit. It’s the ultimate low-pressure way to see a city. Plus, it gives you a glimpse into how people actually live. You’ll see what they’re buying, how they’re shopping, and what’s in season in that specific climate. It’s a sensory experience that’s way more intimate than a guided bus tour.
Be the Person Who Packs a Reusable Tote
This is the most practical tip I have: bring a foldable, heavy-duty canvas tote bag. I keep one in my carry-on at all times. It’s for the farmers' market finds, the bottle of wine you didn't plan on buying, or the extra layers you peeled off when the weather changed. It saves you from using plastic bags, and honestly, it just makes you look like you know what you’re doing. There is nothing more 'local' than walking through a neighborhood market with a tote bag full of produce and fresh bread.
Don’t Try to Be a Chef on Vacation
This is where the 'home cook energy' really matters. You are on vacation. Do not try to recreate a Beef Wellington in a kitchen that only has one dull knife and a frying pan that hasn't seen a scrub brush since 2012.
My travel cooking strategy is strictly 'assembly only.' I’m talking about building boards. Buy the best local bread, find a cheese shop, grab some cured meats or marinated olives, and call it dinner. You get to eat like a king, you get to support local vendors, and you aren't stuck doing dishes for two hours. My grandmother always said the best meals require the least amount of fuss, and she was right. Let the local ingredients do the heavy lifting.
Find the “Third Space”
Teachers talk a lot about 'third spaces'—that place that isn't work and isn't home. When I’m traveling, I try to find my version of that. Maybe it’s a specific park bench, a quiet bakery, or a coffee shop that makes me feel like a regular.
If you can find one spot where you can go back to more than once, it changes the whole vibe of the trip. You stop feeling like a tourist rushing from point A to point B and start feeling like a visitor who is actually taking the time to breathe. Order the same thing twice. Say hello to the barista. It’s the small, repetitive moments that stick with you long after the flight home.
The After-Trip Reset
Here’s a bonus tip: before you leave for your trip, clean your kitchen. I know, I know—you’re already stressed about packing. But coming home to a clean kitchen, an empty sink, and a fridge that doesn't have a half-empty carton of milk from three weeks ago? That is the greatest gift you can give your future self. It makes the transition back to work and reality so much softer.
Travel is supposed to fill your cup, not empty your bank account or your patience. Take the pressure off yourself to do it all. See what you want, eat what looks good, and remember that sometimes the best meal of your trip is just a really, really good peach eaten on a park bench.
Have you guys been traveling anywhere good lately? Did you find any local markets that changed your life, or did you end up eating nothing but protein bars in your hotel room? (No judgment, we’ve all been there.) Let’s chat in the comments—I’m looking for travel inspiration for my next break!