Café hopping sounds fun until you start feeling over-stuffed and full to the brim. To avoid any uncomfortable feeling during or right after the experience here are some ways in which you can make it memorable instead. Before, going over for café hopping, the first rule is to make sure that you go with a friend or a group and never go alone. It is almost humanly impossible to stuff a lot of food together for the health and that is why it is best to have a sharing partner/s at all times.
Pre-café hopping prep: Before you venture outside, mark your territory. You cannot be blindly loitering from one end of the region to the other. Ideally set a 1-3 kms radius which can be easily walked across and has other sightseeing spots to make a halt at. Next, decide on the places you want to visit. Keep the list to a maximum of five places. These can be chosen based on parameters like newly opened spots or same cuisine or signature menus etc. Once you have this pre-plan in hand, hit the streets with a friend.
Think tasting not eating: Never order complete meals like All – Day Breakfast or heavy Italian dishes with lots of cheese. These fill the stomach leaving no room for further tasting rounds. Choose one small item per café. For example, a cup of matcha or a tasting piece of pastry etc.
Alternate flavour profiles: Try not to repeat the same flavours in every café. Go for alternate flavours like coffee with something savoury like a quiche; a sweet dessert with a light tea in case you have just had a heavy fill, then try a salad or a lighter dish in the next stop. This helps in balancing both flavours and intake.
Space your cafes: Always give a gap of at least 45-90 minutes between each café stop. This helps in aiding rapid digestion and does not make you feel fuller. Moreover, it is advised to take a walk between the stops as it helps in reducing pressure on the stomach. You can also make a stop at other attractions nearby like a park, art gallery or a tourist destination before making way for your next destination.
Choose the menu wisely: Try to opt for a signature dish from each of the cafes that you mark. This allows you to go through an elaborate tasting session and makes each stop feel unique in its own way.
Put a full stop: Remember café hopping should be an exciting activity and not one which is full of pressure to complete every bit of your plan. It is absolutely okay if you cannot finish your entire researched list, you can always try the next day. If you feel over-fed, bloated or uncomfortable, it is advisable that you immediately put a stop to your adventure and let it be for the day. You can always pick up from where you left the next time you go café hopping.
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