Food for Thought: Snacking Your Way Across Neopia

     Now, everyone will have recommendations on what to see and do when you set off on your journey — but arguably the most important thing to know is what you’re going to eat! We’ve assembled some of the best treats to keep a Chocolate Coated Eye out for. There’s a delicacy for every land and every budget.

     Bon Appétit!

     Altador

     You’re sure to work up an appetite trekking to all the ruins and architectural treasures across the city. We recommend stopping by Exquisite Ambrosia first and stocking up on some fancy finger foods: perhaps some Altadorian Grapes, Altadorian Sun Cheese, and a delicious Fig Sandwich. You can wash it all down with a goblet of Nectar of the Gods — just as the heroes do!

     Brightvale

     While you may think of Brightvale as an esteemed kingdom, it’s really a quiet, humble countryside of hard-working people. Did you know one of their top products is a variety of delicious fruits? If you’re not sure which to start with when you arrive to Brightvale Fruits, check out the aptly named Assorted Brightvale Fruit Basket with some Fresh-Squeezed Florange Juice on the side. Don’t forget to pick up some Sroom Fruit or Jipple Pear Jam to take home to your mom as a small token of your appreciation.

     Faerieland

     You’re soarin’, flyin’, and there’s not a cloud in Faerieland you can’t reach. There are even some you can eat! Have you tried a Strawberry Cloud Cookie from Faerie Foods? It’s basically made of water, so we’re fairly certain there are 0 calories, which is great if you plan on having a Bacon Belly Buster or a Rainbow Fountain Burger for your main dish. We recommend ordering a Fancy Faerie Float to complement your meal. It even comes in a cup made of leaves, although we’re not sure if that’s supposed to be a souvenir or if it’s fiber to help you digest all the bacon.

     Haunted Woods

     For the bravest Neopians, the Haunted Woods offers much to see and do. Although we recommend leaving before nightfall, that still leaves plenty of time to meet folks such as the Esophagor and Edna, and partake in the festivities of the Deserted Fairground. Work up your appetite playing Test Your Strength, Bagatelle, and Coconut Shy before grabbing some tasty snacks at the Spooky Food cart next to our friend Sidney. Perhaps if you aren’t too jaded by the spooky theme of the land, some Brain Stew would hit the spot. Pink Spooky Popcorn and Pink Spooky Floss are also wonderful fairground treats to enjoy. If you don’t mind the void staring back, a Menacing Brew may be just for you.

     Just east of the Deserted Fairground is the Wanderer Camp, and if you remain brave enough to keep going you can step out into Neovia. Some call it the one bright spot in the Haunted Woods, for it is an oddly cheery place. Here you will find The Crumpetmonger eager to serve you her finest baked goods. If you’re in the mood for something savory, try a Warm Spinach Croissant or a Steak and Kidney Pie. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, perhaps a Jetsam Witchdoctor Cupcake or Blueberry Tart will satisfy you.

     Jelly World

     Wait…how did that one slip by us? Jelly World doesn’t exist! Who wrote this trip itinerary?

     Kiko Lake

     Once you’ve finished your Glass Bottom Boat Tour, be sure to stop in Kiko Lake Treats for some goodies. The Kiko Fudge Sundae and Orange Kiko Drink both come in fun, Kiko-themed vessels that double as souvenirs. And don’t forget some Freshwater Kiko Taffy and Fruit Surprise Rock Slices, which will travel well for your Neofriends who stayed home. On second thought, maybe purchase a few extra in case the Kiko Lake Altador Cup team comes looking for donations.

     Krawk Island

     While you’re visiting Krawk Island, you may stumble upon a round of the competitive eating contest known as Food Club. Pirates gather ’round in different arenas across the island to try to be the first to complete a 10-course meal, and Neopians can place bets on who they think will win. Once the round concludes — assuming you haven’t lost your appetite — head over to the Golden Dubloon for your own, leisurely round of Food Club. We suggest a Shiver Me Shrimp for your starter, followed by Capn Threelegs Cutlass Crusade as your entree, which pairs well with the Cannon Fodder specialty drink. If you have room for more, a Tropical Breeze makes a refreshing dessert.

     Kreludor

     Cafe Kreludor serves up some tasty treats that are truly out of this world! No, really… it’s literally on another planet. That, of course, makes growing and obtaining ingredients a bit difficult. You’ll have to expand your horizons (on second thought, do moons have horizons?) and keep an open mind. We suggest starting off with a tasty Grape Slurpship, mostly because we’re suckers for free twirly straws. But also, it’s delicious. For your actual meal, try a Half Grundo Sandwich, a Kreludan Fruit Salad, and a Scoop of Meteor Ice Cream for dessert.

     Lost Desert

     The Lost Desert hosts two cities: Qasala and Sakhmet. Qasala is a regal city headed by Prince Jazan and Princess Nabile, so why not treat yourself with some regal Qasalan Delights? Their Hieroglyphic Cake may be hard to read for some, but it sure is tasty regardless. For something a little more hearty, Mummy Tamales with a side of Buttered Rice will certainly fill you up. And if you’re feeling thirsty — and brave — a Spirit Of The Ruins Fizz is a delectable soft drink to wash it all down with.

     Sakhmet is an interesting city due to the undead wandering the catacombs beneath you. If the thought of that doesn’t make you lose your appetite, try heading on over to Lost Desert Foods for some flavourful snacks. They have many sandy foods to choose from, but nothing says "tasty" quite like a Sand Peach or perhaps a Sand Ham. If the undead aspect is appealing, the novelty Dust Covered Salad might be for you, but you may need some Cheops Juice nearby while you eat it.

     Lutari Island

     We recommend packing snacks ahead of time if you’re planning to search for Lutari Island. You’ll definitely want a Peanut Butter Granola Bar for energy on your trek and at least Two Bottles of Water for plenty of hydration. Mystery Trail Mix is a great choice to toss in your bag if you’d like to theme your snack with your travels. But do make sure to bring a backpack big enough for a Pot Of Peanuts. Toss the shells on the ground as you snack, so you can find your way back out easily…if you can find Lutari Island at all.

     Maraqua

     If there’s ever a time to splurge during your travels, it’s when you visit Maraqua. Spare no expense when you stop by the luxurious restaurant Kelp, as it boasts some of the finest gourmet meals in the world. A multi-course meal is a must here: start with a drink, perhaps a Phear Juice Tonic? That will phear nicely with your appetizer of Fresh Oysters. Since you’re in Maraqua, we of course recommend sticking with a seafood-based meal, as nowhere will have finer, or fresher, aquatic ingredients. A nice Ocean Platter will get you the most bang for your buck by allowing you to sample a wider variety of Maraquan delicacies without breaking your budget on additional dishes. Finally, we would be remiss if we didn’t point you toward Kelps Signature Ice Cream for dessert. It’s a staple for a reason!

     Meridell

     When you visit the medieval community of Meridell, you must make a stop at Merifoods to try some of the humble cuisine served here. A Basket of Berries, Fresh Fruit Goblet, or Honey Basted Turkey Leg are all excellent handheld choices as you stroll through the dells and valleys. If you’ve worked up a big appetite from all of that walking, the Giant Shish Kabob is what you seek.

     If farm-to-table is more your style, skip the Basket of Berries and stop by Meri Acres Farm to Pick Your Own fresh berries. Do be mindful of where you step, however.

     Darigan Citadel looms overhead, but it’s what we classify as a "food desert" and don’t recommend visiting — assuming you can figure out how to get up there in the first place.

     Moltara

     Hopefully you like spice, else you might want to skip visiting Molten Morsels. Before you order any food at all, be sure to purchase a jar or two of their signature Red Hot Molten Sauce. If you love spice, this will be a great addition to your meals in other lands. If not, it makes a great gift for family and friends (or perhaps foes?) back home! Now on to your meal…we suggest checking out the Moltaran Bak Lava, paired with a delicious Blazing Stone Mug of Borovan and finishing off with a Molten Lava Cake for dessert. Although the Borovan is hot temperature-wise, it will help cool your taste buds from all the spice. Or maybe just bring some Kau Kau Farm Milk with you.

     Mystery Island

     While we recommend visiting Mystery Island during Gadgadsbogen in the month of Running, there are plenty of great snacks to be found year-round at the Tropical Food Shop. Start your morning off with an Azzle Coffee and Tigerbuggle Fruit Pancakes. Don’t hesitate to try the island’s claim to fame: any variation of the Doughnutfruit. Our suggestion here is the Sprinkled Doughnutfruit. And before you leave, make sure you snack on a Chokato, another Mystery Island staple.

     Neopia Central

     Neopia Central has plenty of choices when it comes to snacking. We love starting in the heart of the city: the Main Shops area. Here you’ll find Neopian Fresh Foods, where we recommend grabbing a Waffle Burger and Animal-style Chips. Looks can be deceiving; these items are gourmet! The notable food here in Neopia Central is a Negg, but we’re going to step it up a notch and recommend a Blue Negg — as long as you can keep it away from your Tonu. You can also stop by the Ever Stocked General Store for some Kau Kau Farm Milk if you drank all of your supply while you were in Moltara.

     Don’t forget to grab some Noil Candy Floss on your way out of Neopian Fresh Foods to snack on as you make your way over to the Neopian Bazaar. You’re sure to get hungry wandering around and checking out all the amazing shops. For some sweet treats, stop into The Bakery for a Kaykee Wake Cake, the Chocolate Factory for a Miniature Chocolate Chocolate Factory, and the Smoothie Store for a Ranch Dressing Smoothie. We don’t recommend consuming these at the same time, however.

     Need something more substantial after all that sugar? We definitely recommend Neopian Health Foods to get your diet back on track. Might we recommend a nice Chunky Cauliflower Soup? Consider starting a juice cleanse with a nice Parsley Juice. Even Hubert’s Hot Dogs has some tasty, yet nutritious options, such as a Carrot Stuffed Jacket Potato. Not feeling any of those options? Wander over to the Neopian Plaza and pick up a slice of Fruit Pizza at Pizzaroo.

     If you’re finding yourself low on Neopoints after visiting so many shops, you can always take a quick stroll to the Marketplace and find the Soup Kitchen for a hearty helping of Soup Faerie Soup — assuming you’re down to your last 2,999 NP.

     Roo Island

     If you’re in need of a little pick-me-up during your travels, check out The Coffee Cave on Roo Island. You can’t go wrong with the house blend: a simple but delicious Blumaroo Coffee. If you’re in the mood for something more adventurous, or more colourful, why not try a Rainbow Bubble Tea or a Frosty Pomegranate Latte? Or, if you’re finding you really need a sweet treat after a long stint of travelling, a Coffee Waffle Bowl is the perfect combo of delicious coffee, fluffy foam, and a yummy waffle to snack on.

     Shenkuu

     If you think your palate has seen it all this trip, wait until you drop into Exotic Foods in Shenkuu. They are known for their unique flavours and their fun, Neopet-themed dishes. You might find our first suggestion rather boring, as it is a simple Bamboo Tea, but trust us when we say you need a nice, neutral drink to reset your taste buds in between each course. It fits perfectly with any menu item you might order. The Cherry Onion Blossom is a great appetizer to split with your friends — it’s easy to share and nice to look at! Follow that up with a kitschy Lawyerbot Bento Box and, finally, some Uni Ube Ice Cream for a delicious treat you can snack on during your post-meal walk around the city.

     Terror Mountain

     Terror Mountain is a great place to visit as long as you’re bundled up! Your first stop is Happy Valley, which is full of sweet, frozen treats. Once you’re finished playing Rink Runner and buying some scratchcards, head over to the Slushie Shop. We’re assuming you’re going to summit the mountain after, so we’ve selected three of our favourite slushies that are sure to give you a boost of energy for your climb: Almond Slushie, Peanut and Chocolate Slushie, and Rainborific Slushie. If you brought your coupons with you, pay a visit to Mr. Chipper at his Ice Cream Cart before your trek for some Mint and Chocolate Ice Cream.

     Once you’ve reached the summit of Terror Mountain, treat yourself to some goodies at the Super Happy Icy Fun Snow Shop! Snow Covered Nachos are great for Neopians who love food with multiple textures. The Crystal Taco is just filling enough for you to have some room for some dessert. Speaking of dessert, we’re big fans of the Cake Batter Ice Lolly. And you can never go wrong with a Blackcherry Chia Pop.

     Tyrannia

     Take a trip back in time and step into Tyrannian Foods for some amazing, well, Tyrannian foods! A Nerkin Leg is a delicious on-the-go snack you can grab before heading over to the Concert Hall to catch your favourite band. Or if you are a vegetarian, some Stone Roasted Vegetables would hit the spot instead. Be sure to wash them down with some Minty Rock Ice Cream and a Tyrannian Rockberry Juice!

     Don’t forget to stop by the Giant Omelette for your free slice. You never know what you might get!

     Virtupets Space Station

     If you are the adventurous type and want to take your travels outside of Neopia, heading off to Virtupets Space Station is a must. It is home to many Grundos who are eager to show you their home. On the Recreation Deck is Grundos Cafe, full of delicious snacks to aid you during your travels. If you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, try a Chocolate Sloth Head, and show your dominance over this evil figure. Perhaps you like classic snacks? Well, you are in space, so Floating Pigs in Blankets will have to do. After all, it is zero gravity. If you need something more substantial, a Cheese Star Sandwich is a tasty and filling delight. When the night is over, you can toast to your journey across Neopia with a lovely Kreludan Rock Punch. May your travels be a beautiful — and delicious — memory.