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The Best Travel Bar Sets for Mobile Mixology

We selected kits for backpackers, martini lovers, and everyone in-between

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• What to Look for

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis

Whether you’re camping, glamping, on holiday, or just picnicking in a park , you deserve bar-quality cocktails . But how do you tote a bar’s worth of tools, plus a few essential bottles? With a handy travel bar kit.

Travel bar tools wrap up mixers, shakers, jiggers, and bar spoons, all into one easy carrying case. They range from camp-ready backpacks to bartender-approved bags to Bond-ready suitcases. Most have room for a bottle or two for an effortless setup. With one in hand, you have all the fixings to create excellent cocktails—just add alcohol. 

Best Overall

Legacy by picnic time hamilton portable cocktail bar.

Wide range of bar tools and glasses

Slots to store spirits

Sturdy, durable construction

This travel bar kit is outfitted with everything you need to host an elegant cocktail hour . The front and top open up to reveal an arsenal of mixology tools. There are the standard ones: a shaker, a strainer, a double jigger, and a stirrer. Then there are a few that will really come in handy for more elaborate drinks: a small cutting board (yes, really), a knife, ice tongs, cocktail picks, and a muddler. 

The set also includes four modern rocks glasses and three slots to store your favorite bottles of spirits . Everything gets safely locked up in a 14 x 10-inch hard case outfitted with padded dividers that you can take anywhere without having to worry about broken glass or spilled liquids. This is your perfect secret weapon to bring to parties and on vacations—and not to mention gifting as a housewarming present. Plus, for those living in a smaller-sized apartment, this is an excellent alternative to a bar cart. 

What’s Included: Four glasses, four cocktail picks, jigger, shaker, paring knife, cutting board, strainer, tongs, stirrer, muddler | Bottle Storage: Three | Size: 14 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches

Best Budget

Pepe nero 27-piece professional bartender kit.

Rust-resistant tools

Easy to transport

No bottle storage

Pepe Nero 27-Piece Professional Bartender Kit and Cocktail Shaker has it all at a great price. Perfect for professional and amateur mixologists, it comes with two cocktail shakers, a wine opener, a wooden muddler, 3 kinds of strainers, a double-sided jigger, ice tongs, liquor bottle pourers, a lemon juicer, a lemon zester, metal straws, and a mixing spoon. Basically, every kind of cocktail you could want can easily be made with the tools in this kit.

With so many tools, it’s essential to stay organized. Fortunately, there is a slot for each tool. When you’re finished cleaning up, just roll up the kit. Two buckles click in to assure everything can be stored easily and transported safely.

What’s Included: 27-ounce cocktail shaker, 20-ounce cocktail shaker, wine opener, bottle opener, wooden muddler, shaker towel, fine strainer, Julep strainer, Hawthorne strainer, double-sided jigger, ice tongs, four bottle pourers, lemon juicer, four metal straws, a lemon zester, mixing spoon | Bottle Storage: None | Size: 11.69 x 6.65 x 5.47 inches

Best for the Serious Cocktailer

Mixology & craft travel bartender 17-piece bar kit.

Rolls up small

Stylish and sturdy

Pro-level bar tools

No room for bottles

Bar tools may tarnish over time

For expert cocktails or serious entertainers, this kit comes stacked with a bartender’s toolbox (yes, literally—there are 17 different tools). There are strainers (three in total, including Hawthorne, Julep, and Fine), a double-ended opener, a Boston shaker, two liquor pourers, a juicer, beechwood muddler, 10-inch cocktail stirrer, zester, double lever corkscrew, ice tongs, and a Japanese jigger. There are 27 different pockets that will perfectly fit your favorite tools, small bottles of syrups , bitters, and bags of garnishes. There’s even a Lewis bag tucked into the slot for crushing ice for mint juleps .

All of this wraps up into an easy-to-carry canvas bag complete with shoulder strap and handle. Smart leather straps with brass buckles add a rustic flair. Just add booze bottles and mixers , and you’ve got portable cocktail heaven—making you the star of any party. All of the tools are dishwasher safe and made with premium stainless steel.

What’s Included: Bag, shoulder strap, Boston shaker, wooden muddler, three strainers, wine opener, tongs, double-sided jigger, beer opener, juicer, two pourers, Lewis ice bag | Bottle Storage: None | Size: 16.1 x 5.35 x 5.16 inches

Best Backpack

Summit51 bartender bag.

Made with water-resistant material

Padded shoulder straps

Mesh waist padding

Needs more tools for a full kit

Thinking about using a backpack to tote around your bar tools? The Summit51 Bartender Bag is an excellent choice. This backpack is designed with multiple detachable dividers to create pockets for up to six bottles. So, there’s plenty of flexibility, whether you plan to pour from a 750ml bottle or a 1.75-liter bottle. Better yet, because the dividers are padded, you don’t have to worry about the bottles knocking into each other or clanking on the go. 

No need to leave any of your favorite bar tools at home because the front section of the backpack has plenty of pockets to fit whatever you need. Made of high-quality nylon, the bag has a waterproof bottom to prevent accidental leaks, making this a durable choice that will last for years to come.

What’s Included: Martini shaker, cocktail spoon, jigger, muddler | Bottle Storage: 6 | Size: 10.5 x 12 x 17.25 inches

Best for Camping

Sky fish cocktail travel set.

Lots of tools

Pocket for ice

Easy to carry

Doesn’t include glasses

If you’re looking for a cocktail set to take with you camping or on picnics, the Sky Fish Cocktail Travel Set has it all and more. This set includes two cocktail shakers, a double jigger, a Hawthorne Strainer, two liquor pourers, a stainless steel muddler, a mixing spoon, ice tongs, a corkscrew, a bartender knife, and a wood bar board. With pockets for each tool, it's easy to stay organized. 

Best of all, everything is packaged in an insulated bag (just add ice) that has a Bluetooth speaker, another necessity when drinking around a campfire. With room for three full-size bottles, you can make a wide variety of cocktails with this kit, even in the middle of the woods. One downside here is that you will need to provide your own drinkware.

What’s Included: 26-ounce cocktail shaker, 16-ounce cocktail shaker, double jigger, Hawthorne Strainer, two liquor pourers, stainless steel muddler, mixing spoon, ice tongs, corkscrew, bartender knife, wood bar board, Bluetooth speaker within insulated bag | Bottle Storage: 3 | Size: 16.54 x 5.91 x 12.6 inches

Best for Martinis

Franmara martini travel bar set with case.

Perfect for martini lovers

Extra padding to avoid breakage

Includes lock

Not for all cocktails

For all martini lovers, here is a travel case for you. Whether you like this classic cocktail with gin or vodka, dirty or dry, this case has you covered. While you’ll need to supply your own gin, vodka, or vermouth, this kit contains everything else you need to bring your favorite drink on the go. It includes two martini glasses, a stainless steel flask for easy alcohol transportation, a jigger, a funnel, and an 8-ounce stainless steel shaker. It even includes two reusable olive spears to dress your martini the way a bartender would. 

The travel case itself has a black exterior and a velvet interior—an elegant look that belongs in an upscale martini bar. The kit locks up with two keys for safe travels. Just don’t forget the olives.

What’s Included: Lockable box, flask, jigger, funnel, shaker | Bottle Storage: None | Size: 7 3/4 x 8 x 7 inches

Best for Gifting

Aberdeen oak travel bartender kit.

Very complete set of tools

High quality

Easy to clean

Doesn't include glasses

Struggling to figure out a birthday or holiday gift for the cocktail lover who already has every possible tool on their home bar? Give them the gift of cocktails on the go with this attractive and functional set from Aberdeen Oak. Featuring eighteen different cocktail tools all wrapped up in a canvas carrying bag, this is a thorough kit that's versatile enough to create all manner of cocktails, so you don't even need to know your gift recipient's favorite variety of tipple.

The Aberdeen Oak Travel Bartender Kit includes a printed cocktail guide, so it's also ideal for aspiring bartenders who might not have all of their favorite drink recipes fully committed to memory yet. Best of all, the kit is delivered in a handsome blue cardboard box, which makes wrapping a cinch.

What’s Included: Boston shaker, muddler, ice tong, bottle opener, mixing spoon, peeler, jigger, Hawthorne strainer, julep strainer, pour spouts, corkscrew, citrus squeezer, canvas travel bag | Bottle Storage : None | Size: 19.7" x 12.4" x 0.1"

Viski Travel Bar Tool Kit

Stainless steel and wood tools

Good for on the go

Attractive design

Could use more tools

Tools must be handwashed

Do you travel with bar tools or like to take them on vacation? The Viski Travel Bar Tool is small and portable, but mighty. It comes with a Cobbler cocktail shaker, Hawthorne strainer, jigger, bottle opener, muddler, and bar spoon. Packaged in an attractive canvas storage bag, you can roll everything right up. With a storage compartment for each tool, clean-up is nice and fast.

This set is so compact, you can even bring it in a tote bag, weekender or suitcase. While there aren’t a ton of extras, tools, or space for bottles, the basics are certainly covered.

What’s Included: Canvas bag, Cobbler cocktail shaker, Hawthorne strainer, jigger, bottle opener muddler, bar spoon, muddler | Bottle Storage: None | Size: 4.6 x 11 x 5 inches

Final Verdict

For a large and in charge setup that holds a wide range of bar tools, glasses, and up to three bottles, we recommend the Legacy by Picnic Time Hamilton Portable Cocktail Bar . If you're in charge of tending bar on an upcoming camping trip, the Sky Fish Cocktail Travel Set will transport your supplies from A to B.

What to Look for in a Travel Bar Set

A well-stocked travel bar should contain everything you need to make your favorite drink. Maybe that’s as simple as a bar spoon, shaker, and jigger. If you’re looking to seriously entertain on the go, opt for a travel bar packed with everything from Hawthorne strainers to corkscrews to olive spears. 

“I suggest purchasing a bar tool bag that has slits that fit most tools, including strainers, jiggers, bar spoons and shaker tins,” says Ashly Levi , bartender and mezcalier at Miss Agave. “If you don’t have one available, you can store the jigger, smaller bar spoons, bottle openers and julep strainers inside the tins to keep it all together."

Portability

Consider how portable your travel bar is. Working bartenders may want a roll-up bag, so they can tote their tools from home to shift (this is also a great option if you’re headed to a hotel or party where all your bar tools will be needed). Boxed options are great for train travel or picnics and do a great job of protecting the contents, but they can be cumbersome to carry. 

Bottle Storage

Some travel bars are outfitted to carry just a small flask, while others have the capacity to store up to three or four of your favorite bottles. Pick a travel bar accordingly. If you simply want to sip a dram on the go out of decent glassware, the former type of travel bar will suffice. If you’re looking to craft Negronis, martinis, or other cocktails, consider a travel bar with a capacity that can hold all your ingredients.

What is included in a travel bar set?

A travel bar will include all the tools you need to craft cocktails on the go. Depending on the size of the bar, that can include a shaker and jigger or a full spate of bar tools. Often the travel bar set have space for bottles, too. 

How portable is a travel bar set?

Travel bar sets are designed to be toted around. Some will be like small, hardshell suitcases complete with handles and locks. Some come in the form of a backpack, while others are rolled up and can be carried around like a briefcase.

Why use a travel bar set?

Travel bar sets are excellent in a range of situations; bring one on a picnic, take it on your next vacation, or pack it for your next backyard drinks. These tiny bars also double as an excellent option for those living in small spaces and don’t have room for a full setup.

How do you clean a travel bar set?

"To keep your bar tools clean, simply rinsing and washing with warm water and a bit of Dawn soap can do the trick when you’re on the go,” says Levi. “You can bring this in a travel-size container. The key is to dry it all really well using a microfiber towel, which is easy to keep on you when traveling.”

Some of the other experts we consulted get extra points for the unique methods they employ to keep their bar tools sparkly, such as Ervin Machado , Certified Sommelier and Beverage Director at Big Time Restaurant Group. "I use soap and water to clean my tools on the go," he says, "but I always polish them with vodka for extra shine."

Kate Dingwall  is a sommelier and spirits writer. She has been writing about the bar and spirits world for five years and has her BarSmarts and WSET certification. She loves a good martini—wherever she may be.

This roundup was updated by Amanda Lauren , an experienced lifestyle writer who loves a good cocktail no matter where she is. She prefers bourbon to vodka.

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17 Dietitian-Approved Healthy Travel Snacks to Pack on Your Next Trip

Pack these dietitian-approved, healthy travel snacks on your next trip. Whether you’re traveling by car or plane, these are some of the most nutritious, filling, and tasty snack options to bring with you.

Never, and I mean never, travel without healthy snacks – that’s my motto. Snack options on the road or in flight can be unpredictable and aren’t usually the most nutritious. So, when “hanger” strikes mid-road trip or plane ride I like to be armed with some nutritious and filling, healthy travel snack options. Planning for and packing nutritious snacks is also proven to reduce hanger-induced fights with your travel companion. 😉

Why pack healthy travel snacks?

Picture this: you’re two hours into your road trip, your stomach is making more noise than the radio, and you have zero snacks in the car. What happens next? You find the next gas station, buy any and all snacks in sight, and devour them in ten seconds flat.

What happens after that? Thirty minutes to an hour later you’re craving more snacks! Why? When you wait for hunger levels to skyrocket and find yourself in the snack aisles of a gas station, you’re more likely to choose the Cheetos and Oreos over one of the few nutritious options.

Although tasty, these refined, fiber-less and sugar-rich snacks send your blood sugar levels on a roller coaster. You might get a quick boost of energy, which is inevitably followed by a steep crash in blood sugar levels, leaving you tired, moody, and craving more junk food.

That’s why planning for and packing some healthy travel snack options is a gamechanger when travelling! It’ll help you make more nutritious and less impulsive choices when you’re in a pinch.

What to look for in a healthy travel snack

You’re on board, you’re ready to plan some healthy travel snacks for your upcoming trip, but you have no clue what to buy. What makes for a healthy travel snack?

First, I typically avoid using packaging claims like “organic”, “natural”, or “non-GMO” to guide my snack choices. There’s a health-halo surrounding these claims – we assume they must mean the product is a healthy choice, when in reality, the claims have little to nothing to do with the nutritional value of a food.

Instead, I use a food product’s built-in cheat sheet, the nutrition label (when it applies)! I look for 4 things:

• Calories: Ideally you want a snack that’s around 150 to 250 calories. This is one of the few times I use calorie counts as a dietitian and that’s because I do feel it serves as a good measure of portion control here. If it happens to be slightly under or over, no biggie. Use this as a general guideline.
• Fiber: Fiber is my favorite f-word! It helps fill you up without filling you out, and helps keep blood sugar levels stable so you’re not hungry every 30 minutes of travel. I look for at least a few grams of fiber OR at least a 10:1 ratio of total carbs to fiber. For example, if something has 20 grams total carbs, at least 2 of those grams should be coming from fiber.
• Protein: Fiber and protein are a powerful, satiating and hunger-squashing duo. Look for at least 5 to 10 grams. If there’s more, great!
• Added sugar: Added sugars are the sugars added to foods and beverages during the manufacturing process. They are different from natural sugars – those found naturally in foods like fruits. The new nutrition label requires manufacturers to call out grams of added sugar, and most brands have adopted this new label by now. The closer to zero here the better, but ideally try to keep added sugar to no more than 5 grams.

In general, aim for a combo of protein and fiber in your healthy travel snacks – whether the snack item inherently has both (like roasted chickpea snacks) or you have to piece together more than one food to get both (like a banana with almond butter). 

Best Dietitian-Approved Healthy Travel Snacks

Keeping the guidelines above, plus convenience and portability in mind, here are my top X favorite healthy travel snacks.

First, let’s start with an easy one, fruit! I typically recommend fresh fruit when possible but understand eating some fresh fruits can get messy. If traveling with fresh fruit isn’t your thing, try unsweetened dried fruit instead.  It’s much easier to find unsweetened varieties than it used to be. You can find unsweetened dried fruits at many grocery store chains, like Trader Joe’s and even these tasty Good & Gather Unsweetened Dried Apple Rings from Target.

Even though fruit is rich in filling fiber and you can certainly eat it on its own, I always recommend adding some protein to it. Adding protein can help satiate you even more and can help slow digestion and buffer blood sugar spikes.

What are some good proteins to pair fruit with? See the next 6 snack choices listed!

Nuts are full of protein and fiber on their own but can also add a protein boost when paired with carb sources like fruit. Almonds and cashews make for great snacking options, but my personal favorite snack nut is pistachios. One serving of pistachios is 49 nuts – that’s a lot of nuts!

I recommend buying them in shell because taking the time to open each nut serves as a mindful eating technique and helps you slow down your snacking. I love these salt and pepper seasoned Wonderful Pistachios.

Nut Butter Packets

I repeat, nuts are a good source of protein and fiber, so this still holds true of them when blended into nut butter form. Just be sure to lookout for added sugar on the nutrition label. You can bring a whole jar with you or look for the individual nut butter packets which are very convenient for travel.

My favorite nut butter is the RXBAR Vanilla Almond Butter . It’s got an extra boost of protein from egg whites and it’s lightly sweetened naturally from the natural sugars in dates.

String Cheese

Is it string cheese or cheese sticks? Whatever you call them, they’re cheese in one of its most portable forms! Cheese is a good source of protein and calcium – a mineral that’s often lacking in the average American diet.

You can enjoy this protein-rich snack on its own, but if you need a little energy boost (hello, carbs), this is a good one to pair with some fruit!

Whisps Cheese Crisps

Cheese in portable form part 2. These cheese crisps are a newcomer to the cheese market. They’re essentially baked cheese that’s turned hard and crunchy. Whisps have at least 10 grams of protein per serving and are made from one ingredient: cheese!

You can enjoy this protein-rich snack on its own, but if you need a little energy boost (hello, carbs), this is another good one to pair with some fruit!

Hard-Boiled Eggs

So many great things to say about the incredible egg. Eggs are another excellent, yet smelly protein source. Just be sure to warn your travel companion about the smell before eating one! One egg has a whopping 7 grams of protein. Travel tip: peel the eggs before you pack them.

If you’re feeling fancy or simply bored of plain hard-boiled eggs, try these Peckish eggs. They’re convenient and portable pre-hard-boiled eggs served with delicious and crunchy seasonings!

To be honest, I don’t really like the taste or texture of jerky. But if YOU do, it can make for an excellent healthy travel snack option. Jerky is usually just protein and some fat, but be sure to check the nutrition label for  added sugars. Many jerky brands add sugar to their jerky to improve flavor and increase the weight of the final product (sugar costs less than meat by weight). Chomps sticks are not only free of added sugar, but also keto, paleo, and Whole30-approved. They’re also portable and very convenient to travel with.

Roasted Chickpea Snacks

Chickpeas are my go-to snack ingredient because of their impressive nutritional profile – a serving of cooked chickpeas (1/2 cup) has around 7 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. The protein and fiber combo helps fill you up, keep blood sugar levels stable, and satiate you until you get to your destination (or until your next meal).

You can now find chickpeas in conveniently pre-roasted and seasoned snack form at most grocery stores. Look for brands like The Good Bean, Biena , Saffron Road, and more. 

Hummus & Dippers

Speaking of chickpeas, did I mention they make for a very versatile snack option. When blended with a handful of other ingredients, they turn into beloved hummus. You can either portion out a big tub of hummus into small meal prep containers (like the salad dressing sized ones), or buy the single-serve ones for travel, and serve with one of the next two snack options listed (Simple Mills Crackers and Beet Chips).

It wouldn’t hurt to throw in some sliced veggies or baby carrots as dippers if you can, too. But I realize they aren’t always convenient for travel.

Simple Mills Crackers

These crackers are crackers minus the “ers”. Seriously, they taste almost too good to be true. They’re one of the few cracker brands out there without added sugars, plus they’re grain-free and gluten-free, making them paleo-friendly. One serving of their sprouted seed crackers has 3 grams fiber and 3 grams protein. 

If you love beets, it’s safe to say you’ll love them even more in chip form. Beets are surprisingly rich in protein and fiber – one serving of these Bare Beet Chips has 4 grams protein and a whopping 8 grams fiber. Plus, they’re made from just two simple ingredients: beets and sea salt.

You can also find Just Beets chips at Trader Joe’s, which, as the name implies, are made from just beets. 

Freeze-Dried or Roasted Edamame Snacks

Edamame are a type of soybean. Much like other legumes, edamame are rich in both protein and fiber, and are one of the most protein-rich among the legumes. Plus, they’re lower in total carbs compared to other legumes, like beans and chickpeas, making them the perfect snack for anyone following a lower-carb diet.

You can find roasted and seasoned shelled edamame snacks, or these new Good & Gather freeze-dried and salted edamame at Target! One half-cup serving has 12 grams protein and 4 grams fiber for just 130 calories.

DIY Snack Mix

Store-bought snack mixes, trail mixes, and granola can be loaded with added sugar and lacking filling fiber. That’s why I recommend making your own simple, easy, and filling snack mix! Start with a base of some pre-popped and lightly-seasoned popcorn, which has a little protein and fiber and provides a lot of volume for little calories. Next, add some freeze-dried fruit (Target, Trader Joe’s and Aldi’s have great selections) and nuts of your choice for an extra protein and fiber boost.

Then, get creative! Add spices, like cinnamon, for more flavor and maybe even a sprinkle of dark chocolate chips or Lily’s stevia-sweetened baking chips. 

These crunchy, cheese curl-like snacks are gluten-free, vegan, and made from plant-based proteins like chickpea and brown rice flours. They’re so tasty and come in a variety of delicious flavors like vegan white cheddar, bohemian barbecue, and nacho vibes. Even though they’re flavored, they only have one gram of added sugar per serving. 

Single-Serve Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is the new Greek yogurt. Although it may not be ideal for all modes of travel, if you’ve got a cooler packed for a road trip you can easily slide a few of these single-serve containers in there. C ottage   cheese  is packed with nutrients, including B-complex vitamins, like vitamin B12, and calcium. It’s an excellent source of protein, with 1 cup of small curd  cottage   cheese containing nearly 25 grams of protein.

I recommend topping a plain one with a handful of berries (for some fiber). But if you can’t handle plain, Good Culture has a few flavored varieties that don’t have too much added sugar. 

Birch Benders Microwaveable Cups

Birch Benders’ Cups have protein and fiber, zero grams added sugar, are low in net carbs, and are grain- and gluten-free, making them paleo- and keto-friendly! Obviously, you need a microwave to make these, so they may be more of a snack you bring with you to keep at your hotel (although some gas stations and 7-Elevens have microwaves you can use). All you have to do is add water, microwave for 60 seconds, and voila!

They come in seven delicious varieties, but the brownie is my personal favorite. 

Protein & Snack Bars

Protein and snack bars are probably the most convenient, portable, and dependable travel snack out there, but buyer beware. Some bars can be high in added sugar and low in fiber. Here are my travel favorites:

Pressed Fruit Bars

These bars are essentially fruit that’s been dried and pressed into a bar shape. Like fruit, they’re rich in fiber, but lack protein. So, it’s a good idea to pair with one of the proteins listed earlier (i.e. string cheese, nuts, etc.). Look for brands like That’s It bars, KIND whole fruit bars , and Trader Joe’s fruit bars.

RXBARs are my personal favorite! They are also made up of fruit (dates in this case), but have added protein in the form of nuts and egg whites. 

Health Warrior

These Health Warrior chia bars are more like a mini snack (they’re only 100 calorie each). They’re perfect for when you just need a little something to hold you over. 

These original KIND nut bars have come a long way since they first entered the market. They’re relatively low in added sugar and are a good source of protein and fiber. Plus they’re straight tasty. 

Let me know what YOUR favorite travel snack is in the comments section below!

posted by Charlotte Martin on February 22, 2020

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6 comments on “17 Dietitian-Approved Healthy Travel Snacks to Pack on Your Next Trip”

YESS!! Haven’t tried Birch benders microwaveable cups, but I buy and eat all of the other snacks all the time. THESE SNACKS REALLY ARE THE BEST.

They have some of the BEST products don’t they?! Definitely try the brownie microwaveable cup if you can, it’s so tasty 🙂

LOVE this list! Whisps, nuts and dried fruits are all go-tos when I travel. I haven’t tried the Simple Mills crackers before, so I’m interested to try them out, thank you!

Hi Amanda! Glad you found the list helpful 🙂 Whisps are my FAVORITE! So addicting! Definitely get your hands on some Simple Mills crackers they are soooo good you won’t regret it

This is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing these, I am a big snack person. One of my go-to snacks is the Enlightened Bada Bean Bada Boom snack size packs!

Hi Bevan! I still have yet to try those! You just reminded me that I need to go snag some 🙂 Thank you!

Hi, I’m Charlotte!

I’m a Registered Dietitian who’s made it her mission to educate, inspire, and empower you to SHAPE your eating habits and relationship with food!

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21 Top Healthy Travel Snacks (Dietitian Approved)

Wondering what a registered dietitian brings to eat while traveling to stay healthy? I’m sharing my favorite dietitian approved healthy travel snacks that are nutrient dense and low in added sugar.

I love traveling but it quickly becomes no fun when I don’t feel my best (aka my digestion is off) or come home with a cold. These healthy travel snack ideas will help you fuel you up for any adventure, plus, they’re packed with the good nutrition you need to feel your best while traveling.

I’m sure there will be no shortage of delicious where ever you’re going, however it’s important to pack some strategic, nutrient dense snacks for planes, trains and all those other moments when you just need something in between meals.

I was also recently quoted with my picks for the best things for a quick travel breakfast in this Huffington Post article “ Best Breakfast Foods To Eat When You’re Traveling, And Why It Matters .”

Healthy Airport Dining Options

Being hangry with a delayed flight and limited food options is no way to kick off a trip or vacation. While you can’t control what curveballs might come your way while traveling, you can control what snacks you pack to have on hand for any travel situation! A little planning a head of time to pack snacks is to key to fueling up and feeling your best while traveling.

Airports have definitely come a long way when it comes to food choices. At O’Hare airport there are a few different local Chicago restaurants and a couple of Cibo Express locations throughout the airport that stock many of the snacks on my list of healthy travel snacks below and I know a lot of other airports are expanding their options which is great.

4 Key things to Look For in a Healthy Travel Snack

1. protein content.

Snacks with protein take longer for our body to digest vs. carbs. That’s the reason eating a snack that is all carbs doesn’t work to keep us full for that long. Packing high protein snacks will help ensure that the snack will keep you fuller for longer and fueled up for travel and activities.

2. Fiber Content

When you’re reading a nutrition label check the fiber content. Why? Fiber helps to keep us fuller for longer and is needed for healthy digestion. I would say it’s even more important while traveling because long flights and adjusting to new time zones can mess with our digestion and cause constipation.

To prevent constipation while traveling make it a point to incorporate fibrous foods like fruits, veggies and nuts and seeds. And for packaged snacks, anything above 3 grams of fiber is considered a good source of fiber, and 5 or more is considered “high in fiber”.

3. Sugar Content

Sugar content will vary from snack to snack. Fruit, veggies and dried fruits contain natural sugars, whereas some packaged snacks can contain a lot of added sugar. Bars are notorious for their sugar content, which is why you want to pick ones that are lower in sugar and contain protein and fiber.

4. Portability

Simple, mess free and easy to pull out of your bag when you’re running from gate to gate! This is a must for snacks which is why I like all of packaged items on the list below or packing fruits/veggies from home in a reusable stasher bag !

21 Dietitian Approved Healthy Travel Snacks

These 20 dietitian approved travel snacks include ones that are high in protein, low in sugar, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo-friendly options. They’re easy to stash in your bag and take with you whenever your travels take you!

• Nut Butter Packets
• Purely Elizabeth Individual Oatmeal Cups or Plain Oatmeal Packets
• CHOMPS Meat Sticks
• KIND Zero Added Sugar Bars
• That’s It Fruit Bars
• Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers Snack Packs
• Nuts or Low-Sugar Trail Mix
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Portable Fruit & Veggie Slices
• Olive Pouches
• Dried Fruit
• Air Popped Popcorn
• Hard-Boiled Eggs
• Ella’s Flats
• Low Sugar Yogurt
• Homemade Wrap/Sandwich
• Low Sugar Granola
• Nut Butter Stuffed Dates
• Roasted Chickpeas
• Baked Cheese Crisps
• Tuna Pouches

1. Nut Butter Packets

A good source of plant-based protein and fat for staying power, I love stashing these in my bag for a quick snack. Pair with a piece of fruit or add to oatmeal to make it a bigger snack / smaller meal.

2. Purely Elizabeth individual oatmeal cups or plain oatmeal pouches

Great for breakfast or a snack in between flights, oatmeal will give you extra fiber (extra important for digestion when you’re off your routine!) Get plain pouches and add your own fruit and nut butter or opt for these from Purely Elizabeth that are low in sugar and high in fiber.

3. CHOMPS meat sticks

A great on-the-go source of protein that you can eat while walking, each stick has 9-10 grams of protein per stick, no added fillers and no added sugar — it doesn’t get much better than that! They’re also gluten free, dairy free, AIP friendly, whole30 approved and low carb.

4. KIND Zero Added Sugar Bars

With around 7 grams of fiber per bar and 5 grams of protein these are a no brainer to stash in your bag for any type of travel. I love the caramel almond sea salt flavor!

5. That’s It Fruit Bars

Made from fruit, these bars are a good option to pair with a snack that contains protein like nuts or a meat stick for a well rounded snack that’s bright and flavorful from the fruit bar.

6. Simple Mills almond flour crackers

These are my favorite crackers because they’re made with nutrient dense ingredients and nothing artificial. They’re gluten free and perfect for pairing with any kind of dip or hummus.

7. Nut packets or low-sugar trail mix

Think pistachios, almonds, or walnuts. You can find Wonderful Pistachios at most airports and I really like these pistachio snack packs that are easy to stash in any purse.

Trail mix is another great option, but be sure to check the ingredient label as many contain added sugars and extra oils. If you have the time, throw one together at home with nuts and seeds!

8. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are a good source of plant-based protein, fiber and magnesium. Magnesium also known as the calming mineral can help with calmness and relaxation which we could all use while traveling, you know?!

9. Portable Fruit & Veggie Slices

Think apple slices, berries, or a banana. Cut them up ahead of time and store in a stasher bag to snack on in flight or in any other on-the-go travel situation. Prepare some carrots, celery, or pepper slices in a bag ahead of time to snack on on-the-go.

10. Olive Pouches

If you love a salty snack these olive pouches are perfect plus they’re a good source of healthy fat. Pair with crackers and cheese for the start of an adult lunchable.

11. Dried Fruit

Think dried mango, apple rings, prunes, unsweetened banana chips. Here again it’s important to look at the label because there can be added sugar included. Dried fruit is sweet enough as is, so just make sure you see one ingredient (the fruit) only! Target has a great selection of dried fruit from their Good & Gather line.

12. Air Popped Popcorn

Popcorn contains about 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein per serving depending on the type and is another easy one to pack to satisfy the taste for something a little salty. I like these individual bags from Pipcorn .

13. Hard-Boiled Eggs

Eating hard-boiled eggs on a plain might be controversial (!!) but if you’re in a travel situation where you feel like you can bust them out, go for it because they’re a great source of protein (around 7 grams per large egg) and other essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin D and B vitamins to help you feel your best.

14. Ella’s Flats

Getting enough fiber while traveling can be hard, plus it’s normal for our digestion to be off after a long flight, little sleep and time zone changes. These high fiber seed crackers are great to have on hand when travel constipation strikes. Dress them with hummus or avocado for a good high fiber snack.

15. Low Sugar Yogurt

Grab this on the other side of security (yogurt is not TSA approved) and opt for one that’s low in sugar and contains simple ingredients like siggi’s or fage.

16. Homemade Wrap/Sandwich

This is one of the best ways to make sure you have a snack/meal that is balanced and will keep you full for most of your travel. I recommend using a whole-grain bread, adding a source of protein like turkey, a veggie or two, and hummus.

17. Low Sugar Granola

Granola can make for a good snack but it’s important to be aware that many are packed with added sugar. I love Purely Elizabeth granola because it’s lower in sugar than most.

18. Nut Butter Stuffed Dates

Dates make for a great travel snack because they’re high in fiber and easy to take on-the-go. Opt for pitted dates, and fill with almond or peanut butter for a balanced snack with staying power.

19. Roasted Chickpeas

A good snack that contains plant-based protein and fiber if you’re sick of nuts are roasted chickpeas . They’re also easy to make at home, so you can make a big batch and share with your travel partner.

20. Baked Cheese Crisps

With 9 grams of protein per serving, these baked cheese crips are a fun snack with staying power. Perfect to pair with a meat stick for a savory snack situation or toss into a homemade trail mix for some flavor and texture diversity.

21. Tuna Pouches

I recently discovered these very inexpensive and convenient tuna pouches that make for a great pantry staple and travel snack. Pair with some crackers for a quick, protein packed snack (15 grams of protein per pouch!) and I didn’t find that these omitted a fishy smell when opened so that’s a plus!

High Protein Snacks for Travel

Out of all of these snacks, if you’re looking specifically for higher protein snacks for travel (or at least more than 5g per serving), I recommend the following:

• CHOMPS meat sticks
• Pistachio Packets

More Healthy Snack Suggestions

• 25 Healthy Road Trip Snacks Nutritionists Swear By
• Best Protein Packed Snacks for Women
• 20 Healthy Dairy-Free Snacks Approved By Dietitians
• 13 Healthy Crackers Approved By Dietitian

Hydration Essentials for Healthy Travel

• Electrolyte packets. For international travel, I recommend one packet per day plus a couple extra. I cannot stress enough how important it is to travel with these to help prevent dehydration and in case you start to not feel good while traveling. The European sun is no joke in the summer and when you’re walking around all day dehydration can definitely happen. I recommend this brand and this brand .
• Empty Water Bottle. BYO bottle to refill at the airport to help with hydration. Sometimes it’s hard to drink enough water especially after a long flight and when your first adjusting to a new time zone so having a water bottle with you is a great way to help keep hydration up.

This post contains affiliate links which means I may get a commission if you click one of the links and end up buying something.

This article has been updated and edited. Originally Posted: June 20, 2019

 How to Build a Snack Board 

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7 Best Travel Bar Sets In 2023: Reviews & Buying Guide

February 15 2021

When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. For more information on how we conduct reviews,  click here .

Traveling and bars are two of life's greatest luxuries. But when you combine the two, you would have a vacation like no other. With travel bar sets, you can whip up a glass of your  favorite cocktail  wherever you go.

If you’re currently interested in buying one, check out the list below for the best travel bar sets you can get your hands on.

Our Top Picks

1.  mixology & craft store travel bar set.

What Customers Have To Say 

An Amazon customer commented that she was disappointed when she received the product because it does not have a good color payoff, although the tools inside were useful, and her husband, to whom she gave the kit, liked it. She wrote a review about it and unexpectedly received another bag to replace the first one. She is satisfied and stated that Mixology & Craft cares about their customers. 

Another Amazon customer loves his copper bar tools, and he’s been making almost every cocktail in the alphabet since he got this set. 

Why We Think It’s Great

With 17 pieces of bar tools inside, there is almost nothing you can't make with this product. Boston cocktail tins? Double-sided jigger? Ice bag? This travel bar set has it all! It is not only impressive for the tools but also its canvas bag with sturdy full-grain leather.

Who Should Buy It

This travel bar set is perfect for those passionate about bartending and cocktails that don't mind paying extra. It is also ideal for events and parties and those who love to give the crowd a show.

2.  Jillmo Waterproof Bartender Travel Set

A customer bought this  bartender bag  on the spot after he came across it. He couldn't be happier with his choice. He states that the bag is well-put-together, and the bar tools in the front pocket are a perfect fit.

Meanwhile, another buyer loves the travel bag, and it has met her every need. She says the bag is spacious, sturdy, convenient, and the backpack straps are comfortable. 

The main compartment can fit up to 6 bottles with padded and adjustable inserts and cardboard to ensure your bottles' and glasses' safety. The bag is made with a lot of pockets you can put the tools and extra stuff in.

If you're one to carry a lot of booze, this travel bar set is for you. It does come in one color only, so if you're not too particular about the design and just value the functionality, this is what you should get.

3.  Root7Professional Travel Bar Set

A shopper stated that the product is terrific and profoundly built well. He likes how the tools weigh. He just wishes that the opening where the Boston shaker sits is wholly enclosed. Another customer was amazed by the travel bar set, and the cocktail shaker fulfilled all his needs with the perfect size. The bag's quality is excellent and can fit more bar tools.

This bartender kit is compact but versatile. You can carry this around like a purse, and it is easy to store in kitchens. It contains six stainless bar tools with a titanium finish which makes it look so elegant and unique. It is also effortless to clean up since the fabric repels water. 

This is perfect for those who only require the basic tools. It may have lesser bar tools than other travel bar sets out there, but it surely will not hinder you from making the perfect cocktail.

4.  Franmara Martini Travel Bar Set

What Customers Have To Say  

A buyer thinks this product is a perfect gift for travel if you adore martinis. She states that the set is light and compact. Moreover, another buyer bought this set and gave it to her daughter as a present. Her daughter loved it, and she highly recommends this travel bar set. 

The leatherette-covered hard case will surely secure everything inside and keep it intact as there is an attached separator board. On top of that, the case comes with two lock keys. 

This travel bar set is made especially for all the martini lovers who will always choose martini over any other drink. 

5.  Jillmo Waterproof Bartender Travel Bar Set

A shopper opened the box and set it up right after it was delivered. She felt that the product was worthy of a review even though she usually doesn't write one. Another Amazon customer purchased this bag for the spring training games in Florida, and he’s thrilled he can carry multiple beverages, mixers, and cups.

The bar bag is very versatile and is excellent for traveling, camping, or daily use. The bag has ten small bar tool pockets, two big foldaway pockets, three foamed wine protectors, one big long mesh zipper pocket, and even a laptop compartment. It can fit a lot. The bag is made of durable materials and is designed to last for a long time. 

This travel bar set is perfect for people who always like to have complete tools and keep many things in one place. It is also ideal if you engage in part-time jobs as a bartender.

6.  Jillmo Bartender Travel Bar Set

A buyer loved this product. He took this to Vegas and held up well. He says it is sturdy, strong, and well-designed. Another customer also thinks the travel bar set’s compartments are convenient and great for all the needed accessories. 

With ten small bar tool pockets, two big foldaway pockets, three removable and adjustable inserts, one big long mesh zipper pocket, and one big zipper pocket on the backside, you can fit anything here! It also includes 11 essential bar tools. And they offer a lifetime warranty and a full refund for the bag. 

If you're a big fan of being organized, like to carry your booze around with the tools, and want to keep the bottles secure, you should get this travel kit. 

7.  Barmasters Pro Bar Travel Set

A customer remarks that the travel bar case is durable. He purchased this and gave this to his friend, who loves the product. Meanwhile, another buyer comments that the set's quality is decent, the necessary bar tools are complete, and the case is perfect. The tools aren't the fanciest on the market, but it's durable enough. 

There are seven essential bar tools inside the leatherette hard case and are enclosed by two velcros. The design is elegant, and the tools are durable enough.

This travel bar set is excellent for people who are looking for a travel bar set in a compact, handy, but robust case. 

Travel Bar Set Buying Guide

Every travel bar set is unique because they differ in design, size, tools, etc. Choosing one can get a bit overwhelming. So, before you purchase a travel bar set, you should know well what to be considered. Here are some factors you should look into.

Portability

Since travel bar sets are designed for carrying around during travel, choose one that you find most comfortable carrying. Some travel bar sets are designed to include bottles, so if you’re going for a lighter pack, choose one that doesn’t have a bottle compartment. 

Also, go for travel bar sets with tight and secure straps to keep the tools in place. You can choose whether you want the exterior to have a handle or a strap.

Travel bar sets can get a bit pricey. To make your purchase worth the money, check the materials used. If you want your travel bar set to last long, you should opt for sets made of genuine black leather and a hard case. Also, check the quality of the tools inside. You wouldn’t want to buy a  flimsy product that’ll last for a couple of months.

Stolen tools or liquors inside the travel bar set are possible. To avoid this kind of misfortune, consider getting a travel bar set with a case that includes a combination lock. It is much safer from thieves, and your liquors should be protected in a case, whereas if you choose to keep them outside, it might break.

Most importantly, you need to look at the tools inside the kit or case. The tools that come with the set are different for each product. Some products contain more tools in various materials.

While it is unnecessary to buy a travel bar set that includes many tools, it would be smart for you to know what is contained inside. Make sure the product you want has the right tools you need.

Make your travel experience even better with the company of a travel bar set. Owning one is both fun and satisfying, so you get to enjoy your favorite drink anytime, anywhere. It feels superb to carry a whole bar in one hand, shaker, jigger , and muddler . 

Do you own a travel bar set? How is your experience so far? Let us know in the comments.

Bar Tools & Equipment Reviews

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25 Best Travel Snacks For Your Next Trip

These picks are approved by our registered dietitians and taste testers for your next adventure.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

The best vacations start with being prepared, from strategically packing your suitcase to stashing some healthy, filling snacks for the journey ahead. Whether you're traveling for fun, work or both, you'll want to try new foods and partake in the local culture wherever you go. But having some nutritious snacks on hand can help you make better choices when you're in a pinch . Here are some of our favorite travel snacks that both our registered dietitians and panel of taste testers gave the thumbs up.

Our top picks:

CHOMPS Grass Fed Original Beef Jerky Snack Sticks

Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Walnut Superfood Oatmeal

Justin's Classic Peanut Butter Squeeze Packs

Ideal snacks for travel include ones that will keep in your backpack, purse or carry-on without melting or falling apart. If you're traveling by plane, you'll want to make sure the snacks are TSA-compliant , so no liquid or gel food items over 3.4 ounces. Most importantly, the best snacks should have a combination of protein and fiber to keep you fueled and satisfied. Try to aim for about four grams each of protein and fiber, and keep added sugar to a minimum (under eight grams is ideal per snack, which is the equivalent of two teaspoons). Always prioritize fresh produce when possible, since they offer a great combination of fiber and antioxidants to keep you feeling your best during your travels.

Fruits and vegetables also are packed with water, a smart way to stay hydrated during your trip. Hydration in general is the key to savvy travel — especially for long plane rides, so don't forget to bring an empty water bottle with you to fill after you go through security at the airport. Since the altitude is dehydrating, and turbulence/delays can make beverage service unpredictable, it’s worth the investment to buy a second, unsweetened drink at the airport. Pair that with these nutrient-dense snacks and you'll be sure to have a great vacation.

Made from sustainably sourced proteins, these convenient jerky sticks are a notch above from what you'll find at a traditional convenience store en route to your travel destination. The beef and venison varieties are 100% grass-fed and finished, and turkey options are free-range. Every CHOMPS option is hormone-free, antibiotic-free and has lower sodium counts than other options on the market.

Per serving (one stick): 90 calories, 6g total fat, 2.5g sat fat, 25mg cholesterol, 290mg sodium, 0g total carb, 0g fiber, 0g total sugars, 9g protein

Oats are an easy base for when you're at a hotel or during any travel experience. Ones that come in a convenient cup like this from Purely Elizabeth just require a bit of hot water that you can ask for on the airplane. While oats can be a great source of fiber and whole grains, flavored varieties tend to be very high in added sugar and void of any protein. That's why these cups are a top pick for us since they only have six grams of added sugar and pack in nine grams of protein from collagen, creating a well-balanced choice.

Per serving (one container): 230 calories, 5g total fat, 0.5g sat fat, 0mg cholesterol, 130mg sodium, 37g total carb, 5g fiber, 9g total sugars, 6g added sugars, 9g protein

Nut or seed butter packs offer a great dose of healthy fats and you can add them to crackers, cereal, oatmeal, fruit or other snacks you've packed (or simply enjoy them on their own). Bonus: Packs smaller than 3 ounces, like these ones, get the thumbs-up from TSA . They even pack in seven grams of protein too.

Per serving (one pack): 210 calories, 18g total fat, 3.5g sat fat, 0mg cholesterol, 25mg sodium, 6g total carb, 1g fiber, 2g total sugars, 0g added sugars, 7g protein

Frooze Balls Double Filled Energy Balls (6 Pack)

These energy balls are the perfect bite to stash in your purse or backpack for your trip. Made from dates, nuts and fruit, each bite has two freshly made fillings inside and is seriously satisfying. Flavors include caramel chocolate peanut butter, chocolate hazelnut, dulce de leche, lemon, peanut butter and jelly, raspberry dark chocolate and triple chocolate fudge. The tiny packs are great for travel.

Per serving (two balls, peanut butter and jelly): 126 calories, 6g total fat, 2g sat fat, 0mg cholesterol, 32mg sodium, 16g total carb, 2g fiber, 12g total sugars, 0g added sugars, 3g protein

LesserEvil Himalayan Pink Salt Popcorn (24 Pack)

Popcorn is a great volume-rich snack, meaning you can eat quite a bit of it for very little calories. It is also considered a whole grain and good source of fiber. Skip the movie theatre popcorn dripping in butter, and opt for air-popped or lightly oil-popped varieties. The convenient mini bags from LesserEvil are great to stash in your carry-on and are made with organic extra-virgin coconut oil.

Per serving (one bag): 50 calories, 3g total fat, 2.5g sat fat, 0mg cholesterol, 90mg sodium, 7g total carb, 2g fiber, 0g total sugars, <1g protein

Mariani Probiotic Prunes (4 Pack)

Between lengthy travel plans and a new environment, keeping things regular can be a challenge. That's why our dietitians suggest having some prunes on hand during any trip. Prunes have a slew of health benefits , and research suggests that prunes are as effective as over-the-counter products to help with constipation. We especially love these prunes from Mariani that add in probiotics for additional gut health and immune support to keep you healthy during your trip and beyond.

Per serving (five to six prunes): 100 calories, 0g total fat, 0g sat fat, 0mg cholesterol, 0mg sodium, 26g total carb, 3g fiber, 16g total sugars, 0g added sugars, 1g protein

UNiTE Protein Bar Variety Pack (12 Pack)

Protein bars can make for an easy travel snack, but not all of them are created equal (some mimic the nutrition facts of a candy bar more than anything else). We like these gluten-free bars from UNiTE that are nutrient-dense and made with dates, nut butters and whey protein. The churro flavor was a tester favorite and packs in 10 grams of protein and five grams of fiber at under 200 calories.

Per serving (one bar, churro): 190 calories, 9g total fat, 1g sat fat, 35mg cholesterol, 70mg sodium, 19g carb, 5g fiber, 9g total sugars, 7g added sugars, 11g protein

Sweet Loren's Breakfast Biscuits, Cinnamon Sugar (30 Count)

We can't get enough of these sweet breakfasts biscuits that come in convenient packets of three and are made with better ingredients than others on the market. One serving makes for a light breakfast on-the-go or a layover snack, and is packed with 19 grams of whole grains, 4 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber and five B vitamins. Plus, the biscuits are gluten-free and come in blueberry, cinnamon sugar, and chocolate flavors.

Per serving (one pack): 200 calories, 8g total fat, 3g sat fat, 0mg cholesterol, 180mg sodium, 32g carb, 3g fiber, 11g total sugars, 11g added sugars, 4g protein

Whisps Baked Cheese Bites (12 Pack)

Bringing perishable foods like yogurts and cheese sticks might not be possible during your travels, but you'll get the best of both worlds with these baked cheese bites from Whisps that are shelf-stable. Whisps first ingredient is protein-packed cheese and each bite is super crispy and satisfying with a whopping 13 grams of protein per serving. They come in a few fun flavors as well and were a family-friendly hit in taste tests.

Per serving (23 crisps, parmesan): 150 calories, 10g total fat, 7g sat fat, 30mg cholesterol, 350mg sodium, 1g carb, 0g fiber, 0g total sugars, 13g protein

Simple Mills Pop Mmms (3 Pack)

Looking for something to crunch on mid-flight? These bite-sized popped crackers are baked and made with 1/3 cup of vegetables per serving like organic butternut squash. They have a cheesy flavor and are light and airy. Throw some in a handy reusable snack bag that you can refill all trip long.

Per serving (44 crackers): 140 calories, 5g total fat, 1g sat fat, 5mg cholesterol, 280mg sodium, 21g carb, 1g fiber, 1g total sugars, 0g added sugars, 2g protein

Natural Delights Medjool Date Strips with Tajin

Who knew that fresh Medjool dates and Tajin chili lime seasoning would pair so well together? This snack offers a unique flavor profile for sweet and spicy lovers, and the simple ingredient list is one to rave about. "Loved the spicy flavor. A flavorful snack and good for on the go," one tester said.

Per serving (one pouch, six pieces): 100 calories, 0.5g total fat, 0g sat fat, 0mg cholesterol, 340mg sodium, 22g carb, 3g fiber, 19g total sugars, 0g added sugars, 1g protein

Prevail. Grass Fed Beef Jerky (4 Pack)

Our dietitians are fans of this jerky from Prevail since it is 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef jerky and is free from fillers and additives. Taste testers appreciated its tender texture and balanced flavor since it is cherrywood smoked and seasoned with organic spices. Most importantly, it has lower sodium and sugar counts than competitors, so you won't get bogged down on your trip. And with 12 grams of protein per serving, it's perfect to keep you fueled on those long rides in the car.

Per serving (one ounce, original): 70 calories, 1.5g total fat, 0g sat fat, 30mg cholesterol, 280mg sodium, 5g total carb, 0g fiber, 4g total sugars, 12g protein

Jackson's Sweet Potato Chips (15 Pack)

A top performer in our potato chips taste test , these sweet potato chips from Jackson's come in perfectly sized snack packs for travel. They are made with premium avocado oil and cooked low and slow to maintain the stability and integrity of the oil's healthy fats. The brand uses non-GMO heirloom sweet potatoes , and while the sea salt is the healthiest options, the flavored choices are truly delicious.

Per serving (one ounce): 150 calories, 9g total fat, 1g sat fat, 0mg cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 16g total carb, 2g fiber, 3g total sugars, 0g added sugars, 1g protein

Junkless Chewy Granola Bars, Chocolate Chip (24 Bars)

An upgraded version of your favorite chewy granola bar, this snack is actually significantly lower in sugar than other brands and is free from high-fructose corn syrup or sugar alcohols. Made from simple ingredients, we love the soft and chewy texture of the bar and that it has no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. "Nice and chewy with just the right amount of chocolate chips to peanut butter," one taste tester said.

Per serving (one bar): 130 calories, 3.5g total fat, 0.5g sat fat, 0mg cholesterol, 0mg sodium, 22g total carb, 2g fiber, 5g total sugars, 3g protein

Biena Roasted Chickpea Snacks, Sea Salt (10 Pack)

Crispy chickpeas are the perfect protein-packed snack to keep in your carry-on that won't crumble or fall apart. Of course you can make them on your own , but a pre-made pack like this is extra convenient for travel. We love that each portable pouch offers a filling combination of eight grams of both fiber and protein per serving.

Per serving (one pouch): 140 calories, 3.5g total fat, 0g sat fat, 0mg cholesterol, 230mg sodium, 20g total carb, 8g fiber, 1g total sugars, 8g protein

Sweet Nothings Nut Butter Bites (6 Pack)

Wholesome and delicious, these disc-shaped, organic bites feature a chewy outer shell of dates, oats and flaxseed wrapped around a nut butter filling with all-organic, no-added-sugar ingredients. Free from gums, stabilizers, preservatives or artificial flavors, each package offers up to four grams of plant-based protein. The bite size treat is perfect for tiding you over at the end of your flight.

Per serving (one package, oatmeal raisin): 145 calories, 5g total fat, 0g sat fat, 0mg cholesterol, 70mg sodium, 23g total carb, 3.5g fiber, 15g total sugars, 0g added sugars, 4g protein

Siete Grain-Free Mexican Shortbread Cookies

Skip the oversized cookies at the airport and pack a few of these seriously delicious Mexican Shortbread cookies from Siete. Made with a lightly sweetened blend of almond flour and pecan pieces with a dash of cinnamon, testers couldn't believe that each cookie only has one gram of sugar. The grain-free treat has a crispy texture and won't fall apart in transit either.

Per serving (five cookies): 150 calories, 9g total fat, 5g sat fat, 0mg cholesterol, 120mg sodium, 17g total carb, 1g fiber, 5g total sugars, 5g added sugars, 1g protein

Second Nature Antioxidant+ Protein Smart Snack Mix (12 Pack)

Trail mix is a favorite travel snack since it always keeps well and is also resistant to crumbling in your bag. These portion-controlled packets from Second Nature are great for stashing for a road trip or flight. We especially love the flavor combination in the antioxidant mix, and the filling fiber and protein makes this a smart choice. Plus, it doesn't have any chocolate chips like many other mixes which may melt in your bag in transit.

Per serving (one package): 250 calories, 17g total fat, 2.5g sat fat, 0mg cholesterol, 60mg sodium, 21g total carb, 4g fiber, 13g total sugars, 5g added sugars, 8g protein

RIND Snacks Straw-Peary Skin-On Dried Fruit (3 Pack)

This chewy whole fruit medley is packed with dried strawberries bursting with jammy flavor, bosc pears and sweet fuji apples. Our dietitians love that RIND maximizes nutrition and minimizes waste by taking upcycled fruit that would otherwise go to waste, retaining their nutrient-rich peels and gently drying them into snackable slices. Plus, dried fruit like this keeps really well when traveling.

Per serving (1/2 cup): 140 calories, 0g total fat, 0g sat fat, 0mg cholesterol, 0mg sodium, 33g total carb, 5g fiber, 15g total sugars, 0g added sugars, 1g protein

RXBAR Chocolate Lovers' Protein Bars Box (10 Bars)

When it comes to simple ingredient lists, it doesn't get much better than RXBAR. These tasty bars come in a wide variety of flavors and are loaded with 12 grams of protein thanks to nutrient-dense egg whites. Plus, they are a good source of fiber too — the combo of protein and fiber can help keep you full for longer on those lengthy road trips and train rides. Our registered dietitians point out that these delicious bars are sweetened with dates for binding purposes and contain no added sugar.

Per serving (one bar): 210 cal, 9g total fat, 2g sat fat, 0mg cholesterol, 260mg sodium, 23g carb, 5g fiber, 13g total sugars, 0g added sugars, 12g protein

Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, where she handles all nutrition-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. She is also Good Housekeeping’s on-staff fitness and exercise expert. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.

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The Best Healthy Travel Snacks You Can Pack in Your Carry-On

Eating healthy and traveling may not always seem like they go together. And just looking around at the airport food options, it's no surprise why. It can often feel like the odds are stacked against you and your desire to be healthy.

Your greatest defense against the abundance of unhealthy temptations on the road are healthy snacks. Whether you pack them ahead of time or grab them on-the-go, strategic snacking can help keep you on track to meet your health and fitness goals anywhere in the world.

When choosing snacks, focus on the nutritional value and the macronutrients to simplify the decision-making process. The foods you consume should provide you with vitamins, fiber, protein and healthy fats. Aim to limit things like carbohydrates and sugars, except in fruits and vegetables.

There are, of course, a few other things to consider when selecting snacks for air travel. TSA guidelines require that liquids carried on board aircraft be less than 3.4 fluid ounces, and this includes some foods (think: peanut butter and yogurt). You might also want to consider the smell of certain foods. While sardines, smoked salmon and tuna are great high-protein snacks, they are not the best thing to open on an airplane .

We've narrowed down the choices to three categories: protein, nuts and fruits and vegetables. All three will keep you energized and fill you up while you're on the road.

On-the-Go Protein

Protein is a macronutrient that does powerful things for our bodies, and numerous studies have shown that a high-protein diet will improve metabolic health and weight loss. Snacks that are high in protein will help you build muscle and strength, while keeping you full and reducing the likelihood of cravings and unhealthy snacking.

You know exactly what you're getting with RXBAR : the tasty, albeit very chewy bars have their ingredients printed in bold on the packaging. Typically egg whites, nuts and dates for sweetness. With all natural flavors and 12 grams of protein, it's a snack you can feel good about. (Try the chocolate sea salt one!)

Quest Bars also have a short list of ingredients, and there's no added sugar, though they do have a bit of an aftertaste. There's also a wide range of flavors — more than 20 that we know of — including Maple Waffle, Mocha Chocolate Chip, Rocky Road, Strawberry Cheesecake and Chocolate Peanut Butter. In addition to the variety, Quest also pack about 20 grams of protein in each bar.

With both an egg-white option ( Epic Performance Bars ) and the original grass-fed meat version — beef, pork, bison, even lamb and wild boar — Epic Bars are a great Paleo-friendly travel snack. Both contain approximately 12 grams of protein per bar and are gluten and soy-free.

EXO Protein Bars include an ingredient that might initially turn you off, but hear me out. Cricket powder is a great source of protein and there's no buggy taste! Plus, crickets are much better for the planet than more mainstream protein sources. They emit fewer greenhouse gases, use less water and require less space and food. EXO protein bars are now even available on some JetBlue flights.

Nuts are a great snack for traveling due to their small size and high concentration of healthy fats, protein and fiber. You'll feel energized and full, making it less likely that you'll indulge in unhealthier food options at the airport.

While many airlines offer a variety of nuts as an in-flight snack option, you can also plan ahead and pack your own. Sahale Snacks make all-natural nut blends that include almonds, cashews pecans, pistachios and peanuts, while also adding in dried fruits to sweeten things up.

There are also nut butters, which are incredibly tasty, but the TSA considers them a liquid, so opt for travel-friendly packets. A personal favorite of mine is Justin's Almond Butter . Combine almond butter with apple slices or celery sticks, and you'll have a complete, healthy snack for your next flight.

Farm-to-Flight

When it comes to healthy snacking, you must consider the nutritional value of food. Long days in airports and hotels can make it difficult to get the proper vitamins and nutrients your body needs, so concentrate on eating fruits and vegetables throughout the day.

Bare Snacks makes fruit and veggie chips that taste great and contain few ingredients: basically just sliced and baked fruits and vegetables, with no additives or preservatives. Banana, apple, sweet potato, beet and carrot chips are just a handful of the options available.

Kale Chips are also a great option, and Rhythm Superfoods seasons theirs with tasty flavors. The chips are crispy and the ingredients are recognizable (seeds, spices, cane sugar, apple cider vinegar and, of course, kale).

You can also pack your own fruits and vegetables before you fly. Baby carrots, apples, bananas, oranges, strawberries and blueberries all make for convenient snacks and are loaded with vitamins, nutrients and fiber. Try putting them in a small container and packing them in your carry-on for your next trip. Just remember, some restrictions apply if you're flying internationally or between certain US territories (or states like Hawaii) and the mainland.

The Bottom Line

Don't allow yourself to make bad food choices while traveling just because it may be more convenient. Plan for healthy snacking before you travel by packing food options that will satisfy your hunger while also fueling your body. Feeling great when you arrive at your destination is based largely on what you eat en route.

Chris Castellano is a travel fitness specialist and the founder of Fittest Travel . He recently self-published his first book, "Fit For Travel: Your Guide to Losing Weight and Feeling Great While Traveling."

A fitness movement built around traveling.

Sep 6 The 6 Best Protein Bars For Healthy Travel

The right protein bars make great healthy travel snacks..

Protein bars can be the perfect travel snack option for travelers who care about their health and fitness.

Choosing the right protein bars can be tricky if you're not paying enough attention to the ingredients. Many protein bars are nothing more than candy bars in disguise.

So what should you be looking for in a protein bar? The most important factor is carefully reading the ingredients.

"Many protein bars have a lot of junk added to them," says Mitzi Dulan, RD, CSSC, team nutritionist for the Kansas City Royals and CLIF Nutrition Partner.

The fewer ingredients, the better. Many protein bars contain around 20 ingredients in them; far too many. Stick to the ones with 3-10 ingredients and contain nothing that you don't recognize.

Here are a few that you can enjoy while traveling and not worry that you're eating a chemical-laden sugar bomb.

RXBAR has developed an amazing protein bar that is made from only real food, tastes great and contains no unnatural processed garbage. You won't find any ingredients here that you can't pronounce and have no idea what they are. 

Recommended Flavor:  Chocolate Sea Salt

Ingredients:  Egg whites, almonds, cashews, dates, cacao, sea salt, natural chocolate flavor.

Get your RXBARs at Vitamin Shoppe with FREE shipping on orders over $25.

Epic Bar + Epic Performance Bar (Good for Paleo)

Epic Performance Bars are made from simple, non-GMO ingredients and protein from cage-free egg whites, while Epic Bars combine grass-fed protein with dried fruit to create a Paleo-friendly travel snack.

They both contain around twelve grams of protein per bar and taste great (similar to RXBAR). Epic Performance Bars are gluten and soy free.

Recommended Flavor: Peanut Butter Chocolate

Ingredients: Dates, peanuts, egg whites, unsweetened chocolate, peanut oil, and sea salt.

EXO Protein Bars

I know what you're saying to yourself right now. Cricket flour? Yes you read that correctly. Before you decide to skip this one, hear me out. It's not as bad as it sounds.

EXO protein bars do not taste like bugs and the benefits of insect-based food has been gaining some serious traction in recent years. Get ready for a quality snack, increased energy and mental clarity if you decide to give these a shot. 

Exo protein bars are now available on some JetBlue flights.

Recommended Flavor:  Peanut Butter and Jelly

Ingredients:  Peanuts, strawberries, apricots, cricket flour, gluten-free oats, ground flaxseed, puffed brown rice, honey, vanilla extract, sea salt.

Macrobar , made by GoMacro, contains minimal ingredients, is all organic and uses plant-based protein to provide you with a great, healthy travel snack option.

They taste great: soft, sweet and chewy. The only downsides are they can be pricey and do not contain as much protein as the other bars listed here. Still, MacroBars are a great snack to bring on your next trip.

Recommended Flavor:  Banana + Almond Butter

Ingredients:  Organic brown rice syrup, organic almond butter, organic protein blend, organic bananas, organic puffed brown rice, organic sunflower seeds, organic walnuts, organic coconut sugar, organic cinnamon, organic natural banana flavor.

Photo: Protein Pick and Mix

Quest Bars have some good things going for them. The list of ingredients is short, there’s no added sugar, they’re gluten free, and they taste good.

There’s also a wide variety of flavors (over twenty that we know of), so if you don’t like one, there are plenty of others you might like or even fall in love with.

Like RXBAR, Quest Bar has exploded in popularity in recent years thanks to clever marketing and heavy use of Instagram. Their ready to drink protein shakes are also a great option.

Recommended Flavors: Birthday Cake, Maple Waffle, and Peanut Butter Brownie Smash

Ingredients:  Protein Blend (Milk Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate), Soluble Corn Fiber, Water, Erythritol, Almonds, Palm Kernel Oil, Natural Flavors, contains less than 2% of the following: Sodium Caseinate, Sea Salt, Gum Arabic, Spirulina extract (color), Red Cabbage extract (color), Turmeric extract (color), Radish extract (color), Sucralose, Sunflower Lecithin.

Naked Bars by Naked Nutrition contain only seven ingredients that are sourced from real food and come in two flavors, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Almond.

There’s 15 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber, so you’ll have a snack that packs quality nutrition and tastes great when you’re traveling.

Recommended Flavor: Chocolate Almond

Ingredients:  Almond Butter, Almond Flour, Grass-Fed Whey Protein, Cacao Powder, Brown Rice Syrup, Grape Juice Extract, Salt.

Get your Quest Bars at Vitamin Shoppe with FREE shipping on orders over $25.

Bottom Line

Packing healthy snacks will help you avoid making bad food decisions while you travel. It's half the battle in staying fit while traveling.

Carefully check the ingredients. Remember that there should be ten or less listed and nothing that you don't recognize. And it’s best to read protein supplement reviews before purchasing.

Cover photo by RXBAR.

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5 Must-Have Travel Bar Sets for Sipping Around the World

Get ready globetrotters! Discover the 5 must-have travel bar sets to take your sipping game to the next level. Let's wander and sip, together!

As an Amazon Associate, Journey Fanatics may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, but we promise the prices are still the same for you!

Have you ever dreamt of sipping on a classic martini or a refreshing mojito in some of the world's most renowned bars?

Well, your dream is about to come true. We've curated a list of the top five travel bar picks that every globetrotting mixology aficionado must visit. Each bar we've chosen not only offers a unique array of cocktails but also stunning views, rich history, and a vibrant atmosphere.

Let's embark on this intoxicating journey and quench our thirst for the best travel bars around the globe!

1. Jillmo 13-Piece Bar Set with Bartender Travel Bag

Why we pack it.

Take your bartending skills on the road with the Jillmo 13-Piece Bar Set with Bartender Travel Bag! This well-equipped kit features everything you need to shake, stir, and serve your favorite cocktails wherever your travels take you.

With a complete set of bar tools, ample storage space for glasses and other supplies, and a durable, water-resistant design, this travel bag is perfect for anyone who loves to mix drinks on the go. Plus, it's padded to keep your bar accessories safe and scratch-free, making it the perfect companion for your mobile mixology needs.

2. Barillio 17-Piece Bartender Bag

This stylish, functional, and portable bartender kit effortlessly combines aesthetics with practicality. The robust waxed canvas exterior not only gives a nod to classic elegance but also offers a high level of durability, developing a distinctive, weathered patina over time.

What's more, the bag's interior boasts dedicated compartments for each tool, from the mojito muddler to the Hawthorne strainer, ensuring your bartending gear stays organized and protected. In addition, this set features the finest quality stainless steel barware to keep rust at bay, allowing you to serve your guests with panache wherever your travels take you!

3. Jillmo 10-Piece Travel Bartender Kit

This deluxe all-inclusive set features 10 essential high-quality stainless steel bar tools, providing both seasoned professionals and aspiring bartenders with everything they need to skillfully craft their favorite cocktails, no matter the location.

With its spacious and well-thought-out design, this set offers multiple pockets and compartments, ensuring you have ample space to organize not just your tools, but also your collection of hand-picked spirits, mixers, and garnishes. Take your bartending skills to the next level with this comprehensive and convenient set.

4. Aberdeen Oak Deluxe Travel Bartender Kit

The Aberdeen Oak Deluxe Travel Bartender Kit is an adventurer's best friend, bringing the sophistication of a home bar to any location your wanderlust may lead you. Every tool within this kit is made from high-grade stainless steel, promising longevity and a professional touch to your drinks.

The kit's compact and robust design makes it an ideal companion for travel, never missing a beat in providing the comfort of your favorite cocktails, regardless of the destination.

5. SOING Mixology 24-Piece Bartender Kit

Experience the joy of mixology with the SOING 24-Piece Bartender Kit, a comprehensive set designed to bring out your inner bartender wherever your journey takes you. This durable, high-quality set is made of rust-proof SS304 & SS430 materials, promising longevity and consistent performance.

Whether you're an experienced cocktail connoisseur or a beginner eager to explore, this kit has everything you need. Its inclusive design ensures you can try your hand at any cocktail recipe available in the accompanying booklet.

Travel Bar FAQs

Are you often puzzled by the practicality of a Travel Bar? Wondering about its usage or the best way to pack your favorite spirits for a trip? You're not alone. These are common queries we encounter.

Whether you're a frequent traveler or an occasional adventurer, a portable bar kit can be a game changer, providing the familiar comfort of your cherished drinks, anywhere, anytime.

Let's take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about Travel Bars, and dispel your doubts once and for all.

1. What is a travel bar, and how is it used?

A travel bar is a portable kit designed to carry all your essential bar tools and accessories. It typically includes equipment like a shaker, strainer, stirrer, and even glasses. It's like having your happy hour home bar, but on the go. Simply pack your kit, add your favorite spirits and mixers, and you're ready to mix cocktails wherever you are!

2. Can a travel bar fit in a standard suitcase?

Yes, most travel bars are designed with portability in mind. They are compact enough to fit into a standard-sized suitcase or carry-on. However, it's always best to check the dimensions before purchase.

3. What materials are travel bars typically made from?

Travel bars are often made from durable materials like high-grade stainless steel or heavy-duty canvas to withstand the rigors of travel. These materials are also easy to clean, ensuring your tools stay hygienic and ready for use.

4. What kind of tools do travel bars usually come with?

A standard travel bar kit will include tools like a stainless steel shaker, jigger, muddler, strainer, bottle opener, and stirrer. Some kits may even include a few whiskey glasses and a corkscrew.

5. Is a travel bar a good gift for a cocktail enthusiast?

Absolutely! A travel bar is a fantastic gift for anyone who enjoys making and serving cocktails. It allows them to transport their hobby wherever they go, making it a hit at parties, picnics, or camping trips.

6. Do I need any special skills to use a travel bar?

Not necessarily. While some knowledge of cocktail mixing is helpful, many kits come with handy guides and recipes to get you started.

7. How do I clean and maintain my travel bar?

Most bar tools are dishwasher safe, but it's best to check the manufacturer's instructions. For the bag or case, a simple wipe-down with a damp cloth should suffice.

8. Is it legal to travel with a bar set?

Yes, it's legal to travel with a bar set, but remember that each airline has its own rules regarding alcohol in carry-on baggage. It's always a good idea to check the airline's policy beforehand.

9. Can I customize my travel bar?

While most travel bars come pre-packed with tools, there's always room to add your own touch. You can add your favorite spirits, mixers, and even a few garnishes to personalize your travel bar.

10. Are travel bars expensive?

The price of travel bars varies depending on the brand, quality of materials, and the number of accessories included. There are options to suit every budget, from basic kits to luxury sets.

Final Thoughts About Travel Bar Sets

In conclusion, these five top-notch travel bar sets perfectly embody the concept of portable mixology - bringing the art of cocktail crafting to any location your heart desires. Each one is unique in its design and features, yet all share high quality, durability, and the ability to turn any spot into your personal pop-up cocktail bar. From the compact and practical Jillmo 13-Piece Bar Set to the comprehensive and robust SOING 24-Piece Bartender Kit, there's a travel bar set out there to meet every budding mixologist's needs and preferences. So, the next time you set off on your travels, don't forget to pack your portable bar. After all, there's nothing quite like sipping on your favorite cocktail under the stars, in the comfort of your campsite, or with panoramic views from your hotel balcony. Safe travels and cheers to great cocktails on the go!

Looking for a way to spice up your upcoming trip? Look no further than Amazon! With a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime Music , you'll have access to over 2 million songs to soundtrack your adventure. Or, if audiobooks are more your speed, try out Audible Plus for two free books . And for those looking to streamline their packing process, a FREE 30-day trial of Amazon Prime ensures that everything will arrive in just two days - perfect for those last-minute additions. Don't miss out on these unbeatable offers and make your journey one that you'll never forget! 

Happy Travels! 😄

16 of the Best Healthy Snack Bars for Traveling

Soothe your cravings with this top 16 of the best healthy bars on the go. Once you try one of these treats, you won't want to stop eating. 

Hunger can strike anywhere. While it isn’t a problem when you are lying comfortably on your couch, it surely is when you are on the road, especially if you are traveling down on a deserted road with no signs of anything closely related to food.

To satisfy such unexpected hunger pangs, it’s best to carry food along with you. And instead of carrying some unhealthy food items, what about a tasty snack bar? Find here 16 of the best healthy snack bars for traveling.

What Is a Healthy Snack Bar Exactly?

A healthy snack bar is a nutrition bar that satisfies your hunger and provides energy and nutritional value. A healthy snack bar can be a protein, energy, or granola bar. These contain healthy, natural ingredients, low carbohydrate, high protein, fat, and fewer added sugars than other snacks you can find to satisfy your cravings.

We know that eating healthy while traveling is challenging, especially when you’re on a plane or driving for long hours. At such times, choosing the right snack will help you keep your diet and give you the boost you need to arrive at your final destination.

What Makes a Snack Bar Healthy?

To determine whether a snack bar is healthy or not, try to look for bars that meet the following five criteria:

• Low Carbohydrates
• High protein
• Moderate fats
• Less natural and added sugars

However, just because you see these items listed on a snack bar doesn’t necessarily make the bar ‘healthy.’ To be considered healthy, a snack bar should meet some minimum nutritional criteria. Find out what the best healthy snack bars should include below.

Nutritional Criteria for the Best Healthy Snack Bars

As discussed above, just having the five items on the list is not enough. You must also ensure that the items meet the minimum requirements of a healthy snack bar. 

Carbohydrates

Generally, a good and healthy snack bar should have less than 12 grams of carbohydrates. For this, manufacturers use nuts , as they are low carb and high in protein and vitamins. Make sure to check them if you have any allergies.

Normally, the ideal protein intake should be about 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight. The best healthy snack bars usually contain about 7-12 grams of protein, which is perfect, as less than 8 grams isn’t enough for our body.

To qualify as a healthy snack bar, it should have a minimum of 3 grams of fiber. However, don’t opt for bars that contain more than 10 grams of fiber as they are likely to have isolated fibers that can cause stomach issues.

A healthy snack bar has good, unsaturated fats. It should contain 2-4 grams of saturated fats, which you can find in nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils like sunflower, canola, or corn.

You should avoid bars with added sugars. However, if you don’t have an option, choose a snack bar that contains less than 24-36 grams of added sugar, as this is the minimum recommended by the AHA .

The Ingredient Criteria for the Best Healthy Snack Bars

A healthy snack bar has quality, natural ingredients. From nuts to chocolate chips, all these ingredients have a specific function in the best healthy snack bars to give your body all it needs to keep going.

Ingredients

Ensure that the snack bar has natural, whole-food ingredients and not artificial ones. If you are allergic to certain food items (such as nuts), make sure they aren’t present in the bar. Nuts, seeds, and fibers are the ones that should be more abundant in the ingredients list.

Protein Sources

A healthy snack bar should have high-quality protein sources. The protein can be high-quality isolates and concentrates or whole food ingredients. Some common protein sources you should look out for include egg whites, nuts, whey protein, and seeds.

As mentioned earlier, the snack bar should have zero to minimum added sugars. Similarly, the bars should also be free of sugar alcohol. Opt for snack bars with natural sugar sources like sugarcane or fruits.

Now that you clearly understand what a healthy snack bar should contain (and whatnot), let’s look at 16 of the best healthy snack bars for traveling.

16 of the Best Healthy Snack Bars

Rxbar real food protein bar.

The RXBAR Real Food Protein Bar comes in a variety of options一the Chocolate Sea Salt variant is our favorite. This 52gram bar is made up of natural and easily-recognizable ingredients. You can find them mentioned on the packaging in big, bold letters. The ingredients include egg whites, almonds, cashews, and dates.

The bar is high in protein (12 grams) and contains just 2 grams of saturated fats. That makes the RXBAR is an excellent choice to have on your trips. The best thing about the bar, however, is its taste. It is made of rich chocolate and makes you feel like you’re eating a decadent salted brownie.

Kind, Breakfast Bars

Like the RXBAR, Kind Breakfast Bars , too, come in different flavors. The bars are available in dark chocolate cocoa, honey oat, peanut butter, almond butter, and blueberry almond flavors. We know your mouth is watering already!

They are made with healthy, non-GMO ingredients and provide 6 grams of protein and high fibers to satisfy your hunger needs. The best part is that the products are dairy-free, making them accessible to a large number of people. They also taste more like a candy bar than a protein bar and are a good option for kids too.

ALOHA Organic Plant-Based Protein Bars

Say ‘Hola!’ to a toned, fit body with ALOHA Protein bars . The bars are made from organic plant-based ingredients. They contain 14 grams of protein, 5 grams of natural sugar, and just 2.5 grams of saturated fats. 

The bars are packed with power features. They include:

• Gluten-free
• No artificial ingredients.

ALOHA Protein Bars can be an excellent ready-to-eat option to have on your long travels.

GoMacro MacroBar Organic Vegan Protein Bars

The GoMacro Vegan Protein Bars , too, are made from organic ingredients like brown rice, almonds, sunflower seed butter, and cocoa. The 65-gram protein bar provides 10 grams of proteins per serving. They come in a variety of flavor options like dark chocolate plus almonds, Maple sea salt, Oatmeal chocolate chip, peanut butter, and Mocha Chocolate Chip, to name a few.

GoMacro bars are certified by multiple institutes and organizations. Their certifications include:

• USDA certified organic
• Vegan certified
• Kosher certified
• Non-GMO project verified
• Certified CLEAN
• Certified R.A.W

They are one of the tastiest snack bars out in the market and have a chewy texture.

Health Warrior Chia Bars

Health Warrior Chia Bars , as the name suggests, are made from real ingredients like chia that help keep you full. The 25-gram bars pack a punch with 100 calories per bar. 

The protein content, however, is less compared to other bars on this list. They provide only 3 grams of protein.

The bars are Plant-based, Kosher Certified, no gluten, no soy, no dairy, and non-GMO.

Think Thin Super

Think Thin Super Protein Bars come in 40-gram variants. Each bar packs a whopping 20 grams of protein. They are available in a variety of flavors like a chocolate almond brownie, salted caramel, cookie and creme, and white chocolate, among others.

The bars are Gluten Free and Non-GMO.

EPIC Bison Bacon Cranberry Bars

The EPIC Bison Bacon Cranberry Bars are paleo-friendly and made from 100% grass-fed bison and hormone-free pork. The 43-gram bar provides 8 grams of protein. They are Certified Gluten-Free and contain no artificial ingredients. There’s nothing more to talk about these bars.

CLIF Nut Butter Bar

These organic chocolate snack bars provide 7 grams of protein per serving. The CLIF Nut Butter Bars are made with wholesome oats and have fillings made with real peanut butter, hazelnut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter. They are available in flavors like Chocolate & Peanut Butter, Maple & Almond Butter, and many more.

The bars are non-GMO, and USDA Organic certified.

Go Raw Pumpkin Seed Bars

The Go Raw Pumpkin Seed Bars are made with only five simple, easy-to-understand organic ingredients. The ingredients are sprouted and dried and not baked. The 52-gram bars provide 13 grams of protein per serving. They are made in a 100% nut-free and gluten-free facility and sweetened with dates.

The bars have received various certifications. The certifications of Go Raw Pumpkin Seed Bars include:

Epic Beef Apple Bacon Bars

Like the earlier product from EPIC, the Beef Apple Bacon Bars are paleo-friendly and are made from beef and hormone-free pork. They provide 8 grams of protein per serving. They, too, are Certified Gluten-Free and contain no artificial ingredients.

Bulletproof Coconut Chocolate Dipped Collagen Bars

The Bulletproof Coconut Chocolate Dipped Collagen Bars have protein derived from grass-fed cows. They are gluten-free, non-GMO, and keto-friendly. The bars have no added sugar and provide 7 grams of protein per serving.

The bars also contain MCT oil that can satisfy your hunger and can prevent long-term weight gain. Bulletproof collagen bars are available in three delicious flavors – double chocolate, vanilla cookie, and coconut.

KetoBrownie Bars

The KetoBrownie Bars are catered especially towards people who follow a keto diet. That being said, everyone can enjoy the deliciously baked, soft, and chewy brownie bars.

 The bars provide 12 grams of protein and have just 1 gram of sugar. They are also packed with collagen that provides health benefits.

NUGO, Bar Box Dark Mint Chocolate Chip

The NGO Dark Mint Chocolate Chip Bar is a vegan, gluten-free energy bar that contains 13 grams of protein. The bar is made from soy protein and contains non-GMO products.

Safety information: Manufactured equipment that also processes products containing peanuts, tree nuts, milk, and egg.

The Dark Mint Chocolate Chip taste is delicious. However, some people may not like it.

FIT CRUNCH Snack Size Protein Bars

The FITCRUNCH Snack Size Protein Bars were created by co-founder and celebrity chef Robert Irvine. They are the world’s only 6-layered baked bar, having a soft cake core. The 46-gram bar contains 16 grams of protein and just 3 grams of sugar. They are made from whey protein and are gluten-free. 

The bars come in delicious flavor combinations like lemon, milk and cookies, peanut butter, and mint chocolate chip, to name a few.

No Cow Protein Bars

No Cow Protein Bars , as the name suggests, is completely dairy-free. They are made from a blend of brown rice and pea protein to provide 21 grams of pure plant-based protein and are completely vegan. Moreover, the bars have only 1 gram of sugar, are low on carbs, high on fiber, and contain natural sweeteners. All that a good, healthy snack bar should be.

The snack bars are also keto-friendly, gluten-free, non-GMO, and Kosher. They are available in flavors such as chocolate fudge brownie, peanut butter chocolate chip, mint cacao chip, and lemon meringue pie.

Power Crunch Whey Protein Bars

The Power Crunch Whey Protein Bar is literally a powerhouse as it packs 13 grams of protein and 220 calories per serving. They are made from Whey protein and other natural ingredients.

However, the bars also contain milk, wheat, and soy. If you are allergic to any of these, switch to any of the products we mentioned before.

Staying healthy while traveling isn’t as complicated as it seemed before, right? Next time you hit the road, you have plenty of options to choose from and give your body tasty, healthy, and fun snacks. If you constantly have cravings while traveling, check out our take on non-refrigerated healthy road trip snacks to complement these flavorful nutrition bars.

Here's How to Make a Mini Travel Bar with a Jerry Can

Watch out Mason jar, there's a new craft vessel that's about to take over.

Country Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

For decades, the good ol' traditional cooler was our saving grace when it came to transporting beverages for beach days, tailgates, camping, and more—but now there's something even niftier for housing and storing your favorite boozy drinks on-the-go.

Country Living

Blogger Tom of Well Done Tips fashioned the perfect travel bar out of a cheap jerry can. The nifty mini bar can house a bottle of whiskey, three old fashioned glasses, and four cans of soda. It doesn't get better than that!

While it's not the most straightforward project we've ever seen (you'll need a angle grinder and rotary tool to do this one), it's nothing an experienced DIYer couldn't accomplish over a weekend. We have a feeling this would make the perfect gift for the gearhead or whiskey drinker in your life.

BUY NOW: Metal Jerry Gas Can ($50, amazon.com )

When making yours, you can take it a step further and customize it with spray paint in your team's colors, or add a fun message or monogram with peel-and-stick letters . What's more, you or the recipient can use it to house all sorts of items—snacks, food, camping gear—in the garage, RV, or trunk of the car. The possibilities are endless!

Get the full list of materials and tutorial at Instructables , and check out these completely genius trash-to-treasure crafts for more ideas.

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Top 3 Best Travel Bar Sets Of 2024 – Ultimate Reviews

One drink during vacation can be pretty pricey. Certainly, not everyone can afford to throw back a couple. That money could be spent on better things.

However, with the best travel bar sets, you can make delicious homemade cocktails anywhere. They are practical for mixologists and beer drinkers alike. And, you never have to sacrifice on the quality of your beverages.

Portable bar sets are designed to be cool. But, they don’t all contain the same things. So, let’s see if we can help you decide on the best one for your next trip…

In this article:

Top 3 Best Travel Bar Sets Reviews

• Trav-L-Bar Vinyl 2-Bottle Travel Bar – Best Travel Bar Sets for Liquor Drinkers
• Concession Express Portable Travel Bar – Best Traveling Bar Sets for an Impromptu Party
• Barmasters Pro Bar Travel Set – Best Value Portable Cocktail Bar

1 Trav-L-Bar Vinyl 2-Bottle Travel Bar – Best Travel Bar Sets for Liquor Drinkers

The first set we are going to look at is the most expensive travel cocktail kit in our review. But, it has some nice details that you may find worth the price tag.

For liquor lovers…

This is definitely one of the best travel bar sets if you love your liquor. For example, the 9” W x 13” H x 5.5” D case has space for two 750 ml bottles. The Travel Bar comes with two metal cups, a 1.5 and 0.75-ounce double-sided jigger, and a wood-handle opener.

The metal cups measure five ounces each. They are the perfect size for a spirit straight up or on the rocks. And, you can be extra precise with the jigger. The bar set also comes with a gift box. However, don’t give it to the wine lovers in your life. It does not include a corkscrew.

Getting down to business…

The style of this case mimics the sleek and classy look of a briefcase. The exterior is made of black padded vinyl that is similar to leather. In addition, the interior is lined with gray suede to protect your bottles.

In the same vein, the Trav-L-Bar Vinyl 2-Bottle Travel Bar has a combination lock for tight security . Your favorite liquor will always be comfortable and safe during your trip.

This case feels at home anywhere from a swanky ski resort to your friend’s bachelor pad. It’s a great companion when you want to travel light and only need the basics.

• Can hold two standard-sized bottles.
• Includes cups.
• Exterior lock.
• Well constructed.
• Not real leather.
• No wine opener .
• Not tall enough for some bottles.

2 Concession Express Portable Travel Bar – Best Traveling Bar Sets for an Impromptu Party

The Concession Express Portable Travel Bar also comes in a black case. Most importantly, it could be one of the best impromptu party traveling bar sets.

It includes a shiny metal serving tray and two martini glasses . In addition, the vinyl case has an executive-style look that will fit in anywhere and would make a great gift for a groomsman.

Everything you need…

This portable travel bar will help ensure you wow the crowds with your specialty cocktails. For example, it has three divided spaces to hold different liquors. Each space can hold a fifth-sized bottle.

It’s well known that you need to use precise measurements to make the best tasting cocktails . Adding a splash too much of an ingredient can throw off the balance of flavor. However, this bar set takes that into consideration.

The 13” W x 5.5” H x 12” D Concession Express Portable Travel Bar includes a 1.5 and 0.75-ounce jigger. It also has a wood-handle opener and includes two speed pourers.

The art of mixing…

Speed pourers are a common tool seen in professional bar environments. They fit into the mouth of most liquor bottles. Above all, they help you pour shots quickly and accurately. A speed pourer eliminates the need for a jigger. You can simply count the seconds of your pour to know how much liquor it contains.

You can leave this bar set behind at a pre-game without worrying about your booze. The case features a combination lock. Similarly, the gray suede interior has elastic straps to make sure your tools stay safe.

• Comes with glassware and tray.
• Combination lock.
• Includes pour spouts.
• Case feels sturdy and strong.
• Made of vinyl.
• Elastic straps break easily.
• No corkscrew.

3 Barmasters Pro Bar Travel Set – Best Value Portable Cocktail Bar

The Barmasters Pro Bar Travel Set is the most affordable portable cocktail bar of the three. And it includes seven professional tools. The lower price tag definitely does not correlate to the quality.

This case is smaller than the other options. It is cylindrical and measures 11.875” H x 6.5” D. However, it’s the perfect size to take with you anywhere. It even has a convenient carrying strap.

Perfect for travel…

The Barmasters Pro Bar Travel Set has a black leatherette exterior. The inside is lined with black velvet. In addition, there are leatherette straps to keep your tools in place. In the same vein, the case has a double top and base to protect the contents from damage. It closes with two high-quality Velcro straps.

This product really does contain everything you need to make cocktails like a professional. For example, ice tongs and a bar spoon keep things sanitary.

Strain away…

The muddler and the strainer will help you get the flavor out of solid ingredients. Furthermore, the 1.5 and 0.75-ounce double-sided jigger will ensure precise measurements.

All you need to add is liquor, ice, and your own glassware. The set even includes an 18-ounce shaker.

This is the only travel bar we have looked at that includes a corkscrew. As a result, it could be a great beginning to a home cocktail setup.

• Sleek exterior.
• Good size for travel.
• Includes a lot of tools.
• An affordable option.
• Made of faux-leather.
• No exterior lock.

Best Travel Bar Sets Buying Guide

As you can see above, portable bars come in many varieties. And, choosing the right travel set can make or break your vacation happy hour.

There’s nothing worse than having a craving and not being able to make your favorite drink. It’s up to you to decide what is critical to have on-hand. For example, everyone has different staples, and they require different tools.

There’s more to the best travel bars than meets the eye. Let’s take a look at some of the most important things to keep in mind when making your purchase.

Above all, you need to make sure that the portable travel bar you select has all the tools you need on a regular basis. It’s annoying to have to add things to your set because it is lacking. In addition, you may not be able to secure extra tools as safely as original ones. They have the potential to break glasses or liquor during transit.

Some kits we looked at included more tools than others. However, it’s not always necessary to have all the gadgets. If you like to drink whiskey on the rocks, you don’t need a complicated cocktail set. Similarly, it is especially important for wine drinkers to make sure there is a corkscrew included. Many kits seem to be lacking this bar essential.

The security of the travel bar set you select is critical if you have expensive taste. For instance, you don’t want your expensive spirits disappearing during an event.

In some cases, we looked at have room for liquor bottles inside. In addition, they feature combination locks on the outside to secure the contents.

Storing your liquor outside your travel set opens the door to potential problems. For example, bottles are more susceptible to breaking when they aren’t held down in a case.

Portability

These sets are designed for travel. Therefore, they must be practical to take on the go. But, larger cases can get heavy, especially when bottles are inside, so it’s best to avoid those with heavier bottles included if you are traveling.

Furthermore, some cases do not have secure straps on the interior. The contents will get shaken up in bumpy conditions.

Portable bars usually have handles or straps on the outside. You may find that you prefer one over the other.

A travel bar set needs to be durable. All the options we looked at are made of synthetic material that resembles black leather. As a result, they are resistant to wear and scratches.

However, some sets are of higher quality than others. A strong case should be able to withstand years of heavy use.

Finally, you need to consider how much money you are willing to invest in a portable bar. Is this something that you plan to use every weekend? You probably want to splurge on a high-quality set that ticks all of your boxes.

But, more expensive options are not always better. The best travel bar sets should fit seamlessly into your life without emptying your wallet.

Ready for a Party?

If you want to up your entertaining skills even more and make the most of any occasion, check out our reviews of the Best Cocktail Shakers , the Best Margarita Machines , the Best Beer Glasses , the Best Moscow Mule Mugs , the Best Blenders For Crushing Ice , the Best Soda Makers , the  Best Mini Fridges , and the Best Beverage Coolers  currently available 2023.

So which is the Best Travel Bar Set?

This time, our decision was easy. We are taking home the…

Barmasters Pro Bar Travel Set

This bar set is the most affordable one we have looked at. But, it contains a lot of professional tools. The interior is even lined with velvet for an extra luxurious feel. The small black case is sleek and stylish. It has a strap that you can use to carry it over your shoulder. And, both the top and bottom are reinforced.

However, don’t forget to plan, or you may find yourself drinking out of the shaker.

Happy partying!

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About Julie Howell

Julie has over 20 years experience as a writer and over 30 as a passionate home cook; this doesn't include her years at home with her mother, where she thinks she spent more time in the kitchen than out of it. She loves scouring the internet for delicious, simple, heartwarming recipes that make her look like a MasterChef winner. Her other culinary mission in life is to convince her family and friends that vegetarian dishes are much more than a basic salad. She lives with her husband, Dave, and their two sons in Alabama.

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From St. Louis to London, Our Editors Share Their Favorite Bars — And What Makes Them So Unique

From neighborhood joints with backyard bocce, to honky tonks, to cocktail temples, these are the places Food & Wine editors go to feel at home.

I'm my best self in my favorite bars. I'm not possessed of some grand, booze-fueled delusion that a few sips of a French 75 suddenly infuses me with the wit of Dorothy Parker or the charm of Idris Elba; it's just that I know I'm in good hands. I can relax and give myself over to the experience, whatever that happens to be. In Las Vegas, I melt into the jewel-hued, crushed-velvet pleasure of the Peppermill's Fireside Lounge to nurse a Mai Tai the size of a bowling pin and stare into the dancing flame in the center of a bubbling pool of water. While in Sin City — honestly sometimes the reason I'm there in the first place — I anchor myself to a barstool within the self-proclaimed "Happiest Place on Earth," the Double Down Saloon , a 24/7 punk rock bolthole with surly-sweet bartenders who might grudgingly indicate you've passed muster by slipping you a free Twinkie or Slim Jim alongside your shot glass of the bar's signature Ass Juice.

In New Orleans, I am languid and loose, fizzing into bliss over Brandy Milk Punch, Sazeracs, the aforementioned F75s at the eponymous French 75 Bar , Jewel of the South (anchored by Chris Hannah who tended bar at the latter for eons), Superior Seafood (they serve them in slush form there), and Cure . Ensconced in the nearly century-old Art Deco The Fumoir bar at Claridge's, I gaze up at the black and white Man Ray photographs that line the walls, nip greedily at an outrageously expensive Paper Plane and imagine myself taking a deep drag from a slim cigarette holder balanced between my gloved fingers. (I don't smoke. Never have.)

Back in New York, I perch at the end of the bar at my favorite neighborhood place, Stone Park Cafe , chatting with Angela Waterhouse, my favorite bartender in all the land, and who also is behind the stick at The Ear Inn . I've celebrated more milestones and heartaches in that exact geographic spot than I could possibly recall, and during the height of the pandemic, more than just about any other place, I dreamed of returning there once the world felt safe again. All of these places unlock a different part of my soul and let it settle there. The drinks are excellent, of course, but I'd go there just to be . The same holds true for my talented colleagues, all of whom share my reverence for these places, spaces, and people, and they've been kind enough to let us in on their secrets.

Here are, in alphabetical order, our editors' favorite dives, neighborhood joints, cocktail cathedrals, and everything in between. — Kat Kinsman, Senior Editor

Bacchanal Wine — New Orleans, LA

Usually when food and drink people recommend a bar or restaurant, they tell you exactly how to curate your experience: where to sit, the must-order entree, the cocktail that will make your night. But even after so many friends told me to go to Bacchanal when I was planning my last trip to New Orleans, I didn't know what to expect. Just go , they said. So, my husband and our friends and I stopped by for a drink before dinner on our first night in town. We went back the next night after dinner. And again, the following afternoon for an aperitif. And then one last time on our last night in town for a final cocktail to cap off the trip. If we didn't have morning flights out, I'm confident we would have swung by one last time en route to the airport. It's that good.

Now I understand why Bacchanal doesn't come with specific recommendations. Yes, there is good wine, outdoor seating and live music. But it's so much more than the sum of its parts. Bacchanal is a vibe. It's the epically fun backyard party thrown by your coolest friend that starts anew every afternoon and is always pretty great. There is live jazz every afternoon and evening in the backyard of the house-turned-bar. There's the best people-watching around. You don't necessarily go for the food, but I've had lovely cheese plates and snacks. The best part of Bacchanal is that there isn't anything you are supposed to do other than enjoy yourself. Pick up a bottle of wine (or beer or cocktail; drink what you want), snag a coveted backyard table and a few plastic chairs, and sit and soak up the laid-back atmosphere and the notion that sometimes, life can and should be easy.I deeply wish we had something like it in Chicago where I live, but Bacchanal is purely a New Orleans moment; it's emblematic of the soul of the city. It's about a lazy afternoon, good times, laughter and something tasty to sip. So yeah, you should go next time you're in town. — Chandra Ram, Associate Editorial Director, Food

600 Poland Ave., New Orleans, LA bacchanalwine.com

Bearded Lady — Brooklyn, NY

The first day I moved to New York City, I went to Bearded Lady. This was a product of living nearby and reading some Google reviews, but it was one of the best ways I could have introduced myself to Brooklyn. At the end of that night, a stranger handed my roommate and me a napkin with a list of his local food and drink recommendations written on it. All of his suggestions were great, and we've tried quite a few of them by now, but none of the bars have topped Bearded Lady.

Bearded Lady is cool, but not too cool. Floor-to-ceiling windows surround a turquoise and yellow space that manages to be bright without feeling kitschy. The vibe is somewhere between tiki bar and '50s-style diner, which means they serve a rotating menu of great frozen drinks, as well as some cheffy versions of comfort food. (I cannot recommend their Chicago Dog or Hi-Lo Nachos enough; they're the perfect follow up to too many Martinis.) Their cocktail list changes regularly, but one of my perennial favorites is the Fé Rey, which combines tequila, Aperol, and Prosecco for a perfect balance of bitter-sweet flavors.This is a bar that pays attention to the details without being fussy. They serve sparkling wine in coupe glasses (which somehow makes it taste better, even though a sommelier might not agree), and anything served up comes ice cold, with shards of ice still in it. In a city that too often gives you overpriced and poorly-made cocktails for $15, at Bearded Lady you can find a great drink for $13. — Merlyn Miller, Social Media Editor

686A Washington Ave., Brooklyn, NY beardedladybrooklyn.com

The Cantina at Valley Rock Inn & Mountain Club — Sloatsburg, NY

One of my favorite places to grab a drink is The Cantina at Valley Rock Inn & Mountain Club. It's an all-outdoor restaurant and bar tucked within the Inn's grounds, and offers several comfortable, beautifully designed spaces to plop down and sip. I've enjoyed a Bloody Mary (made with rosemary-infused vodka!) sitting at the cluster of couches on one side of the green lawn; on the porch where the main dining area and bar is, I've ordered everything from a Smokey Paloma to a warming mug of hot buttered spiked cider. Everything I've tried is wonderful, but my usual go-to is the Spicy Bee, which combines Catskill Honey Whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and jalapeño simple syrup in a glass with a maple chili rim. It has just the right amount of heat and gets a smooth sweetness from the honey whiskey, and I order it year-round. That's another plus about this place — they've mastered making outdoor dining feel cozy even in the middle of winter when it's 35°F, thanks to a robust collection of heaters and some fire pits dotted around. Most of the dining areas are covered, too, so even if it's raining, you can still enjoy some fresh air and an equally refreshing drink. — Bridget Hallinan, Associate Food Editor

27 Mill St., Sloatsburg, NY valleyrockinn.com

The Connaught Bar — London, UK

The Connaught Bar has received plenty of press over the past few years, and for good reason, having ranked the best bar in the world in both 2021 and 2022 . I first visited a few years back for a story I was writing and instantly felt at home. The space is intimate with cozy nooks carved out on either side and front and center, the bar dominates the space and acts as a stage to showcase the talents of the impeccably dressed mixologists. Master of mixology, Ago Perrone, and his team, are personable, welcoming, and incredibly talented. While many visit for the world-renowned Martini (worth a try for sure), I opt for their Bloody Mary made with the bar's namesake gin. I prefer to go earlier in the afternoon, snagging a seat up by the bar before the place fills up. That corner seat offers the perfect vantage point of the streets of Mayfair as well as the artistry behind the bar, and it gives you the sense that you have the entire place to yourself. — Sean Flynn, Associate Editorial Director

Carlos Pl., London, UK the-connaught.co.uk

The Ear Inn — New York City

Hear me out: The Ear Inn, known to regulars simply as The Ear, is something like the Hogwarts Room of Requirement, though filled with alcohol instead of magic. The Ear, like the Room of Requirement, can be hard to find if you're looking for it, but easy to stumble upon spontaneously. It's located in a downtown, West Side neighborhood of Manhattan now referred to as Hudson Square — quite literally a square of space between TriBeCa, SoHo, and the West Village, a few streets above the Holland Tunnel. Maybe you stop by The Ear for a beer after dinner on Hudson Street. Maybe you head in for a midday burger before walking up the West Side Highway river path. No matter how you come to The Ear, or what for, it always seems to appear on that corner of Spring and Greenwich right when you need it most. And like the Room of Requirement, once you spot The Ear, you'll want to go in. It's the kind of place that invites curiosity. It's also the kind of place that looks like it carries history — and that's because it does.

Though The Ear only became The Ear in the late 1970s, when current owners Martin Sheridan and Richard "Rip" Hayman took over, the building itself is said to have been built around 1770 for James Brown, a formerly enslaved person who, the story goes, became an aide to George Washington during the Revolutionary War. The building changed hands throughout the years, going from a brewery to a restaurant to a Prohibition-era speakeasy, and alcohol has been served within its walls since at least 1817. These days, there's a sign hanging above the door that reads "EAR" in illuminated red letters. The first time you see that sign, you might do a double take; the "E" looks like it's plastered on top of the "B" in the word "BAR." In fact, it was. In order to skirt around a then-new signage review policy put in place by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, The Ear's owners covered part of the "B" to create an "E," thereby also birthing The Ear Inn.

The sign is just the beginning. Push open the forest green door and you'll enter ear heaven. Every inch of The Ear is plastered with ear artwork: a painting of a pink-and-peach-colored ear graces the ceiling, ear sculptures of various shades and sizes are positioned along the back of the bar, inside the phone booth (yes, there's a phone booth), there's a close-up photograph of an ear decorated with two pearl studs. And there's sensory pleasure for your own ears, too, with live music each week featuring a rotating roster of performers.

The food leans toward comfort, with dishes like cowboy chili and chicken pot pie. And the drinks? $15 classic cocktails, affordable wine, tons of beer. But you don't go to The Ear for the food, or even necessarily for the drinks. You go to The Ear for the vibe: the bare bones, no frills, packed house, where tables are draped with sheets of white paper and, by the end of a night, much of the paper has been covered with crayon-drawn doodles. With its worn wooden floors and dim dive bar lighting, at The Ear you feel like you're in a weird little secret enclave of the city — a place where anything can happen, and, if you're lucky, it does. — Nina Friend, Features Editor

326 Spring St., New York, NY theearinn.com

Hop Sing Laundromat — Philadelphia, PA and Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft — Ardmore, PA

My family and I moved out of Old City Philadelphia and into the suburbs eight years ago, which means that doing any sort of serious damage at Hop Sing Laundromat requires plenty of prior planning: Warning the babysitter that it'll be a late night, bracing ourselves for the (often) painful Uber or taxi charge home, the knowledge that, yes, our 40-something livers will hate us the next day, manifesting their individual displeasure in the form of recalcitrant headaches and questionable hand-eye coordination until lunchtime.

And honestly, I don't think my wife and I should have to bear any of the blame. That, I firmly believe, rests firmly on the proverbial shoulders of Hop Sing Laundromat itself, and its famously one-named proprietor, Lê. You see, Lê and his team have an almost spooky ability to take seemingly incompatible ingredients and make them perform an operatic aria together, or to craft a classic cocktail in such a way that you sometimes believe, on first sip, that you've never had such an impeccable rendition of that particular entry in the canon before. Combine that with the darkly lit yet alluring space and the well-curated music, and you have a recipe for a later night than you planned.

We've also fallen for a bar within walking distance of our house. Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft has, since it opened four years ago, earned the highest praise I can imagine: It's made us happy to have moved here.

The whiskey selection is fantastic — broad and deep and very smart. The cocktails are excellent, whether it's a happy hour Old Fashioned or a more elaborate creation as the night rolls on. The menu finds the perfect balance between gorgeously composed dishes (the charred octopus with smoked tomato, ricotta, and black olive oil is terrific) and the classic (exquisite wings). And the team is knowledgeable, passionate, and kind. Taking out food and cocktails from Ripp, as it's known, helped get us through the worst parts of the pandemic. And now that Covid seems to be loosening its grip, we enjoy all that it has to offer in person.It feels so good to be back. — Brian Freedman, Contributing Editor

1029 Race St., Philadelphia, PA hopsinglaundromat.com /

The Long Island Bar — Brooklyn, NY

The Long Island Bar may be the brainchild of the man credited with inventing the Cosmo, but it's a far cry from the glitzy, kitschy watering holes you might find on an episode of Sex and the City . It's slightly nicer than a dive bar, but embraces the same casual nature. It's a place where you can actually hear and catch up with your friends. But instead of being forced to drink well whiskey with ginger ale all night, there is a slate of seriously great cocktails from owner and bar savant Toby Cecchini.

Here, Daiquiris are made with fresh pineapple juice. Martinis feature a blend of gin and good sake and a housemade bergamot-and-pomelo tincture. Palomas, made with plenty of bubbly grapefruit soda, go down a little too easily. The crown jewel of the menu though, in my humble opinion, is what has become my favorite drink of all time: the White Negroni Sbagliato, which is made with the ridiculously refreshing combination of Bianco vermouth, Suze, a heavy pour of sparkling wine, and garnished with both cucumber and a thick orange peel. (Double garnish! Feels like a treat.)

Many bars nail either the cocktails or the food, but Long Island Bar manages to perfect both. There's epic fried snacks to balance out the alcohol: salty deep-fried cheese curds, served with a French onion dip; mountains of thin, crispy fries, simply listed on the menu as "bowl of fries." But there's also enough substantial food — including a rice flour battered fried chicken sandwich and a tortilla española I dream about — on the menu that you don't have to figure out dinner before heading to the bar. It's truly the Swiss Army knife of drinking spots: perfect for birthdays, work celebrations, first dates. It's both a place to cheer up friends, and a place to cheers with friends. I live on the opposite coast from Long Island Bar these days, and I'm desperate to find a local equivalent, but of course I never will. There is only one Long Island Bar, it sits in Brooklyn on a quiet stretch of Atlantic Avenue, and it is perfect. — Khushbu Shah, Restaurant Editor

110 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, NY thelongislandbar.com

Milo's Bocce Garden — St. Louis, MO

It's been a while now since my five-year stint living in St. Louis, but not a day goes by that I don't miss Milo's Bocce Garden. The tavern in The Hill, St. Louis's historic Italian American neighborhood, dates back to 1902, and has been Milo's since the '70s. It's a cozy, dimly lit, wood-paneled corner bar with a sprawling outdoor patio and bocce court, the kind of place where after-work beers on a beautiful day always seemed to turn into closing the place down. You don't go to Milo's for cocktails; you go for $2.75 longnecks (I'm pretty sure they kept the High Life stocked just for me) and deep-fried hot pepper cheese balls. Milo's is a neighborhood spot no doubt, where everyone knows everyone, and chances are, your family and the owner's family go back generations. But I, a Southern outsider, was welcomed into the fold with open arms, and before I knew it, I was a member of the bocce league, showing up on chilly, early-spring weeknights to play alongside the cigar-smoking old men of the neighborhood. Milo's made St. Louis home. (And in case anyone was wondering, as their T-shirts proclaim, "It's pronounced bow-chee, not botch-ee.") — Erin Clyburn, Copy Editor

5201 Wilson Ave., St. Louis, MO milosboccegarden.com

Robert's Western World — Nashville, TN

I'm no expert on country music, but from what I understand the history of the genre is rife with offshoots and sects and schisms like those found in many Christian denominations. Pop country, alt country, outlaw country, that Nashville sound, that Bakersfield sound, and so on and so forth. If you have a few dozen hours there's a great podcast called Cocaine and Rhinestones that lays out the origins and melodrama of all of this.

But if you only have an hour and want to get to the heart of why this music matters and has endured for so long, go to Robert's Western World in Nashville, Tennessee. It sits across the alley from the Ryman Auditorium, what many consider to be the high church of country music. Robert's might as well be the rowdy basement rec room of that church. It's a narrow rabbit hole best entered through the back door, something that country stars playing next door have done for decades to conveniently grab a drink in between sets. Or so I'm told. I take the back door not to follow in the footsteps of Johnny Cash but to avoid the bachelorette parties, honking, and harshness of Broadway. Once inside Robert's, choose your own adventure: You can hang out at the back bar and observe the beautiful chaos down below or you can walk down the steep set of stairs to the main bar, order a fried bologna sandwich and a cold beer, and inch closer to the action up front.

There aren't many rules at Robert's other than the golden rule. The live music will be very good whether it's two in the afternoon or midnight. Acquiesce. Let go. The country standards will envelop you. One night the experience might feel downright psychedelic. One night you may feel like joining a singalong of "May The Circle Be Unbroken" with 200 strangers. Maybe one night when Bob Dylan is playing at the big arena down the street you'll two-step with your lover while Beck, free of selfie takers, does his own little dance, a sort of waltz, right next to you. That's Robert's. — Hunter Lewis, Editor-in-Chief

416 Broadway # B, Nashville, TN robertswesternworld.com

Schofield's Bar — Manchester, UK

Many things have been said about London but it's the oft-overlooked northern city of Manchester that appeals to me because of one bar in particular: Schofield's Bar. Tucked into Sunlight House, an Art Deco masterpiece in the middle of Deansgate, stepping into Schofield's is like stepping back into the time when the building and its style would be commonplace, life seems slower, friendlier, and importantly, more luxurious. The staff — decked out in crisp white button-downs, ties and tidy aprons — add to that old-timey vibe and the equally smartly outfitted bar, dimly lit and cozy, creates an inviting atmosphere that says, "Come on, stay a while." They even have a library for visitors to peruse while sipping on a corresponding cocktail — and yes, Mr. 007 and F. Scott Fitzgerald play a part in this picture.

Of course, that brings us to the cocktails, which are what r eally matter. The cocktails do not miss. Drawing on 25 years of collective bartending experience, plus accolades like "International Bartender of the Year (at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards) and "Bartender's Bartender" (at The World's 50 Best Bars) in addition to stints at The American Bar at the Savoy Hotel, London and other hospitality heavyweights, brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield certainly have the know-how to craft a stunning menu of delicious libations.

The brothers place a big emphasis on the classics and classics are perfection, I've never had a better Clover Club or my boyfriend a better Negroni — his go-to order to test a bar's abilities. But their own concoctions are also not to be missed. I couldn't tell you what I had the pleasure of drinking the last time I strolled into Schofield's because A. Their menu has changed, as any good cocktail menu should, and B. I had too many of them to remember. But I can tell you that they were all gin based, and each better than the last. Looking at their current offerings I'm considering hopping across the pond for the Heated Dispute, a gin drink with rhubarb, white pepper, lemon, egg white, and tonic, or the Stone Fence which features Schofield's Maker's Mark Private Select, ginger, lemon, and cider. One word of advice, if you're now also planning a trip to Manchester to check out the spot, what makes it all so special is that despite the luxurious setting, knowledgeable bartenders, and fancy drinks, Schofield's Bar is in no way stuffy. In fact you'll feel as at home here as you do at your favorite neighborhood bar. But as laid back as it is, and as much fun as you might have had at that Manchester United or City game, please leave the football shirt at the hotel. — Sam Gutierrez, Senior Social Editor

3 Little Quay Street Sunlight House, Manchester, UK schofieldsbar.com

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• Food guides for travelers /
• Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk Oblast /

10 good meals in Yekaterinburg, Russia

Table of contents

• 1. Cutlets are a word to explore
• 2. Creamed potatoes are smooth and warming
• 3. Dumplings are an inevitable choice
• 4. Caesar salad is the King
• 5. Macaroni are rather simple
• 6. Meat kebabs are a way to relax
• 7. Omelettes are a fun way to be European
• 8. Syrniki are simply everywhere
• 9. Pelmeni are always strong
• 10. Borsch is superb all the time

The largest city in the Ural Federal District, Yekaterinburg is located right in the middle of that mysterious Asian part of Russia with its vast steppes and monumental mountains. It's worth exploring the ambience alone, no one can quite forget being there, and the weight of the name of Empress Catherine I and the legacy of Peter the Great (who founded the city and named it after her) can be felt in the air. The food here can also be royal if you choose to find the right places and dishes.

In the culinary arts, the term cutlet is used to refer to a boneless, thin cut of meat — chicken, veal, pork, or lamb — that cooks very quickly and is usually pan-fried. Most cutlets are made by pounding the meat until there's even thinness and are often dusted with flour or coated in breadcrumbs before cooking.

If you think that cutlets are something rather generic to start the list of the rural food with, you couldn't be more wrong. Depending on the restaurant, there's a chance you'll encounter the most unique  cutlets you can imagine. How about bear cutlets? How about regular pork variations with a special combination of herbs? Or maybe a mushroom mix within? All of that can be found in Yekaterinburg restaurants, along with more simple, standard options for a great and nutritious meal at any time of the day.

Khmeli Suneli has some great cutlets.

The most common household food in all of Russia since the introduction of potatoes has always been mashed or creamed variation, as solid or creamy as the cook prefers. It's rather ironic that one of the most popular foods in the city of Catherine I, founded by her husband Peter, is creamed potatoes . The irony lies in the fact that, according to the popular belief, it was Peter the Great himself who introduced the food after his great voyage to Europe. Needless to say, Russians are still grateful. Add spices, meats, and herbs - and you have an amazing Ural food experience.

You need to find a decent restaurant first, of course.  Stroganov-Gril' is a safe bet.

It is a broad range of dishes from all over the world. They are small balls of dough that is made with flour and water and wrapped around a filling. Fillings are so versatile, it can be any meat, fish, seafood, fruit, etc. Dumplings can be boiled, baked, steamed or fried.

If there's one thing you can learn from our Russian lists, it's that Russians love their dumplings. Maybe it's the simplicity of putting mixes of meats and herbs into the dough and cooking them, the diversity this allows for, or the relative cheapness of the resulting dish, but  dumplings can be found almost everywhere, and their quality varies depending on the focus of the restaurant chef or a home-cooking enthusiast. There doesn't even have to be meat. Some make dumplings with spoon sweets, for example. Herbs, spices, sour cream, and other options are always available.

Some of the most exciting dumplings can be found at Malinovka , including vegan options.

It's a very simple green salad, a mix of croutons, parmesan cheese and romaine lettuce. The dressing is so addictive. It's made with eggs, lemon juice, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies, and mustard. This salad was introduced by Caesar Cardini, a restaurateur from the USA and Mexico.

Another stable food of Russian cuisine is the salad most people don't know isn't named after Julius Caesar. The actual  Caesar salad is called that after Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant who operated restaurants in Mexico and the United States. The dish itself consists of romaine lettuce and croutons with a dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, egg, sauce, anchovies, garlic, mustard, cheese, and black pepper. For historical and cultural reasons, this salad has enjoyed great popularity across the country.

Great Caesar salad with chicken, for example, can be found at Carbonara.

Another household Russian food that's not Russian in origin but has become common is macaroni. The word itself is plural in the Russian language and the ways to make  macaroni vary from just boiling them on a stove or adding oils, spices, secondary dishes, cheese as the most popular ingredient that's either melted or shredded, as well as mats, vegetables, and sometimes even bread. The last one sounds crazy but is actually a popular bachelor food.

Sorriso Osteria Bar is well-recommended for macaroni.

They are small cubes of meat grilled on a skewer. The dish comes from Persian and Middle Eastern cuisines. The traditional meat is lamb, mutton, chicken or beef.

It's unclear how the tradition of grilling meat on a skewer became so popular in Russia, but the fact remains simple -  meat kebabs are amazingly common and sought after, both in home-cooking and in restaurants. The ways to prepare the dish also vary, affecting the taste and state of meat, from raw to very well done, and sauces, spices, side dishes and drinks can be pretty much anything you want. Therefore, the most important thing when visiting Yekaterinburg is finding the right place to enjoy the food.

ODjah  offers great kebabs.

Eggs are mixed with milk, cream or water, fried in a pan till a light golden color is reached. Vegetables, mushrooms, pieces of cheese, meat may be added.

Here's another European influence that overtook the Russian tables and cookbooks. Omelettes are French in origin, but the Russians make them in so many exciting ways - it's work checking out, at least. The basis is still the same -  omelettes are made from beaten eggs fried with butter or oil in a frying pan without stirring. The trick is in adding chives, vegetables, mushrooms, meat, and other ingredients that change the consistency of the result and may give the omelette a unique taste.

Decent omelettes with coffee and tea can be found at  Tesla Coffee .

Syrniki is a Russian dessert cooked from quark with eggs, flour and sugar. The mixture is fried in the shape of patty cakes on the sunflower seed oil to become crispy. They are usually cooked for breakfast and served with sour cream, berries or condensed milk.

It looks like not a single Russian food list can avoid these ubiquitous things.  Syrniki are simple to make and delicious if you apply the right touch to make them. This dish has always been popular due to its versatility and accessibility, but as restaurant food, it's only recently reared its cheesy head to find a place among the seemingly more distinguished desserts and aperitifs. The fact that they are healthier plays to its strengths, so not recommending these curd cheese pancakes would be a shame.

Great syrniki can be found at Gorozhane .

Many countries call dumplings their invention. Chinese jiao-tzu, Asian manti, Italian ravioli, Georgian khinkali, Japanese gedza and, of course, Russian dumplings - pelmeni, are small boiled pies with meat.

Aside from dumplings, pelmeni is the second most popular dough-based dish in Russia. Most people don't even care about the complicated oriental origins of the food and just experiment with adding spices, sour cream, even cheeses and sweets to the original recipe, making  pelmeni as universal as sliced bread in some areas of home cooking and restaurant service. It's not easy finding a really good restaurant serving pelmeni as tasty as those you make yourself, but the search is worth it.

Pelmeni Club is a natural choice here.

Borsch is a native Ukrainian and Polish dish. A distinctive feature of this soup is its color - red or dark red, it all depends on the beet, which is added there. Borsch is a very rich soup, its broth is brewed from beef meat, and then vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, onions, potatoes are added to it. Today there are many varieties of borsch, but, of course, this is one of the most favorite dishes in Russia and Moldova.

Of course, no one can forget the borsch, the essentially Russian, even though it's probably Ukrainian, soup made with beetroot that is a thing of mystery and admiration across the land, and making it right is a craft in its own right. The classic variation requires combining meat or bone stock with sautéed  cabbage, carrots, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes. It's served hot with different accompanying foods.  Borsch is the main course of any meal, so be sure to leave enough space for it.

Khutorok has some of the most amazing borsch.

Yekaterinburg is interesting, modern, yet it still remembers its traditions. It's a place that can truly be called alive. Enjoy visiting it and checking out the local food when you get the chance.

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