How to budget meals and avoid tourist traps on 2-week Central Europe solo trip?

[JosephH]

I'm planning a two-week solo trip through Central Europe next spring and am determined to keep costs low without sacrificing the experience, aiming for hostels, local transit, and free walking tours instead of packaged deals. I'm particularly concerned about managing daily food and incidental expenses in cities known for being touristy and pricey. For seasoned budget travelers, what are your most effective strategies for finding affordable, authentic meals and avoiding tourist traps, and how do you balance pre-booking for savings with leaving flexibility for spontaneous, cheaper opportunities you discover on the ground?