Key Points
-
Nicola Coughlan emphasizes supporting local coffee shops for unique experiences and to aid small businesses.
-
She values eating seasonally and locally, highlighting the benefits of fresh, in-season produce.
-
Traveling by train is her favorite way to relax, enjoy snacks and appreciate the journey.
This week, Nicola Coughlan hopped on a call with EatingWell to discuss all things food. From her favorite snacks to her go-to order at coffee shops, it’s clear that the actor cares deeply about the experience of sitting down and having a meal on a train or in a local restaurant.
Plus, the Bridgerton star partnered with Trainline to help promote their Grain Train campaign, which highlights the star’s favorite foods across Europe. Coughlan also explains why traveling by train is so important to her. Read the full interview below.
When you’re traveling and looking for new restaurants, is there something you always keep an eye out for?
I generally, before I go anywhere, will ask around. I’ll put it on my Instagram close friends and say, ‘I’m going to this place,’ and ask if anyone has recommendations.
My Google Maps is basically just full of restaurants, so wherever I’m going, I try to have at least three or four places.
Do you always try to find a new regional delicacy, or do you have something you always stick to that you want to try?
I think I’ll always try. I don’t have a hard and fast rule, but I’ll always try to go to a local coffee shop. I think it is a really good thing to do wherever you are because it’s really nice to go to these places and support small local businesses and it feels a bit more special.
I think we can all go to whatever coffee chains, but it’s much nicer to go somewhere you can have a memory of. Like, “Oh, that amazing coffee I had in Prague” or “This croissant I had in Paris that I can’t get anywhere else.” And it becomes this memory.
Do you order the same thing at different coffee shops and compare, or do you like to try something new each time?
I order the same thing. I always get a decaf iced latte. It’s the same thing everywhere, although you won’t get that in Paris because I’ll get a cappuccino there because Parisians are cool and I don’t want to annoy them. I want to be like, “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
Is there a recent dish you’ve had while traveling that you can’t stop thinking about?
I don’t know if I can count it as traveling, but it’s just in my head because it’s in London and technically I am a foreigner in London, so I feel like it does count.
There’s this restaurant in London called Nina in Marylebone and they serve this Parmesan butter. They put it on the side of the plate and they pour some really good olive oil and the focaccia is grilled and it’s just so delicious. It’s a starter before the meal and I always have to be like, “Don’t eat too much of that and not have the main course,” but that is my current hyper fixation.
Why did you decide to partner with Trainline on their new campaign featuring foods across Europe?
The train is my favorite way to travel. I’m filming a show for Netflix at the moment, mainly in the north of England, so I’m on trains a lot, but I find it the least stressful form of transportation.
I remember a few years ago I was shooting Doctor Who in Cardiff and they offered to get me a car that would bring me up all the way from London and I was like I’m not doing that like get me on the train because I love being able to sit down and put my script in front of me and mark everything out.
I know there’s a trolley coming with food and drinks, and I can look out the window and it feels like a civilized, relaxed way to travel. I genuinely love it.
Is there something you always like to have on the train to order when the trolley comes around?
I think I always get a pack of crisps. A pack of salt and vinegar, because I feel like that’s a perfect accompaniment to whether I’m having food or not having food, or if I’m having a drink or not having a drink. It’s going to be good with everything.
Do you also bring your own snacks whenever you’re traveling?
I will always bring my giant refillable water bottle because I’m one of those people with an emotional support bottle. But when the trolley comes, I will always ask for ice to put in it because the colder, the better for me.
Do you have any food hot takes that you will always stand by no matter what anyone says?
It would be to go and support your local coffee shop. I work with a lot of Americans and when they come to London, I see them all at Starbucks and I’m like, “Guys, come on, branch out!” You’ll get a much nicer coffee than that and you’ll support a local business.
What does eating well mean to you?
I’m not perfect with it, but I’m trying to eat in season. I try to do a lot more by getting the most out of these beautiful heritage tomatoes I bought the other day and eating zucchini while it’s still in season. I’m really trying to eat things that are fresh at the moment because we import so much food, and I think it’s better for you overall. When you eat a strawberry that’s in season as opposed to when it’s not, there is such a vast difference.
Again, trying to support small and local businesses and local growers is not always the easiest thing to do, but when you do it, I think you really reap the benefits.
Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Read the original article on EatingWell