by ryudoowaru
If you are not going for the gourmet bonus, then yes, it is generally a good idea to buy the cheapest meal available. However, if by spending 1 more coin you can leave an opponent with no valid meal choices, I would consider that a good investment.If you are choosing between a card that other players have, and a card that nobody has, and your opponents will be able to eat regardless of your choice, then I suggest the one that the other players already have, as that card is therefore less likely to come up later in the game. (Caveat: if you are at the final inn of the game, this consideration becomes moot.)
There are several different strategies when it comes to the inn.