Contents
In Travellers Rest, the charming tavern-management simulator where you rebuild a dilapidated inn into a bustling hub of food, drinks, and hospitality, mastering the best ways to make money is the key to success. Whether you’re brewing artisanal ales, crafting gourmet meals, or expanding your farmstead, every decision impacts your coffers. This guide dives deep into proven methods for maximizing profits, from optimizing crop rotations and aging premium beverages to capitalizing on trending recipes and strategic staff management. Designed for both newcomers and seasoned innkeepers, these strategies will help you navigate the game’s intricate economy, avoid common pitfalls, and turn your tavern into the most profitable destination in the realm.
Brewing Mastery: The Foundation of Wealth
Crafting High-Value Drinks
The heart of Travellers Rest’s economy lies in its brewing system. Early-game players often rely on basic beers like Grog, but mid-to-late-game profits skyrocket with aged, fruit-infused beverages. For example, aging a batch of Mango-Lime Lager (made with Wheat, Mango, and Lime) to its “orange” quality tier can triple its value. Prioritize building multiple aging barrels by unlocking the Cooper’s Craft skill early, as each barrel holds 30 drinks and operates autonomously once filled.
Experimentation is key: combining Rye malt with Galaxy hops creates a rich, dark lager that sells for 12-15 silver per mug, while Wheat and Citra hops yield a crisp pilsner beloved by patrons. Use foraged fruits like wild grapes or coconuts to add exotic flavors without farm expenses, and always check the Trends Board for weekly drink bonuses—a +30% price boost for trending ingredients can turn a modest batch into a windfall.
Culinary Dominance: Cooking for Profit
Maximizing Meal Value
While drinks drive revenue, high-quality meals keep customers returning and spending more. Avoid the early-game trap of serving cheap Gruel; instead, invest in recipes like Tomato Bread (Tomato, Olive Oil, Flour) and Seafood Boil (Crab, Shrimp, Corn), which offer 5-7 silver per plate. Unlock the Grinder and Press early to process grains and oils efficiently, and prioritize multi-harvest crops like Tomatoes and White Grapes to reduce replanting costs.
Advanced players should focus on meal synergy: pairing trending ingredients with seasonal crops. For instance, if Onions are trending, craft Onion Rings (Onion, Flour, Egg) using eggs from your chicken coop and flour from your wheat fields. This dish’s base price jumps from 3.32 to 4.56 silver during trends, and stacking it with a trending drink like Honey Mead creates a lucrative combo meal. Always keep 3-4 distinct dishes on your menu to boost reputation gains, which unlock critical upgrades like guest rooms and irrigation systems.
Agricultural Efficiency: Farming Smart, Not Hard
Crop Rotation and Resource Management
Your farm is the backbone of your supply chain. Start by planting Wheat and Hops in spring—these staples fuel beer production and regenerate daily after the first harvest. In summer, transition to Melons and White Grapes, which yield multiple harvests and can be processed into high-margin juices or wines. Use the Table Saw to clear land quickly, and invest in the Irrigation skill to reduce water-refill trips.
Avoid single-harvest crops like Turnips until you’ve built a financial cushion. Instead, focus on Lettuce and Tomatoes for salads, which require minimal ingredients and sell consistently. For winter, stockpile Tea Leaves (Green Tea in spring, White Tea in summer) to brew non-alcoholic alternatives when beer supplies run low.
Trends and Timing: Exploiting the Market
Leveraging the Noticeboard
The Trends Board isn’t just decorative—it’s a profit multiplier. Each week, 2-3 ingredients or dishes receive a 20-30% price boost. If “Lemon” is trending, pivot your brewery to Lemon-Infused Ale and your kitchen to Lemon Herb Chicken, using foraged herbs to cut costs. Combine this with the Haggling skill (unlocked at reputation level 10) to negotiate higher prices for trending items, squeezing extra silver from every sale.
Timing your tavern’s hours also matters. Open at 7 AM to catch early-rising travelers, but keep the inn open until 2 AM to serve night owls. Use employees to handle midday rushes while you forage or craft, but avoid overstaffing—hire only one Bartender and one Server initially, and downgrade their skills to minimize wages.
Expansion and Long-Term Growth
Guest Rooms and Reputation
At reputation level 7, unlock Guest Rooms—a passive income powerhouse. Build 2-3 medium-sized rooms with beds, carpets, and decorative plants to boost comfort ratings. A “Cozy” room rents for 2 gold per night, and guests will order room service meals, doubling your earnings. Pair this with the Host skill to auto-restock rooms and avoid negative reviews.
For endgame wealth, invest in Barns and Beehives. A single barn houses four cows, producing milk for butter and cheese, while beehives generate honey for mead—a luxury drink that sells for 10-12 silver per mug.
