Czech Lunch Prices Keep Climbing – But Prague Isn’t the Most Expensive

Czech restaurant prices continue to rise, with an increasing focus on healthier food choices.

The average lunch menu in Czech restaurants now costs 193.90 CZK, marking an annual increase of nearly 4%.

Surprisingly, Prague is not the most expensive region—that title goes to South Bohemia, followed by Central Bohemia, Pardubice, and Liberec.

The cheapest lunches can be found in Olomouc and Zlín. According to the Barometer FOOD survey, 65% of Czechs have recently shifted towards healthier eating habits.

Lunch Prices on the Rise, but Growth Slows

According to the latest data from Edenred, the cost of a lunch menu has risen by up to 4% compared to 2023. “Between August and November, the average price fluctuated between 191 and 192 CZK. Another trend worth noting is the increase in transactions, with restaurants recording the highest number in December since September 2020,” said Aneta Martišková, a member of Edenred’s management team.

Regional Differences – South Bohemia Leads in Prices

Regional variations in lunch prices are noteworthy. South Bohemia has the highest lunch prices, with an average of 213.60 CZK—an increase of over 20 crowns since the beginning of the year. This is significantly higher than the 5 to 10 crown increase seen in other regions.

The second most expensive region is Central Bohemia, with an average price of 207.20 CZK, followed by Pardubice and Liberec, both exceeding 200 CZK per meal. Prague ranks only sixth, with an average of 200.20 CZK per lunch.

Meanwhile, the cheapest meals can be found in Vysočina, Olomouc, and Zlín, where prices remain below 173 CZK. The difference between the most and least expensive regions now stands at nearly 41 crowns.

How Food Prices Have Changed (Czech Crowns, CZK)

Beer (0.5L)

• January 2023: 48.90 CZK
• January 2024: 53.80 CZK (+10%)
• January 2025: 56.20 CZK (+4.5%)

Steak

• January 2023: 162 CZK
• January 2024: 172 CZK (+6.2%)
• January 2025: 179 CZK (+4.1%)

Goulash

• January 2023: 156 CZK
• January 2024: 168 CZK (+7.7%)
• January 2025: 175 CZK (+4.2%)

Pizza

• January 2023: 166 CZK
• January 2024: 175 CZK (+5.4%)
• January 2025: 176 CZK (+0.6%)

Consumers Still Prioritize Eating Out Despite Rising Prices

While lunch menu prices grew by 3.7% year-on-year, the pace of growth has slowed significantly compared to previous years—15.8% between 2021 and 2022 and 5.3% between 2022 and 2023.

“In 2024, we’ve observed price stabilization after several years of rapid growth. Despite higher living costs, people in Czechia continue to dine out and order food delivery. Around 35% of households spend between 11% and 20% of their budget on food, highlighting the importance of price stability in this sector,” said Martišková.

Healthier Eating on the Rise – But Challenges Remain

The Barometer FOOD survey found that 65% of diners are now focusing on healthier meals, citing health concerns (58%) and taste preferences (40%) as the main reasons.

“There is a growing trend towards healthier eating, especially among younger generations. People are not only changing their diets for personal health but also considering the environmental impact of food production,” said Eliška Selingerová from the National Institute of Public Health.

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