A rainy summer left many Czech restaurants struggling, with mountain resorts and campsites reporting revenue drops of up to 30 percent compared with last year, according to data from Dotykačka.

Beer sales fell by about ten percent as customers avoided outdoor terraces.

Yet not all sectors of the industry are struggling. In September, as the weather stabilized, city restaurants and pubs saw customers returning. Kastner expects urban businesses to perform better through the autumn.

“Events like St. Martin’s Day and the election season bring people into pubs and restaurants. They want to talk, debate, and share food,” he said.

The overall outlook remains weak.

Kastner predicts sector revenues will nominally match last year’s, but after inflation, they will fall by three to five percent. Since 2019, dining prices have risen more than 50 percent, while wages lag behind.

As a result, Czechs now eat out two to three times a week, down from four to five just a few years ago.

The average Czech spends about 4,500 crowns monthly on food and drinks outside the home.

Meals Cost More—But People Still Indulge

The typical lunch now costs about 200 crowns, compared with less than 140 crowns six years ago. In Prague, the price is even higher. People may eat out less often, but by the end of the week, many reward themselves with more expensive dishes.

Prices for popular menu items reflect the broader inflationary trend. A half-liter of beer has risen by seven crowns in the past three years to reach 56 crowns on average. A schnitzel that once cost 165 crowns is now about 179, while a bowl of goulash averages 175, up 18 crowns.

For some households, that means classic Czech meals are more often prepared at home than ordered in restaurants.

Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more