Average Czech lunch prices near CZK 200, with cheap options getting scarce

The price of lunch in Czech restaurants has risen steadily, with the average cost of a midday meal in October approaching CZK 200, according to data from Edenred, as reported by iDnes.cz. The average price of a lunch menu was CZK 192.6 last month, an increase of about CZK 10 compared to last year.

Since October of 2020, average lunch prices in Czech restaurants have surged by CZK 53, marking a rise of more than 30 percent. While the national average remains just under CZK 200, major cities like Prague, Brno, and České Budějovice have crossed the CZK 200 mark.

The rising cost of lunch has led to noticeable changes in consumer behavior. Many diners are skipping additional items, such as soup and drinks, which were once standard accompaniments to main courses. Ordering only a single dish has become increasingly common, as the combination of soup, main course, and drink is being seen less frequently on lunch menus.

"The trend of including soup with every lunch is now a thing of the past," Petr Menclík, director of the Dotykačka cash register system, tells iDnes.cz.

Meal voucher company Edenred forecasts that prices will continue to rise in the coming months, potentially reaching an average of CZK 194 by the end of the year. With higher costs for ingredients, labor, and utilities, restaurant owners have had no choice but to raise their prices.

As lunch prices climb, many restaurants are adjusting their strategies to stay competitive. Some establishments are focusing on offering large portions at lower prices, while others are emphasizing premium, high-quality dishes.

"In the current climate, businesses that are either significantly cheaper with large portions or offer exceptional quality are faring better," said Luboš Kastner, a member of the Czech Economic Chamber’s Board of Directors.

The shift in consumer preferences has also led to a change in the days when people dine out. With the rise in lunch costs, Czech diners are more selective about when they choose to eat at restaurants. Local restaurants see higher traffic from Tuesday to Thursday, with a big drop on Friday, when many employees work from home.

In response to rising lunch prices, many restaurants have adapted by offering lower-cost options such as soup. Although soup has largely disappeared from lunch menus in many places, some restaurant concepts, especially Asian bistros, are elevating soup to the role of the main dish.

"Soup is increasingly seen as a primary course, particularly in Asian restaurants," noted Menclík, referring to how these businesses are adjusting to consumer preferences.

The national average cost of soup is now CZK 56.2, up from CZK 36.8 five years ago, with Prague prices running about CZK 10 higher.

The Czech capital has the highest lunch prices in the country according to Edenred data, at an average of CZK 215.2, up nearly CZK 7 since the beginning of the year. Lunch prices in Brno (CZK 202.6) and České Budějovice (CZK 202.4) also crossed the CZK 200 mark.

Average prices in Jihlava (CZK 177.8) and Ústí nad Labem (CZK 174.4) are the lowest in the country, but have been rising at the highest rate. Jihlava prices have grown by over CZK 11 since January, while Ústí nad Labem prices are up more than CZK 8.

As prices rise and consumer habits shift, restaurant owners face the ongoing challenge of maintaining a competitive edge while keeping costs manageable. Across the country, customers continue to seek value for money in an increasingly expensive dining landscape.