Lunch costs are eating into Czech wallets – here's what you'll pay in Prague

Lunch prices have been rising, and people are taking their midday meals in restaurants less often as a result. The average for the Czech Republic in the middle of June was CZK 163, but it varied greatly in different regions. Prague was the highest, at CZK 190. For those looking to save, the cheapest repast is in the Karlovy Vary region.

"It is evident that people are trying to save money and 'cut back' on superfluous items, which, besides culture, include restaurants. If we compare the pre-Covid month of May 2019 with May 2022, the volume of spending in restaurants has fallen by 32 percent," Jan Michelfeit from meal voucher firm Sodexo Benefity, which compiled the data, said.

He added that the trend continued into June, with 30 percent fewer transactions than in the same period of 2019. This means restaurants have lost almost a third of their lunchtime visitors and also a third of their sales volume.

Lunch prices have been increasing continuously for almost a year. They began rising last autumn, shortly after the relaxation of virtually all Covid restrictions, which had heavily impacted the culinary sector. Since the start of 2022, the rise has accelerated significantly, with the price rising by one or two crowns every month.

Compared to 2021, people on average in Czechia are paying CZK 12 more for lunch and CZK 28 more than in 2020, when the average was CZK 135.

You can currently find a noon meal for CZK 150 or lower in only five Czech regions: Olomouc at CZK 150, Zlín at CZK 149, Vysočina and Ústí nad Labem both at CZK 148, and Karlovy Vary at CZK 147. In 2021, eight regions were at CZK 150 or under, while in 2020 all 14 Czech regions were under CZK 150.

Sodexo Benefity’s Michelfeit says that the price rises are due to higher energy, food, and labor costs, none of which can be absorbed by most eatery operators.

“Restaurants were decimated by lockdowns during the pandemic, when they often spent their reserves to survive. They simply cannot afford to shoulder all the rising costs and have no choice but to reflect them in their final prices,” he said.

He added that agricultural prices were up almost 40 percent compared to last year and energy prices for businesses had tripled.  

Source: Sodexo Benefity