Average Price of Popular Lunch Menus in the Czech Republic Rises Above 200 Crowns for the First Time

Lunch in restaurants and canteens is becoming increasingly expensive in the Czech Republic. Particularly in Prague and other major cities, the prices of lunch menus are now well above the 200-crown mark.

Lunch is continuing to become more expensive in the Czech Republic: For the first time, the average price of a lunch menu nationwide has risen above the 200-crown mark. Especially in Prague, but also in several other major cities, the cost of daily meals in restaurants and canteens is steadily increasing.

According to current data from the Edenred Restaurant Index, employees in the Czech Republic currently pay an average of 200.70 crowns for a lunch menu. This marks the first time the 200-crown threshold has been exceeded.

Lunch remains most expensive in Prague. There, a menu now costs an average of 226 crowns. Prices in Brno, Pilsen, České Budějovice and Liberec are also already between around 206 and 214 crowns. Pardubice, at 196.80 crowns, and Ostrava, at 198.80 crowns per lunch menu, are currently just below the 200-crown mark.

Employees continue to eat considerably more cheaply in Zlín and Olomouc, however. There, a lunch menu costs an average of 177.80 and 179.30 crowns respectively.

According to Edenred, prices in many regions are currently rising steadily by around one crown per month. Compared to last year, lunch prices nationwide increased by 3.1 per cent. This means the cost of daily meals is rising faster than general inflation, which according to data from the Czech National Bank most recently stood at 1.9 per cent.

Price of Lunch Menus Now Even Influences Job Searches

According to Edenred, the price of lunch is now playing an increasingly important role for many employees — not only when choosing a restaurant, but even when searching for a new job. Around 29 per cent of respondents said that the availability and prices of lunch options near the workplace were an important factor when choosing a job.

Ordering habits are also changing: delivery services remain widespread, but are used significantly less often than during the coronavirus pandemic. According to the “Barometr FOOD” study, around 46 per cent of people order food delivery at least occasionally. However, only 2.4 per cent use such services very frequently. The majority of employees still bring food from home or use restaurants and canteens close to their workplace.

When choosing lunch, price remains the main focus. Many employees specifically look for discounted lunch offers or special deals. Around 47 per cent of employees who regularly eat in restaurants choose a venue mainly based on the current lunch menu.