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Lunch prices across Czech restaurants have risen sharply over the past five years, with the national average increasing by more than 60 percent since 2020, according to financial services firm Edenred. Prague has the most expensive restaurant lunch option by a considerable margin.
In March 2025, the average cost of a lunch menu nationwide reached CZK 194.2, up from CZK 121.30 in March 2020. Despite signs of slowing growth in recent months, the long-term trend reflects a significant financial impact on diners.
Different cities, various prices
Regional disparities in lunch prices have also grown more pronounced. Prague remains the most expensive city for dining out, with an average lunch costing CZK 218. Brno follows at CZK 206, while České Budějovice stands at CZK 202. At the other end of the spectrum, Zlín offers the most affordable lunch prices, averaging CZK 169.
“Price differences across individual regions will continue to widen,” Edenred director of external relations Aneta Martišková noted.
🍽 Czechia's priciest restaurant lunches
- 1.Prague—CZK 218.1 (Up 58.4 percent since 2020)
- 2.Brno—CZK 205.9 (Up 56.9 percent)
- 3.České Budějovice—CZK 202.4 (Up 62.4 percent)
- 4.Liberec—CZK 201.3 (Up 67.1 percent)
- 5.Pilsen—CZK 200.2 (Up 60.9 percent)
- 6.Pardubice—CZK 192.4 (Up 61.8 percent)
- 7.Ostrava—CZK 190.2 (Up 76.1 percent)
- 8.Hradec Králové—CZK 185.3 (Up 54.7 percent)
- 9.Karlovy Vary—CZK 177.9 (Up 56.2 percent)
- 10.Jihlava—CZK 177.1 (Up 59.6 percent)
- 11.Ústí nad Labem—CZK 175.1 (Up 55.9 percent)
- 12.Olomouc—CZK 173.4 (Up 58.6 percent)
- 13.Zlín—CZK 169.3 (Up 49.7 percent)
All values as of March 2025. Source: Edenred
Some areas have seen slight declines...
A number of cities are even seeing price drops for the first time this year. In Jihlava, the average lunch price declined by CZK 3.1 to CZK 177 in March 2025. Similar decreases were observed in České Budějovice (down CZK 2.4) and Ústí nad Labem (down CZK 2). Karlovy Vary also saw a decline, with prices falling to just under CZK 178.
...Whereas others are facing higher checks
In contrast, other regions reported notable increases. Liberec saw the steepest quarterly jump, with lunch prices rising CZK 4.80 to CZK 201. Olomouc reported an increase of CZK 1.50, bringing the average there to CZK 173. Even Prague experienced a slight rise of CZK 0.30 in March.
What's behind the increase?
The sharp rise in lunch prices is largely attributed to broader economic pressures affecting the hospitality sector. High inflation, increased energy and food costs, and rising wages have all contributed to the upward trend.
Many restaurant owners have been forced to adjust prices to offset elevated operating expenses and supply chain disruptions experienced in recent years.
The road ahead
“In some regions, we can see that people are not willing to pay extra, to which businesses are responding. That is why the coming period may be more stable, although the long-term pressure on prices due to high operating costs has definitely not disappeared,” noted Martišková.
Despite price pressures, restaurant traffic remains strong. The number of visitors to food establishments—including deliveries—has rebounded to levels last seen in late 2024, signaling consumer resilience. “This may suggest that in some regions, businesses are beginning to respond to price sensitivity,” Martišková added.
