Prices for popular lunchtime menus in the Czech Republic are increasingly diverging across regions. While diners in Prague now pay more than CZK 218, those in Zlín spend nearly CZK 50 less – a trend that, according to current data, may become even more pronounced.
The average price of a lunchtime menu (polední menu) in the Czech Republic stood at CZK 194.20 in March this year. The monthly rate of price growth has slowed – from an increase of CZK 1.10 in January to just CZK 0.60 in March. In some regions, prices have even started to fall slightly since the beginning of the year. These figures come from the Edenred Restaurant Index, which is based on transactions made with over 220,000 Edenred benefit cards and tracks lunch menu prices in Czech restaurants.
“A steady rise in lunch prices has been evident since the middle of last year. Even though some regions have seen price stagnation in recent months, significant declines have so far been rare. That could now begin to change in certain areas,” said Aneta Martišková, Director of External Relations at Edenred. “At the same time, regional price differences are set to widen further. The gap between Prague and Zlín, for example, is 49 crowns; between Brno and Olomouc it’s 32 crowns,” Martišková added.
The regional divide continues to grow
Among the cities where lunch menu prices have fallen is Jihlava – here, the average price dropped by CZK 3.10 to CZK 177. České Budějovice reported a decline of CZK 2.40, similar to Ústí nad Labem with a decrease of CZK 2.10. In Karlovy Vary, the average price has also fallen since December and now sits just under CZK 178. Zlín remains the cheapest place to eat, with the average menu price still below CZK 170.
Elsewhere in the country, however, prices continue to rise. Liberec recorded the largest quarterly increase – up CZK 4.80 to CZK 201. In Olomouc, the price rose by CZK 1.50 to an average of CZK 173. Interestingly, in Prague – traditionally the most expensive city for lunch – the price increased by only CZK 0.30 to a total of CZK 218.
Following Prague on the list of most expensive cities are Brno (CZK 206) and České Budějovice (CZK 202). In both Liberec and Plzeň, the CZK 200 mark has been surpassed for the first time. At the lower end of the scale are Zlín, Olomouc, Ústí nad Labem, Karlovy Vary, and Jihlava – where it is still possible to get lunch for less than CZK 178. The national average currently hovers just below CZK 195.
Prices 60% higher than five years ago
Despite slowing growth in the last quarter, the long-term trend is clear: lunch prices in the Czech Republic have risen significantly over the past five years. In March 2020, the average price stood at CZK 121.30 – today it is more than CZK 72 higher, representing an increase of 60.1%. In Ostrava, the cost of a lunch menu rose by CZK 82.20 over the same period, in Liberec by CZK 80.80, and in České Budějovice by CZK 77.80. Even in regions with more moderate price growth, such as Zlín, the increase amounts to over CZK 56.
