Prices for food and drinks in Prague in 2023

Prague is generally considered to be an affordable city compared to other European destinations. The cost of living in Prague is generally lower than in other major European cities, and there are many budget-friendly options for accommodations, food, and attractions.

However, like any city, the cost of living in Prague can vary depending on your personal preferences and lifestyle. It’s always a good idea to do some research and plan your budget before traveling to any destination.

For most tourists (I mean especially Western Europeans, US) Prague is cheaper (probably much cheaper) than at home. But be careful, there are many places where they want your money and are not ashamed to ask for two or three times higher prices than is common.

Koruna (CZK) – Czech Currency

In Czechia, we didn’t adopt Euro yet, so you will pay in our local currency, the Czech crown (CZK), in Czech we call it “Koruna“. In many tourist restaurants, they can accept Euro, but be careful, there will be probably a terrible exchange rate which makes it even more expensive. 100 CZK is a bit more than 4 EUR or 4 USD.

Food prices in Prague

Food prices in Prague offer a delightful mix of affordability and taste, catering to the needs of tourists and locals alike. Traditional Czech dishes such as goulash, svíčková, and smažený sýr can be found at reasonable prices in local pubs and street food vendors. For those seeking a taste of international cuisine, a variety of options are available at competitive prices. When dining out, expect to pay around CZK 150-250 for a main course in a mid-range restaurant.

Budget-conscious travelers can find plenty of low-cost options, as local markets provide fresh produce and street food vendors offer delicious meals for under CZK 100. Despite fluctuations in the economy, food prices in Prague continue to be accessible, making it an attractive destination for culinary enthusiasts.

Prague Foodie Experience Costs

Prague’s foodie experiences, including guided food tours, themed dinners, and cooking classes, offer a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the city’s culinary scene. Prices for these gastronomic adventures vary based on the duration, exclusivity, and type of experience. For example you can enjoy those in Prague:

• Market Tour and Traditional Czech Cooking Class (4 hours, 3 dishes) 3 398 CZK
• Prague Foodie Tour (4 hours, lot of food) 3 350 CZK
• 5-course Medieval Dinner (unlimited drinks) 1 590 CZK
• 3-course Medieval Dinner (unlimited drinks) 1 190 CZK
• Beer Tasting (sample 7 premium Czech beers with cheese and crackers) 684 CZK

Prices in restaurants

It differs from place to place but if you see much higher prices than below, you are probably in a luxury restaurant, you ordered something special (usually expensive food) or you are in a touristic-oriented restaurant. These tourist traps are usually in the center of the city but it doesn’t mean you can’t eat at reasonable prices in the Prague center. Just avoid places where you see suspiciously high prices (which usually means not cheaper than you would pay at home).

Let’s have a look at the usual prices of food and drinks in restaurants and also prices in stores.

• scrambled eggs / omelet 80-140 CZK
• pancakes 90-130 CZK
• soup 70-120 CZK
• svíčková (sirloin with sauce) 180-250 CZK
• most lunch dishes are 150-250 CZK
• burgers (in good burger restaurants, not McD) 180-280 CZK

Some dishes could be more expensive just because of more expensive resources – of course, when I say “most lunches” I mean common lunch dishes, not lobsters, truffles, caviar, or 400 g beef steak.

To be honest, there are many restaurants in Prague where is worth to go even though the price is higher than mentioned above. But there should be a reason why you want to go exactly there, you should know why you pay more. If you meet a random restaurant with a person who persuades you to go in and 50% and higher prices, avoid it!

As an example, look at this menu pricelist of Lokál Dlouhááá restaurant. This is the most recommended restaurant to try traditional Czech food because of its quality and taste, it is in the center (just 200 m from Old Town Square), it is not a cheap restaurant, but prices are reasonable. We, Czechs, go there often.

How much is a draft beer in Prague

Draft beer in Prague is famously affordable and widely enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike. It’s literally cheaper than water. First of all, we use liters, kilograms, etc. as measurement units. So there is no pint, but half-liter beer (which is almost the same, 1,05 pint), you can call it big beer. You can also order small beer, which is 0,3 liter. The average price of a draft beer:

• big beer 55-70 CZK
• small beer 45-55 CZK
• non-alcoholic beer roughly the same as alcoholic

Specialty coffee prices

Prague’s specialty coffee scene has experienced significant growth in recent years, with a multitude of independent cafes and roasteries offering high-quality beans and expertly crafted beverages. While prices may vary between establishments, you can generally expect to pay around:

• espresso 30-50 CZK
• cappuccino 55-75 CZK
• flat white 65-90 CZK
• batch brew 60-80 CZK
• espresso tonic 80-100 CZK

Prices for drinks in restaurants and bars

In Prague, drink prices at restaurants and bars can vary depending on the establishment and location. On average:

• homemade lemonade (0,3l) 60-90 CZK
• tap water (0,5l) 0-45 CZK
• bottled water (0,3l) 40-60 CZK
• coke (0,3l) 40-60 CZK
• a glass of wine (0,2l) 70-120 CZK
• aperol spritz / gin tonic 120-180 CZK
• shot of alcohol 70-120 CZK
• cocktails in the cocktail bar 170-250 CZK

When you go outside of Prague in the Czech Republic, prices shouldn’t be any higher, they are the same or lower in the countryside. Neither in other touristic spots in the Czech Republic like Český Krumlov, Karlovy Vary or Mariánské lázně prices shouldn’t be much higher, but there is the same as in Prague – a lot of touristic-oriented overpriced places.

Prices for food in the grocery stores

There are many supermarket chains in Prague (Lidl, Kaufland, Billa, Albert, Tesco) and many small stores and chain of small stores Žabka to buy just some basics, which can be a bit higher in prices but really just a little bit and because there are everywhere unlike chains. Small Vietnamese stores have very good fresh fruits and vegetables, usually better than in chains.

• fresh milk (1l) 15-30 CZK
• water (0,5l) 8-25 CZK
• water (1,5l) 15-30 CZK
• coke (0,5l) 20-30 CZK
• beer (0,5l) 20-30 CZK
• cheese (100g) 20-40 CZK
• ham (100g) 20-40 CZK
• yoghurt (200g) 12-20 CZK
• banana (1kg) 40-60 CZK

Cheap Eats in Prague

Discovering affordable dining options in Prague is a delightful experience, especially when you focus on its diverse international food scene. Vietnamese restaurants, such as Pho Vietnam Tuan & Lan, offer delicious and budget-friendly dishes like pho or banh mi, perfect for those craving exotic flavors. Another great choice for a quick and inexpensive meal is kebab eateries, which serve up flavorful Middle Eastern wraps and sandwiches that won’t break the bank. Don’t overlook the city’s bakeries, where you can find both sweet and savory pastries, such as chlebíčky (open-faced sandwiches) or kolache (sweet dough pastries with various fillings). It’s the cheapest way of having breakfast or a snack. Additionally, some butcher shops offer unique dining experiences, allowing you to sample traditional Czech sausages and meat dishes at reasonable prices. By focusing on these options, you can explore Prague’s culinary landscape without putting a dent in your budget.

How to pay in restaurants in Prague

Paying in restaurants in Prague, Czech Republic is quite similar to paying in restaurants in many other parts of the world. You can pay by card at most places. At most places they take a tip on card, you don’t need to tip in cash. If you decide to pay in cash, you only use local currency, Czech crown.

In many Czech restaurants, the waiter will bring the bill to your table and usually wait for you to pay. If you’re paying in cash, it’s customary to tell the waiter how much you will be paying in total (including your tip) rather than leaving the money on the table. If you’re paying by card, they may bring a portable card machine to your table. VAT is always included already in the prices written in the menu.

How much to tip in restaurants in Prague

Tipping is customary in Prague and it’s generally expected that you leave a tip if you are happy with the service. The usual amount is 10% of the total bill. It’s not a common practice to include service charge in the bill. Always check the bill and if you’re unsure, ask the waiter. It’s common to tell your waiter how much you want to tip when paying the bill, rather than leaving it on the table.

How much money should I bring to Prague?

Of course, depends on how much you want to spend. But you don’t need any cash, you can pay by card at 99% of places you visit (the other 1% can be paid toilets, farmers’ markets, and small shops).

• You can spend days without paying any entrance costs (if you are not a lover of museums and indoor castle tours), just walking around. But if you want to get some buildings inside, it can cost you up to approx. 100 euros.
• You can spend like 3 euros per day on public transportation. But if you likely use a drive it can cost you 4 – 10 euros per one (depends on distance, I count on moving just in the city center).
• If you have hotel breakfast and want fully enjoy gastronomy in Prague with also some nice drinks, it will cost you about 50 euros per day (didn’t count bottles of wine). If you don’t care much about the food and you only want to feed yourself, but still in a restaurant, it can be less than 30 euros. If you go low-cost, grab some street food or bread and cheese in the supermarket, you can get even lower than 15 euros.