Prices for food and drinks in Prague in 2024

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. 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.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the costs of indulging in Prague’s gastronomic delights.

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“. Don’t pay in euros even if the restaurant accepts it, as you are likely to get a very unfavorable exchange rate which makes it even more expensive. 100 CZK is a bit more than 4 EUR or 4 USD.

Prices in Prague: what to expect

Prague offers a diverse range of dining options, from traditional Czech pubs to high-end restaurants. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay:

  • Budget Eats -for those looking to save, street food and small eateries offer hearty meals like sausages, goulash, or meatloaf for about 80-150 CZK (3-6 EUR).
  • Mid-Range Restaurants – the main dish at a standard restaurant costs around 180-250 CZK (7-10 EUR). This often includes traditional Czech dishes like beef sirloin with creamy sauce and dumplings.
  • Fine-Dining: For a more upscale experience, expect to pay upwards of 500 CZK (20 EUR) per person. Depending on the restaurant, the cost for an entire evening, including drinks, a starter, and dessert, may be around 1500 CZK (60 EUR). These establishments often feature international cuisine alongside local specialties.

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.

Food prices

Food prices in Prague offer a delightful mix of affordability and taste, catering to the needs of tourists and locals alike. For those seeking a taste of traditional or international cuisine, a variety of options are available at competitive prices.

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

Breakfast prices

The cost of breakfast in Prague can vary widely depending on the type of establishment and what you order. Prices fro typical breakfast dishes:

  • scrambled eggs / omelet 100-150 CZK
  • viena sausages 120-150 CZK
  • pancakes 120-150 CZK

Usually, in a regular restaurant, I don’t pay more than 300 CZK for a standard breakfast, including drinks. But in a nicer restaurant, for a larger breakfast or a weekend brunch, the price can go up.

Prices in restaurants

It differs from place to place but if you see much higher prices than below, you are probably in a luxury (fine-dining, Michelin) 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.

  • soup 70-120 CZK
  • svíčková (sirloin with sauce) 180-250 CZK
  • goulash with dumplings 180-250 CZK
  • fruit dumplings 150-200 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.

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.

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!

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:

Beverages prices in Prague

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

✔️ Tip: Enjoy Prague pub crawl.

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 50 CZK
  • cappuccino 75 CZK
  • flat white 90 CZK
  • batch brew 80 CZK
  • espresso tonic 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) 70-95 CZK
  • tap water (0,5l) 0-50 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
  • alcoholic cocktails 200-300 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) 20-40 CZK
  • coke (0,5l) 30 CZK
  • beer (0,5l) 20-40 CZK
  • cheese (100g) 25-40 CZK
  • ham (100g) 30-40 CZK
  • yoghurt (200g) 15-20 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. As well as deli shops, which sometimes have their own eateries. 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 whole amount when paying the bill.

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.

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.