Lunch prices in restaurants have skyrocketed over the past five years, with the average cost jumping by more than 60 percent. While diners paid around 121.30 crowns in March 2020 before COVID restrictions, they now face an average bill of 194.20 crowns as of March this year.
The capital city Prague leads the price chart, with lunch menus costing 218.10 crowns, followed by Brno at 205.90 crowns and České Budějovice at 202.40 crowns. In contrast, the most affordable lunches can be found in Zlín at 169.30 crowns, followed by Olomouc at 173.40 crowns and Ústí nad Labem at 175.10 crowns.
Some regions have seen dramatic increases, with Ostrava experiencing an 82.20 crown rise, Liberec an 80.80 crown increase, and České Budějovice a 77.80 crown jump. Even regions with slower growth rates, such as Zlín, have seen prices climb by more than 56 crowns.
According to Aneta Martišková from Edenred, which analyzed data from over 220,000 benefit card holders, restaurants are now hitting customer purchasing power limits. “Some regions are seeing customers resist higher prices, forcing establishments to adjust their strategies,” she explained.
Regional price differences continue to widen, with a striking 49-crown gap between Prague and Zlín, and a 32-crown difference between Brno and Olomouc.