Think you're paying a lot for your lunch special? Here's the real average price

Pauline Masotta | 9/7/23

A recent study has revealed the average price of a daily meal in a restaurant. The first finding is that it has risen between 2022 and 2023.

Against an inflationary backdrop, spending on food is much more closely observed than usual. Since the return to normal levels of activity, workers have been returning to restaurants for their lunch breaks, while restaurateurs have had to adjust to the new cost of living. That's why the Observatoire de la Restauration has carried out a study highlighting the new prices being charged, particularly in traditional addresses where customers are more likely to order a dish of the day.

The price of daily specials has risen

When eating away from the office at lunchtime, the idea of eating at reasonable prices often takes precedence over the rest. Generally speaking, the "plat du jour" offer remains rather simple, and professionals in the sector agree: noble products are not used in order to be able to offer a "plat du jour" at a reasonable price. But how much should you pay for your lunch?

Are you paying too much for lunch at your local restaurant? The Observatoire de la Restauration has done the sums for you: on average, a dish of the day will cost €15.41 incl. VAT in 2023, compared with €14.29 incl. VAT in 2022, in traditional restaurants. The average ticket price is €27.24 incl. VAT, versus €24.51 in 2022. A clear price increase. This can be explained, in part, by the compensation of the average overall gross margin"which has fallen by 5 points, from 72% to 67% this year", according to the Observatory.

Our partners