Prague Cheap Eats 2025 - Budget Travelers Guide
Lunch at Mlsná labuť, Prague
Looking for delicious yet affordable food in Prague? With meal prices rising in recent years, budget travelers can expect to pay around €10–€13 for a traditional Czech dish. But don’t worry—there are still plenty of cheap eats in Prague where you can enjoy great food without breaking the bank. In this article, we’ll share our top picks for budget-friendly restaurants that offer excellent value for money.
Canteen aka Jídelna
This is the best option if you want to taste traditional Czech food and save money. A lunch here would cost €6–€8 per person, and some canteens offer a menu deal with a drink and a soup included in the price. Please remember that most canteens are only open on weekdays from around 11 AM to 3 PM.
Here are our top picks for Prague canteens.
Lidová jídelna Těšnov - Budget - This one gets very busy; no English menus are available, so we recommend practicing your order in Czech before you get into the line.
Mlsná labuť - Located just 5 minutes from Palladium Shopping Mall, this canteen offers delicious and affordable Czech food.
Havelská Koruna - An OG canteen in the Old Town, it is always crowded but has the widest selection of meals.
JÍDELNA KORUNKA U ARBESA - Check out this place in Prague 5 and save a bunch on your lunch! This is a local spot, but they try to help tourists with orders!
Jídelna Světozor - We had to mention the most advertised canteen in Prague, located on the Wenceslas Square.
Restaurace U Kristiána - lunch menu
2. Lunch Menus
Lunch menus are a saving grace for budget travelers in Prague, allowing you to save 20%–40% on meals if you visit between 11 AM and 2–3 PM. This is also a great tip if you want to dine at a fancy restaurant but don’t have the budget to spend €25 per dish—many upscale places offer lunch deals, allowing you to enjoy high-quality food for around €10–€15.
Plenty of Prague restaurants have lunch menus, and we recommend checking their websites in advance to see their daily offers and prices. If the information isn’t available online, restaurants usually display a printed menu on their doors or at each table.
The downside of lunch menus is that they’re typically available only on weekdays and only at lunchtime. However, some places offer Daily Deals, featuring discounted dishes throughout the day, even on weekends.
3. Check out restaurants outside of the city center (Prague 1)
It is well known among Prague locals that the city center is not the best place to go if you’re looking to save money on meals. That’s why we recommend exploring Prague’s neighborhoods, where you’ll often find better prices and great-quality food.
You don’t have to travel all the way to the city outskirts—visiting closer areas like Smíchov, Vinohrady, Žižkov, or Holešovice is enough. Plus, it can be a pleasant walk, giving you the chance to discover a different side of Prague that many tourists often miss out on.
4. Fast Food - Czech and Global chains
Last but not least, fast food is the most affordable option among those we’ve mentioned. While you can find McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, and Popeyes in the Czech capital, we recommend trying local fast food chains like Banh Mi Ba, UGO, and Wokin for a more unique and authentic experience.
Author: Valeriia Zahradnikova and Vaclav Zahradnik, Prague guides certified by Prague City Tourism agency. Valeriia and Vaclav have worked in tourism for over 7 years and have guided thousands of Prague visitors.