The Cost of Eating Out: Restaurant Prices in 40 Countries Compared

Eating out is one of life's great pleasures — and one of the most variable costs when you cross borders. The average restaurant item costs $3.55 in Pakistan and $37.04 in Switzerland, a 10x difference that reflects everything from labor costs to ingredient sourcing to tipping culture.

We analyzed 19 dining items across 40 countries, from Big Macs to fine dining tasting menus.

Cheapest Countries to Eat Out

South Asia and Southeast Asia dominate the cheapest dining list. In these regions, a mid-range restaurant meal for two costs $9–18, street food meals run $1–3, and even Western fast food chains price 40–60% below US levels.

Most Expensive Countries to Eat Out

Switzerland leads at $37.04 per average dining item — nearly 7x Pakistan's average. A simple lunch at a Zurich cafe can easily exceed $30 per person, and a mid-range dinner for two with wine runs $120–180.

The Restaurant Meal for Two: A Universal Benchmark

A mid-range restaurant meal for two people (three courses, no wine) is one of the most revealing price points:

Street Food: The Great Equalizer

Street food narrows the gap somewhat, but doesn't eliminate it:

• Vietnam — A bowl of pho: $1.50–2.50
• Thailand — Pad Thai from a street cart: $1.00–2.00
• Mexico — Tacos al pastor (3 tacos): $2.00–3.00
• India — Plate of chaat or dosa: $0.50–1.50
• Turkey — Doner kebab: $2.00–3.50

Compare that to street food in expensive countries (which barely exists in the traditional sense):

• Switzerland — Food truck bratwurst: $8–12
• Norway — Hot dog stand: $6–10
• Australia — Market food stall: $10–15

Fast Food: McDonald's as a Benchmark

Fast food is the most standardized comparison, since the menu is essentially identical worldwide:

A McDonald's Big Mac costs $6.22 in the US but $15.26 in Switzerland. A combo meal shows similar patterns — $8–10 in developing countries, $15–20 in Western Europe, and $18+ in Scandinavia.

Read our full Big Mac Index analysis for more on what burger prices reveal about the world economy.

Why Dining Prices Vary So Much

Labor costs are the dominant factor. Restaurants are labor-intensive businesses — cooks, servers, dishwashers, and managers all need to be paid at local wage levels. In countries with high minimum wages (Australia, Scandinavia), this directly inflates menu prices.

Rent in prime dining locations varies enormously. A restaurant in central London might pay $50,000+/month in rent; the same square footage in Bangkok might be $2,000.

Ingredient costs matter less than you'd think. Food costs typically represent only 25–35% of a restaurant's revenue. Labor and rent are the bigger variables.

Tipping culture affects the sticker price. In the US, where tips supplement wages, menu prices are lower but the total cost (including 18–25% tip) is comparable to Europe where service is included.

The Dining Budget by Country Tier

If you eat out for lunch and dinner daily, here's roughly what you'd spend per month:

• Budget tier (Pakistan, India, Vietnam): $300–500/month
• Mid-range (Thailand, Mexico, Portugal): $600–1,000/month
• Expensive (US, UK, Germany): $1,500–2,500/month
• Premium (Switzerland, Norway): $3,000–4,500/month

Explore our full restaurant and dining comparisons to check specific items in your country.