Going out to a restaurant costs 26 percent more. It went from 100 euros to 126.

Family dining out is becoming an increasingly significant burden on household budgets. Services that cost an average of €100 in 2023 now cost around €126. Compared to 2020, the food and accommodation sector has seen a 45.6% increase.

Prices have been rising faster than average wages. Since 2023, average monthly earnings have increased by 14.9%, while prices in the analyzed category have increased by 26%. In practice, this means that eating out consumes a larger portion of many families' incomes today than it did three years ago.

Restaurant prices increased by 26 percent

The analysis was prepared based on August Cystat data on the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices.

The category "restaurants and accommodation services" was in August 2026:

• about 45.6% more expensive than in 2020,
• about 26% more expensive than in 2023,
• about 13 percent more expensive than a year ago.

This means that a comparable set of services costing €100 in 2023 would currently cost an average of €126.

The same can be said in reverse: Services that cost €100 today would cost around €79.37 in 2023, and around €68.68 in 2020.

The statistics also include accommodation

When interpreting the data, it's important to remember one important caveat: The Cystat index doesn't measure only restaurant prices. It encompasses the collective category of "restaurants and accommodation services," which also includes hotels, among other things.

This doesn't mean that the bill at every restaurant increased by exactly 26 percent. Prices vary depending on the city, location, type of cuisine, and products ordered.

The Cyprus Consumers' Union, however, confirms that significant price increases are also visible in the restaurant sector. In previous years, the organization conducted its own survey of approximately 200 restaurants, but this year it was unable to repeat the analysis on such a scale.

Food and energy prices have risen more slowly

Restaurateurs attribute the increases primarily to rising operating costs. However, data shows that since 2023, prices for some of the most important expenses for foodservice businesses have grown significantly slower than the overall restaurant and accommodation category.

Food and beverage prices were 29% higher in August 2026 than in 2020, but increased by 4.7% compared to 2023.

The category covering housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels has increased in price by 36 percent since 2020. However, from 2023 onward, the increase was only 2.7 percent.

The comparison doesn't automatically determine what portion of the increases is justified. Restaurant costs also include salaries, insurance, taxes, commercial rent, transportation, repairs, equipment, and products purchased at non-retail prices.

However, it shows that the prices of catering and hotel services have been rising faster in recent years than the prices of food purchased by consumers.

Restaurateurs point to energy and alcohol

The Pan-Cyprus Association of Leisure Centre Owners (PASIKA) confirms that prices have risen. The organization's Secretary General, Fanos Leventis, primarily points to persistently high energy costs, rising commodity prices, and more expensive alcoholic beverages.

He explains that before the period of rapid price increases, energy costs didn't play such a significant role in calculating the price of a dish. Currently, omitting electricity from the calculation can lead to a serious underestimation of operating costs.

PASIKA, however, acknowledges that not all price increases are necessarily justified. There are still significant price differences in the market, and some restaurants are introducing promotions or discounts in an attempt to attract customers with decreasing purchasing power.

According to the organization, a healthy establishment should achieve around 10% net profit. Many businesses currently fail to achieve this figure, even if they continue to attract customers.

Wages are not keeping up with prices

According to the latest available data, average monthly wages, after taking into account seasonal fluctuations, were 31.8% higher in the first quarter of 2026 than in 2020.

Since 2023, prices have increased by 14.9 percent. This is significantly less than the 26 percent increase in prices in the restaurant and accommodation category.

This doesn't mean that everyone received this raise. The average covers the entire labor market and may be driven up by wage increases in the highest-paying industries. For families whose incomes have grown more slowly, the gap between wages and prices may be even more acute.

Consumers complain about extra items on their bills

The Cyprus Consumers Union also receives complaints about charges for products customers did not order and higher than expected bills.

Before ordering, it's worth checking the menu prices, especially for items served by weight, fish, seafood, and alcohol. When you receive your bill, check to see if any bread, water, appetizers, or other items have been added that the customer didn't order.

Rising prices don't mean every restaurant is expensive. Differences between establishments remain significant, and choosing a spot away from the main promenade or tourist center can still significantly reduce the cost of a family outing.

However, statistics clearly show that eating out is becoming increasingly less affordable. An expense that cost €100 three years ago can now translate into a bill that's another €26 higher.

Sources: Cyprus Statistical Office, Cyprus Information Agency, Cyprus Consumers Union, PASIKA.