How much should I budget for food in Berlin?
Berlin is widely considered one of the most affordable major capitals in Western Europe, especially when it
comes to food. Whether you're a budget backpacker or a luxury traveler, your money goes further here than in
London, Paris, or Munich. Here is a realistic breakdown of what you can expect to spend on food in Berlin in
2026.
Average Meal Prices
- Street Food (Currywurst, Döner, Falafel): €5 - €9
- Budget Sit-down Meal (Vietnamese, Pizza, Burgers): €12 - €18
- Mid-range Restaurant (3-course meal): €35 - €60 per person
- Fine Dining: €100+ per person
- Coffee (Cappuccino): €3.50 - €5
- Beer (0.5L): €4 - €6 in a pub; €1 - €2 in a supermarket
Daily Food Budget Ranges
- The Budget Traveler (€25 - €35 per day): Breakfast from a bakery, a street food lunch,
and a budget sit-down dinner with one drink.
- The Mid-range Traveler (€50 - €75 per day): Cafe breakfast, a nice lunch special
(Mittagstisch), and a mid-range dinner with wine or beer.
- The Foodie Traveler (€100+ per day): Specialty coffee, a guided food tour, and dinner
at a trendy or high-end restaurant.
Tips to Save Money on Food
- The "Mittagstisch" (Lunch Special): Many restaurants offer a fixed-price lunch menu on
weekdays that is 30-50% cheaper than their dinner prices.
- Bakeries (Bäckerei): For a cheap and delicious breakfast, skip the hotel buffet and
head to a local bakery for a "belegtes Brötchen" (filled roll) and a coffee.
- Tap Water: While Germans usually buy bottled sparkling water, tap water
(Leitungswasser) is perfectly safe. Some restaurants may charge a small fee for it, but it's always
cheaper than bottled.
- Supermarkets: Stores like REWE, EDEKA, or Lidl have great "grab-and-go" sections with
salads and sandwiches.
- The "Pfand" System: Remember that most glass and plastic bottles have a deposit (Pfand)
of €0.08 to €0.25. Return them to a machine in a supermarket to get your money back!
Are food tours cost-effective?
While a food tour might seem like a large upfront cost (€60 - €90), it often includes enough food for a
full meal plus several snacks and drinks. More importantly, it saves you money in the long run by
showing you the best value spots and helping you avoid expensive tourist traps.
To get the best value and experience, we recommend mixing cheap street food with a few nice sit-down meals.
And don't forget to book a food tour early to get your bearings in Berlin's massive culinary landscape!