Lorraine Williamson
How much should a simple lunch cost in Spain in 2025? At a time when household budgets are tight and eating out feels pricier than ever, the humble menu del día remains a small but significant barometer of the cost of living. Yet prices vary dramatically depending on where you are — and the differences tell a bigger story about tourism pressures, local economies and Spain’s shifting food culture.
The latest survey places the average menú del día at €14.20, a modest rise of 1.5% on last year. It’s a gentle increase, but one that workers who rely on a daily lunch menu will feel over time. Even so, the format still delivers exceptional value: a starter, main course, bread, drink, and often a dessert or coffee — a full midday meal for less than what many European cities charge for a single dish.
For tourists, it’s often their first introduction to Spanish lunchtime habits. For locals, it’s part routine, part comfort, and occasionally a moment of indulgence in the middle of the working day.
Where lunch stays cheapest
Regional differences are stark. The Canary Islands continue to offer the most affordable spread at roughly €13, closely followed by Asturias (€13.20) and Andalucía and Murcia (€13.40).
These areas share a few traits: strong local culinary traditions, competitive restaurant scenes, and, in some cases, lower food-production or staffing costs compared with the mainland’s major metropolitan hubs.
Where the bill climbs higher
You might expect Madrid to top the table, but the capital sits closer to the middle: €14.50, slightly above the national average but far from the peak.
Instead, the highest prices appear in tourism-heavy regions, especially the Balearic Islands (€16) and the Basque Country (€15.80), where demand, transport costs, and higher-quality local produce all play a role. Catalonia also trends above average at €15.40, reflecting economic pressures in Barcelona and surrounding provinces.
For anyone who eats out daily, the difference between €13 and €16 quickly adds up — an extra €15 a week, or nearly €800 a year.
Regions bucking the trend
Not every part of Spain has seen prices climb. La Rioja, Navarre, and Castilla-La Mancha have all kept their average costs stable. In a year of rising food and energy prices, these communities are something of an anomaly — and a welcome one for residents and visitors alike.
The origin of the menu del dia
How Spain’s favourite lunch became a national institution
The menú del día wasn’t originally a cultural choice but a political one. In the 1960s, as Spain’s tourism industry began to take shape, the Franco-era government launched a campaign to standardise an affordable, fixed-price lunch for visitors. By 1965, restaurants were required to offer the so-called tourist menu at set prices: 50 pesetas in modest eateries and 250 in the most luxurious.
The idea evolved quickly. In 1970, the tourist menu became the menu del día, and by 1981, it was renamed menu de la casa. The obligation for high-end restaurants to provide it eventually faded, and by 2010, a new tourism law relieved all autonomous communities of the requirement.
Yet the tradition had already taken root. What began as state policy became a cornerstone of daily life — a democratic meal that offered decent food at a predictable price, no matter where you lived.
Why it still matters today
The menu del día reflects more than restaurant pricing. It mirrors regional inequalities, reveals the impact of tourism on local life, and shows how inflation shapes the everyday decisions of workers across Spain. As prices creep up and habits change, its endurance hints at something deeper: a national appetite for a midday ritual that feels both practical and cultural.
At a time when many countries have abandoned affordable lunch deals altogether, Spain’s menu del día remains one of the last great bargains — even if the cost now depends on your postcode.
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