How much do people pay on average for a menú del día in Spain? The short answer: €14.20. But that figure hides huge differences. In the Balearic Islands you might pay €16, in the Canary Islands €13, and in certain neighborhoods of Madrid or Barcelona there are menus from €10 up to €20.
If you eat a set lunch every working day, you're looking at between €200 and €400 a month on meals alone. It's worth knowing where the best prices are.
The national average: €14.20
According to the latest study by Hostelería de España and Edenred, the average price of the menú del día in Spain stands at €14.20, up 1.5% on the previous year. It's a moderate rise — lower than general inflation.
What that price includes (or should include):
- Starter (at least 3 options)
- Main course (at least 2 options)
- Dessert or coffee
- Drink (water, soft drink, beer or a glass of wine)
- Bread
If they charge you extra for any of these, it isn't a real menú del día.
Prices by region
The differences between regions are significant:
| Region | Average price | vs. average |
|---|---|---|
| Balearic Islands | €16.00 | +€1.80 |
| Basque Country | €15.80 | +€1.60 |
| Catalonia | €15.40 | +€1.20 |
| Madrid | €15.20 | +€1.00 |
| Navarre | €14.80 | +€0.60 |
| Spain average | €14.20 | — |
| Aragon | €13.80 | -€0.40 |
| Andalusia | €13.40 | -€0.80 |
| Murcia | €13.40 | -€0.80 |
| Asturias | €13.20 | -€1.00 |
| Canary Islands | €13.00 | -€1.20 |
The gap between the priciest region (Balearic Islands) and the cheapest (Canary Islands) is €3 per menu. At 20 meals a month, that's €60 of difference.
Prices by city
Within each region, the city and neighborhood matter a lot:
Madrid
The average in central Madrid is around €15–19. But there's plenty of variation:
- Lavapiés / Embajadores: €10–13 — the cheapest area in the center
- Chamberí / Malasaña: €13–17 — good value for money
- La Latina: €14–16 — hearty Castilian cooking
- Azca / CTBA (offices): €16–20 — pricier but more complete
- Tetuán / Bravo Murillo: €12–15 — an underrated neighborhood
We tell you more in our Madrid menú del día guide.
Restaurants in Madrid
Cafetería Santa Isabel
Restaurante Mi causa
Petit Azca. Bernabéu - Bar Restaurante con Terraza en Madrid
Data updated in real time from Appetece
Barcelona
Barcelona runs between €14–18 in the center, with cheaper options outside the tourist circuit:
- El Raval: €10–12 — very cheap international cooking
- Poble-sec: €11–14 — probably the best value neighborhood
- Sant Antoni: €13–16 — high level, market produce
- Gràcia: €12–15 — homey, generous menus
- Eixample: €14–17 — office district, mid-high quality
- Poblenou / 22@: €14–18 — modern cooking, vegan options
More detail in our Barcelona menú del día guide.
Restaurants in Barcelona
Etama
Desoriente Eixample
Desoriente Eixample
Data updated in real time from Appetece
Other cities
- Valencia: €12–16 — rice dishes and Mediterranean cooking at a good price
- Seville: €13–17 — tapas as an alternative to the full menu
- Bilbao: €14–18 — pintxos + menu, higher budget but top quality
- Málaga: €12–16 — pricier on the coast, cheaper inland
Why it goes up (and why not more)
The menú del día has risen 1.5% in the last year. The main causes:
- Raw material costs: oil, meat and fish have gone up
- Energy: electricity and gas costs hit kitchens
- Staff: wage rises in hospitality
But it rises less than general inflation because the menú del día runs on tight margins. If it goes up too much, it loses customers. Restaurants prefer to adjust portions or simplify dishes rather than raise the price sharply.
40% of restaurants have raised prices by 2–3%, 30% have not changed their rates, and 10% have raised them by more than 4%.
Menú del día vs. other options
How does the menú del día compare with other ways to eat out?
| Option | Average price | What's included? |
|---|---|---|
| Menú del día | €14.20 | Starter + main + dessert + drink + bread |
| Combo plate | €10–12 | One dish + drink |
| Fast-food combo | €9–11 | Burger/pizza + fries + drink |
| Homemade lunchbox | €3–5 | Whatever you cook (+ time) |
| Delivery (app) | €15–20 | One dish + delivery fees |
The menú del día is still the option with the best food-to-price ratio if you eat out. A starter, a main, dessert and a drink for €14 is hard to beat.
Read more in our article on what the menú del día is.
How to find cheap menus near you
Price depends on where you look. These are the tricks that work:
Step away from the tourist center. Prices drop 20–30% three or four streets from the busiest areas.
Look for residential office neighborhoods. Where local workers eat every day, prices are competitive and quality is high — they can't afford to drop standards with repeat customers.
Eat early. Some restaurants have a lower price at 1:00 pm than at 2:30 pm.
Compare before heading out. With Appetece you can see the menús del día in your area, compare prices and dishes, and choose before you move. Menus are updated every day.
The menú del día is still one of the best ways to eat well in Spain without overspending. Prices have gone up, yes, but moderately. And with a little exploring, there are always €11–13 menus well worth it.
Want to compare menú del día prices in your area? Discover them on Appetece — updated every day.