Food Prices in Germany

I think Cokes have always been expensive in Europe. I can remember a trip to Paris 30 yrs ago and Coke was equivalent to US $5 even then!

We've traveled to Germany at least 6 times over the last decade and find costs to be reasonable compared to other European countries.

Many places have daily fixed price menus for 10 Euro. But prices have crept up over the years. If a burger costs $3 here it will cost 3 Euro there.

We find it much cheaper to buy sandwiches and a drink at the local grocery store (Billa, etc.,) than to always eat in restaurants.

I don't remember beer prices being unreasonable but can't recall the specific prices.

Why drink Coke when beer is so cheap? I usually have a brew or two at a restaurant, then buy a bottle of Coke or a generic brand at Aldi or Lidl for under an Euro which I save for later. Just like back here in the States a soda in a restaurant or bar costs much more than what you'd pay in a grocery store.

1.25 liter bottle of Coke/Diet/Zero for 69ct at Lidl
Pepsi between 55ct per 1.5 liter bottle and 85ct. Usually eiter Coke or Pespi are cheap at Lidl, thery're changing it every week. Before christmas they were selling Pepsi at 44ct per 1.5 liter bottle. I bought "a few" Those should last until easter, just that after a few month, they taste odd. (Not that they wouldn't tase odd, right when you buy them, but afer a few months, the taste is "odder".
But hey, I saved 10ct per bottle.
And yes, there's a 25ct deposit on a bottle, even if it's only a 0.5l one.

In Austria, Coke and Pepsi are FAR more expensive.

Food is generally cheaper in Germany as long as you shop at Lidl or Aldi (at the current exchange rate). It's below Walmart prices. All the subsidized stuff (Cheese, Milk products... is a lot cheaper)

http://www.kaufda.de/Berlin/Lidl/p-r74#

What is "Diet coke plus"??? A new product?

If you want to save money, eat breakfast and lunch standing up. Or maybe with your room you get a breakfast and eat a picnic lunch you bought at the local Bäckerei. Our last trip I thought the prices were fine. I could afford my favorite, Kinder Surprise. And Apfelsaft! Switzerland was expensive I thought.

Local food and drink are always much less expensive (excepting luxury items like truffles) than Coke et al. Basic beer and table wine always were and still are cheaper than those minuscule cans of warm Coke. (But if you really want them - buy them by the 6-pack in supermarkets - or better yet drink water.)

Switzerland is more expensive - very expensive even to a New Yorker - but we have found Germany reasonable.

Hi gls007,

Yes, American style pop drinks have always been more expensive than beer and wine in Switzerland in Germany. I remember when I was in school in Switzerland in the 1960s, and we were given 3 chf each to buy a beverage -- cokes cost 4 chf and wine cost 2 chf. Guess which we bought?

I do disagree with norrisken on one small point though. I think you can save more if you have your main meal at lunchtime, when restaurants run their daily specials. You can get a full meal for around 10-15 E. Then for your evening meal either eat in a department store restaurant, have a Würst at a stand, or have a gourmet picnic from grocery stores/bakeries.

Another idea -- walk away from the wide streets that are crowded with pedestrians and visitors -- head off on the small alleys and narrow lanes to find smaller restaurants where locals go.

I moved to Bavaria in the Fall of 2008, and when I want lunch out, I spend about 2-4 E for a glass of beer or wine, and 8-15 E for my meal. Of course, it is possible to spend 25-50E for a meal in a restaurant too.

Coffee also runs around 3E.

Hope this helps!

s

Prices for food/drinks (eating out) are quite reasonable IMO.
Most prices are comparable to prices in the US, but with one catct; where you folks read 'dollar', here it says 'euro'. And with the exchange rate (although the euro is coming down) this adds about 30-40% to the price for you guys.

A Coke (33cl) in a cafe/restaurant will be between 2-3 euro. That's between 2,75-4 dollar. Same goes for beer, wine is a little bit more expensive.

A steak with fries will be around 10-15 euro, that's between 13,75 and 20 dollar.

A sandwich will be around 5 euro (6-7 dollar).

But they often have daily specials etc.

Thanks for all of the information. I was sure that it was not as expensive as my wife was told. Since this will be her first time in Europe she tends to believe anything she is told by someone who was there. The "know-it-all" that my wife is talking to probably never left the airport.

I am excited about returning to Germany even if it is only for a week (this time)

Gary

swandav2000,
I agree with you about lunch being the cheaper of the two. My stomach doesn't like that though. I'm just so used slowing down at night and having a sit down meal then.
Ken

Within (western) Europe, Germany is one of the countries with the most reasonable prices for food/drinks. Plus good quality and service.

Where are you staying in Germany?