For many, dining out is an important part of their holiday. Yet depending on the destination, a night out at a restaurant can vary greatly in price. FerryGoGo compared prices for a dinner for two across Europe and made a list showing the cheapest and most expensive destinations as far as restaurant outings are concerned.
Budgeting a holiday isn’t a simple task. While transportation and accommodation might make up a big chunk of the money spent, there is usually one other main expense: dining. Contrary to the cost of transport and a hotel or holiday rental, it can be difficult to determine exactly how much you will spend on food beforehand.
Ferry comparison site FerryGoGo has made it a little easier for those travelling to or within Europe to estimate their dining out budget. The company has made a list ranking European destinations from the most to the least expensive, depending on the cost of a three-course dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant, excluding drinks.
According to FerryGogo, those who are looking for the European destination with the cheapest dining out options should be heading to Kosovo, where the price for a dinner for two comes in at just €20.00. North Macedonia and Moldova complete the top three, which clearly indicates Europe’s cheapest region for culinary enthusiasts.
5 cheapest countries in Europe for dining out:
- Kosovo: £17.35 (€20.00)
- North Macedonia: £21.15 (€24.38)
- Moldova: £26.30 (€30.32)
- Bosnia & Herzegovina: £26.68 (€30.75)
- Serbia: £33.26 (€38.34)
Travellers who aren’t afraid of an expensive dining experience, however, should be heading to Switzerland. At an average of €107.24 for a dinner for two – excluding drinks – the country puts itself at the top of the list, followed by Denmark and Luxembourg.
5 most expensive countries in Europe for dining out:
- Switzerland: £93.04 (€107.24)
- Denmark: £81.29 (€93.69)
- Luxembourg: £78.08 (€90.00)
- Norway: £77.96 (€89.86)
- Netherlands / Ireland / Finland / Belgium: £69.41 (€80.00)
Aside from the most and least expensive dinner destinations, FerryGoGo also offers a list of countries that are both popular and genuinely good value. Portugal, Spain, and France might be more expensive than some other destinations, but according to the company, they make for the perfect compromise between luxurious and good value-for-money.
“If dining out is a big part of your holiday (and let’s be honest, it usually is), your 2026 pattern is clear. For the best ‘foodie holiday per pound’, Southern Europe is the sweet spot, with Portugal, Spain, and France offering excellent value, especially if you are travelling by ferry to France or northern Spain and turning the journey into a road trip. If you want standout city-break value, places like Skopje, Sarajevo, and Krakow or Gdanskare hard to beat. And if your plans include Switzerland or Scandinavia, it’s not a ‘don’t go’, it’s a ‘go clever’ – pick a couple of big dinners, mix in lunch menus and markets, and your wallet will forgive you by the time you are back on the ferry”, FerryGogo writes.
As the prices in the study are based on mid-range restaurants, it is always possible to find cheaper or more expensive venues depending on personal preference or budget.
