Beer & Food Prices in Bucharest and Romania (2026 Update)

Prices in Romania have been climbing faster than my excitement for dessert when I see papanasi (check it, and other traditional Romanian foods here). So fast, that I decided to update this article again mid-year, as the prices I shared in January have already changed.

And it makes sense, because Romania’s inflation remains the highest in the European Union, and still sticky at around 10%. That hurts the wallets, as you will see below.

With food being the main expense of a family, after rent, I’ve decided to sprinkle it with a bit of beer and share their prices – valid in Bucharest and the rest of the country. (Note that in smaller towns, restaurants costs a bit less, on average).

Each year, I also update the article regarding the cost of living in Romania, so make sure to check that out if you’re curious about the full spectrum of expenses for a long-term stay.

But if you’re here for the shorter term, food & beer prices is probably what you care about more. Let’s get into the real numbers.

Quick Takeaways

• Food and drink prices in Romania are still going up, and some are even double compared to pre-2023 levels.
• Eating out? Budget around €8 for a daily menu or prepare ~€20 for a full meal with a drink.
• Beer? Still cheaper than water in some cases – now that’s something worth toasting to!
• A standard shaorma or burger combo can now cost nearly as much as a sit-down lunch menu.

Now let’s get a bit more in-depth and see actual, up-to-date prices!

Food prices in Romania in 2026

Just like everywhere in the world, store food prices here vary depending on the season.

I am listing below prices for in-season products (so expect to find more expensive tomatoes, for example, if you want to buy them in January).

Also, my estimates are based on my own experience shopping at Carrefour supermarket, which is sometimes a bit more expensive than discount stores like Lidl or Kaufland, but not as expensive as other smaller stores, including Mega Image or Profi.

Please Note: Prices in Romania are in Lei (RON). For simplicity, I have exchanged this to Euros at a rate of 5.00 Lei for 1 Euro. In reality, the exchange rate nowadays is closer to 5.15 Lei, but the 5:1 ratio makes the mental math much easier.

With all these in mind, let’s check out some prices!

Basic grocery prices in Romania

• Chicken thighs (1 kg): €4.75 – €5.50
• Chicken breast, skinless (1 kg): €7.00 – €7.50
• Whole Chicken (1 kg): €3.55
• Pork leg, boneless (1 kg): €7.50
• Pork meat (minced, 1 kg): €7.50
• Beef Sirloin (1 kg): €13.75

• Salami, 1 bar (300 grams): €5.80
• Turkey Ham (sliced, 150 grams): €2.50
• Bacon (sliced, 150 grams): €2.50
• Sausages (1 kg): €6.00 – €9.00

• Fresh Trout (Păstrăv) (1 kg): €8.00 (A very common and delicious local fish).
• Salmon (150g, smoked): €5.75
• Tuna (canned): €2.50
• Mackerel (600g, frozen) – €7.00
• Carp (fresh, per kilo) – €6.00

• Milk, low fat (1 liter): €1.00 – €2.00
• Cottage cheese, 1 tub (180 grams): €1.15
• White Cheese (Telemea), 1 kg: €8.00 – €10.00
• Cheddar (1 kg): €12.00
• Butter, 1 block (200 grams): €2.00 – €3.00 (Butter prices remain painfully high).

• Eggs, 10-pack: €3.50
• Sunflower oil (1 liter): €1.80
• Olive oil, extra virgin (1 liter): €14.00 (but this depends heavily on brand).
• White Vinegar (1 liter): €0.65

• Bread, 1 loaf: €1.30
• Bread, sliced (500 grams): €2.00
• Corn Flakes, Plain (500 grams): €1.80
• Nestle Chocolate Cornflakes (425g bag): €2.80
• Muesli & Chocolate, 500 grams box – €4.80
• Coffee, 500g bag: €8.50 (coffee prices skyrocketed recently).
• White Sugar (1 kg): €1.00
• Brown sugar, 500 grams – €2.00

• Spaghetti (500g, Romanian brand): €1.00
• White rice (1 kg): €1.40
• White beans (dried, 1 kg): €2.50
• Lentils (500g): €1.60
• Can of beans – €1.00
• Can of sweet corn – €1.00
• White flour (1kg bag) – €0.90

• Tomatoes (1 kg): €1.50 (Summer) – €5.00+ (Winter)
• Potatoes (1 kg): €0.90
• Lettuce (1 head): €1.00
• Mushrooms (1 kg): €4.75
• Onions (1 kg): €1.00
• Apples (1 kg): €1.00
• Bananas (1 kg): €1.50
• Oranges, 1 kilo – €1.20
• Avocado (1 piece): €1.20

For those with specific dietary needs, Romania has come a long way in recent years.

Vegan and gluten-free products are generally available in supermarkets. Still, they are expensive by Romanian standards: a liter of almond milk starts at around €3.00, while gluten-free bread starts at €3.50 per loaf.

Price of Beer in Romania (and other drinks)

Keep in mind that the prices below are for supermarkets, not bar or restaurant prices! (We’ll talk about those as well below). Also, as you will see, just like everything else, prices have jumped a lot, especially when it comes to sugary drinks.

• Beer, 1 bottle, 2 liter – €3.00 (Great for quantity, less so for quality).
• Local beer (500ml can, cheap) – €0.90 – €1.20
• Heineken beer, six-pack – €7.00
• Craft beer (330ml bottle) – €3.00 and above (The craft scene is booming but pricey).
• Cheap Romanian Wine, 750ml bottle – €4.75
• Better Romanian Wine, 750ml bottle – €12.00 Euros and above
• 1 bottle of Coca Cola, 2 liters – €2.00
• 1 jug of water, 5 liters – €1.75
• Bottle of water (plain, 2 liters): €0.60
• Bottle of water (sparkling, 1.5 liters): €0.70
• Bottle of natural orange juice (1 liter): €2.50

Restaurant food & drinks costs in Romania

Prices in restaurants vary a lot and the sky’s the limit. However, the gap between “cheap eats” and “fine dining” is closing, mostly because the cheap eats aren’t that cheap anymore. These costs have risen significantly since 2022-2023 and haven’t stopped.

Here is what to expect:

• Breakfast (Eggs Benedict/Omelet + Coffee): ~€8.00
• Daily Menu (Meniul Zilei): €7.00 – €10.00.
  • Pro Tip: This is the best value in Romania. It usually includes a soup, main course, and sometimes a dessert or drink. It is strictly available Monday to Friday, usually 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The lower price is in smaller cities.

• Full Lunch, average restaurant (soup, main, drink): €20.00 (for one)
• Full Lunch, expensive restaurant: €30.00+
• Dinner (Main dish): €8.00 – €25.00
• Coffee / Cappuccino: €3.00 – €5.00 (Specialty coffee shops are everywhere now, and priced like Western Europe).
• Soda (330ml glass bottle): €2.50
• Bottle of local beer (500ml): €3.00 – €5.00
• Glass of wine: €5.00+

For something stronger, try țuică or palincă – traditional Romanian plum brandy. Prices vary depending on where you buy them: a 500ml bottle at a supermarket costs around €10, but homemade varieties from local markets might be cheaper and far more authentic.

Now let’s check out some fast food prices and bakery food costs – these will probably shock you if you’re a returning visitor. The days of 3 Euro Shaormas (this beast here) are gone, unfortunately.

• Shaorma (The “With Everything” beast): €7.00 – €9.00
• Hamburger (Gourmet/Pub style): €10.00 – €12.00
• McDonald’s Big Mac (Sandwich only): €3.80
• McDonald’s Happy Meal: €4.50
• Pizza (Regular, Quatro Stagioni): €8.00 – €10.00
• Pretzel (Covrig): €0.50 (Still the cheapest snack in town).
• Merdenea (Cheese pastry): €1.20
• Apple Strudel – €0.90

Check out my list of the best restaurants in Constanta, or the best ones in Sinaia to get a clearer idea of what to expect when eating at more touristy places (and prepare to spend A LOT more).

If you want to get even more in-depth, check out my articles about the best coffee in Constanta, the best pizza in the city, or take a look at the best restaurants in Bucharest.

Tipping, Payments, and Delivery Apps

Tipping (aka Bacșiș) is becoming the norm when it comes to eating out, going out for a drink, or ordering food at home. I have a full article dedicated to tipping in Romania here, but the food-related conclusion is that you are expected to tip around 10% of the bill.

The good news for 2026 is that almost all POS terminals now allow you to add the tip directly to the card payment legally, although not all restaurants/pubs offer this option.

As far as delivery options go, most restaurants either offer their own delivery service or run through apps like Glovo, Wolt and Bolt/Uber Food. However, in these dedicated apps, the menu prices are usually higher than in the restaurant and you have additional delivery fees (plus a potential “bad weather” surcharge).

For paying, Romania is becoming more card-friendly each year. Nowadays, you can usually pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or contactless cards almost anywhere, but there are still plenty of places that run on cash only. So if you don’t have cash on hand, it’s best to ask before ordering.

Why the Spike in Prices?

Inflation is the main reason why prices in Romania are so high, and it’s still not showing signs of stopping, although there was a bit of hope recently.

Romania’s inflation rate was close to double digits for a couple of years, and the Horeca (Hotels/Restaurants) sector was hit hard by rising energy, tax changes, and labor costs. This means that the “outrageously cheap” Romania of 2019 is history.

But don’t panic (yet)! Romania remains affordable compared to France, Germany, or the UK. With a bit of planning – like hunting for that “Meniul Zilei” or shopping at Lidl – you can still eat and drink very well on a modest budget.

The Romanian culture is generally aimed at optimizing costs, so if you choose to live like a Romanian, you can do so on the cheap.

Usually, bread, pastries, vegetables, and local fruits are way cheaper than in most parts of Europe based on my research and personal experience.

Cold cuts, all sorts of meats, including fish and seafood are similarly priced and sometimes more expensive than other parts of Europe. And, of course, beer is always cheap and tasty!

Now, if you’re planning to travel for a short time here, make sure to also check out my previous guide on how much to budget for a trip to Romania. It will sure help you, especially if the money is tight.

If you have any questions or want to know the price of specific items, leave a comment below.

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