Restaurant prices in China

See also: food prices   cost of living   entertainment costs  


Can you eat cheaply in restaurants in China? What are the prices in affordable pubs in China? How much will I have to spend a day when I only eat in fast food restaurants in China?

If we are looking for an affordable place to eat, then in a cheap restaurant we will pay about 3.5 US dollars. With limited time and to avoid spending too much, you can opt for fast food. The cost of a meal set (sandwich, fries, and a soda) is approximately 5.2 US dollars. And when we can afford to go to the restaurant, we will pay for a meal consisting of three dishes around 28 US dollars. And if you want to drink a beer or two, you have to pay extra: 1.9 US dollars (price for 2 bottles) And if you prefer a Coke, Fanta, Sprite or similar carbonated drink, then you have to pay 0.46 US dollars for a small bottle.
Below you will find the full price list in China, including coffee, imported beer, Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Mirinda, a better restaurant for a couple, or Burger King or a similar bar


See also how prices have changed in previous years: Price changes in previous years in China


What currency is used in China and what is the conversion rate?

Currency in China Chinese yuan (CNY CN¥). For 10 US dollars you can get 72.4 Chinese yuan. For 100 US dollars you can get 724 Chinese yuan. And the other way around: For 10 Chinese yuan you can get 1.38 US dollars.


What are the different prices in the cities in China? Look here: Prices in cities in China

Prices: Beijing   Chengdu   Chongqing   Guangzhou   Nanjing   Shanghai   Tianjin   Wuhan   Xi'an   Harbin  


Price cheap restaurant $3.5 ($2.1 - $6.9)

cheap restaurant

$3.5 ($2.1 - $6.9)
83% is less expensive than in United States

Price local beer $0.97 ($0.69 - $4.1)

local beer

$0.97 ($0.69 - $4.1)
84% is less expensive than in United States

Price coffee $3.3 ($1.5 - $5.2)

coffee

$3.3 ($1.5 - $5.2)
35% is less expensive than in United States

Price bottle of water $0.3 ($0.26 - $0.99)

bottle of water

$0.3 ($0.26 - $0.99)
86% is less expensive than in United States

Price Burger King or a similar bar $5.2 ($4.1 - $6.9)

Burger King or a similar bar

$5.2 ($4.1 - $6.9)
by half less than in United States

Price Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Mirinda $0.46 ($0.4 - $1.7)

Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Mirinda

$0.46 ($0.4 - $1.7)
81% is less expensive than in United States

Below we present the current prices in restaurants, bars and fast food in China
(The last update: 4 days ago)

Prices of food and drink in restaurants in China:

  1. Meal in a cheap restaurant $3.5 (CN¥25)
  2. Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course $28 (CN¥200)
  3. McMeal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Combo Meal) $5.2 (CN¥38)
  4. Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) $0.97 (CN¥7)
  5. Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) $2.1 (CN¥15.5)
  6. Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) $0.46 (CN¥3.4)
  7. Water (0.33 liter bottle) $0.3 (CN¥2.1)
  8. Cappuccino $3.3 (CN¥24)
  9. Espresso Coffee $2.3 (CN¥16.7)
  10. Cheeseburger (fast food) $1.6 (CN¥11.4)
source: hikersbay.com & numbeo.com

Price changes in previous years in China

Price changes in Coffee over the years: 2011: $3.2(CN¥23), 2012: $3.6(CN¥26), 2013: $3.7(CN¥27), 2014: $3.7(CN¥27), 2015: $3.7(CN¥27), 2016: $3.8(CN¥28), 2017: $3.7(CN¥27), and 2018: $3.8(CN¥28)

China price changes: Cappuccino 2011-2018
China price changes Cappuccino hikersbay.com

Price changes in A Better Restaurant For A Couple over the years: 2010: $13.8(CN¥100), 2011: $13.8(CN¥100), 2012: $13.8(CN¥100), 2013: $21(CN¥150), 2014: $18.6(CN¥135), 2015: $19.3(CN¥140), 2016: $21(CN¥150), 2017: $21(CN¥150), and 2018: $22(CN¥160)

China price changes: Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 2010-2018
China price changes Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course hikersbay.com

Do we have to pay more for beer in the restaurant than we used to?
This is what beer prices looked like in 2010: $1.1(CN¥8), 2011: $0.83(CN¥6), 2012: $1.1(CN¥8), 2013: $1.1(CN¥8), 2014: $0.83(CN¥6), 2015: $0.83(CN¥6), 2016: $0.83(CN¥6), 2017: $0.97(CN¥7), and 2018: $1.1(CN¥8).

China price changes: Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) 2010-2018
China price changes Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) hikersbay.com

Do carbonated drinks cost more than they used to in China?
On average, a bottle of Cola or Pepsi has cost: 2010: $0.57(CN¥4.2), 2011: $0.47(CN¥3.4), 2012: $0.5(CN¥3.6), 2013: $0.49(CN¥3.5), 2014: $0.47(CN¥3.4), 2015: $0.44(CN¥3.2), 2016: $0.45(CN¥3.3), 2017: $0.47(CN¥3.4), and 2018: $0.47(CN¥3.4) in recent years

China price changes: Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) 2010-2018
China price changes Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) hikersbay.com

Price changes in Bottle Of Water over the years: 2010: $0.31(CN¥2.2), 2011: $0.32(CN¥2.3), 2012: $0.33(CN¥2.4), 2013: $0.3(CN¥2.2), 2014: $0.27(CN¥2), 2015: $0.27(CN¥1.9), 2016: $0.28(CN¥2.1), 2017: $0.3(CN¥2.2), and 2018: $0.29(CN¥2.1)

China price changes: Water (0.33 liter bottle) 2010-2018
China price changes Water (0.33 liter bottle) hikersbay.com