Pick and Choose
The table below shows the average prices of each item. Price ranges show a basic item at the low end to a more elaborate item at the high end, if a range is provided. For some examples, a basic margherita pizza versus one with multiple meats and other toppings or a traditional spritz versus a cocktail. These prices are based off of the places that we recommend, and the information may not be applicable at other restaurants. Note that Milos, depending on the restaurant, can fall in between both categories. Generally, the more local places will be cheaper and the more touristic locations may be pricier. Milos is the only location on the list that I would say is yet to be fully discovered and tourism there will continue to increase, so hopefully prices don’t follow the same trend. The other markets are rather established in comparison, so prices should stay regular in the coming years.
| Foods and Places | Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence, Milos | Rome, Athens, Milos |
| Coffee | 2-5 euro | 1-3 euro |
| Dessert | 6-11 euro | 4-8 euro |
| Full Breakfast (Eggs and Meat) | 8-15 euro | 7-11 euro |
| Pastry | 2-5 euro | 2-5 euro |
| Alcohol (Spritz/Mixed Drink) | 4-10 euro | 3-8 euro |
| Beer | 3-8 euro | 3-6 euros |
| Water | 2-4 euro | 2-4 euro |
| Soda | 3-5 euro | 2-4 euro |
| Wine Glass | 4-6 euro | 3-5 euro |
| Wine Bottle | 10-30 euro | 8-24 euro |
| Street Food | 2-10 euro | 2-8 euro |
| Salad | 8-15 euro | 5-13 euro |
| Fries | 4-6 euro | 3-5 euro |
| Small Plate (Tzatziki/Bruschetta) | 8-13 euro | 6-10 euro |
| Appetizer (Fish/Meat) | 14-22 euro | 8-14 euro |
| Meat Dish | 17-22 euro | 9-17 euro |
| Seafood Dish | 17-30 euro | 7-22 euro |
| Pizza | 8-16 euro | 6-12 euro |
| Pasta | 9-15 euro | 8-12 euro |
| Pasta w/ Seafood or Meat | 15-25 euro | 12-20 euro |
| Cover Charge (Coperto) | 2-5 euro | Rome 2 euro, other no cover charge |
Food Budget Explained:
The great thing about traveling is your food budget can stay flexible. You can indulge in gourmet meals costing 75 euro per person or experience pizza al taglio or a gyro street food meal costing 6 euros per person. Each providing a fulfilling dining experience no matter the price range. For example, referring to above, you could have a great meal with a pizza and a glass of wine for 12 euro or you could choose to treat yourself to a 3-course meal, with wine, bruschetta, a pasta with seafood, and a tiramisu and coffee for dessert, costing you 45 euros per person; and that’s if you don’t share anything. In either case, both are good deals for what you receive.
Above you can see two meals my wife and I had in Milos in 2023, both at the same place. A local taverna with great small plates added up to 52 euros for the one meal and about 55 euros for our other visit. Even when splurging, it is very reasonable. Wine is part of the culture in both Italy and Greece, so it is cheap compared to adding wine to your meal in other countries. You can see we had an array of different plates for each meal as well as wine each time. Note that 1 liter costed 12 euros, or about $13, unheard of in many countries. This restaurant focuses on small plates, so there are no extras with each item, but you can see this makes your meal customizable.
Another thing you may notice is that you must pay for water. In Italy and in Greece, you must pay for water unless you use some of Italy’s public fountains. These fountains are located especially in Rome and Venice. Otherwise, it is a few euros for a liter bottle.
Aperitivo (Sort of like happy hour)
One of the greatest things that needs exported from Italy is the aperitivo. Aperitivo is a tradition in Italy where people gather in the early evening to enjoy a drink and snacks before dinner. Most places offer a drink (like a spritz, wine, or cocktail) along with a selection of snacks, which can range from simple olives and nuts to a more extensive buffet with pasta, salads, and small sandwiches. Aperitivo costs anywhere from 5-15 euros, a great deal for a drink and a snack.
Cover Charge (Coperto)
Coperto is a flat fee charged to each person dining at a restaurant. It is not a tip or gratuity but covers the cost of setting the table, providing bread, and generally maintaining the dining area. The cost of coperto can vary, generally ranging from €1 to €5 per person, depending on the restaurant and location. In high-tourism areas, the coperto might be higher, while in more rural or less touristy spots, it usually will be lower. A normal cover charge in the areas I send my guests is 2.50 euro.
In Greece, some places will try to give you bread without asking you, then they will charge you for it. I always am happy to have bread to dip, so I don’t mind, but just a heads up if they put bread down, you will pay for it!
Tipping
Tipping in Italy and Greece is not mandatory, but if you receive excellent service, it’s common to leave a small additional tip or round up the bill. Please do not feel obligated to tip in any circumstance in the locations that I send you, as wages are not dependent on tips.
Overall Thoughts
In any destination listed, a couple would have a fantastic trip budgeting $150 total per day and that would cover the entire couple. This would include spending about $20 per breakfast, $40 per lunch, and $90 per dinner. This includes having a great meal with appetizers, dessert, and wine for dinner. You can really have a satisfying day of food for $100 per day, but having a nice cushion is great, so of course you can get that extra bottle of wine, or that extra tiramisu!
