Eating and drinking out in Cyprus has become steadily more expensive over the past five years, with the latest Statistical Service figures showing restaurant prices rose 4% year-on-year in May 2026.
The increase follows a run of consecutive annual rises: 5% in May 2025, 6.4% in 2024, 3.9% in 2023, 7.3% in 2022 and 0.6% in 2021. Rising raw material costs and energy prices are generally cited as the drivers, with the burden passed on to consumers.
Restaurants and full-service venues
The price index for restaurants and similar full-service establishments rose 4% year-on-year in May 2026, down from 5% in May 2025. Annual increases over the preceding years were 6.4% in 2024, 3.9% in 2023, 7.3% in 2022 and 0.6% in 2021.
Canteens and cafeterias
Prices at canteens and cafeterias rose 2.9% year-on-year in May 2026, compared with a 4.4% rise in May 2025. The index has risen every year since 2021: up 3.7% in 2024, 3% in 2023 and 7.3% in 2022. The only exception was 2021, when the index fell 1.3%.
Alcoholic drinks
The alcoholic drinks price index rose 1.5% year-on-year in May 2026. Wine prices were up 1% annually, reversing a 3.8% drop recorded in May 2025; the wine index rose 0.4% in 2024 and 7.6% in 2023.
Beer prices have been more volatile. The beer price index rose 1.65% in May 2026, according to Statistical Service data, following falls of 2.7% in 2024 and 2.9% in 2023. In May 2022 the index jumped 9.1%, and rose 0.7% in 2021.
Soft drinks
Soft drink prices also rose, with the index up 5.8% in 2024. In the preceding years the increases were 5.9% in 2023, 13.2% in 2022 and 7.7% in 2021.