The cost of food in USA for tourists is on of the biggest surprises for first time visitors.
to be honest i didn’t fully understand food costs in the USA until i saw my first restaurant bill.
the menu looked reasonable, but the final amount told a very different story.
Cost of Food in USA for Tourists – Real Experience Based Guide
If you are planning a trip to the USA, one thing that will surprise you more than flight prices is food cost.
Many tourists assume food in the USA is cheap because of fast food chains and big portions.
But once you land and start eating outside, reality slowly hits you.
I am writing this like a person who actually traveled, ate outside daily, checked bills carefully, and learned the hard way.
If I were going to the USA again, this is exactly how I would plan my food budget.
Average Daily Food Cost in USA for Tourists
during my first couple of days, i hate outside for every meal. that’s when i realized food in the USA is not cheap it become expensive very fast if you don’t plan.
Let’s start with the most important question.
if you are planning your overall expenses, this USA travel budget guide $100 per day will help you understand daily costs beyond just food.
How much does food really cost per day in the USA?
From a tourist point of view, food expenses mainly depend on how and where you eat.
Budget Tourist
- Breakfast: Coffee + bagel or basic meal – $5 to $8
- Lunch: Fast food or food truck – $10 to $15
- Dinner: Cheap restaurant or takeaway – $15 to $20
Daily food cost: $30 to $45
Mid-Range Tourist
- Breakfast: Café or hotel breakfast – $10 to $15
- Lunch: Casual restaurant – $15 to $20
- Dinner: Good sit-down restaurant – $25 to $35
- Daily food cost: $55 to $75
Luxury Tourist
Fine dining, cocktails, premium cafés
Daily food cost: $90 to $150+
If you don’t plan properly, food alone can eat up a big part of your travel budget.
Restaurant Food Prices in the USA – Reality Check
This is where many tourists underestimate costs.
Fast Food (Not as Cheap as You Think)
- Burger meal: $10 to $14
- Pizza slice: $4 to $6
- Subway sandwich: $9 to $12
Earlier fast food was cheap. Now prices increased a lot.
Casual Restaurants
- Main dish: $15 to $25
- Drink: $3 to $5
- Dessert: $6 to $9
Fine Dining
- One dish itself: $30 to $60
- Total bill easily crosses $80–$100 per person
many first time visitors make common mistakes when eating out in the USA, especially in tourist-heavy areas.
Hidden Shock: Tax + Tip
Menu price is not final.
- Sales tax: 7%–10%
- Tip: 15%–25%
A $20 dish becomes $26–$28 without you realizing it.
Street Food & Food Trucks – Are They Cheap?
i assumed fast food would be a budget saver, but even simple meals cost more then i expected.
portions are big, yes, but prices are no longer cheap’
Food trucks look affordable, but prices vary.
- Tacos or wraps: $8 to $12
- Burgers or bowls: $12 to $16
In tourist-heavy cities like New York or Los Angeles, food trucks are not cheap anymore.
But taste is good, portions are filling, and tipping is usually optional.
Best for lunch, not dinner.
Grocery Stores – Biggest Money Saver for Tourists
walking into grocery store was an eye-opener for me. that’s when i understood why locals don’t eat out every day,
groceries make a huge difference to the budget.
If I had to give one golden tip, this is it.
Eating outside every day will drain money. Grocery stores save you a lot.
Typical Grocery Prices
- Bread: $2–$4
- Milk: $3–$5
- Fruits (per lb): $2–$4
- Ready meals: $5–$8
You can easily manage:
- Breakfast from grocery
- Snacks during travel
- Light dinner sometimes
Grocery shopping can reduce daily food cost by 30–40%.
Tourists are fully allowed to shop in supermarkets. No issues at all.
Hotel Food vs Outside Food
one days when my hotel offered free breakfast, my food expenses stayed under control. on other days, even a simple morning coffee felt expensive.
Hotel Breakfast
- Free breakfast hotels = huge advantage
- Paid hotel breakfast: $15–$25 per person
Room Service
- Very expensive
- Small portions, high prices
If your hotel offers free breakfast, use it fully.
If not, nearby cafés or grocery stores are better.
Tips, Taxes & Hidden Charges You Should Know
after learning about tipping culture, i started mentally adding 20% to every restaurant price before ordering. the small habit helped me avoid bill shock.
Many tourists get confused here.
Tipping Culture
- Restaurants: 15% minimum
- Good service: 20%
- Bars & cafés: Optional but expected
Not tipping is seen as rude unless service is bad.
Delivery Apps
- Food cost
- Service fee
- Delivery fee
- A $15 meal easily becomes $25.
If possible, pick up food yourself.
City-Wise Food Cost Comparison
the same meal felt expensive in new York but surprisingly reasonable in smaller cities.
in the USA, your food budget changes with the city you’re in.
Food prices change a lot by city.
Expensive Cities
- New York
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
Average meal: $20–$30
Moderate Cities
- Las Vegas
- Chicago
- Miami
Average meal: $15–$25
Cheaper Cities
- Texas cities
- Smaller towns
Average meal: $10–$18
If your trip includes multiple cities, budget accordingly.
Vegetarian Food Cost in the USA
Vegetarian Food
- Veg options are widely available
- Veg meals often cost same or slightly more than non-veg
Restaurants
- One curry + naan: $18–$25
- Full meal with drink: $25–$35
Grocery Stores
- Ready-to-eat meals: $4–$7
- Best option for vegetarians
- stores are a blessing if you miss home food.
One-Day Sample Food Budget (Realistic)
if i had to give one honest tip, it would be this
plan your food budget before the trip. in the USA, food planning is not optional it is necessary in my felling.
Budget Tourist Day
- Breakfast: Grocery – $5
- Lunch: Food truck – $12
- Dinner: Cheap restaurant – $18
Total: $35
Mid-Range Tourist Day
- Breakfast: Café – $12
- Lunch: Casual restaurant – $18
- Dinner: Nice restaurant – $30
Total: $60
Common Food Budget Mistakes Tourists Make
eating at the airport was my first mistakes. airport food prices are high everywhere, and the USA is no exception.
These mistakes cost money without you realizing.
- Eating at airport restaurants
- Choosing restaurants near tourist attractions
- Ordering drinks with every meal
- Using delivery apps daily
- Ignoring tips while budgeting
Avoid these and your expenses automatically drop.
one mistakes i personally made was eating at the airport, which is something many beginners don’t plan for. what i learned from my first flight
Practical Food Saving Tips for Tourists
If I were traveling again, I would follow these strictly:
- Eat heavy breakfast, light dinner
- Use lunch specials
- Share large portions
- Carry snacks from grocery stores
- Drink tap water (free in restaurants)
- Walk a little away from tourist spots to eat
These small habits save big money.
Frequently Asked Questions
these are exact questions i had during my trip. so i will answer them clearly and honestly.
Is food expensive in the USA for tourists?
Yes, compared to many countries. But smart planning helps control costs.
Can I survive on $20 per day for food?
Very difficult unless you eat grocery food only.
Is tipping compulsory?
Not legally, but socially expected in restaurants.
Is grocery food safe?
Yes, quality is high and widely used by locals.
Final Conclusion – Honest Advice
Food in the USA isn’t scary, but ignoring the costs is. withe smart choices and basic planning, you can eat well, enjoy trip, and still stay within budget.
If you eat outside without thinking, food will feel expensive.
If you mix restaurants, grocery food, and smart choices, you can enjoy good meals without stress.
according to public cost-of-living data, food prices in the USA very widely by city.
My final advice:
- Don’t fear food prices
- Respect tipping culture
- Use grocery stores wisely
- Plan daily food budget before your trip
in my experience, understanding the cost of food in USA for tourists before traveling makes a huge difference in planning a stress-free trip.