The menú del día: what is included
The menú del día is offered at a single announced price covering what the menu states, usually a first course, a main, dessert or coffee, bread and a drink, and any supplement must be shown in writing before you order.
gelisted editorial team · Updated 15 August 2026
The short version
- The average price in Spain runs 12 € to 16 €.
- Every supplement must be shown in writing before ordering.
- The announced price includes the applicable taxes.
- Prices must be displayed where they can be read before sitting down.
The argument at the end of a meal almost always concerns something that was never written down. What is written is enforceable; what is not cannot be charged.
What it covers
There is no single composition fixed nationally, but established practice and regional consumer rules agree that the announced menu price must cover the whole offer stated: a first course, a main, dessert or coffee, bread and a drink. What matters is that the offer is described and the price is inclusive. If the menu advertises dessert, dessert cannot be billed separately.
| Type of place | Usual price | What it usually covers |
|---|---|---|
| Neighbourhood bar | 10 to 13 € | two courses, dessert, bread, drink |
| Home cooking restaurant | 12 to 16 € | two courses, dessert, bread, drink |
| Restaurant in a tourist area | 15 to 22 € | two courses and dessert |
| Weekend menu | 18 to 30 € | extended choice |
| Supplement for a special dish | 2 to 6 € | must be in writing |
| Coffee instead of dessert | no charge | if the menu says so |
| Bread per diner | included | unless stated otherwise |
Supplements
They are lawful provided they are clearly announced and announced before you order: a fish dish adding 4 €, a different side, an elaborate dessert. What is not acceptable is being told when the dish arrives, or discovering it on the bill. The practical rule is simple: if the customer could not know the price before ordering, it cannot be charged afterwards.
Prices must be visible outside
Establishments must display their price list legibly outside or at the entrance, so a decision can be made before sitting down. Announced prices include applicable taxes: a menu advertised at 14 € is charged at 14 €, not 14 € plus tax. That detail lies behind a large share of complaints in tourist areas.
The hours the menu is served must also be stated. It is commonly Monday to Friday within a window from 13 to 16 hours.
If the bill does not add up
Ask for the menu card and compare item by item. Request the complaints book, which every establishment must hold available. And pay the undisputed part while recording the disagreement in writing, since refusing to pay the whole bill complicates the later complaint. The consumer route resolves these cases in periods that usually run 1 to 3 months.
Frequently asked
+What must the menú del día include?
What the menu states, usually two courses, dessert or coffee, bread and a drink, at one inclusive price.
+Can they charge supplements?
Yes if announced in writing before you order, not when the dish arrives or on the bill.
+Does the price include tax?
Yes. A menu advertised at 14 € is charged at 14 € with taxes already included.
+What does it cost on average?
Twelve to sixteen euros in a home cooking restaurant and 10 € to 13 € in a neighbourhood bar.
+What if the bill is wrong?
Compare with the menu card, ask for the complaints book and pay the undisputed part in writing.
Sources
- 1Boletín Oficial del Estado, BOE (August 2026)
- 2Instituto Nacional de Estadística, INE (August 2026)