1957 Restaurant Prices: What Did a Dinner Cost?

In 1957, the average cost of a meal at a restaurant in the United States was $1.75. This price varied depending on the type of restaurant, with meals at casual diners typically costing less than those at fine-dining establishments. For example, a meal at a fast-food restaurant might have cost around 50 cents, while a meal at a steakhouse could have cost as much as $5.00.

In addition to the price of food, diners also had to pay for drinks and taxes. A cup of coffee typically cost 10 cents, while a can of soda cost around 5 cents. Sales tax on restaurant meals varied by state, but it was typically around 5%.

As a point of comparison, the average annual income in the United States in 1957 was $4,000. This means that the average person spent about 4% of their annual income on dining out.