How much does lunch cost in Tauranga?

It's known as $10 Tauranga but don't expect to get a basic lunch in the city for that price.

The Bay of Plenty Times did a survey of popular Tauranga CBD eateries to find out how much a basic lunch costs.

Spring St Cafe, Robert Harris, Sammies, Cameo Lounge and Sober Camel were surveyed to find out how much they charged for a basic sandwich, a muffin and a regular flat white.

Sober Camel was cheapest at $10.40; Sammies was the most expensive at $14.40.

Cafe owners say it is a challenge keeping prices down and some say they have absorbed cost rises.

Cafe regulars Dennis and Vicky Jeffers were impressed by the food and coffee at Robert Harris.

The couple looked at the quality of food on offer, rather than price, when deciding where to eat out.

"They've either got to have great food or good views," Mrs Jeffers said.

"There has been increases in the price of eating out but we still manage to find the money. I'd rather go without buying new clothes than stop eating out."

Robert Harris owner Susanne Irwin said she thought her prices were reasonable.

"I haven't had people complaining about our costs, I think we manage to keep our prices at a reasonable range. We have been very modest with our price increases.

"The last big one we did was the increase of GST. We have absorbed quite a lot of the costs, which we make up for by getting returning customers."

Sammies owner Kathryn Gibson said pricing food was difficult because they needed to balance being reasonably priced with the cost of fresh produce.

"I think our sandwiches are quite generously filled and they are always fresh. We always use quality relishes and good cuts of meat. For us, it's about taste and quality."

Sober Camel owner Lisa Burgi said the cafe aimed to be reasonably priced to ensure customers returned.

"We want repeat customers, there's only so much you can charge before people stop coming in. We do absorb some of the cost."

Spring St Cafe owner Brian Benjamin said he had been holding costs down as much as he could.

"We've been copping the food price increases and not passing them on to customers where we can. Our margins have definitely been squeezed."

The Cameo Lounge could not be reached for comment.

What do you think? Leave  your comment below!