Menu price calculator: the right price for every dish
A menu price should start from what the dish costs you to plate. Platesprig divides each dish's cost per portion by your target food cost %, adds back any tax your menu prices include, and rounds up to the ending you choose, so the rounded price never pushes you over target. Change the target and every dish reprices at once.
Suggested prices for a 30% food cost target with different endings (bistro example, 2 Oct 2026)
| Dish | Cost / portion | Exact price at 30% | x.49 | x.95 | x.99 | Food cost at x.99 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margherita pizza | $2.78 | $9.28 | $9.49 | $9.95 | $9.99 | 27.8% |
| Cheeseburger & fries | $4.44 | $14.81 | $15.49 | $14.95 | $14.99 | 29.6% |
| Spaghetti carbonara | $3.41 | $11.39 | $11.49 | $11.95 | $11.99 | 28.5% |
| Chicken Caesar salad | $3.31 | $11.03 | $11.49 | $11.95 | $11.99 | 27.6% |
Source: Platesprig bistro example, generated 2 Oct 2026.
Platesprig vs the alternatives
Published prices, each checked on the date shown; prices change, so confirm on each site.
| Product | Price | Free | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platesprig Pro | $5/month or $39 once | 5 recipes and 25 ingredients | live |
| meez | Starter $19/month billed annually or $24 monthly; Pro $89/$119; Premium $179/$199 | not checked today | 2026-10-02 |
| Apicbase | From €249/month | not checked today | 2026-10-02 |
| Recipe cost spreadsheet templates (Gumroad) | $2.99-$3.99 once | not checked today | 2026-10-02 |
Why teams pick Platesprig
- Rounds up to x.49, x.95, x.99 or whole numbers, never down past your target.
- Handles menus whose prices include VAT or GST.
- Shows food cost % and gross profit at your current price next to the suggested one.
- Pro shows which dishes a supplier price rise affects and the price that gets you back on target.
How it works
- Cost each dish from your ingredient prices (or load the example).
- Set your target food cost % and price ending (.49, .95, .99 or whole).
- Use the suggested price, then put the new prices on your printed menu.
FAQ
How is the menu price worked out?
Cost per portion ÷ target food cost %, plus any tax your menu prices include, rounded up to your chosen ending. A $4.44 burger at a 30% target is $14.81, or $14.99 with .99 endings.
What if my menu prices include VAT?
Enter the rate under Menu prices include tax %. Platesprig takes the tax out before working out food cost %, and adds it back on suggested prices: the same burger at 30% with 20% VAT is $17.99.
Which target food cost % should I use?
It is your own assumption; Platesprig starts at 30% and you can change it any time.
Why not meez?
meez is a full recipe platform for professional kitchens: Starter $19/month billed annually or $24 monthly, Pro $89/$119, Premium $179/$199 (meez pricing page, 2 Oct 2026). Platesprig is for owners who want the costing maths without a subscription: free for 5 recipes, or $39 once.
Is my data private?
Yes. Platesprig runs in your browser: your ingredients, supplier prices and recipes are saved only on your device. Nothing is uploaded.
Can I cancel Pro?
Yes. The $5 monthly plan cancels any time from your Stripe receipt email; the $39 Lifetime plan is one payment with nothing to cancel.