What do MEPs get fed?

Brussels is the center of European politics, where more than 26,000 diplomats work. During their working days, they all have lunch on the territory of the institutes EU, in restaurants and cafes. What do they feed them, and how much does dinner cost for officials?

As it turned out, in the catering establishments of the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of the EU, you can have a great full meal for about 10 euros (with a salary of 7,000 euros – “cheap and cheerful”, as they say). Who enters these establishments, and what are they treated to for such money?

Both top officials and administrators, as well as journalists, security guards and other employees dine in cafes and restaurants on the territories of the EU institutions. That is, the establishments are available to anyone who has a pass to the buildings.

Lunch starts at different times, from 11:45 in total, restaurants open until 14:30. Three European establishments operate on the principle of a buffet – everyone can choose a dish to their liking and independently determine the portion size. Sometimes ready-made portions of salads or desserts are offered. The second courses are imposed by the cooks to order. The menus in the main dining rooms are compiled for the week, and it is broadcast on a large screen at the entrance to the institution.

Given the size of the buildings of European institutions, there are additional restaurants, bars and cafeterias on the territory. A feature of the institutes is the press-bars where journalists come for news. And at the same time you can treat yourself to a sandwich for about 5 euros, a cup of coffee for 2 euros, drink beer or wine.

For alcoholic drinks, prices start at 3 euros for a 330 ml bottle. Unlike canteens, cafeterias are open from 8:30 to 15:45. Press bars open when there are press conferences or other press opportunities.

You can have breakfast from 8:30 to 10:30 in the cafe at the entrance, although during the day you can drink coffee, have a snack with yogurt or pastries. Coffee in the cafeteria European Commission will cost 1.40 euros, latte – 1.70 euros. Various pastries cost 2.20 euros apiece, a sandwich from 4 to 5.40 euros. Yoghurts from the supermarket are sold for 2.20 euros.

The main hot lunch restaurant is open from 12:00 to 14:15. Prices are fixed, only the variety of dishes offered changes. The price of soup, for example, is 2.70 euros. During the week, the following are offered: white cabbage and smoked lard soup, broccoli soup, peasant soup and others.

Meat and fish dishes – 4.80 euros per serving. On the menu: steamed cod back, eggplant with minced meat and cheese, pork loin, fried hake, beef, Provencal fried tuna, sea bream fillet. At the same price, there are offers for vegetarians: vegetarian meatballs in tomato sauce with grilled vegetables, vegetarian lasagna.

During the day, two types of pasta are served – pasta of the day and pasta from the chef: the first costs 4.80 euros, and the second – 5.90 euros. Side dishes of potatoes or vegetables will cost 1.60 euros. Desserts – banana pie or apple tart, for example – cost 3.20 euros per serving. You can find other desserts in the fridge, prices are from 3 to 5 euros. On average, a full meal will cost 10 euros. Bottled soft drinks cost 2-3 euros. Free fountains with non-carbonated water are equipped on the territory of the restaurant.

In another institution, on the territory European Parliament for lunch they offered farm soup at a price of 1.25 euros per serving. Chicken fillet with vegetables or tomatoes with mozzarella cost 3.80 euros per serving. Everyone can make a salad of their choice – chopped vegetables, herbs, olives, salami, hummus. This mix costs 1.60 euros per 100 grams. For vegetarians, they offered a Spanish dish – potato tortilla with pepper. A ready-made portion of limande fish fillet with mashed potatoes and beans costs 6.20 euros. For meat lovers, they offer fresh grilled entrecote for 14 euros. For dessert – panokata or fruit for 2 euros. 330 milliliter juices and carbonated drinks cost 2-3 euros per bottle, beer – from 3.45 to 3.80 euros per bottle.

Employees and guests of the European Parliament can take “takeaway” food in restaurants with semi-finished products. Ready-made salads cost an average of 10 euros, while sandwich prices range from 2 to 5 euros. You can buy ready-made packaged pasta and heat it up – at a price of 9.15 euros. On average, a portion of lunch per person will cost 10 euros.

Council of the EU consists of three buildings, each of which has a restaurant and cafeterias. Cafeterias are open from 8:30, so you can have breakfast with natural yoghurt with granola for 1.50 euros per 100 grams, drink coffee, and treat yourself to pastries.

Hot lunches are served from 12:00 to 14:15. The price of soup in the Council of the EU is the lowest compared to other institutions – you only have to pay 90 cents for a bowl of soup. In the dining room they offer: Chinese cabbage soup, farmer’s soup, zucchini soup, potato soup with garlic.

A quarter pizza with mozzarella and tomatoes costs 2.95 euros, and cheese croquettes are sold at a similar price. A small portion of the Flemish stew will cost 4.60 euros, and a regular one – 5.75. A portion of pasta costs 4 euros. The dining room serves pasta with salmon in cream and broccoli, and chili paste. Meat dishes include duck breast with chicory and stuffed veal breast for 9 euros.

There are no waiters, guests serve themselves. Cutlery can be borrowed from the cashier. After dinner, you need to clean up after yourself, take the tray with plates to a special mechanical belt.

For those who wish, it is possible to bring food from home and heat it up in the microwave – they are located in all EU institutions, in cafeterias, restaurants and bars.

It is worth noting that all catering establishments in European institutions are similar to each other, as is the pricing policy. Eating outside the EU institutions will be more expensive – you will have to pay 20-25 euros for lunch in a restaurant. Lunch at fast food restaurants (McDonald’s or KFC) will cost 10 euros.

And a little about salaries. Monthly salary MEP, after taxes, is about 7646 euros. For assistants to MEPs, it depends on work experience and the type of contract. According to EU training, the salaries of parliamentary assistants range from 1,900 to 8,750 euros. In general, the salaries of employees of the administrative department of the institutes range from 3,000 euros to 20,700 euros, writes BB.LV.

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