Zagat guide reveals how restaurant trends are changing

15th September 2010, 10:09am

The annual Zagat Survey has revealed some interesting statistics surrounding the restaurant industry and highlights how the habits of diners are changing.

Despite minimal inflation in meal cost (i.e. just 1.1% from £40.39 to £40.84), London diners are eating out only 2.2 times per week. That's down from 2.5 from before the recession and dramatically less than the rates in other world capitals; Los Angeles (3.4), New York (3.0), Paris, Tokyo (3.3) and Toronto (2.6).

There's no denying that diners continue to be cost-conscious in the wake of the recession; 34% report eating out less, 31% are more attentive to menu prices, 26% go to less expensive places and 12% have cut back on high profit items such as alcohol and desserts, eroding restaurant profits.

When asked what positive effects the recession has had, surveyors report finding better deals at restaurants (65%), securing reservations more easily (27%), feeling more appreciated (20%) and eating healthier (14%).

Of course a good deal is always à la mode. When asked what kind of dining deals are most likely to entice them, surveyors said set-price menus (65%), food discounts (62%), wine discounts (24%) and happy hour (9%).

Most importantly, London restaurateurs have adjusted to meet diner price expectations. Over 750 places in the 2011 Survey, including 23 newcomers, offer dinner for £40 or less and lunch for £30 or less.

"Diners seem to have changed their habits and have become much more price sensitive since the recession began. However, there obviously are a host of London restaurants that provide such good values that no one need go hungry. There are also a lot of new, exciting, modestly priced restaurants and pubs designed to meet Londoners' taste for good food at low prices", said Tim Zagat, Zagat Survey CEO.

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