Is Eating Out Becoming a Luxury? The Rising Costs Behind Restaurant Nights

Dining out in the UK is becoming more difficult for many families and individuals due to rising costs. Vicki Broadbent and her family, for example, have changed the way they eat out. They used to enjoy starters and drinks, but now they skip these extras to keep their restaurant bills lower. Vicki, who lives in Harrogate with her husband and three children, says that even though they are lucky to eat out about once a week, they have to be careful with their spending. Her two teenage sons are growing and need more food, which makes the bill higher. To save money, Vicki and her husband avoid ordering alcoholic drinks unless it is a special occasion and look for restaurants that offer discounts. Sometimes, they choose takeaways instead of dining out, but even then, the portions are smaller and not as filling as before.

James Deegan, a carer from Crewe, has also noticed the impact of rising prices. His favorite grilled chicken burger used to cost twelve pounds, but now it is eighteen pounds. With a drink, the cost is even higher. Because of this, James can only afford to eat out once or twice a month. He has to budget carefully to cover all his expenses and make sure he can still enjoy small treats like a meal out. James remembers a time when he had to use a food bank because his finances were so tight. Now, he has to think carefully before spending money on social activities like eating out or going on holiday.

Restaurants themselves are struggling as well. Many have had to raise their prices to cover the increasing costs of food, energy, wages, and taxes. Some have not survived and have closed down. According to Hospitality Market Monitor, the number of restaurants in the UK fell from forty-three thousand in December 2019 to thirty-five thousand five hundred in December 2025. Petrit Velaj, who owns a Greek restaurant in Manchester, says he loves his job but is worried about the future. He has to pay a lot in taxes and other costs, and sometimes there is not enough money left for him to pay himself. He wants to keep his restaurant open for his staff and the community, but it is getting harder. Many people, like Vicki and James, still value the experience of eating out, but they have to make changes to their habits to afford it. They hope that restaurants can survive these tough times so that everyone can continue to enjoy dining out with family and friends.