7 Insights into the Dining Landscape in Australia for 2024

We’re now three months into 2024, and with summer coming to a close, it’s as good a time as any to stop and take stock of how businesses, customers and the industry as a whole are travelling. 

With the peak season winding down and the bulk of the year ahead of us, it’s important to take a step back to evaluate the dining landscape in Australia, so you can adequately plan for the year ahead.

With this in mind, we studied the data from our 2024 Hospitality Insights and Dining Dynamics Report, as well as industry trends and statistics, to uncover seven insights that will likely impact consumer dining habits in the year to come.

Let’s dive in.

1. Frequency of dining out: consumer dining habits
2. Takeaway & delivery: emerging patterns
3. Gender dynamics in dining: men vs women
4. Demographic variations in dining habits
5. Consumer expenditure: insights into spending
6. Menu innovation: meeting customer expectations
7. Other factors shaping the dining landscape

1. Frequency of dining out: consumer dining habits

Despite cost of living pressures hitting many households, our data found that the average Aussie eats out around 38 times per year, which works out to be approximately three times a month. 

The data also revealed that Aussies are less likely to go out for a drink compared to eating out, with the average consumer drinking out 23 times a year, or roughly twice a month.  

If we approach this holistically, the average Australian goes out to eat or drink at a hospitality venue 61 times a year, which averages out to around five times a month or at least once a week.

2. Takeaway & delivery: emerging patterns

The trend for takeaway and delivery has boomed since the pandemic, and our appetite for quick and convenient food remains strong. 

According to our report, the average Australian orders food for delivery 28 times a year and takeaway to pick up in person 32 times a year. This means the average consumer orders takeaway or delivery five times a month. 

If we drill down even further, around one-third of consumers order takeaway to pick up in person at least once a week, whilst a quarter order food for delivery at least once a week.

3. Gender dynamics in dining: men vs women

There is quite a contrast across both genders when it comes to eating and drinking habits and ordering takeaway and delivery. 

In short, our report indicates that men are more likely than women to eat and drink out and to order takeaway and delivery. 

The biggest contrast between the genders is how frequently they go out for a drink. Men are nearly twice as likely to go out once a week for a drink compared to their female counterparts. 

4. Demographic variations in dining habits

Unsurprisingly, the younger generations are more likely to eat and drink out than their older counterparts. 

When it comes to eating out, our data shows that diners aged 16-24 are more than twice as likely to grab a bite to eat than diners aged 55 and over. 

It’s a similar story when we look at who is more likely to go out for a drink. More than one in four 16-24-year-olds go out for a drink once a week, compared to just under one in seven aged 55+.

5. Consumer expenditure: insights into spending

According to our data, Australians are spending around 30% of their monthly income on eating and drinking out and ordering takeaway and delivery.

If we take a look at the different genders, our report indicates that men and women are spending the same portion of their monthly income on food and drinks, despite women eating and drinking out less often than men.

When it comes to the different age groups, 16-24 year olds are more likely to spend the most on takeaway and delivery, allocating 7% of their monthly income toward delivery and 6% to takeaway to pickup.

6. Menu innovation: meeting customer expectations

Our data shows that in 2024, Aussie diners hope to see sustainable foods, bottomless drinks, and dishes that cater to dietary requirements on the menu. 

On the other end of the scale, diners are not too focused on vegan/plant-based menu items or functional foods, such as food as medicine.

7. Other factors shaping the dining landscape

Stage 3 tax cuts will come into effect on July 1. This means all of Australia’s 13.6 million taxpayers will receive tax relief from the middle of the year–essentially putting more money into consumers’ pockets.

While the tax cuts are aimed at reducing the cost of living pressures, there is speculation that this will lead to more disposable income, which may boost industries like hospitality and retail. 

Hospitality insights and dining dynamics for 2024

If you’d like to learn more about what’s in store for the industry, download our 2024 Hospitality Insights and Dining Dynamics Report for free.

We surveyed over 500 hospitality owners and more than 1,000 diners across Australia to understand current dining trends, customer expectations, the financial shifts in Australia, restaurant technology and what to watch out for in 2024.

The report answers several key questions, including:

• How often are consumers eating and drinking out, and what are they spending?
• Which dining trends do venues plan to introduce in 2024, and what do diners want to see adopted by hospitality venues?
• How much have operators increased menu prices?
• What do consumers think about surcharging?
• How are venues using AI?