Despite mounting cost-of-living pressures, Australians are doubling down on dining out, with new research showing 42% of consumers eat out at least three times a month—and they’re willing to pay up to $97 per person for the experience.
The findings, from a comprehensive analysis of TripAdvisor listings and Google search data by CupoNation, reveal shifts in both dining habits and cuisine preferences across Australia’s major cities.
Once the industry’s quietest evening, Monday reservations have surged 152% over the past year, signalling how dining out has evolved “from a special occasion to a weekly routine,” according to the report.
Japanese cuisine dominates consumer interest nationwide, generating 202,500 monthly searches—nearly four times more than any other cuisine type. The Asian food category leads restaurant availability with roughly one in 10 TripAdvisor listings.
But it’s the emerging trends that tell the real story of Australia’s evolving palate. Ethiopian cuisine searches increased by 2,767% year-over-year, while German cuisine surged 1,588% and Korean food gained ground in major metropolitan areas.
Melbourne claims the title of Australia’s most food-curious city with 26.3 cuisine-related searches per 1,000 residents every month, followed by Adelaide at 24.5 searches per 1,000 people—outpacing Sydney despite the harbour city’s larger population.
Regional preferences are emerging, too. Sydney diners are driving an 823% surge in searches for Xiang-style Chinese cuisine, while Brisbane sees a surprising 540% increase in searches for American food. Perth is leading a 425% increase in interest in African cuisine.
The data suggests chicken has become Australia’s unofficial national dish, appearing on nearly 10% of restaurant menus across major cities.
“Dining out offers more than food—it’s a reason to get out, reconnect, and enjoy something beyond the everyday routine,” the report notes, with more than half of bookings now made last-minute.
The research analysed more than 9,400 Google search terms and TripAdvisor listings across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra between May 2024 and May 2025.
