Australian diners are gearing up for another robust year of restaurant visits, with new research from OpenTable showing that consumers plan to dine out an average of five times per month in 2026, while 37% intend to increase their spending.
The findings highlight a thriving dining culture, with OpenTable data showing a 17% year-on-year increase in dining out during 2025 and average spending per person reaching $85.
“Dining out continues to be an essential part of how Aussies connect,” said Drew Bowering, Senior Director of Restaurant Sales and Services ANZ at OpenTable. The research found that 73% of Australians say dining out helps them feel connected, while 31% consider their local restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs as their designated “third place” between home and work.
Happy Hour makes a comeback
One of the most significant trends was the resurgence of happy hour, with dining between 4pm and 5pm jumping 24% year-on-year in 2025. Tuesday happy hours saw the most significant increase at 27%, followed by Mondays at 26%.
Looking ahead, 43% of Australians plan to seek out more happy hours and value promotions in 2026 as mid-week dining gains momentum.
Experiential dining surges
Diners increasingly sought unique experiences in 2025, with OpenTable reporting a 50% year-on-year rise in Experience bookings and a 29% increase in restaurants offering experiential dining.
Birthday celebrations emerged as the most popular dining occasion, up 20% year-on-year.
In 2026, 26% of diners say they’re more likely to attend pop-ups, collaborations or special events, with that figure climbing to 42% among Millennials.
Spontaneity takes centre stage
The appetite for last-minute dining opportunities grew substantially, with “Notify Me” alerts on OpenTable surging 115% in 2025 as diners sought tables at hard-to-book venues.
Some 42% of Australian diners plan to embrace spontaneous dining in 2026, with Gen Z leading the charge—willing to walk in and wait an average of 33 minutes compared to the national average of 24 minutes.
Gen Z drives spending growth
Young Australians are positioning themselves as key drivers of restaurant growth, with 59% of Gen Z planning to increase their dining spend in 2026 and averaging eight restaurant visits per month.
Social media influence remains strong, with 64% noting a restaurant’s ‘Instagram/TikTok-worthiness’ will be important in their 2026 dining decisions.
Group dining also expanded in 2025, with a 16% increase in parties of six or more, as 41% of diners now prefer dining in groups over solo dining.
Sake and burrata lead the way
Analysis of diner reviews revealed that sake experienced the most significant year-on-year increase, up 46%, followed by burrata at 26%, focaccia at 21%, and mocktails at 17%. BYO options also rose 15%, signalling a desire for flexible dining experiences.
Modern European cuisine saw the strongest growth with a 77% increase in restaurant bookings year-on-year, while Chinese cuisine rose 52% and Pan Asian climbed 49%.
Looking to 2026, nearly a quarter of Australians hope to see nostalgic dishes like prawn cocktail make a comeback, while 20% want chicken parma to remain a menu staple.
