Valentine’s Day has emerged as Australia’s top dining occasion, surpassing even Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, according to new data from OpenTable.
The restaurant booking platform reports that Valentine’s Day dining surged 65% year-over-year in 2025, with diners spending 9% more on average.
The data reveals a significant shift in how Australians celebrate the day, with the traditional couples-only dinner giving way to larger social gatherings.
Bookings for parties of six or more jumped 87% year-over-year on Valentine’s Day 2025, in addition to an 11% increase in average spend for these larger groups.
“Valentine’s Day was the biggest dining occasion for Australians in 2025,” said Drew Bowering, General Manager – Australia at OpenTable. “In fact, it generated more ‘Notify Me’ alerts on OpenTable than any other occasion date last year, which signals significant interest for Aussie restaurants this year.”
‘Galentine’s Day’ gains momentum
The rise of ‘Galentine’s Day’ – celebrated on 13 February – reflects the occasion’s evolution beyond romantic couples. Dining on Galentine’s Day increased 71% year-over-year in 2025, according to OpenTable data.
Nearly half of Australians (45%) believe Valentine’s Day is becoming more about celebrating all types of relationships, with 36% planning to add Galentine’s or ‘Palentine’s’ Day to their calendars. Among younger diners, 45% of Gen Z and 44% of Millennials plan to celebrate with friends or in social groups this year.
Double dates are also gaining popularity, with over a quarter (26%) of Australians open to sharing the celebration with another couple.
Single diners and first dates
For single Australians, Valentine’s Day presents an opportunity for romance. Half of single Australians said they would go to a restaurant for a first date on 14 February, rising to 60% among single Gen Z diners.
Solo dining is also becoming more common, with 22% of diners saying they would feel comfortable dining out alone on Valentine’s Day.
Last-minute planning remains the norm
Despite the growing popularity of Valentine’s Day dining, Australians remain procrastinators when it comes to making reservations. Nearly half (49%) of Valentine’s Day reservations were made within five days of the date last year.
However, Bowering suggests this trend may shift as group dining becomes more prevalent. “With the shift we’re seeing in younger diners choosing to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a large group with friends, we may see Aussies looking to book out group tables sooner rather than later,” he said.
Cuisine preferences and restaurant selection
Italian, Australian, and Japanese cuisines were the most popular choices for Valentine’s Day dining in 2025. This year, 24% of Australians are open to trying a new restaurant for the occasion.
The research also revealed that food preferences play a significant role in relationships, with 49% of Australians believing “culinary compatibility” – enjoying the same food or dining style – is important in a partnership.
The data suggests restaurants should prepare for a diverse mix of celebration types this Valentine’s Day, from traditional couples to friend groups, first dates, and solo diners, all contributing to what has become the industry’s biggest dining day of the year.
