New report reveals women and men value different things in restaurants: Here’s what they want

Young, crying poor Aussies are dining out the most, while Baby Boomers mostly eat at home. It comes as the eye-watering amount we’re prepared to pay for “elevated” or novel dining is revealed.

The generation crying poorest is dining out the most, with new data showing Gen Z is driving a national surge in restaurant bookings.

And what’s more, some are prepared to fork out up to $291 per person for what they consider an “elevated, personalised” dining experience.

More than a quarter of young Aussies make restaurant bookings at least five times a month, while 41 per cent dine out three to four times a month, the newly-released Restaurant Trends and Diner Expectations report reveals.

It compares to Gen X and Baby Boomers, who are overwhelmingly choosing to eat at home.

The report from SevenRooms shows 66 per cent of older Australians eat out just one or two times a month.

Gen Z is driving a national surge in restaurant bookings. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

But the hospitality industry can thank Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) for a 26 per cent national rise in reservations over the last year, despite increased cost of living pressures.

Earlier this month the 2024 Australian Youth Barometer survey reported young Australians felt under pressure and distressed, with 86 per cent having struggled financially in the last year.

Victorian Gen Zers called for free university degrees.

In Melbourne, the SevenRooms report shows nearly half of all people eat out at least once a week, while 17 per cent dine out more than five times a month and 31 per cent three or four times a month — with only Sydney-siders frequenting restaurants more often.

And 15 per cent of all Melbourne diners are willing to pay nearly $100 for a meal out.

When asked what they were most willing to pay above market price for in restaurants, 50 per cent of Melburnians surveyed said something that was personalised, 41 per cent said dishes with an element of “theatre” and 38 per cent said high-end items like caviar.

Venues like Rare Hare in Merricks North, with its premium wine tasting upgrade, and Taxi Kitchen in Federation Square with its “feast’ set menu, were among Victorian venues offering special experiences to drive up bookings, SevenRooms managing director Paul Hadida said.

Rare Hare on the Mornington Peninsula. Picture: Visit Victoria

“We found that when restaurants really get to know their customers while offering great experiences and value, people will prioritise them over their competitors,” he said.

Ambience, “vibe” and recognition were also big drivers of loyalty, and 85 per cent of venues were now using artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce operating costs, Mr Hadida said.

Tasting menus, special promotions and bottomless brunches were increasingly appealing to restaurantgoers, he said.

Not only were Aussies dining out more, they were also happy to spend more for elevated, personalised experiences — with one in six willing to spend between $98 and $291 per person for a meal out, he said.

The report also revealed young people were the most attracted by personalised surprises like birthday or anniversary gifts, and men were much more likely than women to care about building a rapport with restaurant staff and being known by name at venues.

Women were more likely to care about atmosphere and ambience at a venue and the ease of securing a ‘walk-in’ table.

More than a quarter of young Aussies make restaurant bookings at least five times a month. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“Every diner is unique, but they’re bound by wanting more than just a meal. The venues that provide this level of service are establishing an advantage over their competition,” Mr Hadida said.

“These meaningful, human interactions carry huge weight for consumers and huge value for operators. Technology is the key in enabling them to flourish — of which AI and automation are starting to play a much bigger role.”

SevenRooms is a national and international guest experience and retention platform used by major hospitality groups including Merivale, Solotel, Howard Smith Wharves, Marriott International, Crown Resorts, The Dandy Collection, Trader House, Delia Group, Lucas Restaurants and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts.

The Restaurant Trends and Diner Expectations report is based on research and analysis of thousands of consumers and hospitality venues across Australia, comparing the first quarter of 2023 to that of 2024.

Originally published as New report reveals women and men value different things in restaurants: Here’s what they want