‘Two-tier economy’: Truth about packed restaurants
A woman who spent $60 on a prawn entree has declared Australia has a “two-tier economy” - and these Sydney pictures seem to back her up.
A woman who forked out $60 on a prawn entree with “three prawns on the plate” at a packed restaurant has declared Australia has a “two-tier economy”.
Kristie Hannah, a stock and property investor, took to X after visiting Perth’s ritzy waterfront diner 6Head last weekend.
Ms Hannah revealed she spent $379 on “two glasses of wine, two entrees and two mains” at the popular steakhouse.
Her post triggered a passionate debate online about how everyday Aussies are still able to afford fine dining amid a crippling cost of living crisis.
News.com.au visited Wynyard on Thursday night which was abuzz with diners on the George Street restaurant strip, with patrons spilling out of pricey venues such as Jimmy’s Falafel, Bar Totti’s and Muu Muu.
At Bar Totti’s – where a single king prawn costs $16.50 and a margarita costs $25.50 – diners were lined up out the front waiting for a seat, even despite it being a rainy weekday.
Friends Rolo Gonzalez and Patricio Rodriguez, who were in the Totti’s line, said they both were still going out for dinner twice a week.
“Everything is going up, rent, groceries; everything. You still have to live,” Mr Gonzalez said.
Mr Rodriguez said dining out was an important aspect of socialising in Sydney.
“People still go out because it’s your social life. You won’t see your friends otherwise.”
Friends Ruby Fletcher, Ella Tuladhar and Rebecca Fajwul, who had just turned 18 and were also spending their Thursday out on George Street, said they were dining out even more recently despite money being tighter.
“I know it’s not cheaper, but it feels cheaper [to dine out] because groceries are so expensive,” Ms Fletcher said.
“It’s almost like a treat for yourself now,” Ms Tuladhar said.
Travin DeHoedt, who co-owns Surry Hills Sri Lankan eatery Kurumba, told news.com.au that while people are choosing to dine less across the board, those who do still tend to spend big.
“Many are dining out less often but see it as a way to escape and enjoy a special experience despite economic pressures, especially weekend dinners. They definitely go all out and don’t hold back,” he said.
Brooklyn Bagel owner Michael Shafran, who owns eateries in Marrickville and Surry Hills, said that surprisingly his figures have gone up in the last year.
“I think dining habits have altered to be of social value,” he said.
“However personally, my dining habits have gone down. These days, I’m going out more for quality over quantity — not dining out nearly as much as I used to, I mean, there was a time when I was going out every single night & eating every meal out.”
It comes after research carried out by money.com.au revealed that one in three Aussies are still splurging on dining out.
More Coverage
The research found that while restaurant meal inflation was up three per cent annually, 32 per cent of people admitted they overspend on dining out or takeout.
Money.com.au finance expert Sean Callery said the research – which came from a survey of 1000 Aussies – showed that for some, dining out and expensive meals were still a regular affair despite the current economic climate.
“This tells us that, for many Australians, the ease and enjoyment of dining out often take priority over sticking to a budget,” he said.
Act renters hate all but abolished
Dodgy landlords and real estate agents trying to bully tenants into paying a higher rate have all but been eliminated from one state.
Key group not helped by rate cut
A key group is yet to see real relief from the RBA’s recent rate cut, a big four bank has revealed.
‘Broken up’: Wild price gouging penalty
Aussie grocery giants face being broken up or paying hefty fines for price gouging under a wild election proposal from one party.