I have an affliction … It’s called Maxopicus stomachus – perhaps you have it too?

It’s more commonly known as “Eyes Bigger Than One’s Stomach”. Symptoms include consistent over-ordering, tremendous table tessellation, and invariably, bits and bobs left over.

But this affliction is more of a blessing than a curse because it means I wake up to gifts from past me: dinner for breakfast, in the comfort of my own home. That is, if the restaurant is willing to play ball with a doggy bag.

So, how do you navigate the dos and don’ts of doggy bags in 2025?

Are doggy bags legal?

The good news is, there’s no law preventing doggy bags, and it’s up to each business to decide whether to let you take home what you don’t eat. Some restaurants will offer one, while others are happy to oblige, if you ask – either packing it up for you or leaving containers on the table to do with as you will.

The bad news is, not all restaurants are coming to the doggy bag party. According to Darren Haunold, restaurateur and founder of WA winery Wills Domain, “there’s no ‘no’ in hospitality”. So what’s with the no-no on food-to-go?

Obviously, there are risks when food is taken out of the hands of those with food-safety nous and placed in those of unassuming diners, but who needs assumptions when you have stickers?!

Haunold’s kitchen has labels that can be date-stamped, along with instructions for refrigeration and consumption advice. That way, the onus is on the diner, rather than on Wills Domain, to store the doggy bag safely.

The benefits of doggy bags

Sustainability Vic’s social impact manager, Rebecca Bliss, says taking leftovers home to eat is great for both the wallet and the environment. “Reducing food waste has been identified as one of the most valuable ways to tackle climate change, so it’s a little thing that people can do every time they dine to help tackle the big issues.”

Bliss argues that the stigma around asking for a doggy bag is “definitely disappearing” but suggests that the very name “doggy bag” could be the problem.

What not to doggy bag

Some dishes are made to be enjoyed in the moment. Delicate leaves and salads with heavy dressings will lose their lustre and go limp – though they can be reinvigorated by introducing some new crunch to the mix.

Raw foods such as steak tartare, tuna crudo, ceviche and sashimi are also safest eaten on the spot.

How to fill your doggy bag

When packing the plates to go, keep dry things together and anything saucy in a separate container – though I’m partial to putting grainy things such as rice under the sauce or gravy so it seeps in and flavours it even further.

Don’t be afraid to bring your own containers, in case the restaurant is willing to let you take home leftovers.

“People bringing their own reusables, whether it’s containers, cups or utensils, can really help to reduce what ends up in landfill,” Bliss says. “Just ask if it’s OK for you to use them – a lot of businesses have signs up to say ‘we accept reusable containers’, or offer services like Returnr or InfinityBox.”

If bringing your own containers, make sure they’re clean to reduce the risk of contamination, and get the food home and into the fridge as quickly as possible.

Good for the restaurants

Aside from being a gift that keeps on giving for customers, thoughtfully packed leftovers in branded packaging can also be another handy touchpoint for the venue.

I recently took home a similarly sleek bag of bits from a restaurant, and when I opened up the packages the next morning, I realised they’d “plated” everything beautifully – an unexpected, on-brand bookend to a beautiful meal.

Dine smart with a doggy bag

The doggy bag is another way we can rethink what it means to dine smart by considering the future – one where we’re making use of all the food that might otherwise go to landfill, and more immediately, the next morning, when you wake up to something delicious, nutritious and ready to eat in the fridge.