Finding it increasingly difficult to justify eating out at pubs etc

Absolutely agree with this. It's the prices plus lack of service which makes going out to eat more like an expensive chore than a pleasurable treat. Too many instances where I've been sitting there thinking frankly I'd rather be at home, so yes, not going out to eat anywhere near as often as before.

A place I used to love going to now charges £18 for mac and cheese..... emphasis on the "used to" ......

I agree, way too expensive and quality often isn’t the best.

When I met DH, 15 years ago, a lunch for two in a nice bar was about £25. These days there’s no change from £50. PP are right, we eat better, more exciting and more nutritious food at home, it’s just a bit of a habit when we’re at a loose end to go out for an hour or two. Now that I think about it, we should just stop.

I get a coffee and little cake once a week at work and it’s £8, but the cake is divine ( I can bake pretty well, but then I eat the whole thing…).

Costs have gone up and quality seems to have gone down.

Met up with my parents recently and did a fair bit of eating out (lunch or dinner) and we agreed it was generally disappointing. Only good meals were from a pop-up type place that I would love to mention, but I don't think MN would allow.

We've had cooked breakfasts in Wetherspoons, and I don't think that we could have made it ourselves at home for cheaper

We stopped regularly eating out a while ago, except for the odd chippy take away. While I know that proprietors must cover costs and make a profit, we live in an area with above average prices for distinctly average food (touristy location) and it cannot really be justified.

Over the last five years or so, DH and I have stopped takeaways or going out to eat on a weekend as we used to before. Instead I’ll buy a basket of loveliness from Waitrose for a fraction of the price and have top up things for the week included!

There are few places that are worth it these days. Those that are worth it I can justify, but only every few months because they’re mega expensive and a real treat.

Most places, especially chains, I’ve simply stopped going to. There was an option of a family get together meal post theatre just after Christmas and we refused to join them on the grounds that it would cost the four of us almost £150 for mediocre food, shit service, grubby loos and a noisy, echoey dining hall atmosphere. I know I sound old but I’d rather eat at home thanks!

YANBU.

We had a 2 course meal in a pub the other week. For a family of 4, it came to £135.

It was a special occasions, no other time could I justify that!

Food was pretty average too. (Pub garden and view from the pub was stunning though!)

Other than special occasions I rarely eat in pubs now :( If I'm really hungry I'll get chips / cheesy chips (for about £4/£5!)

Tomorrow we're taking the DC out to a place with half term activities. We're taking a picnic rather than use their cafe, to save money.

The last two pub meals I've had have actually been awful. So bad I left most of it in both and paid around £17.50.

I've not eaten at a pub since.

At least I you go to a restaurant and pay that you're more likely to get something good, as they just focus on the food.

When a pub roast was a tenner, and a pint was £3.50 you'd accept that it was a bit thrown together, not as good as a home cooked dinner. Now it's £20 and the pint is £6 so I'm expecting it to be decent and am really disappointed if it's not. And it so often isn't.

Agree, we used to eat out a lot.
But recently I have been so annoyed with the price hikes and rubbish food that I am refusing to eat out
For my birthday I would usually eat out, but decided this year to do a full three courses at home, restaurant style and it was delicious and really fun.
Even made the kids sandwiches this week to take to the trampoline park, whereas usually I would buy them the food deal aftwrwards.

Well this is making me a tad concerned as we are coming back to the UK and Ireland to see family for a month in August. I’m in Oz and those prices look high to me. My local pub does an excellent home cooked roast for $28, about 15 quid, most mains are $25 to $35 which I think is very reasonable as food is freshly made. A steak dinner probably $45, although Thursday is steak night when it’s $25 (which used to include a glass of wine but now doesn’t). Prices have gone up since COVID but not extortionately, although prices were always higher here because catering staff are comparatively well paid(no tips expected). So has anyone got any recommendations for great places to eat in Central London, Belfast and Cork that won’t completely break the bank?

We very rarely eat out or get a takeaway now - same reasons mentioned by most here…the quality has gone downhill, portions sizes decreased but prices increased and overpriced. We used to get an Indian takeaway or go to the restaurant almost every weekend but the price per dish is now ridiculous. I’ve even stopped using our local fish and chip shop as their chips are now £6 for a tiny portion. I’ve upped my cooking skills.

Haven’t eaten out (in a restaurant or pub) since before the pandemic unless we’ve been on a trip away. It just isn’t worth the money it costs now.

We do still have takeaway fish and chips about once a month though. We live in a remote Scottish fishing village so they’re absolutely gorgeous from any chippy you choose, and there are a few!. £10.00 now for a standard fish supper, which I think is expensive, but worth it.

Op I know what you mean. The price definitely makes you think twice. We do not eat out as much and I do miss it as a family activity especially with older children. But it was averaging £25 - £30 per person with 1 drink each.

I had a McDonald's for the first time in a while. It wasn't very pleasant (what have they done to the cheese. yuck!). And it was £7.50 for the medium meal without delivery charges. I remember when you could get a medium meal and a happy meal for a fiver.

I used to go to pubs and restaurants with family. Its good to go out sometimes, just not all the time.

We rarely eat out for dinner these days - same reasons as everyone else. What we do enjoy is brunch out. I love a good brunch and we have some excellent options locally. It's generally around £13 for food plus £4 for a drink, so doesn't break the bank, and you don't need lunch later!

Yes - I did today and cup of tea + meal = £20.

It was nice enough but I only did it as I was lost and it wasn't really worth it.

Could not agree more.
We don't want to go out to eat anymore due to exoberant costs, mediocre meals and often indifferent service.
I just feel ripped off when having to pay over the odds for small portions and you then have to pay extra for vegetables etc to try and make a full meal!
We would rather pay for better quality food to cook at home and not feel exploited.
It is difficult as we have family members who eat out often and will ask us along but we just cannot justify the expense (to be honest very surprised they can)!

There are pubs near me where you can get a drink from a limited list of booze or a soft drink and a main dinner for £14. It’s basic but fine pub grub. There is also a decent Indian restaurant where you can take your own alcohol and a main plus rice and naan is £25, per head. This is the North though, thinking regional prices may vary loads. I was in Norfolk recently and paid about £35 for two mains and a pint and a half pint in a pub, was quite nice as well.

As pp said there is also the shortage of chefs so food won't be so tasty

@MrsAvocet I agree that places will be struggling because of increased costs.

Of course! Big companies supplying frozen food.

We stopped recently at a pub in the middle of nowhere en route to Hastings. Menu came out and I just wanted to know what I could have that was home made.

Nothing.

Not one thing on the menu was home made.

We were in our campervan and it was a place we could just pull up and eat and park overnight and it was late so we stayed.

Almost £90 for frozen (rubbish) food and a few glasses of wine.

I was in the Cotswolds recently and was looking forward to some tasty fare, the majority of it was very average & not cheap.