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Original poster

Cost of eating out

148 replies

LetsDoThis2023 · 09/01/2023 08:22

Went with DH and DC to a bog standard local Italian restaurant last night....

We ordered: a starter, a pizza , a calzone, a lasagne, some prawns (4!) and a salad. We had one glass of wine, a bottle of fizzy water and 2 fantas. It was over £100.
Is it me or is that slightly ridiculous?!

OP posts:
OriginalUsername2 · 09/01/2023 08:25

I can’t work that one out! We’re the meals £20 each?!

Baconand · 09/01/2023 08:27

That does seem a lot yes. Similar to our village pub (which is extortionate and none of the locals go).

Jadey31 · 09/01/2023 08:27

Eating out is ridiculous now. I know inflation is hitting everyone and soon these lovely restaurants will close down. My DH and I went for a curry (2 starters, 2 mains with rice and naan to share and 2 drinks) came to £60!

UnknownElement · 09/01/2023 08:28

So that’s three starters, three mains, two sides, three drinks and a bottle of water. I think that’s fine.

MoveOnTheCards · 09/01/2023 08:29

Well that must have been about £18 on drinks. So with starter, sides and mains for 4, assuming service of 10%ish I’m not surprised.

Xrays · 09/01/2023 08:31

Yeah it’s expensive now. We eat out a lot but we always look for deals. Tesco Clubcard points can be swapped for pizza express vouchers for example (and other places) at 3 times the value of the Clubcard voucher - you have to do it online first.

MoveOnTheCards · 09/01/2023 08:31

I am surprised that people are still surprised that eating out is getting more expensive. Everything is going up and I would assume no one wants to eat crap, poorly produced food when they choose a restaurant. Restaurants are businesses, they need to make a profit to continue to operate.

Wibbly1008 · 09/01/2023 08:32

Over priced imo.

ThomasWaghornsConeHat · 09/01/2023 08:34

It's really to expensive to eat out or get a takeaway now. It's a few times a year treat at best

BHRK · 09/01/2023 08:34

Sounds about right to me

TheChosenTwo · 09/01/2023 08:35

I was surprised the other day, dh and I and the 3dc had 3x fish and chips, 2x starter mussels (well not really starter but it was on the light bites bit, they were small pots of mussels), 2 separate fries for the mussels, 2 beers and 3 soft drinks. £150 with tip for a quick lunch!
we eat out a lot and don’t baulk at spending this kind of money on eating out but it seemed steep for a rather generic okay lunch.

WordtoYoMumma · 09/01/2023 08:36

We don't really eat out much anymore because it is such a big percentage of our disposable income. There is a lovely cafe near me where the 5 of us can have a meal and a drink and it generally comes to less than £50 so we sometimes go there for lunch. My eldest is 18 so usually pays for his own too ☺️ We definitely can't afford family trips to Pizza Express, Wagamama etc. I bought DD a milkshake from Five Guys last weekend and mentally totting up what it would cost all 5 of us to grab a burger fries and drink in there made me want to cry!

But where I live it seems restaurants are thriving so I guess there are plenty of people still accessing them!

DavidTees · 09/01/2023 08:36

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TheTurn0fTheScrew · 09/01/2023 08:37

We're two adults and two teens, and I'm always really pleased if we get a bill under £100. And we don't often order alcohol.

Backstreets · 09/01/2023 08:37

I think a lot about the cost of eating out. Obviously restaurants have to make profits and everything is more expensive for them as well, I don't begrudge them making their money.

But I really long for a world where going out all the time and being among other people is economically feasible for everyone. I spent the last year watching my money due to a big expense and I felt really confined to the house as I ended up spending around £50 every time I went out. It adds up. The only surefire way not to overspend is to get takeaway as you can then provide your own drinks etc. But then you lose the social, going out aspect.

Malariahilaria · 09/01/2023 08:37

Yes that's about right, south east here. We used to eat out all the time but it's now limited to birthdays and anniversaries. I've taken to buying convenience food if I feel like a break now.

Ihatepcos · 09/01/2023 08:38

That seems extremely reasonable to me. You ordered a lot.

DavidTees · 09/01/2023 08:38

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middleager · 09/01/2023 08:41

We don't eat out much anymore. When we do, it's one course only and minimal drinks.

My parents took us to Wetherspoons last week. 5 adults, one course and a soft drink each came to £35 which was very reasonable.

Sparklfairy · 09/01/2023 08:44

It's so awful (for the restaurants). It's costing more than triple just to keep the lights on as no energy cap. But people's disposable income has dropped too so we can't swallow the increase. Sad Already my town was looking sparse with many restaurants/cafes closed because of Covid, I'm not sure how many more will survive.

lightand · 09/01/2023 08:46

I eat out even less than I used to now.
Am not missing it.

wellstopdoingitthen · 09/01/2023 08:50

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I didn't realise you had to notify staff & other customers of your financial & family situation to eat in KFC now.

Missmillymollymandy · 09/01/2023 08:50

We noticed this a few years ago. We have adult DC and and often meet up for a meal. Our restaurant bills were often £££ and the food was OK but nothing special. Post lock down we avoid the big chains and eat out less often but chose somewhere really special or unusual. Sometimes ethnic or specialty restaurants can be really good and reasonably priced.

PuttingDownRoots · 09/01/2023 08:54

Main £20x3 = £60
Starter/side £10x3 £30
Wine £5
Soft drink £3 x 3 £9

Rough estimate £104

Xrays · 09/01/2023 08:59

WordtoYoMumma · 09/01/2023 08:36

We don't really eat out much anymore because it is such a big percentage of our disposable income. There is a lovely cafe near me where the 5 of us can have a meal and a drink and it generally comes to less than £50 so we sometimes go there for lunch. My eldest is 18 so usually pays for his own too ☺️ We definitely can't afford family trips to Pizza Express, Wagamama etc. I bought DD a milkshake from Five Guys last weekend and mentally totting up what it would cost all 5 of us to grab a burger fries and drink in there made me want to cry!

But where I live it seems restaurants are thriving so I guess there are plenty of people still accessing them!

We love Five Guys but for about £70 for the four of us to have a burger and fries it seems ridiculous!