Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How often do you eat out?

71 replies

QueenMabs · 23/01/2023 22:06

I'd say we eat out (dh and I no kids) almost never as a couple unless on holiday or a mini break. Either for lunch or dinner.

We cook a lot of nice food at home.

We go with friends or family on average once per month or once per two months. I go out the same amount of time again with friends We have a take away once a month.

We went out Saturday to a local village pub (several villages away v. Nice and new to me) and it was rammed. Lovely food and good value and nice atmosphere.

Then tonight I went out with work colleagues (postponed from Xmas) and again it was very nice and fancier country pub than Saturday more gastropub and it was quite busy with several tables full. Dreary Monday in January? It's in tiny village.

We live in a semi rural area and there aren't any chains (well there's a spoons and a Pizza Hut) so we don't go to those places (ask/ Nando's/ prezzo etc ) unless we visit the city.

I was really surprised how busy these places were. Or am I just in the dark ages and never go out! Also out again on Saturday.

How often do you go out?

OP posts:
TheOpenRoad · 23/01/2023 22:13

At least once at the weekend and probably once during the week on average. Some weeks a takeaway too.

Jumbojem · 23/01/2023 22:24

About the same as you, every month or so. I did say we should make the effort to go once a month at least to support local places. It's just costly now as have two teens so it's 4 x adult meals to pay for.

They were saying on the news earlier that actually numbers are up for eating out, but sadly places are still closing as just not enough to make ends meet and recoup what was lost over COVID and with increasing costs.

Original poster
QueenMabs · 23/01/2023 22:34

Yes it would easily be over £100 for four adult meals at a non chain place.

@TheOpenRoad I used to do this too.

OP posts:
kitcat15 · 23/01/2023 22:35

Twice a week on average…..I’m 58…no dependant kids …work part time

DeedlessIndeed · 28/05/2023 14:32

Generally have a meal out each day over the weekend, and maybe once midweek every few weeks.

Although we live in a really diverse city so often it is more casual street food where you could get 2 adult meals, plus drinks, sides and desert for £40 or less kind of place.

Grew up much more rurally and ate out much much less so I think that also plays a part

allthewoes · 28/05/2023 14:34

A proper meal, probably a couple of times a month. Tends to be a Sunday lunch out after a walk. I might have the odd cheap sandwich lunch out in between.

Mumuser124 · 28/05/2023 14:36

We probably eat out around 5-6 times a month as a family of 5 and then maybe visit cafes for lunch 4-5 times a month.

I know it’s a waste of money but honestly, I can’t bare cooking and feel obligated to cook healthy food from scratch so any break from that is just heaven. if I didn’t have children, husband and I probably would eat out once a month and just eat toast or weetabix for dinner to be honest.

Work2live · 28/05/2023 14:37

Probably 2-3 times a month, spending anything from £50 to £100ish a time. Most places we go to are busy, even on weeknights (mostly small but popular independents).

Just me and DH, no DC. We don’t drink much either but if we’re out for a meal we’ll usually have at least 2 courses.

Maddy70 · 28/05/2023 14:37

We eat out most days I don't live in the UK and it's usually hot so dont want to cook in a hot kitchen. It's cafe culture where I live anyway so it's cheap to eat out too.

We only eat in once or twice a week

It was totally different when I lived in the UK. We would eat out only at weekends then

AtleastitsnotMonday · 28/05/2023 19:07

I'd say on average bout once a month unless on holiday when we eat out every night.
We host quite a lot though and we probably only have a take away once every six months.

Azealeasinbloom · 28/05/2023 19:12

2-3 times a month plus maybe 1 takeaway. 2 adults, no dependent kids.
It’s been noticeably more expensive this year, so we have been trying a lot of new places with a more casual feel.
There are a few stunning restaurants close by though, so I would rather eat out less frequently and enjoy the nice food .

lljkk · 28/05/2023 20:07

I was really surprised how busy these places were. Or am I just in the dark ages and never go out! Also out again on Saturday.

Yeah, that's how I feel. What TF, why do people like to do this, routinely pay so much for inferior food & ordinary drinks. Waiting for food, sitting around, the whole thing has very little appeal. And the price of cocktails, omg, no wonder the youth are so in to Prinks.

My only indulgence is sometimes taking my adult kids out for meals. Maybe once every 3 months when I am near where they live. It's a huge treat for them. I remember enjoying being treated by my dad when I was young adult. Adult DS increasingly prefers to cook for us, though, he wants to increase his skills.

My folks eat out in restaurants every day. Often twice a day. They can afford it. They order whatever they like, take the leftovers home (always a huge amount leftover, they are 80 and my dad is very sedentary), and nearly always throw all the leftovers away a few days later. I watch the mountains of food on plates going back to kitchens when I am in restaurants. I despair at that point. It's all wrong.

lljkk · 28/05/2023 20:09

... and if we get a power cut. Which is about once a year in this property. If the electricity is gone & our heating is reduced to woodburner only, I may well end up taking all of us out for a restaurant meal. It's almost become a power-cut tradition. I crave civilisation when the power goes.

bananaboats · 28/05/2023 20:12

Once or twice a week with DH or friends or family. We all enjoy eating out

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 28/05/2023 20:13

on average, once a week.

WordtoYoMumma · 28/05/2023 20:13

About once a month all of us (3 adults 2 kids) and maybe once a month just DH and I

We probably spend about £150 a month on eating out, some months are tighter so we don't

Passthecake30 · 28/05/2023 20:14

We used to eat out or get a takeaway every month at least. Now the kids are teens and it costs around £120 ish each for a dinner out /£50 for a takeaway and the kids are grumpy teens who would rather stay in the bedroom we don’t bother as much.

Mum2jenny · 28/05/2023 20:16

Very rarely do we go out for a meal, on holiday sometimes, but generally go self catering. When at home, virtually never although we do get a takeaway 1-2 times a month

RidingMyBike · 28/05/2023 20:17

Evening meal out with DH is averaging about once every three years! And the price increase since last time is truly amazing.

Lunch out as a family, maybe once every month or two. Again, it seems to cost such a lot more now than it did so can't really justify it.

hertes · 28/05/2023 20:20

Almost never, except on holiday. Some holidays we eat out every day, others are more self catering. I always make a packed lunch for lunch for me and DD during the week as it's more convenient than buying takeout or going to a cafe. We usually do packed lunches for all of us at weekends. Don't get out much in the evenings as dcs are too young to be out with us, and dont have a reliable babysitter. We can afford to eat out more often, so it's not about the cost, but I find it poor value for money and often not great service. Plus I have 2 dcs under 6, and they'd rather be out in a playground with a quick picnic than waiting for food in a cafe.

verdantverdure · 28/05/2023 20:21

Rarely any more.

We had small fish and chips x5 eaten out of the paper on a park bench by the river today and it cost almost £50.

My brain hadn't caught up with how much things cost in this country now.

It feels like too much.

We did the exact same thing from the exact same place a few years ago and it was under £25.

But then I still think a can of soup is 50p and I struggled to find much under £1.40 last time I stocked up

NightToDaydreamer · 28/05/2023 20:26

Honestly, hardly ever. We do get a takeaway every couple of weeks but actual proper meals out is confined to birthdays and special occasions! We had a family meal out at Easter and we've been to and had friends round for dinner which we've cooked. I honestly find it hard to justify the cost at the moment and am rarely blown away by the food.

verdantverdure · 28/05/2023 20:26

We had 5 99 flake ice creams at a fete recently and it cost £17.50.

They did do a smaller one but it was titchy and depressing.

They also did a larger one and one with two flakes.

I'm going to have to stop joining in with these things I think. It's for the children really. Is it miserable if I just don't have one? Maybe.

Alazne58 · 28/05/2023 20:31

Never. Homebound due to health issues.

ChicagoBears · 28/05/2023 20:35

We eat out a fair bit. Most weekend’s we will eat out. Brunch/lunch every Saturday and Sunday and we’ll usually take the DC out for dinner either on a Fri/Saturday. We have so many lovely options for food they always get nutritious food.

Swipe left for the next trending thread