More than half of UK restaurant diners spend money at neighbouring businesses before or after eating out, generating an average of £95 in additional spending among those who do, according to new research from OpenTable.
The restaurant booking platform’s 2026 Restaurant Impact Report found that 56% of UK diners spent money on other activities during their most recent visit to a local restaurant, with those making additional purchases spending an average of £95.20. This increased to £126 among Gen Z diners and £118 among Millennials. The research also found that 51% of surveyed restaurant workers believe their establishment helps drive footfall or spending at nearby businesses.
Sasha Shaker, Senior Director of Restaurant Sales and Service at OpenTable UK and Ireland, said restaurants “create jobs, bring people together and play an important role in the life of communities across the UK.”
Some 98% of surveyed diners said local restaurants were important to their community, while 53% said they would miss the atmosphere and character of their favourite restaurant if it closed. More than half (56%) said they would be likely to book a meal out to improve their mood when feeling stressed or low, increasing to 71% among Gen Z.
Dr Martha Newson, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Greenwich, explained: “Sharing a meal at a restaurant is one of the oldest ways of bringing people together, because sitting around a table lets us focus on each other. Our research with over 10,000 people worldwide found face-to-face contact remains a strong predictor of wellbeing, as social bonds deepen through eye contact and shared experiences.”
The findings also highlighted financial pressures facing restaurants
If hospitality VAT were reduced from 20% and the savings passed on through lower menu prices, 39% of diners said they would eat out more often, while a further 22% would spend more when visiting.
Among restaurant workers, 42% said they would primarily use a VAT saving to protect or increase staff wages and hours, while 31% would lower menu prices and 30% would reduce the frequency of price increases.
No-shows remain another challenge
Restaurant workers estimated that a missed reservation for a table of two costs an average of £55.70 in lost revenue, while 60% said no-shows had resulted in turning away other bookings and 48% reported wasted food and stock.
Among Gen Z diners who had made a restaurant reservation in the previous year, 57% admitted to missing at least one booking without attending. However, OpenTable’s own reservation data showed that UK no-show rates declined by 6% year on year. The company also reported that restaurants using deposits experienced a 60% reduction in no-shows globally during the period examined.
Restaurant critic Andy Hayler encouraged diners to respect reservations, advising them to “Turn up on time, be kind” and avoid making multiple bookings for the same evening when intending to visit only one restaurant.
