Spending on restaurants, cafes, takeaway food, and food delivery services represents a significant and growing component of Australian household budgets. The hospitality sector has experienced substantial price increases since the COVID pandemic as labour costs, food input costs, and rental expenses for premises have all risen.
The ABS Monthly Household Spending Indicator tracks spending on hotels, cafes, restaurants and takeaway food using bank transaction data. This category captures both sit-down dining and the rapidly growing food delivery market through platforms connecting consumers with local restaurants.
Eating out spending varies across states, with higher incomes in some jurisdictions and different lifestyle preferences contributing to geographic variation. Capital city households tend to spend more on eating out than regional households.
The food delivery market has grown substantially in Australia, with platforms competing aggressively for market share. However delivery fees, service charges, and typically higher menu prices mean that food delivery can cost significantly more than equivalent restaurant dining or home cooking.
Data sourced from ABS Monthly Household Spending Indicator hotels, cafes, restaurants and takeaway food category. Updated monthly with quarterly aggregations.