Canadians have been supporting their favourite restaurants more than ever this year, and some people are calling it “revenge dining.” According to OpenTable data, restaurants saw a 79 per cent increase in dining this year between January and October over last year, noting that meals between $41 and $65 per person were the most popular amongst diners.
What is revenge dining? As a result of the restrictions, closures, and limited gatherings from the last few years, it’s the theory that diners are heading to restaurants as a way to make up for lost time, as a sort of “revenge” for being locked down.
There are a few other trends to note, as well. With a six per cent increase in visits on Mondays, it shows that diners are looking to experience as much as they can, as often as possible.
They want to make sure they don’t miss out, as online reservations are up 45 per cent from 2019. So, people are planning ahead to commit to those experiences.
Canadian diners tried 142 different kinds of cuisine in 2022. Along with dining out more often, diners are also craving variety and new experiences as they head toward 2023.
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“Our data insights highlight the love Canadians have for dining out and supporting restaurants across the country. Given the macroeconomic conditions, it has been fantastic to see the enthusiasm for spending in local restaurants, even on usually less popular days like Monday. We expect that Canadians’ desire to dine out will continue into 2023,” says Matt Davis, OpenTable’s Country Director.
Revenge dining is about seizing the day, trying new things, and broadening consumer horizons. With data showing that diners are clearly looking to maximize experiences and make up for lost time, there’s an opportunity for restaurants to capitalize on this trend with LTOs, targeted promos, and creative menu options.
