How often do you eat out?

[Drawweight]

Mrs Draw and I like going out to eat.

I’m newly retired but used to work nights so eating out during the day was always better than evening meals anyway.

Not talking big meals but just breakfasts, maybe a cheap lunch or a cafe when we’re out on the bike or car.

I just looked at last month’s bank statement and I saw we ate out 17 times and spent about 340 quid, which I thought wasn’t too bad.

Now we don’t smoke, don’t go out drinking or have many other big expenses so why not?

Is eating out a big occasion for you or are you like us and pop out every few days?

[Shnozz]

The thread title intrigued me...

[joshleb]

Eating out 17 times in one month, lucky wife!

[hotchy]

I'd eat out everynight if allowed. It's the sole reason I go on self catering holidays, I get to eat out 3x a day for 2 weeks mmmmm. I eat out 2x a week at home and 1 carry out.

[Carrot]

At the moment, zero until the silly rules stop.

Before this, maybe once a month.

[PrinceRupert]

On average, probably, takeaway three times a month (local Italian on a Friday night), and before COVID-19, would typically have brunch/lunch out on a Saturday, dinner out probably every other Saturday, and probably brunch/lunch most Sundays. I can't however use the excuse we don't drink ... when out for dinner normally wine costs considerably more than food!

[OldGermanHeaps]

used to be once or twice a week, but at the moment there is zero pleasure in it, It is far nicer to eat at home until sanity prevails.
I really feel for the business owners trying to stay afloat with no liferaft and both hands tied behind their back, but thats the governments fault.
I'd be quite happy to get a tatoo on my face telling the weak, elderly or scared to keep their distance from me if it meant getting back to normal.

[anonymous-user]

Only when she's in the mood.

[untakenname]

Used to average around once a week except on holiday when it would be every day.

I didn't eat out once using the EOTHO scheme and it annoys me that restaurants have still taken over the pavements even though it's now cold and wet and insist on leaving their bifold doors wide open so I doubt I'll be eating out again this year.

[Evoluzione]

Pre CV19 usually or often once a week, now barely at all. I reckon about 5 times since March.

[Om]

Not that often. In normal times maybe once every one/two months for a 'meal' somewhere nice. That is pretty much it.

Since March this year we have eaten out three times with a couple of takeaway fish and chips when visiting an elderly relative. Sad that I can count them. Even sadder that I can recall what I ate each time...

For us, we live somewhere that we need to drive to get to a pub/restaurant/cafe and we have a nice house/kitchen/garden so generally prefer to cook and eat at home - more so in summer when we have lots of produce from the garden. Plus, where we are gets lots of tourists so eating in a pub/restaurant in summer (particularly this summer) can be a bit of a pain. Save that for quieter times.

[boyse7en]

Om said:

Not that often. In normal times maybe once every one/two months for a 'meal' somewhere nice. That is pretty much it.

Since March this year we have eaten out three times with a couple of takeaway fish and chips when visiting an elderly relative. Sad that I can count them. Even sadder that I can recall what I ate each time...

For us, we live somewhere that we need to drive to get to a pub/restaurant/cafe and we have a nice house/kitchen/garden so generally prefer to cook and eat at home - more so in summer when we have lots of produce from the garden. Plus, where we are gets lots of tourists so eating in a pub/restaurant in summer (particularly this summer) can be a bit of a pain. Save that for quieter times.

Similar for me.
I've eaten in a restaurant twice since March (family outings for birthdays) and had three or four takeaways.
The restaurants locally have been rammed with tourists for months and it becomes a bunfight rather than a pleasant experience.

[Venisonpie]

Probably 3/4 times a week, it really is my favourite pastime.

[21TonyK]

Since March, once and that was not for the lack of trying. All the places I wanted to eat either had different dining arrangement that did not add to the event or had reduced their menus. So the decision was made to book a break semi-locally in Padstow and eat out for breakfast, lunch and dinner at some decent places every day... that's in a couple of weeks time... not still expecting the trip we had planned.

Pre-covid we/I became very fussy about eating out. Not snobbish about the places but expecting only the "best" in terms of food, be it the best coffee, burger, sandwich or M* food. I think that is a result of having worked in the industry and eaten in so many places you just get very picky.

[vixen1700]

Probably three or four times a month, it's slipped a bit over the past couple of months though.

[romeogolf]

We've spent nearly £1800 this year on eating out and take-aways.

I both love and hate that I know this.

Edit to add: Two of us. Usually one take-out during the week and then one dinner out every other week or so, plus lunches/coffees etc while we're out and about. Adds up surprisingly fast.

[PrinceRupert]

romeogolf said:

We've spent nearly £1800 this year on eating out and take-aways.

I both love and hate that I know this.

Edit to add: Two of us. Usually one take-out during the week and then one dinner out every other week or so, plus lunches/coffees etc while we're out and about. Adds up surprisingly fast.

I wouldn't say that's very much. Only around 45 quid a week.

[Cotty]

Lots for work, outside of work none.

My freinds eat out but as couples, as im single I get left out, I have tried to get them out but no joy. Tried to get just the guys to go for a meal but they are not interested and would rather go to a pub and drink.

[Bill]

Om said:

Not that often. In normal times maybe once every one/two months for a 'meal' somewhere nice. That is pretty much it.

Since March this year we have eaten out three times with a couple of takeaway fish and chips when visiting an elderly relative. Sad that I can count them. Even sadder that I can recall what I ate each time...

For us, we live somewhere that we need to drive to get to a pub/restaurant/cafe and we have a nice house/kitchen/garden so generally prefer to cook and eat at home - more so in summer when we have lots of produce from the garden. Plus, where we are gets lots of tourists so eating in a pub/restaurant in summer (particularly this summer) can be a bit of a pain. Save that for quieter times.

Similar for us, we also have kids and getting babysitters is a pita and an expense.

The other issue is that I'm often underwhelmed when I do eat out and resent the hassle and expense. I enjoy cooking, and washing up isn't onerous.

It's been heaving down here in the summer so we've struggled to get tables but now the rush is easing. I'm not bothered at all by masks and actually like not being cheek by jowl with other tables.

[PositronicRay]

We've been out a few times, a bit disappointing, no buzz in our usual haunts.

The benefit is we've been seeking other places, and found some quite good ones at reasonable prices.