The Cost of Fun in Australia: What We're Really Spending on Dining Out in 2026

Dining out has always been part of the Australian lifestyle.

Friday night dinner. Sunday lunch. Coffee that turns into brunch. The quick family meal when nobody feels like cooking.

But in 2026, the bill at the end of the table is getting harder to ignore.

The cost of living has changed the way Australians think about discretionary spending. And while we haven't stopped dining out, the way we decide when, where and how much to spend is changing.

So, what does dining out actually cost in Australia in 2026?

And are Australians really cutting back—or are we simply becoming smarter about how we spend our fun money?

The $120 Dinner for Two Is Here

According to current cost-of-living estimates, a three-course meal for two at a mid-range Australian restaurant now costs around $120, before drinks.

Add a couple of glasses of wine, a surcharge or two and transport home, and a simple dinner out can quickly become a $150 night.

For families, the maths can become even harder to ignore.

Two adult meals. Two children's meals. Drinks. Maybe dessert because someone spotted the ice cream on the menu before you've had a chance to ask for the bill.

What was meant to be an easy family dinner can quickly become a significant household expense.

It's not necessarily one big price increase Australians are noticing.

It's the accumulation of everything.

The meal. The drinks. The coffee. The surcharge.

Suddenly, going out feels more expensive than it used to.

But Australians Haven't Fallen Out of Love With Dining Out

Here's where the story gets interesting.

Despite ongoing cost-of-living pressure, Australians still want to eat out.

OpenTable's 2026 Australian dining research found Australians plan to dine out an average of five times per month.

Dining out across its Australian platform increased 17% year-on-year in 2025, while average spend increased 15%.

And 73% of Australians agree dining out is a way to feel connected to others.

So, the desire to dine out hasn't disappeared.

Dinner isn't just dinner.

It's date night. A birthday. A catch-up with friends you haven't seen in months. An excuse to get out of the house with the family.

Australians aren't necessarily ready to give those moments up.

But we are thinking more carefully about what they're worth.

Dining Out Is Becoming a Treat Again

For years, eating out became increasingly woven into everyday life.

A casual meal because it was Friday.

Brunch because it was Sunday.

Takeaway because Tuesday had been a very long day.

In 2026, dining out is starting to feel more deliberate.

OpenTable found 67% of Australians say dining out will feel more like a special treat than a regular habit this year.

At the same time, diners are actively looking for value.

Almost one-third of Australians surveyed expected to opt for dining deals during January 2026, while 42% said they would prioritise weekly specials.

And 60% said casual, affordable meals were the most appealing dining experiences.

The message is fairly clear.

Australians still want to go out. We just want the bill to feel worth it.

The New Cost of a Social Life

Dining out is one of those expenses that can look surprisingly different when you calculate it across a year.

Imagine a couple dining out twice a month.

At $120 for a mid-range meal for two, that's:

$240 per month.

$2,880 per year.

And that's before drinks, transport or the occasional extra dinner.

Dining out five times a month at the same $120 spend would total $7,200 a year.

Of course, not every meal costs $120 and not every dining occasion involves two people eating three courses.

But that's exactly the point.

A coffee here, takeaway there and dinner on Saturday can feel like separate purchases.

Together, they form a much bigger part of the household budget.

So, Are Aussies Cutting Back on Eating Out?

The answer isn't a simple yes.

We're seeing two things happen at once.

Australians are still dining out and making restaurant bookings.

But value is playing a bigger role in the decision.

We're looking at the menu before we book.

We're choosing casual restaurants over expensive experiences for everyday catch-ups.

We're checking happy hour times.

We're moving dinner plans to nights with a special.

We're asking whether the restaurant is actually worth the price.

In other words, Australians aren't necessarily cancelling fun.

We're becoming more strategic about how we pay for it.

The Rise of the Value-Conscious Diner

Being value-conscious doesn't necessarily mean choosing the cheapest restaurant.

It means wanting to feel like the experience justified the spend.

Sometimes that's an incredible meal at a restaurant you've wanted to visit for months.

Sometimes it's a neighbourhood favourite where you know exactly what you're getting.

And sometimes it's finding an offer that means two people can dine for less.

OpenTable's research found 43% of Australians want to see more happy hour and value promotions in 2026.

Dining between 4pm and 4:59pm also increased 24% year-on-year on its platform.

Australians are adjusting.

We're still going out.

We're simply becoming better at finding the value.

What Happens If You Save on the Dining You Already Do?

This is where the numbers become interesting.

Let's return to our couple dining out twice a month.

If they found a way to save an average of $30 on just one restaurant visit each month, that's:

$30 per month.

$360 per year.

Save $40 twice a month?

That's $960 over a year.

The goal isn't to dine out more because there's a discount.

It's to spend less on the dining you were already planning.

That distinction matters.

Because in a cost-of-living crisis, saving money shouldn't require adding more spending to the household budget.

How Entertainment Members Are Spending Less on Dining Out

For Entertainment Members, checking for a dining offer before booking is becoming part of the planning process.

The Entertainment App gives Members access to participating dining offers across Australia and New Zealand.

Depending on the venue, offers may include 2-for-1 dining or percentage discounts.

A couple planning dinner might check for a 2-for-1 offer.

A family heading out for the day might look for a dining deal nearby.

Friends organising a catch-up might choose a participating venue where a Member offer is available.

The plans don't necessarily change.

The amount spent can.

And when the average cost of dining out is rising, saving on the experiences you already enjoy can make those experiences easier to keep in the budget.

Use our savings calculator to see what your potential savings could look like.

Australians Still Want to Have Fun. We Just Want Better Value.

The cost-of-living conversation often focuses on what Australians are giving up.

The takeaway coffee.

The restaurant dinner.

The weekend plans.

But the dining data tells a more complicated story.

Australians still value eating out.

We still want to celebrate birthdays around a table. Catch up with friends over dinner. Take the family somewhere on the weekend.

What is changing is our tolerance for paying more without feeling like we're getting value in return.

In 2026, the smartest diners aren't necessarily staying home.

They're checking the menu.

They're looking for specials.

They're comparing their options.

And they're finding ways to spend less on the fun they don't want to give up.

Because saving money doesn't always have to mean cancelling the plans.

Sometimes, it simply means checking for a better deal before you book.

Want to spend less on your next meal out?

👉 BECOME AN ENTERTAINMENT MEMBER TODAY and start getting more value when dining out!