The restaurant industry continues to evolve, bringing new ways guests dine out and interact with restaurants. From AI-powered service tools to the desire for more unique experiences, staying ahead means adapting your service to meet these shifts head-on. Having the right insights helps you deliver wow moments for diners and grow your business.
Here’s what you need to know about some of the key trends for 2025.
Experiences drive dining decisions
Brits are craving unique, memorable experiences more than ever. OpenTable data shows a 72% increase in Experience dining year-over-year.* Tasting menus remain the most sought-after dining experiences, according to OpenTable research, with bottomless brunch and dinner-and-show combinations ranking highly as well.**
Creating unique experiences doesn’t require a complete concept overhaul. Start small with chef’s table events or wine pairing workshops and use OpenTable to promote your experience. Offer something distinctive that aligns with your restaurant’s identity while giving guests a reason to choose you over the competition.
Group dining is back in the spotlight
Group dining is seeing growth and is a trend expected to continue in 2025. OpenTable data shows a 13% increase in dining for parties of six or more, YoY.* It’s clear there is a renewed appetite for social connection and celebration. Think bookings for parties of six or more, at all times of the day.
For restaurants, group dining is a shift that presents opportunities to create dedicated group offerings and adjust your service models to accommodate larger parties. Consider how your space can be flexible and adapt to different group sizes and dining types while maintaining the quality of experience for all guests.
Mid-week dining gains momentum
In what might be considered a surprising shift, midweek has emerged as a popular time to dine out for some, according to research. Data shows an 10% increase in seated diners on Wednesdays—the largest jump compared to any other day of the week, YoY. Flexible work schedules are likely driving the trend, with people being more motivated to spread out their restaurant visits beyond traditional peak times.
Restaurants seeing the most success with mid-week service are the ones creating specific draws for these days. Create specials, events or tasting menus that give guests a reason to dine during traditionally slower periods.
AI moves beyond the buzz
AI has gone from a curiosity to a practical tool and can significantly enhance many aspects of the restaurant industry. AI-driven systems are helping restaurants streamline inventory management, reduce food waste and optimise staff scheduling.
Additionally, AI-powered chatbots and voice assistants deliver personalised customer interactions, while predictive analytics inform menu development and marketing strategies. These advancements will help your restaurant operate more efficiently and meet evolving customer expectations.
Contactless payment becomes the norm
The shift toward contactless ordering and payments continues, with predictions suggesting that over 80% of restaurant transactions will be cashless by 2025. Convenience is one aspect driving this trend, but it’s also a recognition of the need to meet evolving guest expectations and give them a seamless, efficient service.
Digital wallets and QR codes are also becoming standard features of the dining experience. They might not necessarily be the latest trends, but restaurants should look at ways to incorporate these technologies while maintaining the personal touch that defines great hospitality. For instance, you could give guests both options, whether they want a traditional check experience or prefer to pay quickly through their phone.
Menu simplification keeps guests coming back
Driven by both operational efficiency and guest preferences for quality over quantity, the trend toward simplified menus continues to gain momentum. A focused menu allows for better execution and gives clearer choices for guests. It can also help with reducing food waste.
Many restaurants are now serving fewer dishes, but doing them exceptionally well rather than maintaining extensive menus of adequate items. This approach not only improves consistency but often leads to better guest satisfaction and more efficient kitchen operations.
Making the most of the latest dining trends
Success in 2025 will come from understanding which trends make sense for your concept and implementing them in ways that enhance rather than detract from your core offering. Whether you’re launching a new menu, embracing AI or creating special mid-week experiences, every change should support your mission of providing exceptional hospitality.
At the heart of every successful trend adaptation is the timeless goal of making guests feel valued and eager to return. Keep this in mind as you navigate the exciting changes ahead in 2025.
*OpenTable Data: OpenTable looked at online reservations for all restaurants active on the OpenTable platform from January 1 – September 30, 2024 and compared it to the same range in 2023.
**Consumer Research Methodology: An online survey was conducted by PureSpectrum among 1503 UK consumers. Within this sample, major cities have been weighed for direct comparison. The research fieldwork took place between 25 October – 4 November, 2024.
