Cafe culture thrives, poll says

89 per cent of people choose a restaurant on word-of-mouth referrals. Photo / Carolyn Robertson

The recession has not stopped Kiwis from regularly dining out at cafes and restaurants but many have changed their habits, a survey has found.

The online survey of 1000 people found 69 per cent of respondents were eating out at least monthly, with 32 per cent doing so at least weekly.

While half the respondents said they were eating out less frequently, 46 per cent said the recession made no difference to how often they dined out in the past year, while 3 per cent said they dined out more often.

The American Express Dining Insights Survey, conducted by UMR Research, found that fine-dining restaurants were the most likely to have been hit by the recession, with 31 per cent of respondents saying they go to restaurants just as often but spend less.

Diners aged 18-29 were more concerned about convenience and discount offers than they were about food quality.

Those aged 60 or more were likely to go out for afternoon tea and less likely to spend as much as other age groups.

The most common reason for people eating out was for pleasure - to catch up with family and friends and celebrate special occasions.

Restaurant Association chief executive Steve Mackenzie said the survey reflected what those inside the $6.4-billion-a-year industry expected.

"They say that the purse strings are a little bit tighter but they still see the regulars, they may not spend as much, but they still see them," he said.

"These numbers are showing that we haven't given up a key part of who we are - we're still willing to go out and eat. Kiwis love to eat out."

Mr Mackenzie said Statistics New Zealand figures showed the restaurant and cafe sector was up 3.5 per cent on last year. The industry had been relatively buoyant, he said.

"For restaurateurs to know that 69 per cent of New Zealanders eat out once a month is great, and that 32 per cent are eating out weekly is even better."

Who goes where

* 32 per cent of New Zealanders eat out at least once or twice a week.

* Aucklanders are more like to eat out than other New Zealanders, with 44 per cent eating out at least once a week.

* 89 per cent of people choose a restaurant on word-of-mouth referrals.

* 3 per cent never eat out.

- additional reporting NZPA