The findings come from a survey of 1,000 UK adults commissioned by hospitality technology provider Lightspeed and carried out by Perspectus Global.
Despite the squeeze, 40% of respondents believe the British dining experience is the best in the world.
In response, Lightspeed has launched a nationwide campaign to support the UK hospitality sector and ‘reignite the nation’s love of eating out’.
The initiative includes an etiquette guide written by Grant Harrold, former butler to King Charles III.
The survey also highlighted how diners are saving money when they do eat out.
Tactics include opting for value meal deals (37%), hunting for coupons and discounts (35%), and signing up for loyalty schemes (28%). Others are choosing less expensive restaurants (34%), skipping dessert (32%), or skipping starters (24%).
Tipping habits are also shifting, with 56% saying inflation has affected how much they leave, and 41% believing tipping should be scrapped altogether.
“Tipping has always been a bit of a grey area for us Brits – we want to do the polite thing, even if we’re not always comfortable with it. With rising costs, it’s no surprise people are rethinking how much they leave at the end of a meal,” Harrold says.
“Dining out remains one of the last great social rituals. Done right, it’s not just about food – it’s about connection, kindness and, of course, class.”