Price gap closing between pub and restaurant food as restaurant prices plummet
The pricing gap is closing between the cost of a meal in a pub and the same number of courses in a restaurant, according to a new survey.
On average, restaurants have dropped prices while pubs have seen theirs rise. Pricing in restaurants is now down to winter 2011 levels.
The Menurama survey from statistical consultancy Horizons, which analysed the menus of 115 brands across hotels, restaurants, quick service outlets and pubs, showed that the average price of three courses in a pub has risen to £18.67, while the cost of three courses in a restaurant is £20.66.
Year on year, the average price of a main course in a pub rose by over 10% (up to £9.39 compared with £8.48 a year ago), while the average cost of a restaurant meal fell by 3% (down to £10.95 from £11.29 a year ago).
Starters for pubs rose 2.7% to £4.93, while pub desserts also rose 6.1%, from £4.10 to £4.35.
Restaurants, on the other hand, saw their average starter price drop by 9.2%, to £5.16 from £5.68. Desserts dropped by 2.8% from £4.68 to £4.55.
The research also shows that meal deals are on the up, with over three-quarters of operators using them to boost trade across the last 12 months.
In terms of ingredients, it was found that rump steak is appearing on menus less and less, compared to rib eye and sirloin, which are becoming more frequently available. Traditional roasts using meat such as chicken and beef are also on the rise.
Other trends include quinoa and arancini (rice balls), which were recorded on menus for the first time, while lobster dishes have risen by 11% year-on-year.
Horizons director of services Nicola Knight said: "These results indicate that restaurants, in particular, are still feeling the squeeze and have taken fairly drastic action to keep customers coming in. It is clear from our data that the pub sector is starting to feel more confident, evident in the fact their prices have risen as they feel able to pass on rising costs to their customers."
