From dining date ‘red flags’ to the UK’s most romantic generation, OpenTable unveils new research this Valentine’s Day
- A survey by OpenTable reveals those 55 and over are the most romantic Brits, with nearly a quarter (23%) not willing to give up the tradition of giving romantic cards, and 28% prioritising ambiance when dining out this Valentine’s Day
- Being rude to staff (40%) is the biggest red flag on a first date, followed by being on the phone too much (23%) and bad manners (20%)
- Those dining out this Valentine’s Day could be doing so with “the one”, as one in 10 (10%) Brits had a first date with their long-term partner in a restaurant.
LONDON, UK – 8th February, 2022: With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, OpenTable reveals the UK’s sentiment around the day of love in 2022.
A new survey carried out by OpenTable reveals that of those who ever celebrate Valentine’s Day those 55 and older are the most romantic age group for 2022, with many unwilling to give up traditional Valentine’s Day gestures, such as giving romantic cards (23%). Furthermore, over a quarter (28%) of those who have ever dined out for Valentine’s Day, those 55 and older prioritise ambiance over other factors such as service (6%), when dining out.
On the opposite end of the generational spectrum, the survey discovered that Gen Z (aged 18-24) was the most likely to be planning to eat out at a restaurant (10%) or book a special dining experience (6%) this Valentine’s Day, suggesting that Instagrammable or TikTok friendly dining is a must for this age group.
Although the research suggests that first dates could be dubbed as forgettable, with just 8% of Brits overall reportedly remembering what their partner ordered, OpenTable also found that those dining out this Valentine’s Day could be doing so with “the one”, as one in 10 (10%) Brits had a first date with their long-term partner in a restaurant.
Diners looking for the perfect cuisine this Valentine’s Day need look no further than the UK, with analysis of OpenTable’s internal data finding that British and Contemporary British are the cuisines of choice when dining out this year, making up 11% and 19% of bookings respectively.
However, Brits will need to look further than popular dishes and romantic locations for a successful first date this year as the new research also reveals that those venturing out on February 14th will need to bring their best behaviour to the table. Respondents cited various behaviours as being red flags on a first date, with being rude to staff considered the biggest turn off (40%) followed by being on the phone too much (23%) and chewing with your mouth open / bad manners (20%).
Sasha Shaker, District Director, OpenTable commented: “Restaurants are looking forward to welcoming diners back this Valentine’s Day. OpenTable’s data suggests that British and Contemporary British restaurants could be most in demand, while Gen Z are the age group we can expect to see dining out the most this 14th February.
“For diners looking to find the perfect location for a Valentine’s Date, OpenTable’s 50 Most Romantic Restaurants is a great place to start. Alternatively, diners can discover all the Valentine’s Day dining set menus and dining experiences on offer at restaurants in their chosen location through OpenTable, making it easier than ever to plan an unforgettable date.”
For the 31% of Brits (amongst those who get stressed about Valentine’s Day planning) who point to finding the right Valentine’s Day gift as their top stressor, OpenTable has compiled a list of its 50 Most Romantic Restaurants in the UK, perfect for anyone searching for the ideal way to treat their partner this year. Diners in Yorkshire and Newcastle & Northumberland are in luck, with OpenTable finding that the majority of the UK’s most romantic restaurants can be found in these locations. For the full list of OpenTable’s Top 50 Most Romantic Restaurants, please visit https://blog.opentable.co.uk/most-romantic-restaurants-uk-2022/.
To discover unique Valentine’s Day experiences near you, visit https://www.opentable.co.uk/experiences/.
-ENDS-
For more information or to talk to an OpenTable spokesperson please contact:
opentable@wcommunications.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
1According to a YouGov survey of 2,121 people, representative of UK adult population age split, carried out in the UK between 17/01/2022 and 18/01/2022.
2According to internal data from OpenTable based on Valentine’s Day reservations in 2019, 2020 and 2022.
3OpenTable’s 50 Most Romantic Restaurants in the UK is generated from over 1,175,000 verified OpenTable diner reviews collected between 1st January 2021 and 31st December 2021.
About OpenTable:
OpenTable, part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), powers reservations for the hospitality industry. OpenTable’s software seats more than 1 billion people per year and helps more than 60,000 restaurants, bars, wineries and other venues attract guests, manage capacity, improve operations and maximise revenue.
ABOUT THE TOP 50 MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS IN THE UK 2022:
OpenTable’s 50 Most Romantic Restaurants in the UK is generated solely from more than 1 million verified OpenTable diner reviews collected between 1st January 2021 and 31st December 2021. All restaurants with a minimum “overall” score and number of qualifying reviews were included for consideration. The overall score is made up of unique data points, such as overall diner rating, user klout, total number of reviews, and regional overall rating. Qualifying restaurants were then scored and sorted according to the percentage of reviews, for which ‘romantic’ was selected as a special feature.