Findings from Canadian survey on dining out trends

A new Leger survey finds Canadians are spending less on dining out and that younger Canadians are selective about where they eat due to dietary restrictions.

Last month, a survey sought input from more than 1,500 Canadians and 88 per cent of respondents said they are spending less than usual, especially when it comes to trying new foods.

"People are just being a little bit more cautious around how they're spending their money and maybe not, you know, taking those leaps of faith or, you know, those bigger adventures and new cuisine like different menu options, Paige Schoenfeld of Leger said.

The owner of Siva’s Family Restaurant in Timmins said business is a little bit slower since the COVID-19 pandemic, but other than that, it’s business than usual.

"Same way I'm cooking Canadian, Italian, I did not change anything," Siva Mylvaganam said.

I did not see anything change. It’s still the same."

The survey also finds one in four Canadians have dietary restrictions or preferences and those under the age of 34 tend to place a higher degree of importance on dairy-free, vegetarian or vegan options.

"Especially it feels like that sector of the population, that portion of the population, is growing over time and just having a sense of how big it is today I think will always be worthwhile," Schoenfeld said.

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Carly Mason of Timmins said her food choices are based on her cravings.

"That isn't (on) my radar at all to consider certain dietary restrictions or certain particular foods," Mason said.

"I go, 'I'm craving it.' That's where I want to go for that day."

About 68 per cent of the survey's respondents said they are also looking for locally sourced ingredients.

Another Timmins restauranteur said she focuses on purchasing domestically as much as possible.

"Our desserts, if we don't make them in-house, they come from a Canadian company in B.C.," said Marie-France Lafleur-Gagnon, of Cedar Medows Resort and Spa.

"They make everything from scratch, they flash freeze and then they ship to us."

Lafleur-Gagnon said she orders Ontarioo-grown produce whenever she can because it is better quality.

"The colours are much brighter, the flavours are much more intense and people seem to want freshness over speed more and more," she added.

The survey's research also found most of the respondents want healthy and low-calorie options, with about 60 per cent saying they would prefer eco-friendly packaging.

Leger suggests the survey findings could help business owners understand what some Canadians are expecting these days when they dine out.