Higher-end Canadian restaurants could struggle in 2026: report
Published January 13, 2026 at 12:30 pm
A top booking platform in Canada has projected how people will be dining out in 2026.
OpenTable, an online service for reservations and restaurant reviews, recently surveyed users to gain a better understanding of how trends are shifting nationwide regarding restaurant engagement in the year ahead.
Nearly half of all respondents stated that they would likely reserve their leisure time for less busy months, such as January, opting for early evening tables, to avoid the congestion that comes with the busier seasons, like late evenings in the spring and summer.
This attitude also correlates with how restaurants are engineering traffic during the slow post-holiday window, as 42 per cent of surveyed Canadians stated they are taking advantage of early winter dining promotions often featured during this time of year.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, however, those feeling the sting of the holidays in their wallets are playing it safe, as 27 per cent cited that any dining out in the early new year would be just a small treat if anything.
On top of managing expenses, a staggering 53 per cent of all respondents stated that for the duration of the new year, they’ll be focusing on affordable dining experiences, as opposed to lavish ones.
Regarding any generational gaps, 40 per cent of Canadians stated that active engagement in dining out will relate to large-scale social engagements if anything, as opposed to date night or grabbing dinner for one.
This then increases to over 60 per cent for Gen Z.
In general, on a national scale, despite multiple schools of thought, 39 per cent of Canadians believe — even with tricks for spending less — that they will still be spending more on restaurants in 2026 as costs rise.
As for more regional specifics, such as in the GTA, additional trends have emerged, such as how long those opting for a night out are willing to wait for a table, which is 35 minutes in Toronto.
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Outside of the purview of just dining out, a surprising number of Canadians are looking for a sturdier focus on drinking culture, as 30 per cent of respondents indicated that they have relegated their time out to 4 and 5 p.m., resulting in 42 per cent of respondents championing more happy hour promotions.
Beyond a couple of mid-week pints, those considering a plunge into dining out in 2026 are also looking to engage in what OpenTable refers to as “experiential dining,” such as pop-ups or chef residencies.
“Special occasion dining is one of our biggest draws, and on any given day, at least half of our dining room is celebrating a milestone. However, we’ve noticed that diners are becoming increasingly conscious of how they spend their money, and as a result, the desire for an enhanced experience extends far beyond special occasions and into everyday dining,” Ian Carswell, Chef and Owner of Black Tartan Kitchen outside Ottawa, said in a statement.
Correlated directly with this attitude of special dining experiences are further generational schisms, as 60 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials state that a prominent social media presence directly impacts their choice in locale, while only 40 per cent og Gen X and 19 per cent of Boomers agree.
As for more detailed breakdowns on what is staying in vogue in 2026, OpenTable released this graph alongside its report:
[Data courtesy of OpenTable]
Concerning cravings, further data revealed a 71 per cent increase in dining intent towards contemporary American cuisine (burgers, barbeque and steaks), while in second place, there has been a 68 per cent interest in Asian cuisine, followed by a 52 per cent rise in cravings for Greek.
As for select items Canadians can’t seem to get enough of, alongside people keeping their wallets a bit tighter, major winners on national menus are — according to OpenTable — grilled cheese, apple pie, and chicken pot pie.
For more information on OpenTable’s data on dining trends, visit their official website.