Rising costs push Singaporeans to cut back on dining out

Cost emerged as the dominant factor, with 65% pointing to rising restaurant prices.

Eating out is still a staple for many Singaporeans, but rising prices are pushing people to scale back, new data by YouGov showed.

The Singapore Dining Out Report 2025 finds that about a third of diners (32%) are eating out less than they did a year ago, a figure that rises to 37% amongst Gen X and Baby Boomers+.

For those cutting back, cost is the overwhelming factor: 65% cite higher restaurant prices, whilst 57% point to broader living expenses and the need to save.

Almost nine in ten respondents (89%) say restaurant prices have gone up over the past year, with older diners (92%) particularly likely to say so.

Official data from the Department of Statistics Singapore shows a similar shift. Restaurant sales fell 10.6% in September 2025 compared with the previous year.

Meanwhile, business improved for food caterers (+16.8%), fast-food chains (+1.8%), and cafés, food courts, and other eating places (+0.2%).

Month to month, restaurant sales dropped 5.8% in September, and cafés/food courts saw a 1.1% dip.

In contrast, food caterers recorded a 9% rise, and fast-food outlets inched up 0.2%.