WHAT HAPPENED
Commonwealth Bank has published new hospitality research saying out-of-home dining is regaining momentum in Australia. In the bank’s latest hospitality insights, spending on pubs and bars is shown rising by 5.1% while liquor retail falls 1.0%, and spending on cafes, restaurants and catering venues is up 6.6% year on year. The bank also says Mexican dining is up 14.1%, while at-home skewed pizza is down 0.9% to 1.0%, depending on the section cited in its related materials. ([commbank.com.au](https://www.commbank.com.au/business/brighter-perspectives/dining-out-is-back-on-the-menu.html))

CommBank’s business article on the theme says the data points to Australians shifting more food and beverage spending into hospitality venues and favouring social, active and experience-led outings. It also quotes CommBank Payments Acceptance general manager Albert Naffah saying out-of-home dining experiences are back in favour. ([commbank.com.au](https://www.commbank.com.au/business/brighter-perspectives/dining-out-is-back-on-the-menu.html))

WHY IT MATTERS
The bank’s findings suggest hospitality operators may be seeing a more supportive consumer backdrop than earlier in the cost-of-living cycle, but with demand tilting toward venues that offer more than a standard meal or drink. CommBank says venues with strong service, menus aimed at top-spending demographics and smooth ordering and payment systems are better placed for success. ([commbank.com.au](https://www.commbank.com.au/business/brighter-perspectives/dining-out-is-back-on-the-menu.html))

The report also indicates that spending growth is strongest among both younger diners aged 18-24 and older customers aged over 75, which may matter for venues deciding how to price, package and promote meals and occasions. ([commbank.com.au](https://www.commbank.com.au/business/brighter-perspectives/dining-out-is-back-on-the-menu.html))

WHO SHOULD CARE
Hospitality operators, restaurant groups, pub owners, venue managers and payments providers should watch the shift closely, especially businesses weighing whether to invest in experience-led formats, menu changes or point-of-sale upgrades. The bank’s material says dining demand is varying by state and occasion, which means the strongest operators may be those tailoring offerings rather than relying on a single national playbook. ([commbank.com.au](https://www.commbank.com.au/business/brighter-perspectives/dining-out-is-back-on-the-menu.html))

WHAT AIM IS WATCHING
AIM will be watching whether the pickup in venue spending broadens beyond the categories CommBank highlighted, and whether operators respond by leaning further into entertainment, flexible menus and faster payment systems. We will also be watching for signs that the rebound is durable, or whether it remains concentrated in formats and demographics already winning share. ([commbank.com.au](https://www.commbank.com.au/business/brighter-perspectives/dining-out-is-back-on-the-menu.html))