The latest Eat, Pay, Love Hospitality report outlines the most popular food and drink orders, and finds Australian hospitality dealing with a range of price expectations across generations.
The 2025 Eat Pay Love report by Tyro Payments is drawn from over 30 million food and drink orders, and a survey of more than 1,500 Australian consumers and small business owners.
It highlights changing social spending habits, and factors affecting the business of pricing and surcharges.
Results show all generations are feeling the pinch, finding nearly half of Australians (49pc) adjusting their drinking patterns due to rising costs and 10 per cent cutting out alcohol altogether.
More than a third (35pc) are now less likely to buy a round of drinks for friends than they were a year ago.
The data suggests Gen Z (1997-2012) are the most realistic spenders, generally happy to pay more premium prices. This equates to $11 for a beer, and up to $6.90 for a coffee.
Millennials (1981-96) accept paying $9 for a beer and $5.70 for a coffee, but are more likely to order individually, using a QR code, than to shout a round.
Generation X (1965-80) will pay $8.50 for a beer and $5.10 for a coffee.
There was found to be a 40 per cent difference in price tolerance on beer between Gen Z and Baby Boomers, who see the upper limit as $7.80, and will only fork out $5 for a coffee.
However, these two demographics are in unison on paying holiday surcharges, with more than half happy to pay a surcharge if it means keeping the businesses open. On this topic, 39 per cent of businesses would opt to close on public holidays if holiday surcharging was not allowed.
Similarly, the research found two-thirds (67pc) of Aussies never leave a tip, and 14 per cent of those who do are tipping less.
Responses from 74 per cent of hospitality operators suggested the price of a local schooner of beer would likely rise to over $10 by the end of 2025, and nearly 80 per cent saw the price of a coffee going north of $6.
Yet despite the ongoing cost-of-living challenges, small businesses remain optimistic, with three out of four expressing confidence about their success for the next year.
The report also provided a list of the most ordered alcoholic drinks and food items of the past five years, with the outright wins going to the Espresso Martini and Chicken Schnitzel.
For more information see Tryo’s full report.
TOP DRINKS
1. Espresso Martini
2. Corona
3. Aperol Spritz
4. Margarita
5. Stone & Wood Pacific Ale Pint
TOP FOOD ITEMS
1. Chicken Schnitzel
2. Chicken Parmigiana
3. Steak Sandwich
4. Margherita Pizza
5. Fish & Chips
