- KAYAK data reports 72% year-on-year increase in “restaurant” filter use when searching for hotels
- KAYAK and OpenTable reveal the Top 50 Hotel Restaurants in the UK, spotlighting hotels turning into culinary destinations**
A new type of traveller is emerging, as people are now choosing hotel stays based on what’s on the menu and not what’s on the map.
New research from KAYAK, the world’s leading travel search engine, and OpenTable, the restaurant discovery and booking platform, reveals one in three (33%) Brits have booked a hotel based on its on-site restaurant.
KAYAK data also shows a 72% year-on-year increase in UK travellers using the “restaurant” filter when searching for hotel stays**, showing that food is influencing travel planning from the outset.
Social media servings
Social media is also fuelling the rise in ‘food first’ travel. Over a third (38%) of Brits have booked a hotel after seeing previous guests post about its restaurant*. And with reservations in sought-after hotel restaurants hard to get, over one in five (21%) Brits have even gone as far as booking a hotel room just to secure a table*.
Rise of the ‘taste tourists’
When looking at generational differences, Gen Z and Millennials are leading the way as official ‘taste tourists’. Half of Gen Z (53%) and Millennials (47%) have booked a hotel based on its on-site restaurant, with over a third (34%) of Gen Z booking a hotel room purely to secure a restaurant reservation*.
Eating outranks exploring
More than half of Brits (56%) admit to spending more at restaurants than on any other activity during their trip*, rising to 71% of Gen Z and 64% of Millennials*.
Brits know what their followers want to see while they’re away, as the research reveals social media dominates their dining habits:
- Over a third (34%) have chosen to dine in hotel restaurants because the dishes are social media-worthy
- 36% post more about the meals they eat on holiday than sightseeing
- That number that jumps to 60% for Gen Z and 50% for Millennials
Top 50 hotel restaurants revealed
To reflect growing appetite for ‘food-first travel’, KAYAK and OpenTable have come together to launch the Top 50 Hotel Restaurants in the UK. The data backed list based on diner insights showcases where a great meal is as much a reason to book as the room itself.
“People are becoming more intentional about how they spend — and where they stay. We’re seeing more people combine the destination, the accommodation, and the experience into one choice – with the restaurant at the centre. For many, booking a hotel now means booking the best table in town too.” says Rachel Mumford, KAYAK’s travel expert.
“If you’re craving a hotel with great food or just chasing the next Instagram-worthy meal, KAYAK makes it easy. Use the “restaurant” filter when booking your stay, or try Kayak.ai, our AI-powered trip planner, to skip the stress and focus on what really matters: tasting your way through local flavours.”
Sasha Shaker, Senior Director of UK and Ireland at OpenTable adds: “Hotel restaurants are experiencing a true renaissance – these venues are no longer just convenient, they’re coveted.
“With 72% of Brits willing to rebook a hotel based on a positive dining experience at its restaurant,** it’s clear that the dining spot can be just as powerful a draw as the room. For hotels, it’s a chance to win over locals, not just overnight guests. For diners, whether they’re travelling or simply looking for an exceptional meal, our new Top 50 list brings together the best of both worlds.”
You can view the full Top 50 Hotel Restaurants list here, which includes a diverse mix of high-end dining spots, local favourites and hidden gems across the UK – from coastal inns in Wales to Michelin-starred restaurants in London. More details and the full KAYAK blog post available here.
Top 50 Hotel Restaurants bookable via KAYAK & OpenTable, listed in alphabetical order per location.
Notes to editors
Methodology:
*Consumer Research Methodology: An online survey was conducted by WALR among 1,502 UK consumers who have dined at a restaurant located in a hotel in the past 5 years. Minimum quotas have been applied to major cities. Fieldwork took place between 31 May – 10 June 2025. Data has been collected adhering to MRS (Market Research Society) and ESOMAR guidelines to ensure ethical and accurate data collection.
**KAYAK data: Based on hotel searches made on KAYAK.co.uk in the period between January 1, 2025 and June 22, 2025 for travel anytime in the future. They were compared to searches made in the same period in 2024 for travel any time in the future. Percentages are approximate.
***The Top 50 Hotel Restaurants in the UK Methodology: The Top 50 Hotel Restaurants in the UK for 2025 list is generated from over 800,000 reviews from verified OpenTable diners and dining metrics from June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025. Restaurants with a minimum threshold of diner reviews were considered and evaluated by a compilation of unique data points, including diner ratings and the percentage of five star reviews. Metrics were weighted to comprise an overall score. The qualified restaurants were then sorted by the ability to book the hotel wherein the restaurant is located via KAYAK.com. The resulting list appears A-Z, not in ranked order.
About KAYAK
KAYAK, part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), is the world’s leading travel search engine. With billions of queries across our platforms, we help people find their perfect flight, stay, rental car and vacation package. Trusted by millions of travellers, the KAYAK app makes travel planning seamless on iOS and Android, and we also support business travellers with our corporate travel solution.
About OpenTable
OpenTable, a global leader in restaurant tech and part of Booking Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), helps more than 60,000 restaurants worldwide fill 1.8 billion seats a year. OpenTable’s world-class technology empowers restaurants to focus on what matters most – their team, their guests, and their bottom line – while enabling diners to discover and book the perfect restaurant for every occasion.
The post Food first: Brits increasingly booking hotels based on the menu, not the map appeared first on KAYAK Blog UK.
