With the evenings drawing in and the Christmas decorations going up, it’s time to reflect on a truly delectable year for TheFork in the UK. Exciting new partnerships, brand-new features on our platform, and a record-breaking amount of dining across the country – 2024 has been a big year. We’ve helped food-lovers find the best local spots and restaurant owners supercharge their business – all with our tailored booking platform.
In this (almost) year-end review, we’re serving up a full course of highlights: the trends that defined the year, the most popular places to eat and drink, and even a sneak peek into what we’re cooking up for 2025.
Diners go for British in 2024
Narrowly beating out the second-place, British cuisine was the most-booked type of cuisine on TheFork in the UK, with 15% of total bookings. Popular restaurants serving British fare, like PJ’s Chelsea Brasserie and Phileas Fog, helped drive diners to more pies, seafood, and classic Sunday roasts.
A close second, Italian-cuisine restaurants saw 14% of all bookings. We can’t say we’re surprised – there’s no real replacement for a good pizza. But Italian restaurants in the UK offered a wide selection of Italian dishes in 2024 from traditional and more modern roots. Delicate pasta dishes at Theo Randall’s or irresistible pistachio tiramisu at Bellillo, UK diners had plenty of choice if they were feeling a little Roman.
Indian, Japanese and French cuisines also all made the top ten list of the UK’s favourite cuisines for eating out – showcasing the UK’s culinary diversity when it comes to eating delicious food. Which cuisine will take the top spot in 2025?
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How to get that table – the most popular booking days and times in 2024
In 2024, the best new restaurants might be discovered overnight. All it takes is a viral video or glowing review to book up somewhere delicious for weeks. We’re revealing the most popular times and days of the week that people book on TheFork to clue you in on the best times to get that table at your favourite spot.
The UK’s favourite time to eat out is Saturday night. 22% of bookings on TheFork happened on a Saturday and 24% of bookings commenced at 7pm. Lunchtime bookings were less popular in 2024 – so if you’re trying to get an elusive table at that new place, maybe check out their availability earlier in the day to boost your chances of nabbing a spot.
London’s restaurants are the most booked in the UK
What were the most popular restaurants in the UK in 2024? Well – we’ve collected the top ten most-booked restaurants in the UK on TheFork from this year, and there’s a clear geographical trend. London is the nation’s hotspot for eating out, with every single restaurant on the list hosting diners somewhere in the city.
Top 10 most booked restaurants:
1. Cabana - Covent Garden WC2H 8AB London
2. PJ’S Chelsea Brasserie SW3 6HH London
3. Counter by Naroon W1W 7PR London
4. Enso lounge E1 5JP London
5. Hush Holborn WC1V 6LF London
6. Bellillo SW6 6BW London
7. Jonny Loves Pizza W1D 7PJ London
8. Cafe Pacifico WC2H 9JG London
9. Tavernaki W11 1LJ London
10. Pane Cunzato WC1A 1LY London
Despite British cuisine taking the most-booked spot on our earlier stats, the top ten restaurants in London serve a range of different dishes and cooking styles. Whether it’s the Greek offerings of Tavernaki’s inspired menu, or the buffet-style Persian delights available at Counter by Naroon, Londoners have created a diverse list of most popular eateries over the year.
Looking to get your restaurant onto the most booked list for 2025? Check out TheFork Manager here and get in touch with our team here for more information.
Empty tables and ever-increasing costs?
