'Dining preferences have definitely changed since the pandemic'

A top Derby restaurant has seen an upturn in customers who have started ‘revenge dining’.

This is the term used to describe the post-Covid return to restaurants.

Popular city eatery The Dining Room at 121 on Friar Gate has seen a boost in bookings, especially business lunches, similar to pre-pandemic levels.

Claire Bates, who runs The Dining Room with her husband Simon, said that they have been getting busier, especially at lunchtimes when corporate customers want something quick to eat.

She said: “We have definitely noticed an increase in corporate bookings over the past few weeks and more interest overall.

“Dining preferences have definitely changed since the pandemic. Businesses want smaller portions like they’d get at a street food stall and are looking for faster service, with their whole meal lasting around an hour or so.”

This change in attitude towards dining means that businesses like The Dining Room have had to adapt their menus to this recent trend.

Claire said: “We brought in our new small plates option three weeks ago and it’s going down really well. As it happens, it’s the same style of food that we served when we had to switch to a takeaway service during the Covid lockdown, so it’s almost come full circle.”

The restaurant has gained a strong reputation in Derby for its food which is almost all gluten free.