Restaurants Then v/s Restaurants Now: From only taste to everything else, how restaurants have evolved

 People loved eating then and people love eating now. However, when we go out to restaurants to eat, nowadays it is more of a gastronomical experience than just a plain old meal. As awareness and consciousness about food increases, people are becoming more knowledgeable about what they want. Apart from the fact that several eateries have now popped up and the food industry is booming now more than ever, there are several other changes in restaurants as compared to the previous times.

1. Focus on the ambience and presentation

Earlier, restaurants were meant for eating and having a good time. Now, the ambience counts for a lot. The surrounding environment, vibe, interiors, exterior and the way the food is presented make for a whole world of difference. It is often even said that we don't really pay for the food, we pay for the ambience.

2. Increase in price and decrease in quantity

Food is highly priced now, often even overboard while quantity goes on reducing. It must be mentioned here that the quality is mostly great. But eating out has turned to be a burden for a few bites of great food. Earlier, taste along with filling ourselves was what we truly paid for, but the prices go on skyrocketing.  

3. Certain cuisines have taken over

Pasta, fries, pizzas and beverages have taken over the scene. Most of the places that are popping up are youth-oriented and serve only American, Italian or typical cafe culture food. Some of them are really great, but all of them work mostly because the public is gobbling up these certain cuisines and they just haven't gotten enough.

4. Dominance of certain products

Am I the only one who wants to eat something simply because it is cheesy? Or because it is bursting with chocolate? Cheese and chocolate majorly have taken over every other food item. This is also the reason why so many restaurants and cafe promote themselves by showing that perfect 'cheese pull' or 'chocolate melt'. 

5. Social media presence

Earlier, restaurants used to be promoted solely due to word of mouth. Now they are being marketed aggressively on all kinds of social media. Giveaways are held and discounts are offered to attract consumers. Websites like Zomato and DineOut are giving a whole new twist to customer reviews and feedback.

6. Service matters

A lot of attention is also paid to service. A lot of restaurants on Zomato have average rating despite having great food because the waiters weren't good enough or the delivery was slow. On the other hand, certain servers are also praised and earn a name for themselves. This is not only seen in gourmet but in casual restaurants and cafes too.

Comment below and tell us if you've noticed any more of these changes!