OpenTable, the world’s leading online restaurant reservation platform, has discovered that almost one in five Australians haven’t taken their mum out for dinner since 2019. Due to strict lockdowns in place during Mother’s Day weekend 2020, OpenTable’s ‘Keeping Mum’ report has revealed over one in ten (13%) mums had to cook for themselves when celebrating last year.
It goes without saying that during the last 12 months, remaining connected with mum and spending quality time together as a family has been challenging. Unfortunately, one in five (15%) Aussies acknowledge spending less time with their mum now than they did pre-pandemic.
Despite this, insights from OpenTable’s ‘Keeping Mum’ research showed that one in five (22%) Aussies do want to see their mum more frequently, after admitting to not seeing their mother as much as they’d like.
Keeping Mum Report Insights
Due to these unprecedented times of heightened travel and changing social distancing restrictions, dining out with family members has been difficult, especially for the one in ten (8%) Aussies who live in a different state to their mum, and the 7% Aussies whose mothers live overseas. Heartbreakingly, in the past year, over half a million (525,764) Aussies’ mums haven’t been able to meet new family members, such as new partners or bundles of joy.
Fig Cakar, VP, APAC, at OpenTable said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for Australians to make plans for this Mother’s Day, by providing dining inspiration to help diners discover and make the right restaurant booking to celebrate their Mum.
“OpenTable is here to make sure mums get spoiled in 2021 with a dining experience with their loved ones.”
Kathryn Eisman, two-time Emmy Nominated TV Host E! and Access Hollywood and Aussie mum, experienced firsthand the heartbreaking distance as she was separated from her mum for six months while in the USA.
“This pandemic and the prolonged periods of forced separation from my family made me realize that there is nothing that feeds my soul like spending time with family and sharing a meal. It’s the simple things like sitting across the table from the people you love and being able to talk about your day that is the most valuable.”
“We spent nearly five months in total isolation before we were able to come home. You start to crave that connection. It’s upsetting missing those precious milestones in each other’s life, like my little girl’s birthday or my mother’s birthday.
It’s a beautiful feeling finally being united and not something I will ever take for granted.
I know so many people still separated from their loved ones, and I know how lucky I am to be able to take my mother out for Mother’s Day and make up for the lost time. That’s why I’ll be booking via OpenTable to celebrate Mother’s Day this year!”
Celebrating Mum
OpenTable’s report also reveals that nearly one in five (19%) Australians haven’t taken their mum out in the last year, with this figure jumping to nearly two thirds (32%) in Gen X.
Since restrictions were lifted, a third (30%) of Aussies agree with the sentiment that they’ve taken their mums out for meals less than they did before COVID-19. This figure jumps when speaking to Gen Z (37%), Gen Y (44% ) and Gen X (37%).
With Mother’s Day 2021 just around the corner, it is arguably the perfect time to treat mum and take her out for a family meal to give her a well deserved break.
Affects to our mental health
Dr Keiran Kennedy, one of Australia’s leading psychologists cements the importance of spending quality time connecting with family members and loved ones around the table and ‘breaking bread’. Dr Keiran said: “We cannot underestimate the power of human connection, and how prevalent this is now, more than ever before. I have instances of clients who are mother’s who have experienced great guilt due to missing significant life events and family catch ups over the last 12 months, despite it being beyond their control.
“The tradition of families connecting and dining together goes back to when time began and there is significant research that highlights the social aspect of dining out and spending quality time together can actually improve our mental health and wellbeing in quite a significant way.”
Reassuringly however, and a sign that times are changing as restrictions have eased across the country, 16% of Australians have taken their mum out within the last couple of weeks. A third of Gen Z (32%), 22% of Gen Y and Gen Z have also taken their mums out in the last 1-2 weeks.
With Mother’s Day 2021 just around the corner, it is arguably the perfect time to treat mum and take her out for a family meal to give her a well deserved break.
Here’s our top picks for Sydney:
Get on board The Goodsline
Quick Bites
- What cuisine is The Goodsline? Modern Australian, Asian, European.
- Where is The Goodsline? 19A Harris Street, Pyrmont, New South Wales.
- When is The Goodsline open? Monday-Tuesday, 7am-4pm. Wednesday-Friday, 7am-late. Saturday, 7:30am-late. Sunday, 7:30am-4pm.
- Does The Goodsline offer delivery? No.
From its industrial beginnings as a freight railway connecting Pyrmont to Sydney’s inner west, The Goodsline is one of the most stylish spots to treat Mum to brunch. Snap a selfie at the terrazzo-tiled bar, then settle in for a feast of Breakfast Ramen served with thick-cut bacon and a soft boiled egg, Sobrassada with potato and kale hash, or a refreshing Citrus and Pomegranate Granola Bowl. It’s all good at The Goodsline.
Plant yourself in the garden for an al fresco feast at The Potting Shed
Quick Bites
- What cuisine is The Potting Shed? Modern Australian.
- Where is The Potting Shed? 41-43 Bourke Road, Alexandria, New South Wales.
- When is The Potting Shed open? Monday-Thursday, 3-9pm. Friday-Saturday, 11.30am-9:30pm. Sunday 11am-9pm.
- Does The Potting Shed offer delivery? No.
If your Mum’s the outdoor type, she’s going to love The Potting Shed. Seated beneath a lush hanging garden and surrounded by all sorts of rustic tools and pots, this is the perfect spot to plant yourself on Mother’s Day in 2021. With an extensive menu of salads, pastas, fish, and steak, it’s hard to go past the Shed Platter, featuring a selection of cured meats, marinated ‘chovies, salt cod and more — perfect for al fresco sharing.
Not quite a brunch, but a farmhouse lunch at Acre Camperdown
Quick Bites
- What cuisine is Acre Camperdown? Modern Australian.
- Where is Acre Camperdown? 31A Mallet Street, Camperdown, New South Wales.
- When is Acre Camperdown open? Wednesday-Thursday, 5-11pm (Spritz Bar only). Friday, 12-11pm. Saturday, 10am-11pm. Sunday, 10am-4pm.
- Does Acre Camperdown offer delivery? No.
Enjoy one last hurrah at this beautiful Sydney establishment before they close their doors for good at the end of May. Set among lush greenery (this place has more gorgeous plants than your local florist), treat mum to the Acre’s Mother’s Day Special experience, which features some of the restaurant’s most popular – and tasty – dishes. And with bookings open from midday, it’s more a lunch than a brunch, which is an excellent reason for you and Mum to indulge in a few drinks from the spritz menu.
Soak up the Sicilian breakfast vibes at Bel & Brio
Quick Bites
- What cuisine is Bel & Brio? Italian.
- Where is Bel & Brio? T3.01, 300 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, New South Wales.
- When is Bel & Brio open? Breakfast: Daily, 7.30-11am. Lunch: Daily, 12-3pm. Dinner: Daily, 6-9:30pm.
- Does Bel & Brio offer delivery? No.
Channelling those tres chic European laneway vibes, let Bel & Brio whisk you and your Mum away on a Mother’s Day breakfast journey. Start with coffee (of course), then bite into a fluffy brioche bun, with a fried egg and grilled bacon, French Toast with mascarpone and fresh strawbs, or a hearty serving of Sicilian Baked Eggs. Still peckish? Hit up the pastry counter for cannoli, profiteroles, or a few macaroons. *Mwah* Chef’s kiss!
Treat your mum to a Middle Eastern feast at Barzaari
Quick Bites
- What cuisine is Barzaari? Mediterranean.
- Where is Barzaari? 65-69 Addison Road, Marrickville, New South Wales.
- When is Barzaari open? Wednesday-Friday, 12pm-late. Saturday, 9am-late. Sunday, 9am-4pm.
- Does Barzaari offer delivery? Yes.
If your mum finds the idea of a High Tea too stuffy, and bottomless brunch too rowdy, treat her to an Eastern Mediterranean feast at Barzaari. This family run eatery prides itself on creating bold flavours using the freshest local ingredients. Coming for breakfast? Don’t go past the Breakfast Mezze, featuring lountza (a cured pork tenderloin), pastourma (cured beef) and haloumi (delicious cheese), along with a host of other tasty treats. If lunch is more your style, prepare to enjoy a range of mezze, grilled meats, and light-as-air flatbreads. Yum.
More info here:
Sydney: https://blog.opentable.com.au/
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