The number of Italians who choose to celebrate the end of the year at a restaurant is growing. According to the Fipe-Confcommercio Study Center, 4.6 million people are expected to attend the 75,000 restaurants on New Year's Eve. This is up 2.2% compared to the previous year, followed by a double percentage increase in spending, which this year will reach 433 million euros (+4.6%).
On the other hand, the number of restaurateurs who have decided to be open for the occasion is decreasing: this year, in fact, 56.7% of restaurants will serve, compared to 59.1% in 2022. The majority of the venues offer only dinner (84.1%) for an average cost of 94 euros per person, while the remaining part, about 16%, has also organized a real New Year's Eve with shows and music, the cost of which should be around 121 euros per person.
"The trend in restaurant attendance for New Year's Eve 2023 follows that observed for Christmas, although of lesser intensity as a result of a significant number of restaurants that have decided not to open for New Year's Eve," said Luciano Sbraga, Director of the Fipe-Confcommercio Study Center. "The moderate increase in prices, moreover, confirms that even on occasions of great appeal, companies in the sector do not adopt nonchalant commercial policies," Sbraga concluded.
Finally, it will be a New Year's Eve dedicated to Made in Italy: compared to an overall estimate of 1.3 million bottles uncorked for the end-of-year toast, 59.7% of restaurants will serve only strictly Italian bubbles. On the contrary, 32% will allow their customers to choose between sparkling wine and champagne, while in 9.3% of restaurants diners will only find bubbles from beyond the Alps.
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