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.
Keeping mum report
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.
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
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.
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.”
Times are a changing
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.
Need inspiration?
Treat mum to the gold standard at Au79
- What cuisine is Au79? Modern Australian.
- Where is Au79? 27-29 Nicholson Street, Abbotsford, Victoria.
- When is Au79 open? Monday-Friday, 7am-4pm. Saturday-Sunday, 8am-4pm.
- Does Au79 offer delivery? No.
Can’t decide if you should take Mum to a buzzing roastery, an awesome bakery, or a tres chic patisserie? Spoil her with all three at Au79 – the chemical symbol for gold. Nestled in Abbotsford’s back streets, Au79 has been stylishly converted from an old car warehouse into the Instagrammer’s dream it is today. The menu suits both savoury and sweet tooths, with dishes like Chilli Miso Eggs, Banana Brulee Waffles, and Kale and Corn Fritters (not to mention their exceptional little pastries), while the house-roasted coffee is among the best in Melbourne.
Get the farm-to-table experience at Top Paddock
- What cuisine is Top Paddock? Modern Australian.
- Where is Top Paddock? 658 Church Street, Richmond, Victoria.
- When is Top Paddock open? Monday-Sunday, 8am-4pm.
- Does Top Paddock offer delivery? Yes.
Sometimes, the best Mother’s Day treat is an enormous hotcake slathered in maple syrup, grains, berries, and (wait for it) edible flowers from the kitchen garden. Richmond’s iconic Top Paddock has been dishing up their even more iconic Blueberry and Ricotta Hotcake for years, and it doesn’t disappoint. But if Mum prefers something more savoury, there are plenty of other options on this farm-to-table menu. Think Eggs Benedict featuring native Australian saltbush, Hot Smoked Trout Fillet served with heirloom carrots and bronze fennel, and the cafe’s namesake dish The Top Paddock, which comes with eggs, a slab of bacon, and a spiced sausage.
Breakfast + Lunch = Dundas & Faussett
- What cuisine is Dundas & Faussett? Modern Australian.
- Where is Dundas & Faussett? 111 Dundas Place, Albert Park, Victoria.
- When is Dundas & Faussett open? Daily 7am-6pm. Friday-Saturday, 5-9pm.
- Does Dundas & Faussett offer delivery? Yes.
The perfect brunch menu doesn’t exi–… We beg to differ. Dundas & Faussett (on the corner of Dundas and Faussett streets in Albert Park) is a super-stylish establishment, perfect for spoiling your super-stylish Mum. And with a menu that includes a Farmer’s Omelette, served with succulent bacon and kipfler potatoes, a Japanese-inspired Okonomiyaki Fritter, and an extremely brunch-appropriate Breakfast Bruschetta, you might have just found your new fave Mother’s Day cafe.
Bottoms up at Norman
- What cuisine is Norman? Modern Australian.
- Where is Norman? 2/300 Toorak Road, South Yarra, Victoria.
- When is Norman open? Monday-Saturday, 7am-4pm. Sunday, 8am-4pm.
- Does Norman offer delivery? No.
This Mother’s Day, sleek and sophisticated South Yarra establishment Norman is offering an exclusive Mother’s Day Bottomless Brunch experience for Mums who love a little tipple with their morning meal. For $65 a head, choose your beverage — Aperol spritz, prosecco, mimosa or beer (a Premium option for $15 extra gets you unlimited Espresso Martinis, Bloody Marys and more) — then select your brunch of choice. We can’t go past Norman’s Vegemite Avo Toast!
Enjoy high tea with Mum – and the dog – at The Commons at Ormond Collective
Quick Bites
- What cuisine is The Commons at Ormond Collective? Modern Australian.
- Where is The Commons at Ormond Collective? 557 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria.
- When is The Commons at Ormond Collective open? Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-11pm.
- Does The Commons at Ormond Collective offer delivery? No.
For mums of humans and mums of fur babies, a High Tea Experience at The Commons is a pretty special Mother’s Day event. This stunning Melbourne landmark, featuring a conservatory, chapel, and spectacular gardens, is treating mums from all walks of life this May 9 to one of the fanciest high teas we’ve seen in a while. If the sun’s shining, enjoy a table in the garden with mum and your four-legged friends, or cosy up indoors with sandwiches, petit fours, and a range of delicious drinks.
For inspiration on where to take mum for brunch this mothers day visit:
Melbourne: https://blog.opentable.com.au/
To book a 2021 Mother’s Day treat simply visit www.opentable.com.au, or download the OpenTable app from GooglePlay or the AppStore.
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