By 
UK Takeaway Trends and Consumer Behavior
A new analysis of consumer habits reveals that Belfast has surpassed other major British hubs, including Sheffield and Cardiff, in the volume of money spent on takeaway food. According to data provided by Aqua, which surveyed 2,000 UK adults, the average person in Belfast spends £70.03 per month on prepared meals.
While the appetite for convenience remains high, the financial pressure of the current economic climate is taking a toll. Approximately 59% of respondents admitted to scaling back their takeaway frequency over the past two years, citing increased living expenses as the primary driver. Across the entire UK, the average adult spends roughly £648 annually on these services, with Chinese cuisine remaining the most popular choice among the population.
Belfast Outspends Commuting and Utility Costs
The spending habits in Belfast reveal a striking preference for prepared meals over other essential monthly outgoings. At £70.03 per month, takeaway expenditure significantly outweighs several other common household expenses.
Reports indicate that the average Belfast resident spends £60.24 on commuting and travel, £43.77 on streaming subscriptions, and £36.01 on mobile phone bills. This means that residents are spending £9.79 more on takeaways than on their daily travel, £26.26 more than on digital entertainment, and £34.02 more than on their telephony services. If these spending patterns persist, the annual cost for a single person in Belfast would reach approximately £840.36.
Sheffield and Cardiff Secure Top Three Positions
Following closely behind Belfast, Sheffield takes the second spot in the rankings. Residents of the South Yorkshire city spend an average of £68.76 per month, trailing Belfast by a slim margin of only £1.27. This monthly average translates to an estimated annual expenditure of £825.12.
Cardiff claims the third position, with monthly spending reaching £68.25. The Welsh capital sits just 51 pence behind Sheffield and £1.78 below Belfast. On a yearly basis, this equates to £819. The data suggests that high takeaway spending is not exclusive to the largest metropolitan areas, as Cardiff outpaces several larger English cities.
London and Newcastle Expenditure Patterns
Despite its massive population and diverse food scene, London ranks fourth. The capital's average monthly spend is £68.13, placing it only 12 pence behind Cardiff. This results in an annual total of approximately £817.56. Industry observers note that London's position suggests a disconnect between the high price of individual menu items and the overall monthly volume spent by the average resident.
Newcastle completes the top five, with residents spending an average of £62.75 per month, or roughly £753 per year. Interestingly, Newcastle appears in separate affordability data regarding Chinese cuisine, where a portion of chicken chow mein costs an average of £13.64—the highest price recorded for that specific dish in the study. This highlights the difference between the cost of a single luxury item and the total monthly budget allocated to takeaways.
Spending Analysis Across Edinburgh, Nottingham, and Bristol
The trend of high expenditure continues into Scotland and the Midlands. Edinburgh holds the sixth position, with residents spending £61.59 monthly, totaling approximately £739.08 annually. This puts the Scottish capital £1.16 behind Newcastle and £1.14 ahead of Nottingham.
Nottingham ranks seventh, with an average monthly spend of £60.45, which equates to £725.40 per year. This places the East Midlands city above Bristol, Southampton, and Birmingham. Bristol follows in eighth place, with an average monthly expenditure of £58.03, or £696.36 annually. This figure is £2.42 lower than Nottingham's and 82 pence higher than Southampton's.
Southampton's Position in National Rankings
Southampton rounds out the top ten, recording an average monthly takeaway expenditure of £57.21. While this is lower than the leading cities, it still represents a significant portion of discretionary spending for the average household in the region.
UK City Takeaway Spending Comparison (2026)
| City | Monthly Spend | Annualized Spend (Est.) | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | £70.03 | £840.36 | 1 |
| Sheffield | £68.76 | £825.12 | 2 |
| Cardiff | £68.25 | £819.00 | 3 |
| London | £68.13 | £817.56 | 4 |
| Newcastle | £62.75 | £753.00 | 5 |
| Edinburgh | £61.59 | £739.08 | 6 |
| Nottingham | £60.45 | £725.40 | 7 |
| Bristol | £58.03 | £696.36 | 8 |
| Southampton | £57.21 | £686.52 | 9 |
Why This Matters: The Shift in Discretionary Spending
For the average consumer, these figures reveal a complex relationship between convenience and cost. The fact that takeaway spending in Belfast exceeds commuting costs suggests that "convenience culture" has become a primary financial priority, even as the cost of living rises.
From a logistical and financial standpoint, the data indicates that takeaways are no longer viewed as occasional treats but as integrated components of the monthly household budget, akin to a utility bill or a transport cost. However, the 59% reduction rate among the wider UK population suggests a breaking point. As inflation impacts food prices, consumers are being forced to choose between the time-saving benefit of a takeaway and the financial necessity of home cooking.
For the food industry, this creates a volatile environment. While average spending remains high in cities like Belfast and Sheffield, the trend of "cutting back" suggests that volume may decrease even if prices increase. This shift likely explains why some cities maintain high average spends despite fewer total orders—the cost per meal is rising, keeping the averages high even as the frequency of ordering drops.
