Ever since the dawn of time, food has been a crucial factor in the survival. It started with hunting followed by domestication and eventually growing and cultivating. Taste was never a primary factor back then; food was eaten to survive and nothing more. Healthy eating was not even heard of. As mankind evolved and civilizations advanced, so did food. The ancient Greek, the Aztecs or the Romans civilizations, to name a few, all saw food as more than basic need for survival. They slowly enhanced the way food was prepared and taste became more prominent. Hygiene slowly made its way in the kitchen and the visual aesthetics had started to play its part. Back then, People made their food at home through whatever means possible. Dining out was together in groups and mass during festivity & special social occasions. Another option was like it is today; you could be invited for a meal at someone else�s house. Around the late 18th & early 19th century, the concept of restaurants flourished in Europe starting from Paris. The word �restaurant� is a French word that originally referred to a type of restorative meat broth or bouillon created by steaming various types of meat. Such a broth was offered to those who might be too weak to eat a full meal. The institutions in which these �restaurants� were served had costly and luxurious interiors and appealed to a wealthy clientele. Concepts such as seating patrons at their own tables, providing dining at unspecified hours, and a menu from which diners could choose their own dishes came out of these institutions and became an established part of �restaurant� service. People developed a taste restaurant quality food for it and since then the people�s love for restaurant never ceased to grow. It was during the 20th century, the culinary world started growing at a rapid pace as more and more people invested their savings into the business. Fine dining soon came into the picture and it was not just about fast food or quick bites anymore. Around this time, dining out in a restaurant meant that you had deep pockets. It was a luxury only the rich could afford. Yet, people from all economic backgrounds worked hard and flocked to these establishments. It became a social statement and people poured their money into these establishments without hesitation. Today, the scene is quite similar in a sense that eating out is not just for the rich anymore. It has become a commodity that most are willing to spend their hard earned money on. One could say that eating out has become a lifestyle trend that everyone wants to get in on. While multiple restaurants, cafes and bars are setting up shop, almost the same number of establishments are closing down. But that has not deterred potential investors from investing in the business. It definitely is a booming business that has a very bright future. A majority of this growing trend can be credited to teenagers and young adults but people from all age groups are more likely to dine outside today than they did in the past. Presently, dining outside has transformed from a need to satisfy your hunger to more of an opportunity to have a good time with family and friends. �For me eating outside means memories. I eat outside a couple of times a week and it�s really fun. Surrounded by friends or family and laughing away to silly jokes or just catching up can be really relaxing after a long hard day at work. Plus, the food aspect of it is always great. You can always try food that you haven�t tried before. Kathmandu is foodie�s paradise I would say with so many international cuisines that are readily available here� according to Kushal Singh, an avid foodie who resides in Kalanki. �I don�t really have time to cook at home so I often find myself eating outside. It can be quite expensive though eating out all the time but I think it�s worth it for all the time you can spend friends and family�, adds Kushal. There are thousands of other people like Kushal who do not mind spending some extra amount of cash if it means having a good time doing it. People are drawn towards restaurants because it provides a platform for good meals and good conversation. This industry is certainly growing but the restaurateurs are not the only ones benefitting from it. There has been an increase in the employment opportunities as the industry has been demanding more manpower over the past couple of years. Students have also taken up interest in this business and hence the increase in number of hospitality students in the country and elsewhere. Dining out has slowly but surely made its way into Nepal but this is not something that is new around the world. This industry in Nepal has only see this significant of a growth over the last decade. Boom in internet accessibility, number of Television Channels and Shows related to travel, living and dining played major part in helping this line of work flourish in the country. The other major important part would to consider would be increased number of tourist and foreign returned Nepali brought some western influence as a small part of the bigger picture. Let�s examine some reasons as to why people are willing dine out than eating-in at the comfort of their homes. Busy Schedules If you compare lifestyles from a decade ago and today, you will find that people today are highly busier at present times. Given this busy lifestyle that we have adopted, it can be quite difficult to maintain a normal routine. At this rate humans will only get busier in the years to come. Simple things like cooking for your family or even just yourself can be really tedious if your life revolves around a tight schedule. Even finding time to spend with your loved ones can be a difficult task too. The world has been collectively getting busier so it is only natural for people to look for easier alternatives to make their lives a little easier. Seeing that people are more likely to opt for more convenient ways to ease the restaurants have stepped in to do just that. People do not hesitate to spend some extra amount of money if it means having your meal prepared and delivered to you whilst having a good time doing it. Preference and Variations While busy schedules may force people to look for alternatives, it is ultimately down to preference if nothing more. Since restaurants were introduced, people have found a liking for meals cooked in these establishments. Of course the same kinds of meals can be prepared at home but they do not arouse the same kind of excitement in us like watching your server bring your food to the table. Developing a preference for a particular establishment and wanting to eat there more often is a common sight these days. There may be doubts about the hygiene of the meals prepared in restaurants as some restaurants tend to be secretive with the way meals are prepared. Home cooked meals on the other hand can be quite healthy. With stricter laws having been passed any doubts that persisted have slowly crept away. Eating at home all the time can prove to be quite monotonous as well. After all, no person would want to eat the same kind meal day in and day out. It is no secret that preparing meals at home can be fun and a joy filled task but there is a certainly a limit to what you can cook at home. Maybe lack of utensils or ingredients or you may simply the technique to create your desired dish. You may come across many hurdles while cooking at home but it is not quite the same in a restaurant. Dining out can be a very easy compared to cooking yourself. It is the easier option of the two as it presents the diner with multiple choices, something that may not be readily available at home. Whether you�re in the mood for some pizza, sushi and burgers or to just satisfy your cravings, there is something for everyone. There are no shortage of food options with so many restaurants providing wonderful delicacies to the public. Cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara have quickly become a hotspot for international cuisine too. Over the years, Kathmandu in particular and its people have developed a taste for international cuisine. The cuisine may not be as authentic, it sure is taking strides into getting there. Any foodie would find that the cuisine here in the city is close to the original. Many restaurants also have a targeted set of customers that they would want in their establishments. It can be the wealthier population or the young or maybe just adults. Although, restaurants do have targeted audiences, most establishments do open their doors for all. Indulgence Eating out is also a bit of an indulgence. It can make you feel special. This is great if you are celebrating something, or even if you have just had a bad day. You get waited on by someone, and your every wish is their command. Isn�t that always a nice feeling? You can also get food that you wouldn�t get at home. You can choose restaurants that make your favorite foods even better than you can, or you can go to restaurants that serve ethnic food so you can try new dishes. Dining out is one of the good excuse for dressing up well, feel good about wearing some new clothes or the ones which liked most and sometimes talk about it and get complimented. Eating out together with near and dear ones is one of the great way to say �thank you,� �congratulations,� �I love you� etc. Social Media It has never been easier to promote a business more so than today with the help of social media. From kids to the elderly, everyone is on social media these days. Social media plays a very big role in the business these days. Popular social media influencers who have garnered thousands of followers are always updated on the latest and the best places to get your next meal at. They have played a significant part in swaying people�s minds to visiting particular restaurants and try the food there. Restaurateurs have also seized the opportunity to market their services through these influencers who have a very wide reach. Restaurants too have their own social media handles as well and their followers are constantly updated of any new changes or events happening at their venues. Peer pressure in social media can be another factor to influence our decision when deciding if we want to dine out or not. Several food critics have also taken upon social media to publish their latest findings and inform the people about their experiences. Overall, social media has only served the business in a positive manner by influencing the people to visit and dine at their establishments. Another aspect of this subject may be debated upon but maintaining a social status is something that has weighed in on everyone�s mind for some time now. For instance, if you are a well-known person or a wealthy person, you may be expected by your colleagues and the general public to be seen out more often in these restaurants and elsewhere to stand out amongst the rest. Although a lot of people do like dining out, there are those who would much rather enjoy their meals at home. According to Asif Karim, manager at The Factory Team, Kamalpokhari, �Nothing beats the taste of a home cooked meal for me. I do like to dine out occasionally and the food is quite good too but if I am give the option between eating outside and eating at home, I would definitely choose the comfort of my home.� Though some may want to eat out or cook at home, the number of those who prefer to dine out are increasing by the day. With such variations in the cuisine and the quality of the food, it does not come as a surprise to see people wanting to eat at a restaurant. Unlike fashion trends that constantly change year round, this trend of dining out has remained constant throughout the past couple of years and has not seen a drop in its numbers. Whether you dine in or out, this trend is here for the long haul.