Easing inflation and slightly higher consumer confidence may be helping bolster restaurant reservations in Houston and other markets.

Data from the online platform OpenTable shows reservations in Houston increased 7.1% in the first five months of this year compared with the same period in 2023. Reservations are also up 21% in Dallas year-over-year while Austin is seeing an 11% increase. Elsewhere across the South, Atlanta saw a 3.3% decline and New Orleans experienced a 5.7% increase in reservations.

OpenTable is just one of several popular reservation platforms, but with an estimated 30% market-share in the global reservation space, it’s a fair proxy for that segment of the restaurant industry.

U.S. restaurant sales have consistently been higher in recent months compared to 2023, according to the National Restaurant Association. Part of that is due to higher menu prices thanks to the elevated cost of food. But the industry is proving durable thanks to labor market resiliency, stable consumer confidence, and an overall better-than-expected economic picture. Earlier this year, a national survey of restaurant operators found that 8 in 10 believe their sales will increase or at least hold steady in 2024.

Houston is one of the most dynamic restaurant cities in the country, with more than 10,000 restaurants serving more than 80 different categories of cuisine. The city’s diverse population helps produce and support a dynamic culinary scene. Across Texas there are more than 56,000 restaurants, making the industry the second largest private sector employer in the state.

Earlier this month, the international MICHELIN Guide announced it was entering the Texas market and has already begun rating Houston restaurants for its coveted stars.

Written by A.J. Mistretta