The Student Room Group

Do you prefer cooking at home or dining out?

Personally, I enjoy both cooking at home and dining out, but it really depends on the situation. Cooking at home can be a great way to experiment with new recipes and control the ingredients, while dining out can be a fun way to try new restaurants and cuisines. What about you? Do you have a preference? I'm curious to hear your thoughts!

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Usually cooking at home.
But dining out can be great for special occassions and business meetups.
Plus opportunities to try out newly opened restaurants run by favourite chefs or small independents restaurants focused upon homecooked family receipes.
I like both, but tend more to self-made foods. I really like it to try new things with new ingredients and recipes and cooking make so much fun, all the more when the food is tasty or even delicious. I don't mind the plates, knives and forks they have to be cleaned after that. Dining-out in a good restaurant is an option for special occasions, but I would not spend my money for it, if it is not worth. And I must confess that some restaurants have diminished their qualities.
One way to go is to do Meal prep on weekends, which would lead to good home cooked meals through the week, and one meal out on either Sat or Sunday, to socialise with friends. Home meals can be a mix of pre-packaged foods with fresh stuff (keep a green veggies pre-cut mix, sauté it fresh with crispy grilled chicken and some nice BBQ or other sauce, and carry a couple of pita breads with it, 15 min prep and a nice filling lunch). I also like to keep some bowls with seeds, dry fruits and fresh fruits (strawberries, blueberries, banana etc) cut and filled into a bowl with hung curd. You can keep these in the fridge for 3 days easy, and carry them for a mid-day snack or dessert with lunch.

Have a look at your timelines in the week and make preparations accordingly. And use stuff like vegetable cutting devices to reduce prep time, which would allow you to make meals more often and save money in the long run :smile:
I like a bit of both really
I don't like cooking. I find it an absolute chore. I cook almost every single day for 6 people and in my opinion it's utterly tedious, and I'd far rather someone else cook.

However whilst the occasional takeaway is nice for having a break from cooking, I do generally find that 9 times out of 10 I would have preferred my own home cooked meal. Takeaways are too greasy and stodgy and fattening, and I often get a bad stomach from them. I usually regret all my life decisions after getting a takeaway.

I prefer restaurants over takeaways, definitely. I like getting out of the house, and I particularly like all-you-can-eat buffets with a range of different cuisine choices.

However, both restaurants and takeaways cost way too much money. WAY WAY too much money.

All in all, that being said, home cooking wins hands down simply because I like my own food, plus it's the most economical... even if I really dislike cooking.
I can't cook at all (live on ready/frozen meals) so I 100% prefer dining out. But that's not affordable so I can't do it except as a treat.
When I say that there are many benefits to cooking at home, I mean that literally. Not only can you save money by cooking at home instead of eating out, but you can also prepare healthier meals. When you cook at home, you have complete control over the ingredients and preparation of your food. The act of preparing a meal can be very satisfying and soothing in and of itself. On the other hand, going out to eat can be fun because it gives you a chance to try something new and saves you time that you would otherwise spend cooking. In the end, it all boils down to a matter of taste.
:beer:
(edited 1 year ago)
Original post by KillerFrostt
Do you prefer cooking at home or dining out? Why do you choose one over the other? Are there specific factors that influence your decision, such as time, cost, convenience, or social factors?

Do you enjoy the process of cooking and experimenting with new recipes, or do you find it stressful and time-consuming? On the other hand, do you enjoy the atmosphere and social experience of dining out, or do you find it noisy and crowded? Do you prefer casual dining or more formal dining experiences? How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your dining habits, and have you discovered any new ways to enjoy food and socializing during this time? Additionally, do you have any tips or advice for others who are trying to decide between cooking at home and dining out?

I do enjoy eating out every now and again as a little treate especially if its something like steak, sushi, something new or just hanging out with friends. I don't really like formal events bc i dont have many formal or fancy clothes - that being said i've only been to 1 and i just didnt feel relaxed. I enjoy places where it has a relaxed atmosphere with an interesting but not stressful interior. I find places ,that are super loud but also super quiet, to be quiet annoying so i love something that has a balance of both. Covid-19 hasnt affected my dining habits and i didnt go eating out during it so i cant say i learnt anything. I just depends on the money spent, atmosphere, how far away it is and the people there.

I want to be a good cook, i really do. I've tried cooking simple meals but found it boring and time consuming so i tried making more interesting dishes so i can feel like my time was well spent. I just cannot cook. Something always goes wrong whether i burnt something or i made too many dishes to clearn up. I can see how people like cooking, espically if the end result looks aesthetically pleasing but for me, its too stressful and takes the fun out of eating the main result. That being said, im hoping that i just become better and maybe i'll be less stressed once i move out so i dont have anyone nagging beside me.

I do prefer eating out - however as it always epties my wallet, my parents can just cook for me until i can actually create something that was good to eat lmaoo
Enjoy eating out but also find cooking at home therapeutic
Original post by Teresa09
Enjoy eating out but also find cooking at home therapeutic


Rather regard cooking as a possibility to hold the time and to reduce stress when it comes to it.
I hate cleaning after cooking....I lose my appetite and I can't eat when the kitchen isn't tidy and clean. I'm a messy cook.

So dining.
Original post by KillerFrostt
Do you prefer cooking at home or dining out? Why do you choose one over the other? Are there specific factors that influence your decision, such as time, cost, convenience, or social factors?

Do you enjoy the process of cooking and experimenting with new recipes, or do you find it stressful and time-consuming? On the other hand, do you enjoy the atmosphere and social experience of dining out, or do you find it noisy and crowded? Do you prefer casual dining or more formal dining experiences? How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your dining habits, and have you discovered any new ways to enjoy food and socializing during this time? Additionally, do you have any tips or advice for others who are trying to decide between cooking at home and dining out?

For me it depends on my mood. I sometimes absolutely love cooking and find it therapeutic! In these times i prefer cooking. At other times when i want something specific which i don’t have skills to make, like a chinese dish with tofu, then i go eat out.
oh yeah - i completely agree with that - i normally just work out how to make it and if i try twice and get it wrong then i go out.
i love cooking at home and trying new recipes (although i normally end up not following it properly). im also a food gcse student so i enjoy cooking but for special occasions i prefer to go out and try a new restaurant. then if i like what ive tried ill try and make it at home or make something influenced by the dish. i love family recieps bc theyre more cosy and warming but new cuisines are also fun to cook
I like to cook at home and there are several reasons for that. First, I know for a fact that I got quality and fresh produce. Second, I love to eat at home! I don't like other people looking at me while I'm eating.

And for some reason I am sure that restaurants or other places are always trying to save money on something and make your food tasty but cheap. Plus, I just love to cook. I usually get my recipes from https://eatdelights.com.
(edited 10 months ago)
Original post by maxxxxxim333
I like to cook at home and there are several reasons for that. First, I know for a fact that I got quality and fresh produce. Second, I love to eat at home! I don't like other people looking at me while I'm eating.

And for some reason I am sure that restaurants or other places are always trying to save money on something and make your food tasty but cheap.


My agreement with you couldn't match more. You have really good arguments to cook food at home.
And I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone. I saw a question that I thought I should answer. I'm not trying to impose my opinion on anyone. I preferred to write a little more than just an answer to House or Restaurant.

Original post by Kallisto
My agreement with you couldn't match more. You have really good arguments to cook food at home.
Original post by maxxxxxim333
And I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone. I saw a question that I thought I should answer. I'm not trying to impose my opinion on anyone. I preferred to write a little more than just an answer to House or Restaurant.


But it is true that the quality of restaurants got worse. I am not so pleased with the foods there anymore. At least not in all of them.
I don't really like cooking, I'll cook the odd thing. If money wasn't an issue then I would probably eat out the majority of the time rather than cook at home

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