Eating out is no longer just about food and drink. Innovations from apps that trace ingredients to fast-track ordering are shaping service expectations. But can too much seem gimmicky? And should restaurants concentrate on mastering quality ingredients rather than the latest tech?

Secret Cinema and Punchdrunk brought immersive theatre and cinema to the masses – and food is now getting the same treatment. Nearly three-quarters of Gen Yers want to increase their spending on experiences, but in a competitive restaurant industry, what gets people lining up to buy tickets?

Two-thirds of Americans fear that robots will take over human jobs by 2065 – but there could be a way to harness the efficiency of tech without raising unemployment. Silicon Valley pizzeria Zume is using AI to fine-tune its service, creating a workforce in which humans and robots work in harmony.

Eating out is a way of life for most Aussies – the nation spends $130 billion on food annually, with a quarter spent on dining out – and when they do, they expect good, quick service. In fact, waiting for a table annoys them more so than waiting for public transport or delayed shopping deliveries.