How do cafes and restaurants affect the attractiveness of European cities for living?

The appeal of cities through cafes and restaurants

In modern society, the variety of restaurants and cafes in cities significantly enhances their appeal for both travelers and those considering relocation. Our company's specialists conducted an analysis focusing on the demand for dining establishments in various cities across Europe, and compared these results with market prices for housing and an overall assessment of quality of life.

Research results

As a result, it turned out that Vienna has the highest number of restaurants per capita, while London leads in the total number of establishments. Notably, the Austrian capital also stands out as one of the most affordable cities in terms of housing prices.

Research methodology

The research was conducted based on expert assessments of investments in the housing market, during which 11 European cities popular among tourists from Russia were selected. The following were included in the study:

• Two Russian cities — Moscow and St. Petersburg,
• Two major German cities — Berlin and Munich,
• Three significant cities of Western Europe are Paris, London, and Vienna.
• Two Eastern European centers — Prague and Budapest,
• Two Southern European cities — Barcelona andRome.

Analysis and data collection

To determine the number of food establishments, a thorough study was conducted based on the OpenStreetMap (OSM) open API, with data collected in October 2020. It is important to note that the territories of European cities are constantly changing and are not limited to administrative boundaries. With the development of urban culture and transportation infrastructure, suburbs are becoming an important part of urban space and represent areas with high population density.

Methods for determining city boundaries

Thus, current research should take into account various methodologies for defining city boundaries, which may lead to potential discrepancies. In this study, compact city agglomerations were chosen to achieve comparability, such as:

• Paris (Metropolis of Greater Paris)
• Barcelona (Metropolitan Area of Barcelona)

London was considered within the framework of Greater London.

Changes in Moscow

In addition, it is worth noting that after the incorporation of New Moscow into the city, its area increased by more than twice. The number of residents also grew, but most public establishments remain concentrated in the historical part of Moscow. Therefore, for the sake of comparability in calculating the number of food offerings per square kilometer, we relied on the boundaries of old Moscow as they were before 2012, as is common in most contemporary analyses.

Key evaluation criteria

The key criterion for assessing the attractiveness of cities was chosen to be the density of food establishments.This is one of the main factors affecting comfort and interest.for residents and guests of the cities.

We conducted a detailed study of the number of catering establishments in various cities and analyzed the relationship between different segments of this industry. As a result, we developed rankings for each criterion, which allowed us to obtain extensive data for analysis. The results were compared with the prices for purchasing and renting residential real estate per square meter, based on information from Deloitte for 2020, as well as with the quality of life rankings from Mercer. The study was undertaken to assess the attractiveness of European cities for people considering the purchase of property for rental purposes, noted Elena Skrebkova, a leading specialist in the research group."One of the key aspects influencing the level of social activity among residents, as well as the overall atmosphere in the city, is the presence of restaurants and bars in the area."

The results of our work reflect the state of the food service market before the onset of the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic and demonstrate the distribution of types of establishments, not taking into account the restaurants and cafes that were closed during this time. We assume that with the recovery of the economy after the pandemic, the total number of establishments may decrease, but the proportions and demand will remain at the same level.

Top five cities with the highest concentration of establishments

Among the five European cities with the highest number of restaurants and bars are:

• Vienna- 518 establishments per 100,000 residents.
• Prague- 504 establishments per 100,000 residents.
• Munich- 438 institutions per 100,000 residents.
• Berlin- 435 establishments per 100,000 residents.
• Budapest- 342 cafes, bars, and restaurants for every 100,000 local residents.

It should be noted that the Austrian capital, Vienna, shows one of the lowest housing prices among the cities studied, with an average price of about 4,900 euros per square meter. Budapest also ranks among the cities with quite reasonable real estate prices, second only to St. Petersburg.

By the way, the capital of Russia, Moscow, ended up at the very bottom of this list, with only 101 restaurants and cafes per 100,000 residents. Interestingly, despite being in last place in terms of density, Moscow surpasses St. Petersburg in the total number of establishments.

City ranking by the number of establishments

We have prepared a ranking of cities based on the number of establishments per 100,000 residents, including data on population and density, in the form of a table. Thus, the research not only revealed interesting facts about market saturation but also provided the opportunity to identify the most livable cities in Europe.

The total number of establishments in London

London undoubtedly ranks first among the world's megacities in terms of the number of dining establishments. The city boasts nearly 21,000 different cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars, and fast-food outlets. However, it should be noted that London's population is significantly larger than in most other capitals, such as Vienna, which has 4.7 times fewer people living there.

Comparison with other major cities

It is also worth noting that Moscow ranks second in population among the megacities being considered, while London has the largest area of all the cities studied. Therefore, in terms of establishments per capita, London does not hold the highest positions.

Rating of establishments in other cities

• In second place for the number of restaurants is Paris, which also shows a leading position in terms of the density of establishments per person in cities with a population of over 5 million.
• Berlin ranks third in the ratings, followed by Moscow.
• Due to its large size and high population density, Moscow ranks low in the number of establishments per resident.

Distribution of establishments in cities

Additionally, it is worth noting how dining establishments are distributed within these cities. Typically, most restaurants and cafes are concentrated in historical and central areas, while the outskirts often remain less served by such places.

When considering the distribution of establishments in Vienna, one can see a high concentration per capita. An exception is Paris: thanks to its 20 districts, each with its own unique atmosphere and establishments, the French capital functions not only as a monocentric city like most others but also as a polycentric one, allowing citizens to find diverse cuisines in different parts of the city and enjoy each gastronomic tradition.

Central districts of Paris

If we analyze only the central districts of Paris, including all 20 arrondissements, this metropolis will take first place in the number of establishments per 100,000 people, offering more than 700 restaurants and cafes. However, in this format, it becomes more difficult to compare with other cities.

The vast territory of Greater Paris contributes to a diversity of culinary offerings, which must be taken into account when comparing it to other capitals in Europe. Overall, in most of the studied megacities, including popular tourist destinations, there is a uniform distribution of establishments, where the centers remain the most attractive for both locals and tourists.

The significance of the analysis of establishment saturation

Analyzing the saturation of establishments in different capitals can be quite an intriguing study. It not only allows for a better understanding of the gastronomic scene in the most famous cities but also helps to assess the availability and diversity of cuisines for both locals and travelers.

• Each metropolis has its own unique features when it comes to dining establishments.
• Although the numbers may be impressive, it's important to remember the quality and accessibility.

These factors should be taken into account when assessing the cultural wealth of each city being studied.

Overview of dining establishments in Paris

In Paris, according to data from OpenStreetMap, there is quite an interesting dynamic in the distribution of food establishments across the 20 districts of the capital. For every 100,000 residents in the city, there are over 700 restaurants and cafes. At the same time, similar studies conducted for London show that the area of the British capital is significantly larger—almost twice the size of Greater Paris.

Comparison with other cities

As for Berlin, despite being comparable to Paris in size and the number of establishments, the situation here is different, as the number of restaurants and cafes per capita in the German capital is higher, which sets Berlin apart from other cities.

Share of restaurants in the market

In the structure of the food service market in cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Vienna, restaurants hold a dominant position.

In Munich, despite its world-renowned reputation, the high cost per square meter places it in second position in the ranking. The local real estate market is largely considered overheated. Vienna, on the other hand, can boast not only a variety of public establishments per capita but also relatively affordable prices for both renting and purchasing housing for its citizens and visitors.

Research on rental and purchase prices for housing

Based on a study conducted by Deloitte in 2020, a table was prepared with data on rental and purchase prices per square meter in various cities, as well as their rankings in quality of life and restaurant density indexes.

Prices for renting and buying housing by city

• Berlin:Rent is 9.15 euros per square meter, purchase is 478 euros.
• Saint Petersburg:Rent - 9.71 euros, purchase - 460 euros;
• Vienna:Rental - 9.94 euros, purchase - 868 euros;
• Budapest:Rent - 11.62 euros, purchase - 1077 euros;
• Prague:Rent - 9.33 euros, purchase - 395 euros;
• Rome:Rent - 13.33 euros, purchase - 2595 euros;
• Moscow:Rent - 14.62 euros, purchase - 2701 euros;
• Munich:Rent - 16.48 euros, purchase - 2500 euros;
• Barcelona:Rent - 19.35 euros, purchase - 763 euros;
• London:Rent - 277 euros, purchase - 6994 euros;
• Paris:Rent - 28.31 euros, purchase - 2863 euros.

The situation in the rental market in Berlin

Berlin stands out among European cities due to its low rental rates, which is partly related to the introduction of price growth restrictions in older buildings since early February 2020. However, despite these figures, finding an apartment at the stated price in the German capital is a real challenge, and those looking to rent are lining up for viewings.

In April 2021, it was announced that the German Supreme Court had overturned restrictions on rental rates, which is likely to impact future housing prices in the country. Currently, Berlin ranks third in the number of public establishments and fourth in their density relative to the population.

Comparison of Saint Petersburg with other cities

As for St. Petersburg, it ranks second in rental prices, although in quality of life rankings and the number of restaurants, it falls behind other cities, according to a Mercer study. Interesting findings suggest that those who prefer dining in cafes and restaurants do not necessarily have to choose expensive cities like London or Paris, which are renowned for their diverse culinary scenes.

Leaders in the number of restaurants per capita

Among the cities with the highest density of restaurants per capita are:

• Vienna
• Prague
• Munich
• Berlin
• Budapest

These cities, although not major tourist centers, have proven themselves with their well-developed infrastructure. All of them, except for Munich, are also among the most affordable cities in Europe in terms of square meter prices.

At the same time, Paris turned out to be the most expensive of all the cities studied and ranks second in the number of restaurants. London, on the other hand, shows a combination of high real estate prices and the largest number of restaurants and bars. Although Berlin ranks last in the number of establishments, it stands out as one of the cheapest cities for renting.

Conclusion

In our research on the saturation of European cities with food establishments, it is clearly illustrated how fierce competition in the gastronomy sector primarily benefits the residents of these cities, as well as tourists. The results of our analysis show that the density of food establishments is crucial for both promising real estate investments and social life. This connection becomes particularly evident in the context of housing availability.

As an observer of these changes, I can confidently say that creating a richer and more diverse culinary map of the city is not only a means of improving the quality of life but also a way to attract new residents and tourists. For example,ViennaandPragueThanks to the high number of cafes and restaurants, they are becoming not just places to enjoy some time, but rapidly developing centers of attraction.

Despite the impact of the pandemic, we hope that over time, the demand for gastronomic infrastructure in cities will not only remain at the same level but also increase. I think it's important to note that a city's attractiveness is determined not only by quantitative indicators but also by the quality of services offered, the atmosphere, and cultural richness. This fact sustains interest in living in large cities among young people and foreign citizens.

Key findings of the study:

• Quality of life:The density of dining establishments significantly affects the quality of life in cities.
• Availability of housing:The analysis results show that the availability of housing correlates with the density of public establishments.
• Attracting tourists:A developed gastronomic infrastructure helps attract new residents and tourists.

Our work is just a small contribution to understanding the complex system where social, economic, and cultural aspects of urban life intersect. Although the results of our analysis highlight the importance of having dining establishments as one of the main factors of a city's attractiveness, this is only part of the overall picture. It is important to continue exploring the dynamics of urban life and its interconnections with various aspects, including cultural, social, and economic changes. In the future, I would like to see even more research that helps document these changes and predict their further trends.