Food price inflation may have hit its lowest point since May 2021, but that doesn't mean eating out will get any cheaper.

Stats NZ data for February shows the price of restaurant and ready-to-eat-meals has increased by 6.7% year-on-year. 

Overall food price inflations is at 2.1%, driven by fruit and vege prices falling 9.3%. 

Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois told Mike Hosking that the industry has experienced increased costs across the board, with a major one being the 38% increase in labour costs. 

The labour costs were the main thing driving up prices, she said, as many restaurants have been reluctant to increase the prices too high and haven't necessarily kept up with the increase in cost of goods. 

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