The Ivy Collection’s new research shows that in 2026, being rich doesn’t mean you have to pay a lot or be exclusive. It’s not what people do, but how they feel. These days, Britons think of luxury as spending time with loved ones, having fun, and getting small, cheap treats that fit into their daily lives.
The results back up The Ivy has decided to bring back and add to its famous £19.17 two-course set menu. It will start on Monday, January 5. People want dining experiences that are more about connecting, being comfortable, and having fun together than about luxury. This is part of a larger trend.
The study found that more than one in three Brits (36%) think that luxury today is more about how something makes you feel than how much it costs. Only a small number (14%) think that luxury is mostly about exclusivity or high price points.
Mancunians’ top answers when asked what they think are “everyday luxuries” in 2026 were:
- 48% of people said they feel better about money
- Giving yourself a treat without worrying about how much it costs (45%)
- Spending time with family and friends (41%)
- Good food in a nice place (34%)
- Going out to eat with friends (32%)
The results show that people are moving towards emotional luxury that is easy to get to—experiences that feel special but still fit into everyday life.
Eating out is still seen as a special treat.
Almost half of Mancunians (49%) say that going out to eat at a restaurant is a special treat they enjoy every now and then. However, 30% of people think that luxuries like going out to eat should feel special but still be affordable, making them a more accessible experience.
When asked what price range for a restaurant meal feels like an affordable luxury, almost half of Brits (49%) said £30 or less. This shows that more and more people want high-quality dining experiences at prices they can afford.
What gives a meal a sense of luxury?
Mancunians say that luxury dining is not about too much, but about:
- Food that is good (56%)
- A beautiful, friendly place (41%)
- Service that makes guests feel important (40%)
- Being able to relax and enjoy a meal (30%)
- You can count on consistent quality (26%)
The 1917 Menu at The Ivy Grows
To celebrate the year the first Ivy restaurant opened in London, The Ivy is adding more to its popular 1917 two-course set menu, which costs £19.17.
The menu now has two more dishes per course at all of The Ivy Collection locations. These dishes are seasonal and combine classic Ivy style with modern flavours. This is what diners want more and more: high-end luxury at a low price.
The starters are perfect for winter. They include a warm French Onion Soup with cheese croutons and parsley on top and a rich Duck Liver Parfait with caramelised hazelnuts, apricot and apple chutney, and toasted brioche.
Robata Grilled Chicken Skewers with a creamy bang bang peanut sauce, sesame, coconut, lime, and coriander, a bright Tamarind Beetroot and Endive Salad, and Salt and Pepper Calamari with a sesame and gochujang glaze and an Asian slaw are some of the other options.
The Ivy Classic Shepherd’s Pie, which is made with slow-braised lamb and beef and topped with cheddar mash, is one of the main dishes. It comes with a rich rosemary and red wine sauce.
Another is the Pan-fried Aegean Sea Bream with shaved fennel, Granny Smith apples, chives, and white wine velouté. The Foraged Wild Mushroom and Truffle Linguine is also rich and creamy.
Guests can also choose the Minute Steak for an extra £4.95. It comes with a rich peppercorn sauce, crispy onions, and chips that have been cooked three times.
Guests can get even more delicious desserts for just £4.95, like Flambéed Crème Brûlée and Sticky Toffee Pudding. For an extra £2.95, guests can enjoy the famous Ivy Chocolate Bombe with vanilla ice cream, honeycomb, and hot caramel sauce.
Mark Askew, Group Executive Chef for The Ivy Collection, said, “Our research shows that luxury today is more about connection, comfort, and quality than it is about price.”
“Our 1917 menu is all about making everyday luxuries easier to get, like a lunch on a Wednesday, a dinner on the spur of the moment, or time spent catching up with friends and family. At only £19.17, it’s the perfect way to beat the winter blues. It lets guests keep enjoying life’s little luxuries even when their budgets are tight after Christmas.”
A luxury that people can enjoy more often
More than a third of Brits (36%) say they would rather have regular, guilt-free treats than big splurges every once in a while. This shows why accessible luxury is becoming the new standard.
People want dining experiences that feel special but aren’t too fancy. The Ivy’s 1917 menu lets you enjoy the brand’s famous hospitality, history, and atmosphere for just £19.17.
