casual dining

Meaning

'Casual dining' refers to a category of restaurants that offer a relaxed, informal atmosphere with table service. The food is moderately priced, and there is usually no strict dress code, making it perfect for families and friends.

Examples

• We are looking for a nice casual dining spot near the beach.

  We are looking for a nice casual dining spot near the beach.

• The city has plenty of casual dining options, from burger joints to local bistros.

  The city has plenty of casual dining options, from burger joints to local bistros.

• It is not a fancy restaurant, just a casual dining place where you can wear jeans.

  It is not a fancy restaurant, just a casual dining place where you can wear jeans.

• Casual dining has become much more popular than formal fine dining lately.

  Casual dining has become much more popular than formal fine dining lately.

• They decided on a casual dining restaurant so the kids could feel comfortable.

  They decided on a casual dining restaurant so the kids could feel comfortable.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Let's go to a casual eating.

  ✓ Let's go to a casual dining restaurant.

  'Dining' is the correct gerund used as an adjective here; 'eating' is not used in this collocation.

• ✗ This restaurant is very casual dinner.

  ✓ This restaurant is great for casual dining.

  'Casual dinner' refers to a specific meal event, whereas 'casual dining' refers to the style of restaurant or eating experience.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you don't want to dress up, there are many ___ options downtown.

  💡 Relaxed, informal restaurant style.

  Show answer

  casual dining

• The hotel guide lists both luxury spots and ___ restaurants.

  💡 Moderately priced, informal eateries.

  Show answer

  casual dining