Pubs now account for almost one in four meals eaten out of the home, according to new analysis of consumer eating habits.
The Centre for Research into Elections & Social Trends (CREST), which carries out weekly surveys of 4,000 consumers, has found that over the past year pubs accounted for 23 per cent of all eating-out occasions.
The healthy figure means eight per cent more people who are eating out in 2005 are choosing to dine in pubs.
The statistics back up a new report by Datamonitor, which shows that more than 18 billion meals a year are now being consumed out of the home. By 2009, the figure is forecast to be 21 billion.
Eddie Gershon, spokesman for Wetherspoons, said: "These figures don't surprise us. We've seen an increase in food sales in our pubs year-on-year. We've responded to increased consumer demand, and our pubs probably serve the widest range of meals, for the longest hours, in the UK."
Pub are also benefiting from consumers' nostalgia for home made food. Despite the fact that very few people actually cook at home, Datamonitor found that consumers are looking for an authentic experience.
Daniel Bone, consumer analyst at Datamonitor, said: "Overall, there has been a significant decline in cooking from scratch. Consumers are spending less time cooking, are eating out of home more often and purchasing more prepared meals and snacks than previously.
"Primarily, consumers want to save time and energy as well as making up for their lack of culinary skills by choosing ready-made meals. However, such meals that can promote home-made authentic credentials could further drive growth in the sector."
This mirrors the experience of pub group Mitchells & Butlers. The company has seen food sales across its 2,000-plus pubs increase this year. Managing director Tim Clarke said: "Growth has been strongest at our restaurant chains such as Toby Carvery and Vintage Inns. Diversifying our offer to put as much emphasis on food and wine as we do on beer has been a very successful strategy right across the estate."