78
22%
35
Market Overview
78 restaurants operate in Hull, competing alongside 160 fast food outlets, 228 pubs, 79 cafes, and 36 bars. That's a dense food and drink market for a city of 260,000 people — and restaurants are far outnumbered by quicker, cheaper alternatives.
Italian dominates the sit-down restaurant scene with 15 venues, nearly double the next closest cuisine. Indian follows with 7, then Chinese with 6 and pizza-focused restaurants at 5. Beyond that, it fragments quickly: Chicken, Portuguese, British, and Vietnamese each have just 3 outlets. With 35 unique cuisine types spread across only 78 restaurants, there's a long tail of niche options — many represented by a single venue.
The biggest gap, though, is digital. Only 17 of Hull's 78 restaurants — 22% — have a website. That means over 60 venues are relying entirely on footfall, word of mouth, or third-party platforms like Google Maps and TripAdvisor to attract customers. For any restaurant willing to invest in even a basic online presence, the bar to stand out digitally is remarkably low.
Chain brands like Nando's, Pizza Hut, Zizzi, and Beefeater have a foothold, but independents like Tandoor Mahal, House of Pizza, and Papa's Fish and Chips hold their own with local reputation and dedicated websites. The market isn't dominated by one group — it's fragmented, which creates room for well-positioned newcomers.
Top Types in Hull
What Customers in Hull Care About
Proper fish and chips
With Papa's Fish and Chips as a local institution, customers in Hull expect quality fish and chips done right — any new seafood spot will be measured against it.
Value over gimmicks
With 160 fast food outlets nearby offering cheap meals, sit-down restaurants need to justify higher prices with portion size, quality, or an experience that takeaway can't match.
Cuisine they can't get elsewhere
With only 3 Vietnamese and 3 Portuguese restaurants, customers looking for something beyond Italian or Indian may struggle — and they're actively searching for alternatives.
Easy to find online
With only 22% of restaurants having a website, customers are relying on Google listings and reviews to decide where to eat — venues that don't show up lose out.
Weekend table availability
Hull's restaurant scene competes with 228 pubs for weekend diners, so customers want clear booking options and confidence they won't be turned away on a Friday or Saturday night.
Restaurants operating in Hull
A sample of real restaurants in this area. Want ratings, reviews, and exactly where you rank against them? Run a free report on your business.
| Business | Type |
|---|---|
| Stanley's Chinese Restaurant | Chinese |
| New Loon Fung | Chinese |
| China Red | Restaurant |
| Casa Mazzoni | Italian |
| Tandoor Mahal Restaurant | Indian |
| Dunkin' | Donut |
| Ray's Manzil Balti Restaurant | Balti |
| Da Gianni | Italian |
| Marrakech | Moroccan |
| Lucca | Italian |
| La Gondola | Italian |
| No 3 | Restaurant |
Business listings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Tips for Restaurants Owners in Hull
Get a website — most of your competitors don't
Only 17 out of 78 restaurants in Hull have a website. A simple site with your menu, opening hours, and contact details puts you ahead of roughly 60 competitors who are invisible to anyone searching online.
Pick a cuisine with less competition
Italian accounts for nearly 1 in 5 restaurants here. If you're entering the market, Portuguese, Vietnamese, or British cuisine each have just 3 existing outlets — far less crowded and easier to become the go-to spot.
Don't ignore the pub and fast food crowd
Hull has 228 pubs and 160 fast food venues. Position your restaurant as something different from a pint and a pie or a quick burger — whether that's a family-friendly setting, a date-night option, or a cuisine people can't grab on the high street.
Competition Snapshot
Hull's restaurant market is competitive but not dominated. Italian is oversaturated with 15 venues fighting for the same customer base, while cuisines like Portuguese and Vietnamese are underserved with just 3 outlets each. The real competition, though, comes from 228 pubs and 160 fast food outlets — together they outnumber restaurants nearly five to one. Standing out requires two things: an online presence (only 22% of Hull restaurants have a website) and a clear identity that sets you apart from cheap, convenient alternatives. Chains like Nando's and Zizzi have brand recognition; independents need local reputation and a reason for customers to choose them specifically.
Restaurants in Other Cities
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