Long lunches in the sunshine, leisurely afternoons dining outdoors and sharing good food with friends and family have become the defining ingredients of a modern Euro summer, according to new research commissioned by The Ivy Collection — and with 71% of Brits saying everyday moments of escapism now matter just as much as a holiday abroad, the restaurant group has launched a new Golden Summer Menu built around exactly that feeling.
The research suggests a Euro summer is no longer defined solely by travelling abroad, but increasingly by the moments that make holidays memorable. Sunshine came out as the nation’s strongest association with the idea (39%), while 57% said dining outdoors makes them feel like they’re on holiday, 58% said sharing a leisurely meal with friends and family is one of the best parts of a European summer, and 52% agreed that Euro summer is more about atmosphere and mindset than any specific destination. Millennials appear to be leading the shift: 62% say it’s defined more by atmosphere than destination, compared with 56% of Gen Z, and they’re also more likely than Gen Z to associate outdoor dining with that holiday feeling (64% versus 60%).
The Golden Summer Menu itself draws on some of the continent’s most-loved destinations, running from Rabbit Croquettes and Chilli and Sesame Glazed Aubergine to Cypriot Halloumi, a Brioche-crumbed Chicken Escalope and a classic Crème Brûlée au Vanille. Alongside it sits an exclusive Champagne Colada, blending Santiago de Cuba Carta Blanca Rum with pineapple, mango, coconut and lime, topped with The Ivy Champagne and finished with edible gold.
Mark Askew, group executive chef at The Ivy Collection, said: “A European summer has never just been about the destination – it’s about the feeling. It’s the long lunches that become afternoons, dining outdoors in the sunshine and taking time to enjoy great food with the people around you. That’s exactly what inspired our new Golden Summer Menu. We’ve brought together some of our favourite seasonal flavours from across Europe to create a lunch menu that encourages you slow down, savour the season and enjoy a little everyday escapism, wherever you’re spending the summer.”
The Golden Summer Menu is available from £19.95 for two courses at participating restaurants across The Ivy Collection, including 38 outdoor terraces nationwide, from 20 July until 1 September 2026.
