It’s a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to QR codes in Wellington’s dining scene. While they’re definitely popping up more and more, it seems like not everyone is on board with this whole scan-to-order thing. A recent survey found that over 45% of people aren’t too keen on using their phones for menus, ordering, or paying. Surprisingly, this number is actually going up, not down.

The generation gap is pretty obvious here. A whopping 65% of folks over 60 aren’t comfortable with QR codes, while the younger crowd (18-29) is much more open to it, with only 38% feeling hesitant.

So, what’s a Wellington restaurant to do? We talked to 10 different places, including popular spots like Panhead, MASALA Spice Club, GREENMAN, and ERNESTO’S, and even some others like Ortega Fish Shack, Monsoon Poon, Apache, The Bresolin, Highwater Eatery, Jardin Grill. Most of them agreed that people still prefer good old-fashioned table service. But, they also admitted that when things get busy, QR codes can be a lifesaver – faster service, and less stress on the staff.

This makes sense when you look at the bigger picture. Studies show that only 46% of baby boomers are interested in using QR code menus, compared to 73% of Gen Z adults. They’re also less likely to embrace contactless payments and mobile ordering, highlighting a clear generational preference.

So, it looks like QR codes are here to stay in Wellington, especially with the younger crowd leading the charge. But restaurants need to be smart about it. They can’t just assume everyone’s tech-savvy. Maybe they need to keep traditional menus around, make sure the QR codes are easy to find and use, and most importantly, make sure their staff is still providing top-notch service. After all, a friendly smile and a bit of chat can go a long way in making any dining experience enjoyable, no matter how you order your food.