I remember the first time I floated a 5 pm dinner to friends. I expected my invite text would prompt an urgent “Is everything okay?” phone call. Or a sarcastic, “Are we so old we need the early bird special?”
Instead, my phone buzzed back almost immediately: “We’d LOVE it!” – capital letters and all. We spent our dinner together discussing the merits of eating dinner in the twilight time between late afternoon and early evening.
From Better Tables to Better Sleep, Early Dining Is the Underrated Pleasure More Women Are Embracing
Once relieved of my shame, I’ve adopted early bird dining with gusto. And I’m not alone. OpenTable, in its 2026 Dining Trends survey, reports that 44% of respondents noted a preference for early dinner as opposed to 25% selecting late dinner. And the survey also noted a 13% increase from last year in respondents choosing to dine between 4:00 and 4:59 pm.
My primary reason for choosing to dine out early is to avoid crowded restaurants. Because dining out is increasingly expensive, I like to make it an “event.” I want to enjoy a leisurely meal with my friends and family and not feel rushed.
Or worse. Like getting wedged into a too-small table next to the kitchen during prime time.
If you’re okay with swimming anonymously in a crowded sea of diners, more power to you.
When we arrive for an early seating, we’re greeted and treated as special guests.
And some of my friends are struggling with night vision problems like light glare and the inability to read signs. Because we live in a self-driving area, Uber isn’t really an option. Spending time with my besties is super important to me, so I’m happy to eat early with them so they’re safely home before the sun sets.
Turns Out, Eating Earlier Isn’t a Compromise – It’s an Upgrade
Another perk to dining early is getting access to specials – and not necessarily those targeted at early birds. Happy hour bar promotions often feature excellent drink specials paired with popular appetizers or small plates. I routinely choose this option when dining before a show or concert. On these nights, I’m all about light bites and a cocktail before the evening’s entertainment.
Getting a table at a popular restaurant is much easier when you’re willing to eat at 5. There are definitely restaurant-goers who want the hot-spot vibe of a crowded dining room. I’m not one of them.
I like to take my time reviewing a menu, asking for recommendations from the server and thoughtfully considering wine options. This is especially important to me when visiting a new restaurant that’s at the top of everyone’s must-dine list. A leisurely meal is a memorable one.
My best advice: if there’s a place you’re dying to try and the 6-9 pm window is always full, look for earlier tables. Better yet, call the restaurant and ask for an early table.
Less Noise, More Connection and a Full Night’s Sleep? Yes, Please!
Another excellent reason to dine earlier is that it’s better for you. Recent research on eating healthy emphasizes lengthening the time between your evening meal and your next day’s breakfast. I still occasionally go to bed on a full stomach after a rich restaurant meal. It’s a guaranteed recipe for an awful night’s sleep. I hate waking up and still feeling full.
A licensed dietitian in a 2025 Real Simple article recommends eating dinner between 5 – 7 pm, or at least three hours before bedtime. This allows the body to properly digest the evening meal. However, it’s worth mentioning that heavier meals may require up to six hours to digest.
Personally, I think there might come a time in my not-too-distant future when I stop pretending that I’m eating a meal called dinner. There’s something wonderful about a long, late afternoon meal with dear friends and more than one bottle of wine (when we’ve got a sober chaperone). It’s neither lunch nor dinner. I’m always on the lookout for a fellow “linner” companion, so hit me up if you’re a kindred spirit.
It turns out the best meals don’t have to be late – just well chosen.
Join the Conversation:
What’s your usual dinner time? How do you feel afterward? Do late dinners affect your sleep? What benefits of early dinner have you noticed in your life?
