Why Gen Z is ditching late dinners for 5 PM meals – experts list the reasons for this surprising new trend

For decades, having dinner at 5 p.m. was considered as something only retirees or parents with young children does. But that perception is rapidly changing. More young workers, wellness-concentrated diners, and even Gen Z are adopting the advantages of earlier mealtimes. From improved sleep and healthier habits to simpler reservations and quieter dining experiences, the early dinner movement is gaining attention on how Americans think about their evening meal.

Breaking the Stereotype

“The stereotype around early dinners being for retirees is fading,” Yelp trend expert Tara Lewis cites to Yahoo. “These days, a 5 p.m. dinner is just as much for young professionals, wellness-focused diners and casual friend group meet-ups. In many cities, an early reservation is just as desirable as the once-coveted 8 p.m. table.”

Why Some People Prefer 5 O’Clock

Jennifer Mathews, a personal chef and writer, opts eating at 5 p.m. “By the time most people are browsing menus at eight, I’m already in pajamas bingeing Netflix,” she said. Though friends tease her, “I’ve been called everything from an 8-year-old to a senior citizen” she finds several benefits, from lesser crowds to enhanced sleep.

Family Habits

Mathews initially adopted the routine because of her kids. “By 4:30, they were hangry little gremlins. Dinner at 5 was a solution,” she cited. The routine has then helped her avoid snacking, maintain a healthy weight, and enhance digestion. “When I eat early, digestion’s done by bedtime, and I sleep well.”

Numbers Behind the Trend

• Poll results: A Yahoo/YouGov survey of 1,690 U.S. adults discovered 6 p.m. the common dinner time (34%), followed by 5 p.m. (21%) and 7 p.m. (23%).
  
• Restaurant reservations: OpenTable data indicated 5 p.m. reservations up 11% and 6 p.m. up 8% from previous year. Later times such as 8 p.m. rose only 4%.
  
• Yelp insights: Early dining (4–7 p.m.) accounted for 60% of reservations in 2024–25, up from 51% in 2018.
  

An OpenTable survey discovered that 53% of Gen Z and 51% of millennials opt for earlier dining, compared with 37% of Gen X and Boomers. “This appetite in ‘early bird’ dining across the board suggests the trend’s staying power,” mentions OpenTable’s Cheryl Paniagua.

Hybrid and remote work routines make it simpler to shift mealtimes. Lewis cites that early bookings mean prime tables and calmer dining experience. Families and health-conscious teams also gain benefit from earlier meals.

How Restaurants Are Adapting to the Change

Restaurants are reacting with long hours, creative happy hour menus, and early bird specials. “Some are even adjusting staffing and kitchen operations to accommodate a busier dining room earlier in the night,” mentions Lewis.

Adds Paniagua: “Whether guests are coming straight from the office, booking hard-to-get tables at traditionally quieter hours or opting to dine earlier for health and wellness reasons, our data shows a clear pattern: 5 and 6 p.m. dinner reservations are on the rise.”

Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational or informational and lifestyle purposes only. For personalized guidance in regard to diet or wellness routines, please consult a qualified professional.

FAQs:

Q1. What time is considered an early dinner?
Between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Q2. Why do more people choose to eat earlier?
For health, convenience, and less crowded restaurants.