Welcome to Eater’s Dating Week

The dating scene may change over generations, but one thing remains constant: restaurants are a often setting of love and intimacy, for better and worse

The restaurant has long played a central role in the world of dating. One only need to watch the iconic When Harry Met Sally scene set in New York’s Katz’s Delicatessen or enjoy Ratatouille for the hundredth time to understand that restaurants are a setting of love, sensuality, intimacy, and most certainly, plenty of heat. But, we’re in 2025 now — an era where dating apps are the norm, where “What should I order on a first date” has been rebranded to “How does my dinner partner treat the wait staff,” and importantly, a time when dinner prices are at an all-time high.

There’s an inextricable relationship between dating and restaurants, and food and restaurants play a big role in modern dating. How are folks ordering for a first-time date vs. a fiftieth? What makes a spot truly sexy? Should a couple discuss the price tag before making a reservation? During Eater’s Dating Week, we dig into the modern dating habits of people who love to eat out, and how restaurants are evolving to meet the needs of an ever-changing dating scene.