This is the best time to dine out, according to readers
“Somebody said ‘nothing good happens after midnight,’ but I think nothing good happens after 9 p.m.”
With over 3,100 food establishments in and around Boston, there are plenty of places to dine out. But what is the best time to visit them?
While some might find Boston’s early-to-bed, early-to-dine culture frustrating — at least according to some disgruntled college students — many said they prefer an early dinner and bedtime over a later one.
Boston.com reader A.M. from Charlestown works in healthcare and has to be up early to care for her patients. She said the best time to dine is between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., and, quite frankly, she prefers an earlier night out: “Somebody said ‘nothing good happens after midnight,’ but I think nothing good happens after 9 p.m.”
She’s not alone. The majority of the nearly 60 respondents to our poll said they prefer to dine out earlier in the evening. Forty-six percent prefer to dine between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., followed by 30% between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Readers who dine before 5 p.m. garnered 12% of readers’ total votes, inching past the 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. crowd’s 11%. None of our readers said they dine out after 8 p.m.
Dining out earlier has its perks, according to readers. It’s a way to beat the crowds and long wait times, and gear up for an early start the next day.
“[Dining between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. is] less crowded and that is when I am hungry – I get up very early in the morning and go to bed early too, so dinner is also early,” an anonymous reader from Allston said. “Guess I am just old!”
One reader, M.B.S. from MetroWest, said he eats only one meal in the early afternoon before 5 p.m. – “linner,” he called it – and as a result, sleeps better, has more home social time, and consumes less or no alcohol.
Below, see what Boston.com readers had to say about their preferred time to dine out and why it works for them.
Before 5 p.m.
“No crowds, good seats at the bar, not rushed, able to relax, read, usually only going out for lunch, which sometimes ends up being 2 to 3 or hours” – Dan, Sutton
“Staff has usually just started their shift, everyone is still fresh and friendly. Most of the time restaurants aren’t maxed out early, food comes from the kitchen quickly. I often eat in the Boston area on the weekend and the earlier mealtime makes for an easier drive home to Rhode Island.” – Don, Johnston, R.I .
“Beat the crowds and the long time to eat, and still have time for something after dinner.” – David L., Salem, N.H.
“We like to meet up with family around 3 pm, have a nice meal, go for a walk, nothing is rushed.” – Kate, Cambridge
Between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
“Time to digest my dinner before bedtime at 10:15 p.m.” – Anonymous reader, Charlestown
“I prefer to eat early, so I have more time to burn those calories before bedtime.” – Jess C., Boston
“5-6 generally has a good crowd, not dead but not waiting an hour plus for a table, but most importantly it’s when I’m hungry.” – Donnie M., Norton
“Arriving just a shade before 5 p.m. is a great way to avoid long waits and leads to a much more enjoyable experience.” – Scott L., Hanson
Between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
“Fits my retirement schedule better. We are finished by 8:30 and our food has time to digest then catch up on the latest TV binge.” – Brian, Easton
“That’s enough time to finish up at work and get to a restaurant. Plus, it’s been five hours since I finished lunch, I don’t want to go any longer, I’m hungry!” – Karen H., Wellesley Hills
“Hate being full at bedtime.” – Anonymous reader
“I prefer a 6-7 p.m. dinner time, around an hour after work ends. Sometimes I do 7-8 p.m. if the work day goes long.” – Wayne, Tewksbury
“I’m an early riser and I don’t like to eat close to bedtime. Also, there are fewer people out at that time.” – Chris C., Woburn
Between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
“7 p.m. is the perfect time to make reservations and eat out.” – Philip W., Boston
“The table is ours for the night. No hurry. Nice and relaxed. Time to sit and talk after.” – Stephen B., Boston
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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