A new front has opened in the generational culture wars, and it's happening over the dinner table. A growing trend for 6pm restaurant reservations, spearheaded by Generation Z, is baffling their Boomer counterparts and reshaping London's dining scene.
The New Prime Time: Data Shows a Shift
This isn't just anecdotal. Booking site OpenTable reports that 6pm reservations have surged by 11 per cent in London, signalling a definitive move away from the traditionally later dinner times. For Gen Z, the average evening meal is now consumed at around 6.12pm, a time that, according to The Times, reflects their prioritisation of "physical and mental wellbeing".
The motivations are clear: an early dinner allows for better sleep patterns, eliminates the risk of hangovers, and still facilitates socialising. As one Gen Z individual put it, they can be "back on the sofa in time for EastEnders", having given their food ample time to digest.
A Clash of Cultures and Cocktail Hours
This new etiquette is a source of bewilderment for the Boomer generation, for whom a 6pm dinner was historically associated with either pregnancy or pensioners. One Boomer commenter, quoted in the debate, declared that "Early dinner is for wimps and 6pm-8pm is solely for boozing!".
The debate extends to the atmosphere of the restaurants themselves. Proponents of the early slot, including one 20-something who spoke to The Times, appreciate the "sober vibe" and the ability to "actually hear friends talk". Critics, however, retort that the only other diners at that hour are "infants and pensioners".
Communal Tables and Social Media Validation
The generational divide doesn't stop at timing. Ninety per cent of Gen Zs enjoy communal tables, compared to just 60 per cent of Boomers. For younger diners, these shared spaces are a chance for "real-world connection", with booking site Resy noting that youngsters are "intentionally seeking social experience".
The statistics are compelling: one in three Gen Zs has made a new friend at a shared table, and one in seven has landed a date. Furthermore, the social media appeal is undeniable. Thirty-six per cent of Gen Z have visited a restaurant specifically to post about it, with 92 per cent willing to travel at least 30 minutes to visit a "social-media famous" venue.
While Boomers may reminisce about apéritifs at seven and buzzy 9pm tables, Gen Z is carving out a new dining identity—one that values wellness, connection, and being home by 7.30pm. As the debate rages, one thing is clear: the definition of a good night out has fundamentally changed.
