Is 6 the New 8?

A blurring of work and personal schedules is among the factors driving a shift toward earlier dining times at fine dining restaurants, according to a new report from Placer.ai. Other factors include the continuing work-from-home trend and the increasing population of younger families in urban residential locations. 

The team analyzed dining trends by hour between June and August of this year and compared them to the same time framed in 2019 after Union Square Hospitality Group Founder Danny Mayer posted on X: “When did a 6:00 dinner reservation become the new 8:00, most prized table of the night - and will it last?” 

“Across the board, our visitation data suggests that fine dining patrons are dining earlier– especially between 4-7:00 p.m.–and coming in less frequently after 8 p.m.,” noted RJ Hottovy, Head of Analytical Research at Placer.ai.

The report looked at trends at The Capital Grille, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cooper’s Hawk, Saltgrass Steak House, Fogo de…