With the inflation rate remaining high, many people have reduced the frequency of dining out at restaurants. According to the National Restaurant Association in the United States quoting data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while the pace of restaurant price increases lags behind the overall inflation rate, it still amounts to a considerable expense, especially on certain special “high-price days” at restaurants.
During holidays, restaurants are often packed with customers, so avoiding these “difficult dining days” unless necessary could lead to a better dining experience.
After consulting industry experts, the GOBankingRates website has identified dates in 2025 that are not ideal for dining out and recommended some alternative dates that are more suitable.
Experts unanimously point out that the following dates are considered as “high-price days” not suitable for dining out:
– February 14th: Valentine’s Day
– May 11th: Mother’s Day
– June 15th: Father’s Day
– November 26th: Thanksgiving Eve
– December 24th: Christmas Eve
– December 31st: New Year’s Eve
These days are usually national holidays, but local large-scale events can also make restaurants overcrowded. Milos Eric, co-founder of OysterLink (a restaurant recruiting platform), also advises avoiding dining out on weekends during university graduation season, especially in areas near college campuses.
Furthermore, events like music festivals or large conferences can lead to a surge in demand. For example, during Art Basel in Miami or CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, restaurant service quality often declines due to overwhelmed staff.
On the other hand, for restaurants, these peak days are also opportunities for high sales, a chance to make money. Katie Fairchild, marketing director of Restaurant365 (a restaurant management software company), stated, “These days bring substantial income and are crucial moments to attract new customers and retain old ones.”
However, for customers, dining out on these days means longer waiting times, chaotic service, and even a limited menu. Although simplifying the menu helps restaurants maintain quality and control costs, if you expect to order favorite dishes or seek affordability, you may end up disappointed.
Instead of crowding restaurants during peak periods, it is advisable to choose more suitable days. Eric suggests dining out after the holiday: “Restaurants are often short-staffed on the holiday itself, and the situation may ease the next day. The service will be more attentive, and sometimes discounts may even be available.”
However, Joshua Wood, founder of CJ Digital (a restaurant marketing company), has a different perspective on this issue: “I recommend dining out before the holiday. If you go after the holiday, the staff may be exhausted, and the quality of dishes might be compromised. Celebrating in advance gives you an extra chance to enjoy, as you can celebrate again at home on the actual holiday.”
In fact, you don’t have to stick to before or after the holiday; you can arrange based on the restaurant’s daily rhythm. Experts have summarized the best dining times by day of the week:
– Monday and Tuesday: Times of the most discounts
– Wednesday and Thursday: Ideal times for new menu items
– Tuesday to Saturday: Days when the chef is in charge
In contrast, on “low-flow days” like Monday or Tuesday, restaurants have fewer customers, and servers have more time to take care of each guest. Some places may even launch promotions to attract diners.
Wednesdays and Thursdays are often when restaurants introduce new menu items, allowing you to taste the latest creative dishes. If you want to enjoy dishes personally crafted by the chef, choosing Tuesday to Saturday is a wiser option since the chef is more likely to be on duty on days other than the weekend.
In conclusion, dining out is a great way to enjoy food and relax, but choosing the right time can enhance the dining experience. By avoiding popular days like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and peak periods of local events, you can not only save money but also enjoy higher-quality service.
If you want to celebrate holidays with family and friends, consider dining a day early or late or choose a low-traffic day within a week. Whether you are after discounts, new dishes, or chef’s specialties, flexible date arrangements can make your restaurant experience more cost-effective.