First dates are exciting, but choosing what to eat can feel like a bigger decision than it needs to be. You want something delicious, satisfying, and enjoyable without spending the entire meal worrying about how you look while eating it.
Some dishes are wonderfully tasty but can be messy, difficult to eat, or leave you feeling uncomfortable afterward. Others come with strong aromas or sauces that linger longer than you’d like.
Of course, there’s no official rulebook for date-night dining. But if you want to make a good impression while enjoying your meal, here are 10 foods you might want to think twice about ordering.
Garlic-Heavy Pasta
Garlic makes pasta delicious, but its aroma can linger long after dinner.
A creamy garlic pasta or spaghetti tossed with generous amounts of garlic might sound irresistible. However, strong garlic breath can become a concern when you’re sitting close to someone or hoping for a romantic goodbye.
You don’t have to skip pasta altogether. Choosing a milder sauce can help you enjoy your meal without worrying too much about your breath.
Extra-Spicy Curry
A spicy meal can be exciting until the heat becomes the main event.
If you enjoy spicy food, ordering your favorite curry may seem like a great idea. But choosing a heat level you’re not used to can leave you sweating, reaching for water, or dealing with an uncomfortable stomach.
A first date probably isn’t the best time to discover your spice tolerance isn’t as impressive as you thought.
Sloppy Burgers
A towering burger can look impressive, but eating it neatly is another story.
Burgers piled high with melted cheese, sauces, onions, and multiple patties can be difficult to manage. One bite might send sauce dripping down your fingers or toppings sliding onto your plate. A simpler burger can be just as delicious and much easier to enjoy while keeping the conversation going.
Saucy Ribs
Ribs are delicious, but they can turn dinner into a hands-on experience.
Sticky barbecue sauce, bones, and meat that requires a little extra effort to eat can make a meal feel less relaxed. You might spend more time wiping your hands than enjoying your date’s company.
Save the full rib feast for a casual outing with friends, or choose a less messy dish if you’re dining somewhere romantic.
Lobster and Crab
Some seafood dishes require more effort than a first date might call for.
Cracking shells, pulling meat from claws, and handling seafood tools can make the meal feel like a project. While lobster and crab can be luxurious choices, they aren’t always the easiest to enjoy while keeping a relaxed conversation going.
If seafood is your favorite, consider ordering a prepared dish that doesn’t require so much work at the table.
Spaghetti With a Heavy Red Sauce
A plate of spaghetti can quickly become a battle between your appetite and your outfit.
Long noodles and a generous tomato sauce can be tricky to eat without splashing or staining. You may find yourself concentrating on every forkful rather than enjoying the conversation.
A pasta dish with shorter noodles or a lighter sauce can still satisfy your craving without creating quite so many challenges.
For more date-night dining advice, these foods that could make a date uncomfortable offer additional examples of meals worth reconsidering.
Extremely Cheesy Dishes
Cheese lovers know that extra cheese can make almost anything taste better.
But dishes loaded with melted cheese can be heavy and leave you feeling uncomfortably full. Some people may also experience bloating or digestive discomfort after eating certain dairy products.
If you know that too much cheese doesn’t agree with you, a first date probably isn’t the best time to test your limits. You can also read about foods that may be bad for your heart as you consider your usual eating habits.
Foods That Cause Bloating
Nothing takes the fun out of a date quite like feeling uncomfortable after dinner.
Beans, certain vegetables, and other foods can cause bloating or gas for some people. Everyone’s digestion is different, so the best approach is to stick with foods you know your body handles comfortably.
You can still enjoy a flavorful meal without choosing something that leaves you wishing you’d ordered differently. A few simple routines that help you feel relaxed and comfortable can also make a difference; explore simple habits to recharge your mind and body.
Bone-In Chicken
Chicken is a familiar favorite, but bone-in pieces can be surprisingly difficult to eat neatly.
Whether it’s fried or roasted, navigating bones and crispy coatings can get messy. You might also find yourself pausing the conversation to figure out how to manage each bite.
Boneless chicken dishes can offer the same satisfying flavor with a little less fuss.
Messy Tacos
Tacos are delicious, but their fillings have a habit of escaping at the worst possible moment.
A taco packed with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and juicy meat can fall apart after the first bite. Before you know it, you’re trying to catch falling toppings while keeping your clothes clean.
If tacos are on the menu, choosing a smaller or less overloaded version can make the meal easier to enjoy. For even more date-night food ideas, check out 10 foods that are best avoided on a date and nine foods that could sabotage your date.
The Best Date-Night Food Is What You Enjoy
Choosing what to eat on a first date doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need to order the fanciest dish or avoid everything that might be a little messy.
The best choice is something you enjoy, can eat comfortably, and won’t leave you feeling distracted throughout the evening.
At the end of the day, the meal is only one part of the experience. Good conversation, genuine interest, and a little laughter are what make a date memorable.
What’s one dish you would think twice about ordering on a first date, and why?
