Food decides everything: which dishes make a Successful first date

Russians prefer hearty and understandable dishes such as steaks and rolls on first dates, creating an atmosphere of psychological comfort instead of complicated etiquette. This trend reflects the new realities of dating, where gastronomic choice regulates tension and enhances the feeling of intimacy, and dishes that can be shared form a "we-effect" without unnecessary intimacy. Experts point out that such preferences can mask the fear of awkwardness and distance themselves from inconvenient options like diet meals. Why Russians choose these dishes on dates and how they affect the success of the evening — tell Izvestia.

Where Russians are looking for love

On November 24, 2025, the sushi and roll delivery network "A Lot of Salmon" and the Twinby dating service conducted a joint study and found out how Russians spend their first dates with a partner. More than 3,000 respondents over the age of 18 across Russia took part in the survey. The results of the study were provided to Izvestia.

It turned out that only a third of the respondents (31%) are in a relationship, one in five (24%) is actively looking, and 18% are free. The cliched answer "Everything is complicated" was chosen by 27% of Russians. This was most often the response of the older generations — millennials (1981-1996, 41%) and representatives of generation X (1965-1980, 35%). Zoomers and boomers overwhelmingly choose to be in a relationship or seek it out.

Cafes and restaurants are the leading meeting places (59%), followed by bars (45%), theaters and concerts (32%), invitations to visit (21%), walks in parks and embankments (9%). Such locations promote relaxed communication, especially in public places with a relaxed atmosphere.

Gastronomic preferences of single Russians

The majority of Russians order hearty "comfortable" dishes on their first date: seafood (43%), steaks (36%), rolls (28%), tapas (25%) and pizza (24%). The fairer sex is most often deterred by dishes that cannot be shared with a partner (67%), dietary items (54%) and dishes that should be eaten on the go (42%).

— There is a tendency that the gastronomic preferences here are not so much about food as about the desire for psychological comfort and pleasant dynamics of communication at the most fragile stage of acquaintance. By choosing dishes, women on the first date regulate the level of tension and create a sense of safe contact through the choice of food," explained Larisa Karavaytseva, chief psychologist at Twinby dating service.

What kind of food is liberating on a date?

The study showed which dishes most liberate Russians. It turned out that for 56% of Russians, successful dates took place on a date with a portion of steak, 44% — on a date with a meal prepared by their partner on their own. For 37%, the date ended successfully in an establishment with rolls, and 34% mentioned that there was good wine at the table. According to the respondents, it is these dishes and drinks that have a positive effect on the continuation of the evening.

— Clear, satisfying and "comfortable" dishes help you feel natural and not be distracted by complicated etiquette or self-control, and positions that can be shared create a soft feeling of intimacy and "we-effect" without unnecessary intimacy. But individual portions that cannot be shared, dietary or inconvenient meals are perceived as increasing distance, demonstrativeness or awkwardness, which makes the atmosphere less relaxed," the psychologist emphasized.

As for spending, approximately the same number of respondents spend up to 1,000 rubles and more than 10,000 rubles on first dates (36% and 33%, respectively). 21% of respondents spend from 1 to 5 thousand rubles on a first date, 10% — from 5 to 10 thousand rubles. Moreover, the absolute majority (91%) agreed that the desire to meet a second time can be called a sign of a successful date. This highlights a pragmatic approach to dating with an emphasis on mutual interest.