What Time Do French Eat Dinner? An Insider's Look at Parisian Meal Times

January 1, 2026 •

4 min read

According to cultural observers, the traditional French dinner hour often starts around 8 PM, considerably later than in many other countries. The answer to "what time do French eat dinner?" reveals much about their social and professional lives.

Quick Summary

French evening meals, or le dîner, are typically enjoyed around 8 PM or even later, a tradition shaped by long workdays and the importance of a substantial midday lunch. The practice reflects a focus on leisurely, conversational dining over rushing a meal.

Key Points

Later Start Time: French dinner, or le dîner, typically begins around 8 PM or later, notably later than in many other countries.
Longer Lunch: A significant, often multi-course, midday meal (le déjeuner) means less hunger for an early dinner.
No Snacking: A lack of snacking between lunch and dinner contributes to the later evening mealtime.
Social Event: Dinner is viewed as a social event for conversation, not just sustenance, and is a seated affair.
Restaurant Hours: French restaurants often don't open for dinner until 7:30 or 8 PM, reflecting the local custom.
Multi-Course Meal: Even if lighter than lunch, dinner typically follows a structure of courses, including cheese before dessert.
Urban Variations: Younger people in cities may have a faster, simpler weekday dinner, though the late-night social meal endures.

The Traditional French Dinner Time

In France, the evening meal is known as le dîner and it is a social event, not a fast-paced necessity. While many families in North America or Northern Europe may start dinner between 6 and 7 PM, the French typically sit down to eat much later. A typical family dinner might begin around 8 PM, and it is not uncommon for it to be even later, especially on weekends or when dining with guests. In bustling cities like Paris, a restaurant reservation for 9 PM or later is considered normal. This schedule allows time for commuting home from work, picking up children, and enjoying a relaxing pre-dinner drink, or apéritif.

Factors Influencing the Late Dinner Time

Several cultural factors contribute to the later French dining time. Unlike a quick desk-side sandwich, the French consider lunch (le déjeuner) a substantial and leisurely meal, often lasting up to two hours. With a hearty meal consumed around 1 PM, the need for an early evening meal is reduced. Additionally, the French famously avoid snacking between meals, so a long break from lunch until a late dinner is standard practice. The work schedule also plays a role, with standard hours often ending around 6 PM, leaving little time to prepare and eat a full meal before 8 PM. The late dinner is followed by late-night television programming, which is scheduled after the typical family meal time.

French vs. American Dinner Habits: A Comparison

To understand the nuances of the French dinner, it's helpful to compare it to dining habits in countries like the USA.


Aspect	France	USA/UK
Typical Dinner Time	~8:00 PM or later	~6:00-7:00 PM
Main Meal of the Day	Historically lunch, but dinner is now also significant	Often dinner
Lunch Duration	A long, seated, multi-course meal is common	Often a quick, short break
Snacking Culture	Avoided, except for a child's goûter	Frequent, especially in the afternoon
Social Significance	Time for family, friends, and conversation	Can be rushed and functional
Evening Activities	Television and other leisure activities start after dinner	Often happens before or during dinner

The Structure of a French Dinner

Although often lighter than lunch, a French dinner is still a multi-course affair, especially on weekends or special occasions. The meal progresses in a structured way, allowing diners to savor each part and enjoy uninterrupted conversation.

Courses at a Typical French Dinner

L'apéritif: A pre-dinner drink with some small snacks (amuse-bouches) to whet the appetite, often enjoyed with guests.
L'entrée: The appetizer, which can be a soup, salad, or a lighter course.
Le plat principal: The main course, typically a meat or fish dish with vegetables.
Le fromage: A cheese course, served after the main dish and before dessert.
Le dessert: A lighter dessert, such as fruit or yogurt, often follows the cheese.

Dining Out in France

Restaurant hours in France reflect the later dining culture. Many restaurants do not open for dinner service until 7:30 PM or 8 PM. In tourist-heavy areas, some establishments may serve continuously, but French diners generally avoid these. When you make a reservation at a French restaurant, the table is often yours for the evening, encouraging a leisurely pace. Wait staff do not bring the bill (l'addition) until asked, so there is no pressure to hurry and turn over the table. For travelers, understanding these timings is crucial to avoid arriving at a closed kitchen. The food blog France Travel Planner provides valuable information for navigating these dining customs in cities like Paris.

The Evolution of French Meal Times

While the late dinner tradition remains strong, especially in family settings, younger generations in urban areas are adapting to a faster pace. A simple, one-course meal on a weeknight is more common, reflecting global trends toward less formal dining. However, the core principles of appreciating food, eating together at a table, and avoiding constant snacking persist. The long, slow dinner on weekends or with guests is still a cherished ritual, preserving a fundamental aspect of French culture. The focus remains on quality over speed, and on making a meal a moment of connection and pleasure.

Conclusion

To conclude, the answer to "what time do French eat dinner?" is typically around 8 PM, a schedule deeply rooted in French culture and daily routines. Factors such as substantial lunches, limited snacking, and later work hours contribute to this later start time. The French evening meal is a structured, social occasion meant to be savored, not rushed. For visitors, embracing this later schedule is key to experiencing authentic French dining culture, whether at a restaurant or in a private home.

Frequently Asked Questions

French people eat dinner later due to several factors, including a historically large midday lunch, later working hours, and the cultural practice of avoiding snacks between meals.

While not necessarily rude, it is culturally unusual for French families to start dinner significantly before 8 PM. Many restaurants also don't open until this time, so you may find limited authentic dining options earlier.

Historically, lunch (le déjeuner) was the largest and most important meal. While this is changing, especially in urban areas, dinner has become more substantial, but lunch is still a significant event compared to other countries.

An apéritif is a pre-dinner drink, often a cocktail or glass of wine, served with small snacks (amuse-bouches) to stimulate the appetite and socialize with guests before the meal.

In some families, young children may eat an earlier, simple meal, but they often stay up later to have dinner with the family, which is a key part of family life.

No, snacking is generally avoided in French culture. The French diet emphasizes three distinct meals a day, though children do have a customary afternoon snack called a goûter.

A typical French dinner is lighter than lunch and often consists of an appetizer (l'entrée), a main course (le plat principal), a cheese course (le fromage), and a light dessert (le dessert).