Resy Introduces First-Ever Summer Dining Dos & Don’ts Report
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With the first day of Summer right around the corner, Resy’s just-released Summer Dining Dos & Don’ts report is the official guide to dining etiquette tips to keep both friends and your favorite restaurants on your good side. From setting fake reservation times for their chronically late friends to banning phones at the table, the report, based on a survey of U.S. frequent diners, reveals what’s trending in summer dining behavior.
“Younger diners, especially Gen Z and millennials, want real connection, not distractions, at the dinner table. We can help connect you with the best restaurants, so you can enjoy the vibe and make those moments around the table more meaningful,” said Hannah Kelly, Resy and Tock chief marketing officer.
Here’s what’s shaping the season’s dining etiquette1.
1. Biggest etiquette offender? The punctuality averse friend
According to a recent survey of over 7,500 Americans, nearly two in five adults say they have a friend that’s always late. In fact, most diners agree that being more than 5 to 10 minutes late is officially too late, with more than half of diners admitting to giving friends fake reservation time padded by 5 to 20 minutes to keep them punctual. For Gen Z and millennials, a 15- to 20-minute buffer is the sweet spot.
2. Different cities, different clocks
New York City and Miami are among the most laid-back when it comes to punctuality, with nearly 25% of diners in both cities saying 15 minutes late is “okay,” with Miami diners more likely to show up later than 15 minutes after the reservation time2. However, if you live in Atlanta, Chicago, LA, and D.C., you should show up earlier because “10 minutes is pushing it.” In fact, according to Resy data2, Chicagoans are the most punctual diners showing up right on time on average.
3. Phones at the table? Gen Z says no
40% of Gen Z say it’s completely unacceptable to be on your phone during dinner, and 51% say phone use is more awkward than being super late or ordering too much on an even-split bill. Top Gen Z Etiquette icks include ‘rudeness to staff’ (76%) and ‘loud talking’ (53%). But the one thing Gen Z and millennials can agree on when it comes to table manners is that ‘being glued to your phone’ is the #1 most awkward dinner behavior (61%).
Less scrolling, more seeing, says Omakase @ Barracks Row in D.C.:
“Get off your phone at the dinner table! Bring back the art of people-watching! It’s so easy to disconnect and scroll on the phone. It’s so great to sonder.”
4. Fashionably late is out, but fashion is in
Resy data shows that 50% of Gen Z coordinate outfits with friends before going out. 57% check the restaurant’s aesthetic on social media before choosing a fit.
UnOrdinary Hospitality Group, D.C. prioritizes their very own vibe check:
“Our team is very intentional about showcasing the vibe along with the food and beverage on our Instagram. These days, it’s not just about what’s on the plate or in the glass — atmosphere, music, and overall ambiance play a huge role in the dining experience, and we want that to come through in everything we share.”
5. Paying on your birthday is a faux pas
When dining out for a birthday, more than half of adults agree friends should split the birthday person’s meal but 25% of Gen Z think it’s fine to pay separately.
Guests go above and beyond to treat loved ones, like at L.A.’s Crudo e Nudo:
“[We] had a lovely woman call from New Zealand a few weeks ago to leave her credit card on file with us to cover her grandson’s dinner. I thought it was so sweet that even from across the world, he could be taken out to dinner by his gran!”
Where to eat this Summer
Looking for your next dining adventure this summer? Check out Resy Hit Lists of the most in-demand restaurants across the country.
The Resy Guide to Outdoor Dining in New York
Where In Atlanta You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
Where In Chicago You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
Where In D.C. You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
Where In L.A. You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
Where In Miami You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
Where In New York You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
ABOUT RESY
Resy is a digital dining platform that powers restaurants around the world and provides reservation booking for passionate diners. With the powerful backing of American Express, Resy has created best-in-class software that elevates dining experiences and connects restaurants to a vast network of highly engaged diners. Resy is a destination for restaurant discovery, exclusive access, original content, and chef-driven culinary events. The amazing world of restaurants is just a few taps away in the Resy app and at Resy.com.
- All statements below, unless otherwise indicated, are based on the consumer poll conducted by Morning Consult between March 1 – 26, 2025, among a national sample of 7,991 U.S. adults (age 18 years and older). Two-fifths of respondents self-reported dining at independent restaurants two to three times per month.
- Based on Resy advance bookings (made via Resy iOS, Web, Google, Widget) from January 1, 2022 to June 3, 2025 in New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta and D.C.
