Gen Z Singles Are Dating for Free Meals, According to New Reports
For some Gen Z singles, a night out is less about finding true love and more about avoiding another instant-noodle dinner.
A new report reveals that nearly one in three young adults have gone on dates primarily for the free meal, highlighting how financial strain is shaping modern relationships.
The data comes from Intuit’s 2025 Cuffing Economy report, which explores how rising living costs and economic stress are changing the way young people approach dating.
With rent climbing, student debt mounting, and job markets still unpredictable, many are carrying their money worries straight into their social lives.
Dating or Dining?
Social media has plenty of examples of this growing trend. TikTok users joke about “free dinner dates,” often sharing lighthearted videos of disappointing outings that at least came with good food.
The Internet calls it dating for free meals, though researchers have a different name: foodie calls.
The term first appeared in a 2019 study describing people who go on dates for food rather than connection. The idea isn’t new, but it’s gaining attention as Gen Z faces financial pressure unlike any other generation.
More than half of adults under 30 use dating apps, which make it easier than ever to schedule multiple outings in a week, or line up meals without long-term commitment.
When Finances Shape Feelings
Experts say the rise in Gen Z financial anxiety is no surprise. Many young adults are still recovering from the pandemic’s economic fallout and the high cost of living in major cities.
Even simple activities like coffee or movie dates can feel like a stretch when every dollar counts.
Intuit’s Cuffing Economy report found that over half of Gen Z daters have scaled back their social lives due to money concerns, and one in five have stopped dating altogether to save.
Some say they want to stay social, but need to be creative about it, whether that means cheaper date ideas or, in some cases, going out for the meal itself.
How Dating Apps Play a Role
Apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have made dating more accessible, and more transactional.
Psychologists say the “shopping cart” mentality that comes with swiping through profiles can blur emotional boundaries and make it easier to treat dating as a short-term experience rather than a search for commitment.
Financial stress adds another layer. When users see dating as an affordable night out or a way to escape everyday stress, emotional investment often takes a back seat.
Researchers note that, while some daters are upfront about their motives, others struggle with the ethics of accepting dates for food when genuine interest isn’t there.
Talking About Money Before the First Date
Therapists encourage open conversations about budget and expectations before meeting up. That might mean suggesting restaurants in a reasonable price range or discussing whether to split the bill.
Clear communication helps avoid the awkward silence that can follow when the check arrives.
Modern daters are also rethinking old etiquette rules about who pays. Many Gen Z singles say they prefer equality and transparency, especially as gender roles continue to evolve.
Discussing money may feel uncomfortable, but experts say it leads to healthier, more authentic connections.
A Generation of Financial Realists
While “foodie calls” might sound cynical, they reflect a generation that talks more openly about stress and survival. Gen Z has been praised for normalizing conversations about debt, anxiety, and emotional health, and dating is no exception.
The reality is simple: young adults still want to connect, even when budgets are tight.
For some, that means skipping dates altogether. For others, it might mean ordering dessert and calling it dinner. Either way, Gen Z is rewriting the rules of modern romance, one date at a time.
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