Dinner is the final meal of the day and timing varies across different cultures and countries. While some countries prefer to have an early dinner, others dine late at night. Whether it’s cultural norms, work schedules, or simply personal preference, eating late has become the norm in some parts of the world. As the global community becomes more connected, it’s interesting to explore the various ways in which countries approach their evening meal. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at which countries eat dinner late and why.
1. Spain
Spain is known for its tradition of eating dinner late, with most people sitting down to eat around 9pm or even later. This is partly due to the country’s hot climate, which means that people prefer to avoid eating during the heat of the day and instead wait until it cools down in the evening. Another reason for this tradition is the practice of siesta, which often means that people will take a nap in the afternoon and then stay up later in the evening.
2. Argentina
Argentina, like Spain, is known for its late dinners. In fact, it’s common for people to not sit down to eat until 10pm or even later. Many restaurants don’t even open until 9pm, which can be surprising for those not familiar with the country’s eating habits. One reason for this tradition is the country’s strong European influence, particularly from Spain and Italy, where eating late is also common.
3. Mexico
In Mexico, dinner is typically eaten later than in many other countries, with people often sitting down to eat between 8pm and 10pm. Like in Spain, this is partly due to the country’s hot climate, which makes it more comfortable to eat in the cooler evening hours. It’s also influenced by the practice of siesta, which often means that people will take a nap in the afternoon and then stay up later in the evening.
4. Greece
In Greece, dinner is typically eaten late, with most people sitting down to eat around 9pm or later. This is partly due to the country’s tradition of long, leisurely meals with family and friends, which often stretch late into the evening. It’s also influenced by the country’s hot climate, which makes it more comfortable to eat in the cooler evening hours.
5. Italy
In Italy, dinner is typically eaten later than in many other countries, with most people sitting down to eat around 8pm or later. This is partly due to the country’s tradition of long, leisurely meals with family and friends, which often stretch late into the evening. It’s also influenced by the country’s strong Mediterranean culture, which values enjoying good food, wine, and company.
6. Portugal
In Portugal, dinner is typically eaten later than in many other countries, with most people sitting down to eat around 8pm or later. This is partly due to the country’s Mediterranean climate, which makes it more comfortable to eat in the cooler evening hours. It’s also influenced by the country’s strong culinary tradition, which values fresh, local ingredients and leisurely meals with family and friends.
7. France
In France, dinner is typically eaten later than in many other countries, with most people sitting down to eat around 8pm or later. This is partly due to the country’s tradition of long, leisurely meals with family and friends, which often stretch late into the evening. It’s also influenced by the country’s strong culinary tradition, which values fresh, local ingredients and enjoying good food and wine with company.
8. Brazil
In Brazil, dinner is typically eaten later than in many other countries, with most people sitting down to eat around 8pm or later. This is partly due to the country’s strong Mediterranean influence, particularly from Portugal, where eating late is also common. It’s also influenced by the country’s hot climate, which makes it more comfortable to eat in the cooler evening hours.
9. Colombia
In Colombia, dinner is typically eaten later than in many other countries, with most people sitting down to eat around 8pm or later. This is partly due to the country’s hot climate, which makes it more comfortable to eat in the cooler evening hours. It’s also influenced by the country’s strong Spanish and African influences, both of which value leisurely meals with family and friends.
10. Peru
In Peru, dinner is typically eaten later than in many other countries, with most people sitting down to eat around 8pm or later. This is partly due to the country’s hot climate, which makes it more comfortable to eat in the cooler evening hours. It’s also influenced by the country’s strong culinary tradition, which values fresh, local ingredients and leisurely meals with family and friends.
Conclusion
Eating dinner late is a tradition that’s common in many countries around the world, particularly in those with strong Mediterranean and Latin influences. It’s often influenced by factors such as hot climates, long meals with family and friends, and a love of good food and wine. Whether you’re traveling to one of these countries or simply curious about their customs, understanding the tradition of late dinners can help you experience their cuisine and culture in a more meaningful way.
Countries with a Late Dinner Culture
In this section, we will discuss ten countries where eating dinner late is a common trend. From their food choices to cultural traditions, we will explore the reasons behind their late dinner habits.
1. Spain
Spain is notorious for its late dining culture, where dinners often start at 9 pm or later. Some say the hot climate is to blame as it makes it difficult to eat a heavy meal in the heat of the day. Others argue that the Spanish love to socialize and dinner is the perfect time to catch up with friends and family over a delicious meal. Whatever the reason, Spain’s late dinner culture is deeply ingrained in its people’s lifestyle.
2. Greece
Greece is another country where dinner is served late in the evening, with most Greeks only sitting down to dinner after 9 pm. Similar to Spain, the hot climate in Greece is often cited as a reason for the late dinner culture. Dinner is also a time for families to come together and chat, and it’s common for dinner to last several hours.
3. Argentina
In Argentina, dinner is a social affair and is often served at 10 pm or later. It’s not uncommon for people to have a quick snack or light meal earlier in the evening to tide them over until dinner. Argentinians love to eat, and dinner is a time to indulge in some of their favorite dishes, such as grilled meat and empanadas.
4. Mexico
Mexicans are not ones to rush their meals, and dinner is no exception. Dinners are usually served between 8 pm and 10 pm, depending on the region, and are a chance for families to come together and enjoy each other’s company. Mexican dinner culture is characterized by spicy and flavorful dishes, such as tacos, enchiladas, and mole.
5. Italy
Italians are known for their love of food, and dinner is a time when they get to indulge in some of their favorite dishes. Dinners in Italy usually start around 8 pm and can last for hours. It’s not uncommon for Italians to have a light meal or snack in the late afternoon to hold them over until dinner. Italian cuisine is known for its rich flavors and delicious pastas, pizzas, and seafood dishes.
6. Portugal
Portugal is another country where dinner is served quite late in the evening, with dinners usually starting between 8 pm and 10 pm. Portuguese cuisine is characterized by its seafood dishes, such as grilled sardines and bacalhau (salted cod), and is often enjoyed with a glass of wine. Like many other cultures, dinner in Portugal is a time for families to connect and socialize.
7. Brazil
In Brazil, dinner is often served at 9 pm or later, and it’s not uncommon for people to have a light snack earlier in the evening. Brazilian cuisine is diverse and flavorful, with dishes such as feijoada (bean stew) and churrasco (barbecue) being popular dinner choices.
8. France
France is known for its love of food and wine, and dinner is a time when the French get to enjoy both. Dinners in France usually start around 8 pm and can last for hours. French cuisine is known for its elegant and sophisticated dishes, such as escargot and coq au vin.
9. Peru
Peru’s dinner culture is heavily influenced by its diverse cultural heritage, with dishes from the Inca, Spanish, and African cultures all playing a part. Dinner in Peru is often served late in the evening, with people enjoying dishes such as ceviche and lomo saltado. Dinner is also a time for families to connect and catch up with each other.
10. Turkey
Turkey is another country where dinner is served late in the evening, usually after 9 pm. Turkish cuisine is characterized by its rich flavors and delicious meat dishes, such as kebabs and lamb stews. Dinner in Turkey is also a time for families to come together and spend quality time with each other.
In conclusion, there are many countries where eating dinner late is a cultural norm. From Spain to Turkey, these countries all have unique dining cultures that revolve around family, friends, and flavorful food. Whether it’s the hot climate or a love of socializing, late dinner habits are deeply ingrained in these cultures and show no signs of changing anytime soon.
Which Countries Have a Late Dinner Culture?
In the first two sections of this article, we talked about why dinner time varies across the world and what time most countries have dinner. In this section, we’ll dive into which countries have a late dinner culture.
Spain
When it comes to having a late dinner culture, Spain is a clear winner. In Spain, it’s not uncommon for dinner to start at 9 p.m. or even later. However, it’s essential to note that this doesn’t mean Spaniards go to bed later than other Europeans. To make up for the late dinner, Spaniards usually have a long break in the middle of the day and go to bed at reasonable hours.
Italy
Italians also have a late dinner culture, with most restaurants not serving dinner until 8 p.m or later. However, similar to Spain, Italians compensate for this by taking longer breaks in the middle of the day. Dinner in Italy is usually a social event, with families and friends gathering around the table to enjoy good food and wine.
Argentina
Another country that’s known for its late dinner culture is Argentina. Dinner is typically eaten between 9 p.m and 11 p.m. in Argentina. This is due in part to the fact that Argentina is in the same time zone as New York City, despite being located much farther south. Argentinians love to have long chats over dinner, accompanied by a glass of red wine.
Mexico
Mexico is another country that’s known for its late dinner culture. Dinner is typically eaten between 8 p.m and 10 p.m in Mexico and is the most important meal of the day. Mexican dinners are usually substantial, with lots of different dishes served family-style.
Greece
Greece is famous for many things, one of which is its late dinner culture. Dinner is typically eaten between 9 p.m and 10.30 p.m in Greece. Greeks traditionally have a light breakfast and lunch, which is why dinner is such an important meal. Greek dinners usually consist of seafood, meat, and vegetable dishes served with tzatziki, pita bread, and a glass of ouzo or wine.
| Country | Dinner Time | Main Dish | Drink |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 9 p.m or later | Paella | Sangria |
| Italy | 8 p.m or later | Pizza or Pasta | Chianti |
| Argentina | 9 p.m – 11 p.m | Asado (grilled meat) | Malbec |
| Mexico | 8 p.m – 10 p.m | Tacos | Margarita |
| Greece | 9 p.m – 10.30 p.m | Souvlaki or Moussaka | Ouzo or Wine |
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Thanks for staying up late with us!
We hope you enjoyed learning about which countries around the world eat dinner late. Next time you’re sitting down to a meal, remember that there are plenty of cultures that enjoy dining long after the sun goes down. Make sure to come back and visit our site for more interesting articles about food and travel. Until then, happy eating!
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