First dates are all about first impressions, and while your outfit and conversation matter, the food you order can quietly say a lot, too. Some dishes might seem harmless until they leave you with garlic breath, stained clothes, or something stuck in your teeth. To keep things smooth and easy, here are the 15 foods best saved for date number two or beyond.
Spaghetti or Long Noodles
Slurping long noodles might be fun at home, but on a first date, it’s a fast way to get sauce on your shirt and across your face. Spaghetti tends to splatter, and no one looks graceful trying to twist it neatly on a fork. You’ll probably end up distracted by the mess instead of the conversation, which takes the charm right out of dinner.
Ribs
There’s just no polite way to eat ribs, no matter how good they taste. They’re sticky, messy, and have you licking sauce off your fingers or struggling with a pile of napkins. You might win points for being bold, but you’ll also risk greasy hands, stained clothes, and a look that says more “backyard barbecue” than “romantic evening.” Save them for a less dressy night.
Garlic Bread
As comforting as it is, garlic bread leaves a strong smell on your breath that doesn’t exactly scream “kiss me later.” Even if you brush your teeth afterward, that garlicky aroma tends to linger, and it can overpower the rest of your meal. It’s best to avoid it unless you both agree to eat it together and call it a mutual sacrifice.
Buffalo Wings
Buffalo wings are a flavor-packed favorite, but they’re also one of the messiest things you can order. You’ll end up with sauce on your hands, cheeks, and maybe even your clothes. And if the wings are spicy, you might spend more time trying not to sweat or sniffle than enjoying the date. It’s just not the food to order when you’re trying to stay cool and collected.
Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is one of those foods that’s fun but totally unflattering to eat. You have to gnaw at it with your teeth, bits can get stuck in your smile, and it’s almost impossible not to make a mess. If you’re trying to keep the vibe light, attractive, and distraction-free, it’s better to go with something that doesn’t turn into a dental situation.
Spinach or Kale Salads
A fresh salad might seem like a safe bet—until you’re walking around with green leaves stuck in your teeth. Kale and spinach, especially when raw, love to hide between molars and show up at the worst possible moment. You won’t even notice it’s there until you catch a glimpse of yourself later or wonder why your date keeps glancing at your smile.
Giant Burgers
Burgers are delicious, but those tall, stacked creations you need two hands to hold are a messy gamble on a first date. Once you take that first huge bite, everything can fall apart—literally. Sauce drips, lettuce slides, and you’re left wiping your face between sentences. If you’re going the burger route, stick to one that’s easy to manage with minimal risk of disaster.
Super Spicy Dishes
If you’re not used to spicy food, now’s not the time to experiment. That burning heat might leave you red-faced, teary-eyed, or reaching for your water every few seconds. Worst case, you’re sweating through your outfit and trying to pretend you’re fine while your mouth is on fire. It’s better to go for something milder that lets you focus on your date—not damage control.
BBQ or Saucy Meats
Sticky barbecue meats sound great in theory, but they’re tricky in practice. The sauce ends up everywhere—your hands, your face, even your clothes—and no amount of napkins can truly fix it mid-date. You also risk spending half the night trying to clean your fingers instead of holding a glass or making eye contact. There are cleaner ways to enjoy flavor without the chaos.
Anything with Onions
Onions—raw, grilled, or fried—have a way of staying with you longer than you’d like. They can make your breath questionable and your aftertaste even worse, especially if you’re sipping wine or coffee later. Even if the meal is amazing, the lingering flavor of onions doesn’t pair well with first impressions. It’s best to keep it off the plate until you know each other a bit better.
Lobster or Crab in the Shell
Seafood that requires tools, cracking, and flying bits of shell might make for a fun night—just not your first one. You’ll spend more time figuring out how to open it than actually eating, and you might end up with butter on your hands and a rogue shell in your lap. Unless the place is super casual or the mood is playful, this is a risky pick.
Sloppy Tacos
Tacos might seem easy to eat, but once they fall apart, it’s game over. That crunchy shell cracks, the filling spills out, and you’re left juggling lettuce, meat, and sour cream in your lap. Soft tacos are a little safer, but even then, one wrong bite can turn things messy. It’s best to avoid foods that fall apart faster than the conversation starts flowing.
Popcorn or Crunchy Snacks
Popcorn might show up during movie dates, but it’s one of those foods that loves to wedge itself between your teeth. You’ll either spend the whole time trying to discreetly fix it or smiling through the discomfort. Crunchy snacks can also be loud and awkward when you’re trying to keep the mood relaxed. It’s better to stick with something less noisy and more elegant.
Sloppy Sandwiches
Anything packed too high or dripping with sauces can turn into a balancing act. You’ll need both hands to hold it, napkins to catch the mess, and serious focus just to get a clean bite. That means less eye contact, less talking, and more worrying about what’s falling out of the bread. A neat sandwich is fine—but if it’s overloaded, skip it for now.
Anything You’re Not Comfortable With
This one depends on you. If a dish feels unfamiliar, tricky to eat, or makes you self-conscious, it’s better to steer clear of it on a first date. You want to feel relaxed and confident—not stressed over chopstick technique or how to pronounce something. Stick to foods you like and can eat comfortably so you can focus on what really matters: connecting with the person across from you.
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