It starts with a match, a few witty exchanges, maybe a compliment about a favorite dish—and then the invitation comes. A trendy restaurant. A night out. A perfectly cooked steak. But somewhere between the entrée and dessert, it becomes clear: romance is off the menu. Welcome to the world of “foodie calls.”

In a world where dating apps have become digital marketplaces of attention, the motivations behind a match aren’t always about love—or even like. More and more, singles are admitting to going on dates not for emotional connection, but for culinary indulgence. A free dinner, a fancy drink, maybe a well-curated Instagram post—without any intention of seeing the other person again. It’s a dating phenomenon that’s both fascinating and polarizing.

On one hand, foodie calls expose the sometimes transactional nature of modern dating. For some, it’s an opportunistic win—getting something tangible out of the time and energy spent swiping. For others, it’s a betrayal of dating’s unwritten code: that you’re showing up with genuine curiosity about the person across the table. When intentions aren’t aligned, disappointment is almost inevitable. One party leaves full, the other emotionally starving.

But before we rush to judgment, it’s worth considering how dating has evolved. The cost of going on multiple dates—time, effort, and yes, money—adds up fast. Some people are genuinely hungry, both for company and calories. Others might not even realize they’re guilty of a foodie call until they’re halfway through dessert. As with everything in the modern dating game, transparency and self-awareness are key. If you’re dating for fun, great. Just be honest about it—and maybe offer to split the bill.