Mother’s Day was the biggest dining day of the year in 2023, and brunch was the most popular time to dine.

The mother of all dining days is upon us: Mother’s Day was the biggest dining day of 2023 and the Saturday before (May 13) took the #2 spot,1 according to OpenTable data, pointing to festivities happening all weekend long. Research suggests the trend will continue this year as nearly a third (31%) of American moms being celebrated will consider dining out multiple times for the occasion. This includes without the kids: 31% of moms will consider dining out with friends, 21% will consider a date night sans kids and 10% may dine out solo.2

Mother’s Day Celebrations for the Ages
While dining out will be central to Mother’s Day this year, OpenTable research reveals how celebrations differ generation to generation:2

  • Gen Z and Millennials showing up strongly for a Mother’s Day meal out: While the majority of Americans (54%) plan to dine out this Mother’s Day, the share spikes for Gen Zers (65%) and Millennials (64%) and drops for Gen Xers (49%) and Baby Boomers (39%).
  • Big spenders revealed: 62% of respondents are planning to spend more at a restaurant, bar or cafe this Mother’s Day than last year. Not everyone sees eye to eye on splurging: 71% of Gen Zers and 68% of Millennials plan to spend more, while only 58% of Gen Xers and 44% of Baby Boomers plan to spend more.
  • One thing everyone can agree on, no phones at the table: Over a fourth (26%) of Americans said their ideal Mother’s Day dining experience involves no phones/tablets at the table – nearly the same share across generations agrees, with 26% of Gen Zers, 24% of Millennials, 27% of Gen Xers and 26% of Baby Boomers also wanting to go screen-free.

“People are increasingly choosing to celebrate the mothers and special women in their lives with a meal out, bypassing breakfast in bed – and they’re going all out, too,” said Steve Sintra, SVP, Americas Restaurant Sales & Services. “Mother’s Day festivities now include dining out multiple times all weekend long, and diners are planning to spend more than last year, with Gen Z more likely to splurge than any generation.”