Galentine’s Day (February 13) has quietly become one of the most delivery-driven moments of Valentine’s Week, with friends choosing comfort, convenience, and elevated at-home dining over crowded dining rooms and traditional couples-only celebrations.
For restaurants, that shift couldn’t come at a better time. Galentine’s Day opens the door to group ordering, shareable menus, brunch-forward offerings, and casual-to-premium experiences that feel celebratory—without the pressure of formal reservations or rigid prix fixe pricing.
Second only to Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day remains one of the busiest restaurant holidays of the year—but Galentine’s celebrations are expanding the opportunity beyond February 14. Positioned the day before Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s gives restaurants a powerful chance to build momentum, fill seats, test menus, and prime guests for the main event—while setting the tone for the spring holiday stretch that follows.
Whether it’s sober-friendly beverage pairings, approachable prix fixe menus, or indulgent yet health-conscious desserts, diners are looking for thoughtful ways to celebrate that feel inclusive, flexible, and experience-driven—without forcing a one-size-fits-all version of romance.
Behind the celebration, the numbers make one thing clear: Galentine’s Day isn’t a side note—it’s a revenue-driving springboard.
Galentine’s Day isn’t just a cultural moment—it’s backed by meaningful shifts in group dining behavior:
- Bookings for parties of six or more increased 34% year-over-year on February 13
- 60% of Gen Z and 41% of Americans overall are likely to celebrate with friends
- 43% of Galentine’s celebrants say they’re “soft-launching” a new friendship—making casual, social settings especially appealing
- Galentine’s Day seating increased ~34% year over year, reflecting growth in group-oriented celebrations around February 13.
- Solo reservations rose 35% year over year, and reservations for larger parties (e.g., six or more) also saw significant increases the night before Valentine’s Day.
- ~25% of consumers planned to celebrate Galentine’s Day in 2026
👉 Translation for operators: Galentine’s drives larger parties, more flexible menus, and lower-pressure celebrations that complement—not compete with—Valentine’s Day.
Restaurant Opportunities and Strategies
Galentine’s Day allows restaurants to capture incremental revenue while easing pressure on February 14.
Key opportunities include:
- Menu Engineering: Shareable platters, cocktail pitchers, group-friendly prix fixe menus
- Marketing Focus: Gen Z and Millennials are leading the shift toward experiential, friend-first dining
- Timing Advantage: Promote February 13th as a fun, social lead-in to Valentine’s Day—not a replacement
- Atmosphere Matters: Emphasize upbeat, social energy over traditional “date night” formality
Used strategically, Galentine’s can help fill empty tables, smooth staffing demands, and warm up guests ahead of the busiest night of the week.
Popular Galentine’s Day Menu Trends
Galentine’s menus thrive at the intersection of comfort, indulgence, and shareability:
- American cuisine remains the top choice (77.6% of diners in 2025)
- Sushi orders rose 94%, with pasta close behind (+91%)
- Desserts climbed 80%, reinforcing the appeal of sweet, shareable finales
- Not everything makes the cut:
- Hot dogs (–4%) and wings (-6%) underperformed
- Wine remains the beverage of choice, with red wine sales up 63%
👉 The takeaway: Galentine’s diners want food that feels celebratory—but approachable and easy to share.
Promoting Your Online Menu for Galentine’s Day
Galentine’s Day is a powerful opportunity to attract new guests and deepen relationships with existing ones—especially through delivery and takeout.
Instead of positioning every promotion as “romantic,” lean into fun, flexibility, and friendship. Remind guests that you’ll deliver their favorite dishes straight to the door—so the celebration happens wherever they are.
Delivery-First Ideas That Convert
- All-Inclusive Delivery Menus
Bundled packages that include mains, drinks, and desserts reduce decision fatigue and increase check size. Guests are often less price-sensitive when the value is clear.
- Alcohol Delivery (Where Permitted)
Promote wine pairings or limited cocktail add-ons to elevate the experience without overcomplicating operations.
Create a Dedicated Galentine’s Menu
Design a Galentine-specific menu that highlights:
- Shareable dishes
- Brunch-for-dinner options
- “Dinner for the Group” bundles
Keep pricing approachable and flexible to encourage larger orders and repeat visits.
Leverage Social Media and UGC
Galentine’s is built for social discovery.
- Instagram & Facebook: Share bold visuals, themed menus, behind-the-scenes prep
- Stories & Reels: Countdown content, plating videos, group-order ideas
- UGC (User-Generated Content) Wins: Encourage guests to tag their Galentine’s spreads
- Giveaways: “Dinner for the Group” promos perform especially well
Limited-Time Offers and Loyalty Plays
- Early-order incentives for Feb 13 and Feb 14
- Bundle upgrades (add dessert, wine, or sides)
- Loyalty perks for returning guests—free dessert on a future order, bonus points, etc.
DIY Kits and Experience-Based Add-Ons
DIY meal kits turn dinner into an activity—perfect for friend groups.
Include:
- Pre-portioned ingredients
- Simple instructions
- Optional wine or dessert add-ons
Partnerships and Personalization
- Collaborate with florists, wine shops, or chocolatiers for bundled offers
- Allow personalization: notes, dessert messages, customizable sides
- Optional romantic or playful touches (candles, flowers, themed packaging)
Embrace the Puns
Galentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to go tongue-in-cheek. Renaming menu items is a low-effort, high-impact way to set the tone and spark social sharing.
Promote your playful menu early to get guests thinking—and posting.
Galentine’s Menu Naming Ideas
- Be My Galentine Burritos
- Ladies Night Lattes
- All the Single Ladies Sushi
- Ringless Ribs
- Girls’ Night In Grub
- Besties Burgers
- Friends Forever Fries
- Cupid-Is-Stupid Cocktails
Galentine’s Brunch
In a market saturated with Valentine’s dinners, Galentine’s brunch offers a refreshing alternative. Smaller packages and lower price points appeal to budget-conscious diners while still feeling celebratory.
Anti-Valentine’s Day
Anti-Valentine’s celebrations continue to grow—especially among Gen Z. Lean into it with clearly branded party packages and playful naming:
- Cupid-Is-Stupid Party
- Singles-Only Sushi Night
- Purely Platonic Pizza Party
Extend the Momentum Through the Weekend
Don’t stop on February 13.
Extend Galentine’s and Valentine’s offers through the weekend to maximize demand and operational efficiency.
Galentine’s as a Springboard
Once Galentine’s Day is complete, keep the momentum going.
Send a post-event email thanking guests for celebrating with you—and use it to preview upcoming moments like St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, and Passover. Incentivize return visits with a future-order perk to turn one celebration into many.
Take Away
Galentine’s Day isn’t a detour—it’s the on-ramp to Valentine’s Day and the spring holiday season, unlocking incremental revenue, easing peak-night pressure, and creating a longer runway for seasonal success.
by Eileen Strauss
