If your fingers are tired from swiping through endless dating profiles that lead nowhere, you are definitely not alone.
Modern romance can feel like a full-time job. Between ghosting, awkward bar small talk, and shouting over loud pub music, single life has become a bit exhausting. A national study commissioned by Kellogg’s reveals that more than half of Australian singles (54%) feel dating is harder now than it used to be. On top of that, two in three people (66%) admit apps have sucked the genuine connection right out of the room.
The solution? Singles are trading late-night cocktails for early morning flat whites.
The Rise of the Morning Meet-Up
Almost two-thirds of Aussie singles (64%) say they are open to meeting a match for breakfast on a first date.
It turns out daylight is doing wonders for our love lives. Nearly a third of singles (31%) say meeting in the morning takes the intense pressure off. When you grab breakfast or coffee, there is no expectation to stay out late or down three expensive cocktails just to get through the conversation. You get a natural, easy exit if things fizzle out: “Well, I’ve got to head off to work!”
If you do hit it off, the day is wide open. Nearly a quarter of singles (23%) love morning dates because a good breakfast can turn into a spontaneous beach walk or afternoon adventure.
Dating and relationship expert Nicole Colantoni notes that people are simply craving authenticity again.
“Breakfast dates make sense in that context,” Colantoni explains. “They’re casual, there’s less pressure, and you can actually talk. And if the chemistry is there, you’ve got the rest of the day ahead of you.”
What We Actually Want: Sweet with a Bit of Spice
The research coincided with the launch of Kellogg’s new Crunchy Nut Hot Honey flavour cereal, which mixes sweetness with a punch of heat. As it happens, that mirrors what modern singles are hunting for in a partner.
Almost half of respondents (45%) prioritise “sweet” fundamentals, kindness, warmth, and someone who is genuinely reliable. Another 45% want that warmth mixed with some “spicy” excitement: confidence, spontaneous road trips, and a sense of fun.
Nobody wants dinner-date theatrics or a person auditioning across an expensive steak meal anymore. We just want someone who makes us laugh and shows up on time.
Why You Should Give It a Shot
Think about your usual first dates. You spend hours getting dressed up on a Friday night, fork out way too much money, and wake up on Saturday tired with a mild headache.
Breakfast flips the entire script:
Clear heads: You actually remember the conversation and get an honest read on each other’s personality.
Wallet-friendly: Eggs on toast and a coffee will never hit your credit card like four rounds of espresso martinis.
Zero pressure: It feels like catching up with an old friend rather than an interrogation.
If modern dating is burning you out, set your alarm a little earlier this weekend. The best way to find your person might just happen over a warm cuppa.
