This study on the outside dining patterns of urban citizens of various age groups in Beijing has clarified the following points. First, among menu choices when dining out, there is a preference for traditional Chinese foods,particularly among the middle-aged and elderly. On the other hand, the younger generation exhibits a marked preference for fast food and rice bowls. Second, individuals in their 20s and 30s utilize a wide range of outside dining establishments, from fast food restaurants aimed at the general public to upscale hotel restaurants and restaurants serving international cuisine. Also, the younger generation tends to have a sense of "gluttony" regarding outside dining expenditures, and many intend to dine out less often in the future. Third, different types of companions tend to accompany diners to different venues. For instance, diners utilize workplace cafeterias because of user-friendly attributes such as low cost and proximity, and the ordinary usage pattern involves employees eating lunch with their coworkers on weekdays. On the other hand, among individuals in their 20s, fast food establishments and ordinary restaurants are utilized primarily as venues for deepening relationships with friends and relatives over lunch or dinner on days off. Additionally,among individuals in their 30s and 40s, saturday and sunday lunch and dinner outings are generally enjoyed together with children. Thus, forms of outside dining expenditures are strongly influenced by the life cycles of urban citizens.