Eating After a Fast Before Maariv
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Question
Is there an issue with eating after a fast before Maariv? If not, why do people customarily pray Maariv before eating?
Answer
Shalom Rav,
There is no prohibition against drinking or eating fruits before the Maariv prayer. However, it is forbidden to eat an egg-sized portion of bread or pastries until one has prayed, unless a 'watchman' or an alarm clock with a reminder to pray Maariv is set.
Regarding the custom of not eating before Maariv, there is a simple reason: many people pray after a fast at an early hour when the fast has not yet ended.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 89, Seif 3 and 4.