Popular as starter for dinner (5)
I believe the answer is:
liked
'popular' is the definition.
(popular means well-liked)
'as starter for dinner' is the wordplay.
'as' becomes 'like' (I've seen this in other clues).
'starter for' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'dinner' is 'd'.
'like'+'d'='LIKED'
(Other definitions for liked that I've seen before include "Appreciated" , "Enjoyed - popular" , "Took pleasure in" , "Was fond of" .)