Solo dining is getting more and more popular across the United States, as proven by recent data from OpenTable. The restaurant booking platform found that online reservations for parties of one at sit-down restaurants in the U.S. have increased by 8% in 2024*.
Additionally, an OpenTable-commissioned survey** of 2,000 U.S. consumers shows that 60% of respondents had dined solo over the past year. Among these majority respondents (68% of whom are millennials and Gen Zs), “me time” was what they cited as their main reason for opting to eat out alone.
A possible factor contributing to the rise of solo dining would be the increase in the number of people living alone. Data from 2023 shows that the rate of single people living on their own is now at 28%, which is quite the jump from its rate five years prior (24%).
What Does This Mean for Restaurants?
The upward trend for solo dining presents an ideal business opportunity for U.S. restaurants, given that solo diners per person spend 48% more than other types of diners, averaging $84.
However, the survey also revealed that nearly half of respondents are hesitant about eating outside on their own due to “feelings of loneliness.” Another way to look at it would be that for some customers, there’s still a mindset that dining alone makes for a rather awkward, uncomfortable experience.
That said, restaurant owners and managers should ensure their establishment is conducive to solo dining. This can include providing:
- Comfortable, solo-friendly seating options such as bar seats or tables designed for one person
- Smaller-portion dishes that come at lower prices
- A tasting menu that allows solo diners to try out more items without having to order multiple dishes they can’t finish on their own
- Engaging experiences such as an open view of the kitchen, so that solo diners have something to do while waiting for their order (instead of just looking at their phones)
See also: How To Improve Restaurant Operations Effectively
“The way I see it — solo dining is often one of those things that are ‘either you like it or you simply haven’t found the right place to do so,’” said Adnana Pidro, Marketing Director at OysterLink. “To encourage hesitant customers, restaurants must foster an atmosphere where solo diners feel comfortable without feeling rushed or overly attended to. In short: a place that normalizes solo dining.”
* Time period: from June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024
** An online survey was conducted by PureSpectrum from June 3 to 5, 2024.
