Solo dining is on the rise. According to our 2025 American Diner Trends Report, the percentage of people who typically dine out solo has risen to 21%, up 3% from the previous year. Unpack those stats a bit more, and you’ll discover that 29% of all Americans – and almost half of Gen Z and Millennial diners – dine alone at least once a week. This trend is mirrored in Canada, too – the 2025 Canadian Diner Trends Report showed that 25% of diners between the ages of 18 and 34 typically eat alone at restaurants, up from 18% in 2023.
The solo dining trend presents a new opportunity for restaurant owners. But the big question is: how can you adjust your offering and provide a great experience to this growing segment of single diners?
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Why solo dining is on the rise
- Why operators should capitalize on solo diners
- 5 tips for how operators can give solo diners a great experience
Let’s start by exploring the driving factors behind the solo dining trend.
Why Solo Dining is on the Rise
For older generations, dining alone came with stigma and more than a little side-eye – but cultural norms are starting to shift. More people are living alone and following their own schedules instead of working around a partner’s routines or navigating a calendar packed with kids’ sporting events. In these cases, dining alone just makes logistical sense.
Single people aren’t the only ones eating alone these days. Parents with busy households often welcome the opportunity for a bit of personal time at lunch (especially if that personal time involves a slice of cheesecake or some handmade pasta).
Remote workers and business travelers also tend to dine alone frequently. People traveling for work eat alone for obvious reasons – but those who work from home are often looking for ways to mix up their work environment. For them a tech-friendly cafe or solo dining restaurant is a great option.
With all of these factors driving a rise in solo dining, the stigma associated with eating alone has dropped off – leaving people free to eat their pizza in peace.
5 Tips for How Operators Can Give Solo Diners a Great Experience
While solo dining has become more common, many cafés and restaurants are designed to prioritize groups. Those restaurants are excluding a rapidly-growing demographic – one that often includes people with a bit more room for discretionary spending in their budgets. If you’re wondering how to improve guest experience in a restaurant, here are five adjustments you can make to ensure every solo diner feels just as welcome as the five-person family across the room.
1. Venue Seating Set-Up for Solo Dining
If you want all diners to feel comfortable in your space, get started by mixing up your restaurant seating options to accommodate those dining solo. Restaurant owners typically make sure to include plenty of two- and four-person tables. They also tend to add a larger dining table or two. But solo diners don’t need that much space – and while the stigma of solo dining is decreasing, many guests still feel self-conscious about taking up more room than they need (and reducing available space for other customers).
To address this, consider creating a dedicated solo dining restaurant area. This could be as simple as adding stools to the bar, or pushing a full length, high-top table up against any window with a view. Proud of your chef? Show off their work by adding a window that lets diners see into the kitchen – and give your solo diners something to watch at the same time. After all, who doesn’t like watching a skilled chef do what they do best?
Communal seating is another modern alternative – think long picnic tables, or rows of tables and benches. For a solo diner, communal seating is a clear signal that all hungry customers are welcome, with or without an entourage.
2. Catered Menu for Solo Diners
A restaurant’s sharing menu is enjoyable for diners when they’re dining with friends and family. However, when they’re dining solo, it’s frustrating to open a menu packed full of shareables. Sure, they can simply order an entrée or a couple of appetizers, but what if they want to sample a variety of menu items?
If you’re not sure how to improve guest experience in a restaurant for solo diners, consider adding a tasting menu with a wide selection of small plates. That’s a great option that allows your solo diners to enjoy the same quality dining experience as everyone else. If you’re worried about overwhelming solo diners with too many options, consider creating a small menu.
3. Offer Your Restaurant as a Workspace
The solo dining boom is partially driven by remote workers who need a change of scenery – as well as those who have returned to the office and want some time to themselves at lunch. Offer a free, reliable Wi-Fi connection and make it clear that your restaurant is a welcoming place to pop in and answer emails while enjoying a drink or two.
Want to add another layer of convenience for workers? Consider installing portable charging stations. If guests stay longer to charge their devices, your staff will have the opportunity to offer additional items while they wait to power up. Extend a simple, “would you like to see the dessert menu while you’re waiting?” and your customer might even rethink that piece of carrot cake they turned down earlier.
By adding amenities that turn your restaurant into an impromptu workspace, you’ll extend average dining times and maybe even attract a new client base.
4. Technology Investments for a Better Solo Dining Experience
Remote workers aren’t the only guests who arrive with a device in hand. Whether they’re traveling and want to check their emails from home or they’re locals trying to catch up on the day’s news, guests are more connected than ever before.
By embracing technology, your restaurant is more likely to become a go-to spot for tech-forward guests. For example, you can consider adding QR code menus or tabletop tablets. These options allow solo diners to peruse the menu, order, and pay at their own pace. As a result, service is streamlined, and wait times are reduced – it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
If you’re using reservation software like TouchBistro Reservations, find ways to signal that you’re solo-friendly. That could mean adding solo-dining options to your table descriptions, or adding “ worker-friendly” or “solo restaurant” tags to your profile.
5. Staff Training
Every diner wants an enjoyable restaurant experience, and customer service training has a huge role to play when you’re trying to create the right atmosphere. The way your staff communicates with your solo diners can make or break a quality dining experience. Train your team to welcome solo diners warmly, and to watch for body language that indicates they’re up for chatting – or not.
If someone’s dining solo, it’s also important to be careful with your words. Don’t greet a guest with “Just you today?” or “Just for one?”. Depending on the guest, that “just” could make them feel devalued or judged.
Fortunately, there are polite ways to find out if your guest is dining solo. When a customer ventures into your venue alone, let them speak first – chances are good they’ll tell you what they’re looking for. If they don’t, ask them where they’d prefer to sit. They may choose to sit at the bar, or they might ask for a quiet corner to enjoy their alone time. They might even ask for a central table so they can do some people-watching. Whatever happens, choose your words and tone carefully, and don’t make assumptions.
Seize the Opportunity to Serve Solo Diners
Solo diners are leaving their takeout menus behind and choosing to dine out, but it’s not all about the food. It’s also about the atmosphere and convenience. That means they see your restaurant as a destination, not just a place to grab a quick bite to eat between errands.
By rethinking how you welcome – and serve – solo diners, you’re more likely to turn a new solo diner into a loyal repeat customer. It just takes some thoughtful seating, menus that make sense for people dining alone, and polite, well-trained staff. Solo diners may show up alone, but they make restaurant recommendations just like everyone else. Fortunately, we’ve got everything you need to help you earn your next 5-star review. Check out our 2025 Canadian Diner Trends Report and our 2025 American Diner Trend Report for deeper insights into changing dining habits and trends.
Jackie was a Content Marketing Specialist and Social Media strategist at TouchBistro before moving into business development role. She covered the latest food, dining, and technology trends for the restaurant industry. A lover of all things coffee, Jackie’s hobbies include breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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