Table for One

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of people dining alone in restaurants. Gone are the days when solo dining was seen as something to be embarrassed about or as a sign of social awkwardness. Even though, there of course are some that may still see it this way. But instead, more and more people are embracing the idea of enjoying a meal by themselves. Now, someone eating alone is not an unfamiliar practice and restaurants are adapting to meet this demand with the rise of "table for one" seating options. Is your restaurant used to guests coming as just one? If you answered no, this would be a good time to give your restaurant a check to see if it is welcoming to these solo diners. 

There are many reasons why people might choose to dine alone. Some may be traveling solo and want to experience local cuisine without the need for a dining partner. Come to think of it, most people are traveling alone when it comes to business, so offering that welcomeness to those travelers is important. Others may simply enjoy the freedom and flexibility of being able to choose exactly what they want to eat without having to compromise with someone else's preferences. For some, solo dining can even be a form of self-care or a way to disconnect from the stress of daily life, as well as a self-reflection time. Many people who have reported eating alone have found that they enjoyed that time and it even felt thrilling. The way people choose to go to a restaurant for a time of peace and indulging in their time alone, means the restaurant should help meet the needs of the individual. If the person visiting the restaurant is choosing to spend their alone time there, then they should not be let down by their experience. 

Restaurants have taken note of this trend and are now catering to solo diners with more welcoming and inclusive environments. Many are offering smaller tables or bar seating for solo diners, with the option to engage in conversation with the bartender or fellow patrons. Bar seating has been around and may seem familiar, however these restaurants are expanding that atmosphere of feeling included into the whole restaurant. Some restaurants are even hosting events specifically for solo diners, such as "singles nights" or "table for one" evenings to showcase the solo dining community. Not only is eating alone nice for the diner, but it also gives the ability for the establishment to have easier table setting for employees. The smaller number of guests at a table, the less clean up and resetting it is for the restaurant workers, which then means more time to assist elsewhere. 

The rise of solo dining is also changing the way restaurants approach their menu offerings. Some are now offering smaller portion sizes or even "solo menus" with dishes designed for one person. This not only caters to solo diners, but also allows restaurants to cater to a wider range of customers who may want to try multiple dishes without having to share. These smaller portions allow for less food waste and gives an option for people to pick out more choices off the menu that they may be curious about trying. Currently most restaurants offer lunch portions, dinner portions, but could even think about a solo portion option. This would show guests that they have the capability to order “more” than they regularly would, since ordering one entrée has always been the social norm. Guests would have the ability to feel comfortable ordering 2 solo portion entrees with hopes of trying two options they were conflicted on singling out. 

Even though solo dining might seem fully packed with positives, there are still some challenges that come with it. For one, many restaurants are still designed with group dining in mind, meaning that solo diners may feel uncomfortable or out of place in certain settings. Additionally, solo diners may feel more self-conscious or judged by others, particularly in cultures where dining with others is seen as a social norm. The restaurant itself could be welcoming if they put their best effort to do so, however they cannot control how the rest of the guests will react to someone eating alone. It is typically a common thing to eat in doubles or groups, so that is an area that solo diners would have to expect is the crowd itself might not be used that style quite yet. The way others react should not be the reason to not try it if that is something someone is willing to go out of their way to try. 

Overall, the rise of solo dining reflects the changing attitudes towards food and dining. It's a trend that is likely to continue as more people embrace the idea of dining alone and as restaurants adapt to meet this demand. So, it is important that your restaurant accommodates these solo goers because when they find themselves in a new city or simply want a meal out, they are going to try out going alone– after all, a table for one can be just as enjoyable as one for two or more. Is your restaurant prepared to properly serve these guests if you aren’t already? If your restaurant is serving single guests, are there ways you make them feel more comfortable? Think about menu items that are friendly to single individuals as that will help make them feel every more included and not uncommon.