More Americans are dining alone as solo restaurant reservations soar, data shows

Solo Dining Reservations Rise 22 % in 2025, Reflecting a Shift Toward “Me‑Me‑Me” Culture

In the third quarter of 2025, reservations for single diners increased by 22 % year over year, according to a trends report from restaurant‑management software company Toast. Even though solo bookings still represent fewer than one percent of all reservations, the jump signals a steady change in how people approach eating out.

The same growth pattern shows up in other industry studies. Brandwatch data cited by the af&co. and Carbonate 2024 Hospitality Trends Report indicates that interest in eating alone rose 7 % over the previous year, while the percentage of customers who want to dine on their own has been climbing steadily in both quick‑service and full‑service venues.

Why the Shift?

Experts point to younger diners as the primary drivers. Gen Z and millennials, who value convenience and personal time, are increasingly comfortable dining alone. “People stopped waiting for someone else to be free,” said Stephen Ingber, owner of MileHighCook, a Denver‑based private‑chef and catering company. “A good meal used to require a date or a group to justify it. Now it just requires a reservation.”

Ingber says 15 % of his current clientele book for just one guest, a figure that has been on the rise each year. “Some solo customers even book weekly or monthly,” he added. “They’re often the best kind of customer.” He encourages diners to use the experience to try dishes they might avoid when in a group and to stay present rather than scrolling on a phone.

How Restaurants Are Responding

Restaurant operators see the trend as both a challenge and an opportunity. Terry Psaltakis, a 30‑year veteran of the industry and founder of ShiftTrained in Chicago, says solo diners are a small but fast‑growing market segment. “Get it right and that solo diner turns into a regular who comes back every week and knows your bartender by name,” he said.

Psaltakis recommends that eateries design spaces that appeal to one‑person meals—bar seating, smaller tables, and a view of the kitchen or bar. He also advocates for wine‑by‑the‑glass and half‑bottle options, as well as menus that do not assume sharing. “It’s about giving the same level of care and service to solo guests as to larger parties,” he said, noting that those diners often come for the full dining experience, not just the food.

Both Ingber and Psaltakis advise solo diners to try the bar. “Ask the bartender what they’d order,” Ingber says. “A good one, a ready one, lights up.” Psaltakis added, “Nobody is looking at you, and if they are, they’re jealous.”

The Human Side

Solo dining isn’t necessarily a sign of loneliness. Georgia‑based licensed grief therapist Rene Mondy, founder of The Solo Dining Directory, explains that many people in healthy relationships choose to eat alone because a shared meal does not always equate to connection. “Solo diners in healthy relationships understand that dining with a partner or surrounded by friends doesn’t always equal connection,” Mondy told Fox News Digital.

Looking Ahead

With the industry slowly shedding the stigma around eating alone, restaurants are adapting to a clientele that values personal space and individualized service. The 22 % jump in solo reservations, coupled with the growing appetite for “me‑me‑me” dining experiences, suggests that solo diners will continue to play a larger role in the restaurant landscape in the years to come.