In the third quarter of 2025, single-person restaurant reservations climbed by 22% compared to the previous year. While these individual bookings still represent a small fraction of total volume, industry data suggests a significant shift in how consumers approach dining out.
The 22% surge in single-person bookings
According to a trends report from restaurant technology company Toast, the rise in solo dining is backed by significant spending power. OpenTable corroborated this trend, reporting a 23% surge in single bookings with an average expenditure of $94 per meal. This high average spend suggests that solo diners are not merely looking for quick bites, but are willing to invest in premium culinary experiences.
This movement appears to be driven largely by Gen Z and Millennial consumers who prioritize personal enjoyment and convenience. The af&co. and Carbonate 2024 Hospitality Trends Report, which utilized Brandwatch data, noted a 7% year-over-year increase in general interest in eating as a party of one.
Stephen Ingber’s 15% solo booking rate in Denver
In Denver, Stephen Ingber, the owner of the catering company MileHighCook, has seen this shift firsthand. As reported by Fox News Digital, Ingber noted that approximately 15% of his bookings are now for single guests, a figure that continues to rise annually. He observed that diners are no longer waiting for a group or a date to justify a high-quality meal; they are simply making the reservation.
Ingber suggests that some solo customers have even moved toward a predictable routine, booking meals on a weekly or monthly basis.. He characterizes these individuals as some of the best types of customers for a food service business.
Terry Psaltakis’s blueprint for Chicago’s solo diners
For restaurant operators, the solo diner represents a high-value opportunity if managed correctly. Terry Psaltakis, a veteran operator and founder of ShiftTrained in Chicago, suggests that the key to capturing this market lies in specialized service. He recommends that restaurants prioritize bar seating and offer menu options like wine by the glass to make single guests feel welcomed rather than isolated.
Psaltakis emphasizes that solo diners are often there solely for the food and atmosphere,meaning they can become incredibly loyal regulars if they receive the same level of care as larger parties. By treating the "party of one" with attentive service, operators can turn a single meal into a weekly habit where the guest eventually knows the staff by name.
The debate over confidence versus loneliness on Fox's Outnumbered
Despite the economic opportunity, a psychological debate persists regarding the motivations of the solo diner. While Rene Mondy, founder of The Solo Dining Directory in Georgia, argues that dining alone can be a healthy way to find connection or solitude, others question the social implications. The debate, which was recently featured on Fox's Outnumbered, weighs whether this trend is a sign of growing individual confidence or a symptom of increasing social loneliness .
Several unanswered questions remain regarding the long-term stability of this trend. It is currently unclear how the rise of weight-loss drugs—which some chefs say are causing customers to eat smaller meals—will impact the $94 average spend per solo diner. Additionally, the industry has yet to determine if the "no-scroll" movement, which discourages phone use at dinner, will further encourage or discourage solo dining by altering the social atmosphere of the restaurant.
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