Solo dining | From trend to the new normal in hospitality
For many hospitality entrepreneurs, it is still an awkward moment: the guest who walks in alone and is given a table for two because the staff are not quite sure where to seat them. Yet the number of people consciously choosing solo dining continues to grow. Not because they have no company, but because they want to. An evening out with yourself. A little me-time.đ Peace. Focus on the food. A chance to recharge. We have been following the solo dining trend for years. From Japanâs Ichiran Ramen, where guests sit in individual âflavour concentration boothsâ, to the rise of dining at the bar or counter with a view of the open kitchen. And do you remember when âTwitter dinnersâ were organised?
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Table for one, please
Solo dining starts with something simple: the ability to make a reservation for one person. According to experts, many restaurants still only allow reservations for two or more guests. This can make solo diners feel as if they need to justify themselves by calling or emailing separately, or by making a reservation for two and hoping for the best. How is this handled at your venue?
If your restaurant has a bar where guests can dine, make sure this option is visible in the reservation system. If not, discuss the placement of solo diners with your team during the daily briefing. Give guests a choice: a quiet table or a lively seat at the bar or counter. Â And one important tip: explain to your staff that solo dining is not sad, awkward or lonely. There is a growing group of guests who intentionally go out to eat alone. If they are reading a book or using their phone, that is often a sign that they are perfectly content.
Solo dining | Shared dining as a challenge
Atmosphere is everything, especially for someone dining alone. A solo diner wants to feel welcome, not pitied. A friendly conversation often provides insight into what the guest prefers. One of the biggest frustrations among frequent solo diners is the difficulty of enjoying shared dining concepts. Recently, one of our consultants went to Athens, she had not been to Greece for years and wanted to try several dishes from the menu. She ordered multiple plates and ended up leaving a lot behind. Offering smaller portions is often a simple solution, and better for food waste as well.
There is also a growing group of people over 60 who have always enjoyed dining out and continue to do so after losing a partner. Not long ago, my husband and I were enjoying dinner at one of JoĂ«l Robuchonâs restaurants in Paris, seated at the bar overlooking the kitchen. Next to us sat a friendly Parisian with whom we practised our French and enjoyed hearing his stories.
With the growing number of singles and people who enjoy dining alone, the question is no longer whether a solo diner will visit your restaurant or hotel. The question is: is your venue ready for them? ^Marjolein van Spronsen
On this page, we collect articles and inspiration about solo dining for entrepreneurs who take this growing target group seriously. Does your restaurant do something special for guests dining alone? We would love to hear about it!
Ichiran Ramen | Solo dining in flavour concentration booths
During a conversation with someone who enjoys travelling alone, she mentioned that she would love to visit Japan to experience the âflavour concentration boothsâ herself. We wrote about these booths at Ichiran Ramen back in March 2017. Personally, I find the atmosphere a little cold and clinical, but I can understand how it allows you to focus entirely on the ramen. đ
Ichiran Ramen
After5 | A fun night out while meeting new people
In the very early days of Horecatrends (2008), we already saw Twitter dinners being organised in the hospitality industry. The 2023 initiative by After5 to meet people in real life reminds us a little of that. It is a concept for those who still find solo dining a bit too quiet. It also shows how a bar, counter or large communal table can naturally encourage conversation.
After5 – Meet – Dine – Connect
Solo on the go | Celebrate yourself on Singles Day at Stayokay
A great initiative by Stayokay! For restaurants with a bar, counter or communal table, Singles Day could be a perfect occasion to organise something specifically for solo guests. In the 1990s, students in China chose November 11, the date with four ones (11/11), to celebrate single life. What started as a playful tradition has since grown into a globally recognised day.
