There was a time when walking into a restaurant alone felt like something you had to explain.

“Is someone joining you?”

Nope. It’s just me, and I’m perfectly fine with that.

Solo dining is officially having a moment. Reservations for one have jumped 23% over the past year, according to OpenTable data reported by Axios. But this is about more than grabbing a quick bite because nobody else was available. People are intentionally taking themselves out—and enjoying it.

Dining Alone Doesn’t Mean You’re Lonely

Eating alone was once treated as a little sad. Today, it can feel surprisingly luxurious.

You decide where to go, what to order and how long to stay. There’s no splitting an appetizer you didn’t want, no negotiating over the restaurant and no waiting for someone else to check their calendar.

You can sit at the bar, order exactly what you’re craving and enjoy the rare pleasure of not having to make conversation.

For many people, solo dining is a form of self-care. It’s an opportunity to slow down, people-watch, read a book or simply pay attention to the meal in front of you. In a world where we are constantly talking, texting and scrolling, an uninterrupted hour can feel like an indulgence.

Solo Diners Aren’t Being Cheap

Restaurants may want to start paying closer attention to those tables for one.

OpenTable found that solo diners spend an average of $94, compared with approximately $60 per person across all party sizes. Spending by solo guests also increased 7% year over year.

Why? A solo diner may be more inclined to order the cocktail, appetizer or dessert because the experience is entirely their own. There is no one asking, “Are we really getting dessert?”

Yes. We are.

Thursday reservations for one rose 25%, while 6 p.m. remains the most popular solo dining time. Reservations at 3 p.m. are gaining popularity too, suggesting people are becoming less attached to traditional meal schedules.

What’s Fueling the Solo Dining Trend?

Several cultural shifts are coming together:

• More people live alone.
• Remote and flexible work have changed traditional meal schedules.
• Travelers are increasingly comfortable exploring without companions.
• Social media has helped normalize solo dates and independent experiences.
• People are tired of postponing things while waiting for someone else to join them.
• The “me economy” has made spending on personal experiences feel less selfish.

It also fits neatly into the rise of solo-maxxing, the idea that being single or temporarily on your own doesn’t mean putting your life on hold.

You don’t need a plus-one to try the new restaurant, see the movie, book the trip or order the good bottle of wine.

How to Enjoy Your First Solo Restaurant Date

If dining alone still feels intimidating, start at the bar. It naturally feels more social, offers a front-row seat to the action and makes chatting with the bartender optional.

Bring a book or notebook if it makes you more comfortable, but try not to spend the entire meal hiding behind your phone. Order something you genuinely want. Take your time. Look around. Let yourself enjoy the experience without wondering what anyone else thinks.

The truth is, most people aren’t judging you. They’re probably wondering whether they would have the confidence to do it themselves.

The Bottom Line

Solo dining isn’t necessarily evidence that we’ve become lonelier. Sometimes it means we’ve become more comfortable with our own company.

There is still something wonderful about sharing a meal with friends and family. But there is also something wonderfully freeing about saying, “Table for one, please,” and meaning it.

Would you dine alone at a restaurant—or does the idea still make you uncomfortable?