Is Solo Dining In? 56% of Diners Feel ‘Very Comfortable’ Dining Alone at Restaurants

It’s common to think of dining out as a social activity, but solo dining is steadily rising in popularity. For many, eating alone isn’t unusual at all; it’s even considered a form of self-care. There’s something restorative about taking yourself out to a meal. There’s no grocery shopping, cooking, or dishes, just the pleasure of being served good food and drink.

For restaurant operators, solo diners are valuable customers. OpenTable reports that solo diners spend 48% more than other guests, averaging $84 per person. It’s a clear win-win: guests enjoy the freedom and comfort of dining alone, while restaurants benefit from fewer challenges than they might face with larger parties, such as longer table turns or lower tips.

To explore this trend further, Toast surveyed 650 solo diners across the U.S. We set out to learn who is choosing to dine alone, how frequently they do it, and what makes a restaurant feel like a welcoming choice. The following insights highlight their habits, preferences, and motivations.

Solo dining preferences 

Guests are comfortable dining alone, and they’re doing it regularly 

Solo dining no longer possesses a stigma, with the majority of guests embracing it as part of their routine. More than 56% of respondents say they feel very comfortable dining alone. And, less than 1% of all respondents said they feel very uncomfortable about solo dining. 

Younger diners are the most comfortable, with 64% of guests ages 25–34 reporting they’re very comfortable eating out alone.  Men are also slightly more likely than women to feel comfortable dining solo (63% vs. 50%). In another recent Toast study, we found that men are also more likely to consider themselves to be a restaurant regular. This suggests a natural overlap: younger male guests may not only feel at ease dining solo, but may also be more inclined to return frequently, positioning them as a valuable segment of loyal regulars.

When it comes to frequency, over one-third of respondents (36%) dine alone every week, while 6% say they do so daily. Another 32% report solo dining monthly. It’s not just an occasional occurrence but a regular habit for many. Younger guests dine solo more often than older ones, as 9% of guests ages 18-25 do so daily, vs. 0% of those ages 55+ said the same. However, 45% of the 55+ club dine solo weekly.

Again, men seem to dine alone more, as 45% said they do so weekly, vs. only 26% of women. While men currently lead, the broader rise in solo dining shows a shift. Restaurants can tap into this by designing spaces that feel inviting regardless of who walks in. Spoiler: We outline how guests prefer restaurants do this below.

Many guests dine alone for lunch and treat it as personal time 

When guests choose to eat alone, it’s most often for lunchtime. A majority of respondents (58%) said lunch is their primary solo meal, compared to 24% who said breakfast and just 18% who said dinner. The trend is even stronger among younger diners, with 71% of guests ages 25–34 opting for lunch as their solo occasion. It seems mid-day meals for younger diners are possibly being used as a moment of peace in the middle of their day.

Our assumptions are accurate, as nearly half of respondents (45%) say they dine alone to carve out personal time. Other reasons include eating while working (20%), pure convenience (19%), a lack of dining company (12%), or travel (4%).

Although personal time was the answer across the board, older and younger diners still have some differences. Among guests 55 and older, nearly a quarter (24%) say they dine solo simply because no company is available, and only 6% of 18–24-year-olds give that reason. Younger diners are much more likely to see solo meals as a choice, not a fallback, as 52% of both 18–24 and 25–34-year-olds say they do it for personal time. Just 31% of the 55+ crowd view solo dining as “me-time,” showing a clear generational divide in how the experience is framed.

Regardless of who the guest is, creating an environment where they can comfortably eat at lunchtime could turn solo visits into a meaningful part of their day.

Plenty of seating options can make the solo diner experience better 

Speaking of making solo dining a meaningful part of the day, the right restaurant features can go a long way. Seating tops the list, with 36% of respondents saying it makes the biggest difference in their comfort level dining solo. Free Wi-Fi is next at 25%, highlighting how often guests may work, read, or scroll while dining alone. 

Quick service earned just 17% of votes overall but stood out among older guests, with 26% of those 55+ selecting it as their top comfort booster. Single-serving menu items (16%) and access to outlets (6%) round out the list, clearly less important to solo diners. 

Where do solo diners prefer to sit? Perhaps a spot at the bar? Perhaps not. Most solo diners (56%) say a small individual table is their ideal spot. The bar has far fewer fans at 18%, 14% of respondents don’t have a preference, 9% prefer it outside, and less than 3% like communal seating. 

Men, however, are more likely to choose a seat at the bar, with 23% vs. only 13% of women. Older guests are also slightly more likely to prefer the bar compared to younger guests. Thoughtful seating layouts and a few practical amenities can make all the difference in turning a solo visit into a repeatable habit.

Many guests pass the time on their phones and dine quickly 

Over half of respondents (53%) say they pass the time on their phone while eating alone. Sometimes, doom scrolling gets the best of us. Another 20% focus simply on the meal itself, while smaller groups prefer more traditional distractions like reading (11%) or people-watching (10%). Only 5% of respondents say they use solo dining as an opportunity to work. As we know from the data above, many are dining alone at lunch, likely taking a short break rather than a working session.

Most solo diners (65%) finish their meal within 20 to 40 minutes, with very few lingering—only 4% report staying longer than an hour. Quick, focused visits appear to be the norm. This enables restaurants to turn tables faster and hopefully seat more guests. To increase your turntable times, check out this useful guide. 

When asked where they feel most comfortable eating alone, respondents pointed first to coffee shops (32%), followed closely by full-service restaurants (31%) and fast casual spots (28%). Bars came in last with just 9% saying they felt most comfortable there. The data shows that solo diners prefer environments that feel approachable and flexible, where they can move at their own pace, often with a phone in hand.

Treat yourself

The next time you need a moment to yourself, or just don’t feel like cooking and cleaning, take a seat at your favorite local spot. Order what you want, no compromises required. Bring a book, scroll through Instagram, or simply enjoy the peaceful pause. You won’t be alone. Plenty of other diners are embracing the simple luxury of their own company (with the welcome bonus of a friendly server or bartender nearby).

For restaurant operators, a small gesture can go a long way in making solo diners feel seen and appreciated. Keith McNally’s New York City restaurants, for example, offer solo guests a complimentary glass of champagne—a subtle but memorable touch. It doesn’t need to be a grand gesture; something as simple as a warm welcome or a small perk can make all the difference. It’s about good hospitality and showing guests you’re glad they chose to spend their time with you

For more practical strategies on how restaurants can support and attract solo diners, check out this article.

Methodology

Toast conducted a blind survey of 650 U.S. adults ages 18+ on this topic on September 18, 2025. Respondents were not made aware that Toast was fielding the study. Using a standard margin of error calculation, at a confidence interval of 95%, the margin of error on average is +/- 3-5%.