Solo dining is gaining momentum, with more and more people choosing to enjoy meals alone. In fact, the majority (86%) of Canadians say they’ve dined solo at restaurants, according to new consumer research from KAYAK and OpenTable.*
And with October being one of the most popular months for solo dining,** now is the perfect time to consider how to cater to this audience. Here, we’ve rounded up the top solo dining trends to take note of, plus tips for capitalizing on them.
A growing opportunity
According to OpenTable, solo dining is up 16% year-over-year.*** Even more, nearly three-quarters (73%) of Canadians say they plan to dine alone in the coming year, making it clear this trend is here to stay. For restaurants, solo diners represent a lucrative opportunity for restaurants, as they tend to spend 43% more than any other diner, averaging $82.**** Encourage your staff to engage these diners and not to shy away from upselling a special bottle of wine or offering dessert.
Solo doesn’t mean lonely
Many guests appreciate the chance for quality “me time” when dining alone. Nearly one-third (34%) say it’s their number one reason to dine alone. According to the research, Canadians identified observing people around them (45%) or reading (22%) as things to do while solo dining.* Restaurants can adapt to these habits by offering kitchen views that let guests watch the chefs at work and cozy, quiet booths tucked away for the ultimate reading ambience.
Beyond “me time,” many dine solo to be on their own schedule. If you’re on OpenTable, consider offering your waitlist online so guests can get in line without waiting in line. Not only does offering your waitlist online give solo diners ultimate convenience and the ability to stay on their schedule, but it’s also a great way to optimize every seat, effectively filling spots from late cancellations and no-shows.
Lack of inspiration is a hurdle
One of the primary challenges for solo diners is finding inspiration for where to eat. Nearly half (47%) of Canadians say it’s their biggest barrier.* This highlights the opportunity for restaurants to build their reputation online and stand out as go-to solo dining spots. By enhancing your visibility online and managing your reputation effectively across review platforms, restaurants can appeal to this growing audience of diners.
Additionally, inspire these potential guests by promoting unique Experiences on OpenTable. You can offer a sumptuous, multi-course tasting menu with your chef, host live music, or teach them how to make a meal or shake up a cocktail. Whatever you choose, you’ll help them feel comfortable taking the leap to dine alone and make that “me time” count.
Who’s doing it best, according to solo diners?
If you’re looking to learn from some of the best, according to verified diner reviews and dining metrics including diner ratings, percentage of reservations made in advance, five-star reviews and percentage of solo diners, we’ve identified them for you. Canadian diners highlighted Finn’s Seafood in Victoria, Riviera in Ottawa, MAJOR TOM in Calgary, BIERA – Ritchie Market Restaurant in Edmonton, Miku Restaurant in Vancouver, and Bonaparte in Montreal as some of the top spots for solo dining. Explore the full list of diner picks and OpenTable picks to glean insights from the best.
By understanding and catering to solo diners’ preferences and behaviours, savvy restaurants can tap into this growing demographic and maximize revenue.
OpenTable x KAYAK Consumer Research
*Survey Methodology: An online survey was conducted by PureSpectrum among 1000 Canadian consumers with an interest in solo travel. Within this sample, major cities have been weighed for direct comparison. The research fieldwork took place between 2-6 August, 2024.
**OpenTable Data: OpenTable looked at the share of solo dining from online diners by month in 2023.
***OpenTable Data: OpenTable looked at online reservations for all restaurants active on the OpenTable platform for parties of 1 from August 1 2023 to July 31 2024, and compared it to the corresponding period in 2023
****OpenTable Data: OpenTable looked at the average spend per guest for parties of one and overall from August 1 2023 to July 31 2024
