Table for one, please: More people eating out alone than ever before

New data shows solo dining shot up by 12 per cent last year, as it becomes more socially acceptable for diners to eat by themselves.

New research from OpenTable revealed today shows a 12 per cent increase in solo dining reservations over the past year nationally. Picture: Supplied,

Table for one please.

No longer taboo, Australians are ditching their partners and aren’t afraid to dine alone.

As attitudes shift, more Australians are embracing the joy of eating alone, with data from OpenTable revealing a remarkable 12 per cent increase in solo dining reservations over the past year.

Some 34 per cent of 1000 respondents highlighted “me time” as their primary motivation for dining solo.

‘Table for one’ meals are most likely to be an early lunch at 11am or 12pm, or a later dinner at 8pm, with Monday, Tuesday and Thursday having the highest proportion of solo diners, the research showed.

While spending time alone in a restaurant is no longer frowned upon, there’s also a noticeable increase in spending. The average solo diner splurges about $94 per meal, 36 per cent more than the average diner, making “treat yourself” an indulgent reality.

Hyunju Shin, 36, from South Korea is currently travelling in Australia for work and said she does not need a pity party.

“I often eat out by myself and have never felt judged, it’s very normal for me especially when I’m travelling,” Shin told Kitchen Confidential.

“I enjoy just having my own company, sometimes I even bring my laptop and work while out at the restaurant. It’s also very easy to connect with other people who are also dining alone and spark up a conversation,” she told Confidential.

Similar research in the United States found 49 per cent of New York respondents had dined solo.

There are certain aspects Aussies value while choosing the perfect spot to indulge a solo meal, including wanting to try a new restaurant, somewhere local and welcoming, as well as close proximity.

When choosing the perfect spot for their solitary meal, Australians prioritise a few key factors, a desire to try new restaurants, a welcoming atmosphere, and convenient locations.

Maria Crespo Alfaro, Bar Tottis manager in the Sydney CBD, said often sees solo diners.

“We see a lot of solo diners come in for both dinner and lunch. It’s a mix of both female and male, they are often in their 30s to 40s,” she said.

“It’s very common and has been for a while, a lot of people come for business and stay by themselves.”

Several of Sydney’s beloved venues have made OpenTable’s list of the best restaurants for solo diners.

Leading the pack is Pellegrino 2000 in Surry Hills, a celebrity favourite that has attracted visitors like Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter.

Other familiar names include Clam Bar, Margaret, Lankan Filling Station, Ikaria, Figo Restaurant and Hemingway’s Manly.

Originally published as Table for one, please: More people eating out alone than ever before