Solo dining finds its moment

Axios reports solo restaurant reservations jumped twenty-three percent over the past year, with OpenTable data showing solo diners averaging ninety-four dollars per person—up seven percent annually, well above the sixty-dollar average for all party sizes. Many solo diners say the experience lets them slow down and fully savor their meal. One regular told the Washington Post she eats slower when alone, paying close attention to flavors, textures, and the kitchen's craft without conversation's distraction. Thursday solo reservations surged twenty-five percent according to OpenTable. While some frame solo dining as a sign of isolation, the numbers and diners themselves suggest something different: a form of intentional, rewarding self-care.

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