Restaurants that offer dining for one on one are becoming more popular. Here’s why.

A New York-based company called Avant Gardner has created an exclusive menu for customers who aren’t married who make up around 8 percent of the customers at the restaurant.

By Alex Oliveira

Sep 03, 2024 11:04 PM

More Americans think that when eating out, it’s the company of one and two is a crowd an analysis finds.

Going out on dates with friends in restaurants is growing in popularity as reservations for singles growing by 29 percent in American restaurants in the last two years, according to OpenTable, the reservations service. OpenTable.

It’s not just limited only to US. Dining out on your own is increasing across the globe especially in that of the United Kingdom — where it’s increased by 14% in the last year and in Germany where there has been an rise of 18%.

NYC vegan restaurant Avant Garden has a special menu just for single diners

Japan is also seen an increase in the number of people living there due to the nation’s Hot Pepper Gourmet Eating out Research Institute revealing that there are around 23 percent of Japanese who eat out on a regular basis are solo as opposed to 18% one year before.

“I think there’s a broader movement of self-love and self-care and really… enjoying your own company,” OpenTable CEO Debby Soo talked about to ABC News, adding that the growing popularity of remote work may boost the trend.

Anna Mattila — an Penn State professor who has studied solo diningbelieves the outbreak could be a result being able to live in a normal way, while smartphones can keep connectivity.

“The social norms have changed. A majority of people don’t look at diners that are not solo and think”You have to be an individual and an individual.'” she explained.

Whatever the reason, restaurant owners are working to meet the increasing demand.

Avant Garden, the luxurious vegan eatery located at East Village, hired the consultants of the restaurant group Lightspeed to modify their menu and the space to accommodate customers who aren’t accompanying a partner -the group that proprietor Drew Brady says makes up about 8 percent of customers.

Reservations for diners with a single meal have increased by 29%, according to the most recent research. Instagram/Avant Garden

Avant Gardner thinks that catering to those who are single is making a commitment to returning customers.

The restaurant is equipped with a huge table reserved for those who dine alone and also a menu that costs $65 for four courses designed for one person. When single diners drink cocktails and the bartender is at the table with the customer.

Brady the restaurant he runs Overthrow Hospitality has 11 vegan restaurants in New York City, sees the dining experience for solo diners as an opportunity to increase the number of repeat customers.

“While there may be a short-term loss there, I think we’re kind of playing the long game and establishing ourselves as a place that’s truly special,” the actor said to ABC.

The trend first came to light after the outbreak, Brady said, adding that people who dine in a group are equally divided according to gender.

Avant Garden’s proprietor claims that the trend of dining by yourself began in the aftermath of the pandemic.

If you’re scared by the idea of eating on your alone, Houston restaurant viewer Shawn Singh estimates that he’s in a room by himself for about 70% of the times eating out. He recommends eating out for lunch or even early dinners on the weekdays.

“If I go at 5 p.m. and alone, I haven’t been denied at one place ever,” Singh said to ABC.

But it is according to Jill Weber — founder of the hospitality firm Sojourn Philly, which always provides tables to eat together during its events for guests that are on their own. stress of eating by yourself will be part of the fun.

“It also feels brave sometimes,” she said.