Solo Diners Eat Out Week

Solo Diners Eat Out Week celebrates the freedom and enjoyment of dining at a restaurant by yourself. Held annually from February 1 through 7, it encourages solo diners to choose the restaurant they want, savor a meal at their own pace, and enjoy a little time out without needing a companion.

New York chef Amanda Cohen created the celebration at her restaurant, Dirt Candy, with options for people dining alone during the week near Valentine’s Day. A 2020 hospitality research paper describes the event as a local celebration created to promote the importance of solo diners to the restaurant industry, which later gained wider attention. Other restaurants have also taken part in Solo Diner’s Week observances.

Dining alone has not always been viewed positively. Restaurant culture historically emphasized shared tables and seating for couples or families, and women eating alone were barred from some fine-dining establishments in 1894. Those attitudes gradually changed as more people began dining solo, making a table for one an opportunity for independence rather than something to avoid.

How to Observe Solo Diners Eat Out Week

Celebrate by taking yourself to a favorite restaurant—or trying one you have been curious about. Choose exactly what you want to eat, take your time with the menu, and linger over dessert if you like. If you are dining out at night, consider making a reservation for one, and invite other solo diners to join in the fun on their own terms.

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