Eating alone at restaurants, once seen as unusual, has become a lifestyle in France. A European study by Circana highlights a significant rise in this practice. Restaurateurs are adapting to these increasingly common solo diners.
For Daniel, a 25-year-old working Parisian, eating alone at a restaurant is «entirely banal». He practices «solo dining» to enjoy a meal, recenter himself, or take time, booking «a table for one». It's a chance to savor a glass of wine or a charcuterie platter, and he admits to «letting loose more» and treating himself to «what he wouldn't dare in a group».
Marion, 30, is a fan of solo restaurant meals during business trips. «I can read a book or call someone. It's a moment of calm, a break in the day», she explains.
Daniel and Marion are not alone. Catalina, 19, a former waitress at an Italian restaurant in the capital, notes that solo customers «are not rare», especially at lunch. They come from «all genders» and «all ages», with varied approaches: some take their time, others are in a rush, chatty or quiet.
A September study by Circana states that «eating alone has become a real lifestyle, redefining Europeans' eating habits» in five EU markets: France, UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Spending on «solo meals» rose 153% from 2010 to 2019. These diners account for 15.6% of visits, up from 9.4% in 2016.