Eating alone: Where and why diners go solo in Waterloo region

Open Table, the popular online restaurant reservation system, says reservations for one guest have grown 85 per cent since 2015.

The world-wide service handles millions of restaurant reservations each month across Canada, and their analysis published in late 2017 says customers increasingly want to experience food, beverage and ambiance alone.

Open Table data says Canadians booked more single reservations for dinner than lunch and usually during the week, rather than weekends. 

Interestingly, Open Table's list of top solo dining spots in Canada in 2017 (based on the number of reservations made) includes Miijidaa Café and Bistro and Bread Bar in Guelph.

I've been to both restaurants but have no explanation for that.

While I'm not quite ready to accept Open Table's accompanying claim that "the stigma" around a table for one has disappeared, I was quite surprised to see how much some diners embrace eating alone in Waterloo Region and surrounding areas.

I posed a question to a Facebook group asking about their experiences, and the range of answers from a few dozen respondents was enlightening. Several people who work from home responded that they visited a restaurant alone in order to change up their work-day routine.

Karl Nieva of Waterloo visits restaurants for both business and pleasure. He told me that he finds solo visits for the latter simply relaxing. 

"It offers me some peace and quiet, and some time for myself," Nieva said.

The range of reasons for dining alone was wide: it's a chance to do some reading, scroll through your phone, get lost in the moment at a meal, avoid judgment for what you eat (or how much), observe the activity of the restaurant and people-watch.

Traudie Kauntz, the former owner of Household China in Waterloo, enjoys the simplicity of dining alone.

"It's so uncomplicated. You get to pick your own place, your own time, drink and dine at your own pace and watch everyone who is watching you and wondering why you'd be in such a wonderful establishment by yourself," said Kauntz.

Age and gender didn't seem to matter either. Justin Mullen of Kitchener, 20, told me that dining alone is more relaxing.

"I feel like I can be more connected with the atmosphere and notice things that people might not in a restaurant, like a server that goes the extra mile," Mullen said.

'Majority of our single diners are female'

Neil Robinson is the chief operating officer of the Neighbourhood Group of Companies, which includes Miijidaa.

He said he's observed the increase in single guests, particularly women.

"I like the fact that we are comfortable for a single diner to choose us," Robinson said. "What I'm most proud of is that a majority of our single diners are female, something that I have not witnessed before in my career."

Interestingly, Michael Godfrey, who dines solo during business frequently, said dining alone can be risky.

"The one risk factor for me about eating alone concerns my peanut and tree-nut allergy. This is severe, and I've had a few serious reactions while travelling alone. If I'm with someone, they can help get me to a hospital if need be. If I'm alone, I tend to downplay the risk to my own mind, which frankly is unwise," Godfrey said.

Getting good service

There may be a "mystery diner" component involved too. Chris Campbell of Kitchener says though he prefers company, he usually gets better service when he eats alone.

"The only reason I've been able to attribute to it is that they may think I'm a reviewer or critic or something along those lines," said Campbell, a former chef.

Other respondents enjoyed said they like being able to eat as much as they want without judgment and not worry about dabbing the corners of their mouth with a napkin. I got a kick out of that confession.

Yet, the stigma attached to solo dining remains, and several single diners noted that they got poor service or were tucked away in the back of the restaurant and forgotten.

For Carolyn Blackstock, dining alone allows her to concentrate on the food and a good book, but she has some tips for restaurant staff.

"Some seem stumped as to what to do with a solitary diner. It's annoying when they immediately take away the extra place settings. The clatter of cutlery and dishware makes it obvious to anyone nearby that I am dining alone," Blackstock said.

"However, I appreciate places that ask respectfully about how many people they are seating. My favourite is, 'Are you expecting anyone else?' instead of 'Just you?'"

A strategy for dining alone: be mindful of busy times and that booking a table for one might be difficult during the popular 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. hour.

Best solo spots in Waterloo Region

Rich Uncle Tavern in Kitchener — large busy restaurant; great seats looking into the kitchen

Darlise Café Kitchener — take a seat by the window looking onto the street

Loloan Lobby Bar in Waterloo — high-top tables and bar seats look into the restaurant

Ethel's Lounge in Waterloo — fun and energetic restaurant with lots of regulars

Wildcraft in Waterloo — large, comfortable dining room for watching people

Viet-Thai restaurant — there's nothing better than slurping pho noodle soup on your own