Axios LogoNewslettersAxios ProAxios LiveThe Axios ShowAxios LogoNewslettersAxios ProAxios LiveThe Axios ShowIllustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Stock: Getty ImagesSolo dining is having a moment, with reservations for one jumping 23% over the past year, booking app OpenTable says. Why it matters: That growth may look like another sign of America's loneliness epidemic. But many solo diners say eating alone offers a rare chance to slow down, reflect and savor the small stuff.By the numbers: OpenTable found that solo diners spend $94 on average, up 7% year over year. (That's compared to $60 per person across all party sizes.)Thursday solo reservations rose 25%.3 p.m. solo reservations are trending, but 6 p.m. bookings are the most popular overall.Kansas City didn't make OpenTable's list of top solo dining cities, but here are some ideas for good spots to treat yourself:The Rozzelle Court Restaurant in the Nelson-Atkins is in a stunning atrium perfect for people watching after you're done losing yourself in the museum's many exhibits.Take yourself to a jazz bar — The Phoenix, The Black Dolphin, The Blue Room, Café 333 — and sit close to the action. No talking, total immersion.Sit at The Savoy's bar and strike up a conversation with the staff. They know all the history, and you'll leave with a deeper understanding of KC. Travis' thought bubble: I've often taken a book to Mildred's — it's one of my favorite ways to pass an hour on a slow weekend morning. And a friend recently told me hotel bars are the place to go for meeting interesting people who are open to talking to strangers. The bottom line: Eating alone takes a certain level of confidence, but solo diners are unlikely to be judged — and may leave feeling more centered.Go deeperMore Kansas City stories