More solo diners are visiting Michelin-starred restaurants to enjoy the finest food alone, boosting the struggling hospitality sector.
Among them are tourists from Asia and Europe seeking out the newest spots, young foodies, parents looking for some time to themselves and dedicated regulars, restaurateurs said.
Alex Dilling won two Michelin stars only months after opening at the Hotel Café Royal, and the 34-seat central London restaurant, which serves French cuisine, has experienced a surge in demand among solo diners. Victoria Sheppard, the chief executive and co-owner of the restaurant, said that on any given evening requests for solo dining could easily account for half their 11 available tables.
Alex Dilling at the Hotel Café Royal has seen a surge in demand for solo dining
Solo diners tended to be food tourists from abroad looking to try new Michelin-starred restaurants, she said.
