Lifestyle Trend: What’s driving the rise of solo dining and travel in India? You Should Know

What was once seen as unusual or even lonely has now become a mainstream lifestyle choice in India, with more people opting to dine, travel and spend time alone. Millennials and Gen Z are leading the shift, but older Indians are also embracing solo outings, signalling a broader cultural change.

At the heart of the trend is the idea that being alone does not mean being lonely. For many, it represents freedom and self-care – a chance to do things at their own pace without the need to coordinate with others.

“I’ve done the years of running around for work and family. Now, if I step out alone, it’s for pleasure – a meal I enjoy or a short trip at my own pace. There’s no coordination, no pressure. Just peace,” said Amit Gupta, a 72-year-old retired banker from Noida.

Gupta, who prefers to keep his solo outings low-key, said he enjoys going out by himself for food, travel or quiet recreation. For 25-year-old Delhi student Kanika Saluja, the shift came unexpectedly. She said she once felt awkward eating out alone, worrying about the place, the people and the service. But after trying it once, she found herself hooked.

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“Since then, solo lunches and dinners have become my little ‘me-time’ ritual,” Saluja said. “I could take my time, try new dishes, just be in the moment, and even do some good people watching. It isn’t about being alone anymore; it’s doing things my way, on my own terms.”

Changing interests

Experts say the rise in solo activities is being driven by growing disposable incomes, changing lifestyles and a desire for personal space. The hospitality industry is taking notice, with cafes, restaurants, hotels and travel apps increasingly tailoring services to solo customers.

Hospitality advisory firm The Bar Consultants (TBC) says solo dining is no longer an afterthought. “A few years ago, it happened incidentally. Today, we design for it… Clients are starting to see that solo diners often become their most loyal guests,” said TBC founder Angad Chachra.

Restaurants are adapting with smaller portions, tasting menus and seating arrangements that make solo guests feel comfortable rather than isolated. At Zuki, a new pan-Asian restaurant in Noida, the focus is on offering freedom and choice to individual diners.

“Menus are recalibrated with tasting formats, half portions and mix-and-match add-on choices,” said chef Vaibhav Bhargava. “A solo diner should never feel like an exception. They should feel like the most intentional guest in the room.”

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For some restaurateurs, solo dining is also a smart business decision. Arjun Sagar Gupta, founder of The Piano Man, said it helps improve table utilisation during off-peak hours and encourages repeat visits. It also pushes restaurants to be more disciplined about portion control and pricing.

Solo travel more popular than ever

The trend is even more pronounced in travel. Bengaluru-based tech professional Anuj Sethi, who has taken several solo trips and often spends time alone in cafes, said the experience has been transformative.

“Once you get comfortable spending time with yourself, there’s no going back,” he said. “Travelling alone, at your own pace, making every decision – right or wrong – on your own, hits differently.”

Data supports the growing popularity of solo travel. Niyo, a travel-banking fintech platform, reported that solo travel accounted for 63.8 per cent of trips by Indian travellers in 2025. Hotel chain Sarovar Hotels reported a 12–15 per cent year-on-year rise in solo guests in 2024–25, driven largely by young adults and working professionals. The company also noted a significant increase in solo women travellers.

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Airbnb recorded a 35 per cent jump in solo travel bookings in India in the first half of 2025. Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Airbnb’s country head for India and Southeast Asia, said solo travel has become a symbol of “empowerment, personal growth and independence”.

Social media has also played a role in normalising the trend, he added, as more travellers share their solo experiences online and inspire others to follow suit.

With attitudes shifting and services adapting, solo living is no longer seen as a sign of loneliness, but as a deliberate choice for self-discovery and freedom.

(PTI)

Published: 08 Feb 2026, 02:49 pm IST

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