UAE: Why Gen-Z Is Embracing Solo Dining As The Ultimate 'Main Character' Move

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Come the month of February, we see roses by the dozen, tables for two, and a marketing narrative that suggests worth is best measured in pairs. For decades, the“solo diner” has been a figure of pity in popular culture - the protagonist of a melancholic scene, tucked away in a corner with a book to shield themselves from the perceived judgement of the room.

However, what was once seen as a lack of options is being rebranded by a new generation as a deliberate, high-value choice.

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As Valentine's Day approaches, the rise of“solo dates” and solo dining is challenging the long-standing stigma of public solitude. For many, particularly within the Gen-Z age-group, sitting alone at a restaurant is no longer an act of isolation, but a“main character” moment - a way to reclaim power and freedom in a world that is too busy romanticising romance.

The anatomy of the first time

The transition from social dining to solo dining often begins with a threshold of discomfort. For Zainab Adejumoke Jimoh, a 26-year-old Nigerian resident, that was crossed on a milestone birthday.“The first time I ever ate out alone was on my 24th birthday,” Jimoh recalls.

“I went to Gohan around Downtown Dubai by myself. It was my first time doing something like that and I couldn't believe I was doing it. Not in a sad way, just in a 'wow, I can really show up for myself' way. It made me realise I could do so many things alone and enjoy them fully," she adds.

This sentiment is echoed by Noor Ul Ain, a 26-year-old from Pakistan, who has turned solo outings into a weekly ritual of mental realignment.“I make it a point to go out for coffee alone every Monday. It's my 'me time' to get back on track for the week,” she says.

Reflecting on when she started this tradition, Ul Ain adds:“My first time was back in university. I was so used to dining with family or friends that it felt like a foreign concept at first. But once I sat down, it felt freeing, like the 'main character energy'. Doing things alone shouldn't be scary, it should be encouraged as a way to get to know yourself better.”

For Jimoh, the experience has also yielded a great sense of self-reliance.“Taking myself out makes me feel confident, grounded, and genuinely happy. I spend so much time doing things for work, for clients, or for other people. When I'm out alone, doing things my way, it feels like freedom,” she adds.“Solo dining isn't about loneliness at all. For me, it's about presence.”

The psychology of the public gaze

Despite the growing popularity of these“solo dates”, the psychological barrier remains high for many. Ira Naeem, a clinical psychologist and founder of Meer Psychiatry Clinic, explains that the discomfort of dining alone is rooted in our evolutionary need for belonging.“From a clinical standpoint, mealtimes are loaded with meaning about belonging and family, so clients often describe feeling 'on display' when they dine out alone."

At home there is no audience, so it feels restorative, whereas in public the imagined eyes of strangers trigger self-consciousness and the worry that they appear friendless.“Experiments confirm that people seated among groups anticipate loneliness and fear negative judgement, making them less likely to go out."

Naeem also observes that for Gen-Z, the practice is a complex navigation of modern independence.“I hear young adults say 'self-dates' help them recharge. However, they talk about independence as a value while scrolling through group chats on their phones,” she says.

According to Naeem, solo dining for Gen-Z appears to be both a "coping strategy" and a "redefinition of companionship" towards more fluid, individualised relationships.“Though there is a shift towards flexible friendships among digital natives, many of these clients also report feeling lonely and anxious. They want connection without rigid labels”.

Designing for solitude

As the consumer mindset shifts, the hospitality industry is being forced to adapt. No longer are solo diners an afterthought relegated to the worst seat in the house.

Sophiya Faizal, founder of Paus, a wellness-focused café and“third space” in Dubai, designed her venue to accommodate those seeking their own company.“Solo visits are incredibly common at Paus. People come in alone, not just to grab a coffee, but to actually spend time with themselves,” says Faizal.

“It might be journaling, reflecting, reading, working, or simply enjoying a quiet meal without any rush. We designed the space with this in mind, so it never feels awkward to be on your own here," she adds.

Faizal argues that cafés have become emotional safe spaces, bridging the gap between the isolation of home and the rigid formality of traditional restaurants.“Formal restaurants often come with invisible rules. You're expected to order a certain way, stay a certain amount of time, and behave a certain way,” she explains.“What we've created is a space between the two. People can show up exactly as they are. There's no dress code, no pressure to perform, no sense of needing to rush in and out.”

The view from the lounge

While cafés are a natural entry point, solo dining is also infiltrating high-end, full-service restaurants. Sahil Anand, a restaurateur who moved to Dubai in 2005, has seen a distinct change in the profile of the lone guest over the last two decades.

“I started noticing it more clearly over the last two to three years,” says Anand.“Before that, solo diners were usually business travellers or people waiting for someone. Now it feels very deliberate. People come in alone, order properly, stay for the evening, and enjoy it.”

Compared to a few years ago, solo dining has become far more common and relaxed, says Anand, who frequently dines solo himself. According to him, being alone in a restaurant also allows for a deeper connection to the environment.“It did take some getting used to, as we are conditioned to think of restaurants as social spaces only. But once you move past the hesitation, solo dining becomes a very grounding experience,” he adds.

For Anand, solo dining has become a time to think, observe, and reset. "You notice the details more. You talk to the team, sometimes to the person next to you. You are alone, but you are still part of the room.”

Redefining Valentine's Day

The pressure to be“part of a pair” reaches its zenith on February 14. For those who choose to spend the day alone, it is often a conscious effort to deconstruct the commercialised version of romance.

“Valentine's Day can feel like a magnifying glass on our relationship status,” says Naeem.“I've sat with clients who describe feeling invisible at work when colleagues receive roses or chocolates... In therapy we reframe the day as a chance to celebrate friendships or self-love, set boundaries with social media and practise self-compassion.”

When people focus on connections that nourish them, the sting of Valentine's Day lessens, advises Naeem.“Then, the holiday becomes less about judgement and more about choice.”

At Paus, Faizal sees this intentionality firsthand.“We've noticed people are far more intentional about how they spend Valentine's Day now. It's less about what you're supposed to do, and more about meeting yourself exactly where you are,” she says.

To cater to this, the space offers 'Shared Tables' and workshops like Kintsugi, focusing on healing and self-care rather than romantic partnership.

So, this Valentine's, will you still be holding out for a table for two overlooking the fountains, or is a single seat at a café calling instead?

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