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Do you dare dine alone in a restaurant?

You are not a loser if you eat alone in a restaurant.

You are doing it because you are confident, self-aware, good at self-care and want an excellent meal in a restaurant with the perfect atmosphere and vibe.

Of course, there may also be the necessity of it -- none of your friends or family is available when you feel like going out or you're travelling solo and dining solo is the only option.

Regardless, if you make the decision to eat in a restaurant by yourself, and you own it, you are a winner who will feel empowered and rewarded with an incredible meal in an ideal setting.

Here's the qualifier: We're not talking about a fast food restaurant where you get your order and wolf it down alone at one of those metal tables with the chairs attached or a cafe where you enjoy your cappuccino solo.

We're talking about a sit-down, table-service restaurant where they take reservations and you have a full lunch or dinner alone.

Are you confident enough to eat by yourself in one of those kinds of restaurants?

<who>Photo credit: Farhad Ibrahimzade on Unsplash</who>73% of Canadians are planning to dine solo in a restaurant in the next year.

We ask the question because KAYAK, the world's leading travel search engine, and OpenTable, a global leader in online restaurant reservations, has done a survey.

It shows 45% of Canadians are planning on travelling solo over the next year and 73% are likely to dine alone in the next 12 months.

The methodology was an online survey of 1,000 Canadians who showed an interest in solo travel, so the percentages are high.

It also shows that of the top 10 cities in Canada to visit and dine alone, Victoria is No. 1 and Kelowna is No. 8 based on KAYAK and OpenTable searches for solo trips and solo dining.

Based on OpenTable data of number of reservations made by solo diners, the top restaurants to dine alone in Kelowna are Old Vines at Quails' Gate Winery, Skinny Duke's Glorious Emporium, Bernie's, The Keg Steakhouse and Bin 4 Burger Lounge.

OpenTable added to that list with its own top picks for dining alone in Kelowna with Gather, La Bussola, Curious Cafe & Bar Norcino, Salt & Brick and Table Nineteen at the Okanagan Golf Club.

<who>Photo credit: Pablo Merchan Montes on Unsplash</who> Are you brave enough to dine along in a restaurant and not feel self conscious?

For Victoria, the diner picks for solo dining are Finn's Seafood, The Keg Steakhouse, Bin 4 Burger Lounge, Aura Waterfront and Vista 18.

OpenTable's selections are: Ferris' Upstairs, Superflux, Faro at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, Menbow Ramen Bar and Cafe Brio.

OpenTable also has a three-points of expert advice for dining alone:

1. Eat at the bar or chef's counter

It's less awkward than sitting by yourself at a table and it can be more interactive and social because the bartender and-or chef are likely to chat.

2. Make a reservation in advance

If you're dining alone you likely won't have to wait in line for a table or spot at the bar.

And, if the reservation is for one, they will know that and there will be no explanation at the door that you are alone.

3. Get outside your comfort zone

Going into solo dining with the right mindset will result in a positive experience.

Now, what to do if you're dining alone.

Obviously, peruse the menu, hit the server up with any questions and enjoy your drinks and meal.

But, then, do you scroll on your phone, read a book, magazine or newspaper (what century are we in? right?) or do you simply soak in the scene, people watch and take comfort in your solitude, independence and introspection.

The choice is yours.

<who>Photo credit: Spencer Davis on Unsplash</who>Restaurants welcome solo diners -- they tend to spend 43% more per person and have an average bill of $83.

"Solo dining is one of the standout dining trends this year and we expect it to continue into the next," said OpenTable director Matt Davis.

"Canadians identified observing people around them (45%) or reading (22%) as things to do while solo dining. Restaurants are increasingly adapting to these habits, offering kitchen views to watch the chefs at work and cozy, quiet booths tucked away for the ultimate reading ambience."

The top 10 cities to visit and dine alone are:

1. Victoria

2. Ottawa

3. Calgary

4. Edmonton

5. Vancouver

6. Montreal

7. Saskatoon

8. Kelowna

9. Winnipeg

10. Toronto

Top 10 cities internationally to visit and dine alone

1. Edinburgh

2. Paris

3. Dublin

4. Seattle

5. Boston

6. Dubai

7. San Francisco

8. Orlando

9. Las Vegas

10. Chicago



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