The easiest way to enjoy eating alone while travelling is to choose places that suit solo diners: sit at the bar or counter, look for shared tables, try street food and markets, and join a food tour or cooking class when you want company. Go at quieter times, bring something to read if you like, and remember that most people around you are far too busy with their own meal to notice that you are alone.
Many travellers feel awkward the first time they ask for a table for one. After a few meals, most find that it becomes one of the pleasures of travelling: you eat what you want, when you want, and you notice far more about the place around you. This guide explains how to make solo dining comfortable and, when you are in the mood, how to turn a meal into a chance to meet people.
Is it strange to eat alone at a restaurant?
Not at all. People eat alone every day, on business trips, during lunch breaks and while travelling. In some cities, such as Tokyo, many restaurants are designed around counters and single seats. In others, eating alone in a busy restaurant at peak hours may feel less common, but staff are usually used to it.
The feeling of being watched is mostly in your head. If it helps, think of a solo meal as time to yourself rather than time without others. You can plan the next day, write a few notes about your trip or simply watch the street.
The best places to eat alone
Some places are naturally more comfortable for solo diners than others. These tend to work well in many countries:
- Bars and counters. Sitting at the bar or at a kitchen counter means you can watch the cooks, chat with the staff and avoid facing an empty chair.
- Markets and food halls. You can try several small dishes, move around freely and eat standing up or at shared benches.
- Street food stalls. Quick, casual and often cheap, with plenty of other people eating on their own.
- Cafés. Breakfast and lunch are relaxed times to eat alone, and many cafés are used to people staying with a book or a laptop.
- Noodle bars, ramen shops and tapas bars. Many are built for quick, individual meals or small plates shared across a counter.
Timing helps too. Lunch is often easier than dinner, and arriving just before the busiest hours means you are more likely to get a good seat and attentive service.
Shared tables, food tours and cooking classes
When you want company with your food, choose formats that bring people together. Some restaurants, beer halls and food halls have long communal tables where it is normal to sit next to strangers. Supper clubs and shared dinners, sometimes held in a host's home, are designed for guests who do not know each other. Hostels and guesthouses often organise family-style dinners as well.
Food tours and cooking classes are especially good for solo travellers. You spend a few hours with a small group, you have something to talk about from the very first minute and you often learn more about local food than you would on your own. Book ahead in popular cities, read recent reviews and check exactly what is included, as prices and group sizes vary a lot.
How do you start a conversation while eating alone?
Food is one of the easiest subjects in the world to talk about. A few gentle openings work almost anywhere:
- Ask the person next to you what they ordered, or what they would recommend.
- Ask the staff about a dish you do not recognise or a local speciality.
- At a shared table, offer to pass something or ask if a seat is free.
- On a food tour or in a class, ask other people where they have eaten so far.
Read the signals. If someone gives short answers or turns back to their meal, smile and leave them in peace. Some people want company and some want quiet, and both are fine.
If you would like to plan a shared meal before you arrive, mytripdate lets you see who will be in the same city on the same dates and send them a message. A simple suggestion, such as trying a particular market together on Saturday, gives the other person something concrete to reply to. Chat for a while first, check whether the profile is verified and meet in a busy public place.
Making a solo meal more comfortable
Small details make a big difference. Ask for a table where you can see the room or the street, rather than one in a corner facing the wall. A book, a notebook or a postcard to write gives you something to do between courses. If you are not sure how to order, many places are happy to recommend a few dishes. Learning a few words of the local language, such as "table for one" and "thank you", is also appreciated in many countries.
It is worth checking local customs before you go. Tipping, service charges, whether you pay at the table or at the counter and how long it is normal to stay all vary from country to country, and sometimes from one restaurant to the next.
How do you stay safe when eating alone?
Eating out alone is usually safe, but a few habits are sensible anywhere. Keep your phone, wallet and bag in sight rather than hanging on a chair behind you. If you are drinking alcohol, know your limits and keep an eye on your glass. Plan how you will get back to your accommodation, especially late at night, and save the details of a local taxi service. If you meet someone new during a meal and decide to continue the evening, stay in public places and tell someone you trust where you are. If a place or a person makes you uncomfortable, it is perfectly fine to pay and leave.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I sit when eating alone?
The bar or counter is often the most comfortable choice, because you can talk to the staff and watch the kitchen. Otherwise, ask for a table with a view of the room or the street.
Is lunch or dinner better for solo dining?
Many solo travellers find lunch easier, as restaurants are less formal and often less crowded. Dinner works well too, especially at bars, food halls and places with counter seating.
How can I find someone to eat with while travelling?
Join a food tour, a cooking class or a hostel dinner, or use mytripdate to see who will be in the same city on the same dates and suggest a meal in a public place.
The bottom line
Eating alone while travelling is not something to put up with; it can be one of the best parts of a trip. Choose places that suit solo diners, go at comfortable times and give yourself something to enjoy between dishes. When you want company, sit at the counter, join a shared table or book a food tour. Some days a quiet meal is exactly what you need, and some days a simple question about the menu leads to a great evening.
