Tips for Eating Alone at a Restaurant

The idea of dining solo brings on feelings of anxiety for many people. It is not unusual to initially feel out of place when you dine by yourself the first few times. Let’s face it, we are social creatures and eating a meal is one of the most basic social interactions we are all familiar with and most of us feel comfortable with dining in the company of others.

But when it comes to eating all by yourself at a restaurant it suddenly feels uncomfortable for most people… until you get used to it. What is the best way to get used to dining by yourself? Practice, practice, and practice!

A lot of people enjoy traveling solo but still dread the thought of dining alone. I put together some tips and advice to help people get more enjoyment out of dining alone.

I acquired the skill of feeling comfortable while dining alone when I was on my first solo trip in Southeast Asia. Spending seven months traveling alone I had to get used to dining solo.

But I also became comfortable with walking up to another solo traveler and asking “do you mind if I join you?”. And many of the people I asked were grateful to have some company.

But what if you are all by yourself and there is no way you are going to ask to join others at their table?

Will it feel awkward to sit all by yourself while eating dinner?

According to an article by Guardian columnist Oliver Burkeman you’re the only one who will notice that you are dining alone.

 

 

How to Enjoy Eating Alone at a Restaurant

The following list of 15 things you can do while dining by yourself can help you feel less self-conscious and more relaxed when going to a restaurant alone.

• Read a book, magazine, e-book
• Write in a journal
• Review photos on your digital camera or mobile phone
• Make lists – things to do, places you want to see, etc
• Read/send email
• Surf internet
• Text or chat with friends online
• Photograph the food and the location
• Ask someone to take a photo of you at the restaurant
• Do puzzles or word games
• Write postcards (or am I the only one who still sends post cards?!)
• Draw/sketch
• Study a new language
• Bring a laptop and do some work online at a cafe
• People watching – sit at a busy outdoor café

 

 

One of the benefits of dining in solitude is that it gives the solo traveler an opportunity to observe the local culture. This can help you get a better understanding of the cultural norms in a new location.

Watch how people greet each other, how they interact, and how they say goodbye. My favorite place to dine alone is at an outdoor café in a busy neighborhood or plaza so that I get to enjoy some time just people watching. During my springtime trip to Italy it was easy to spend a couple of hours sipping a glass of wine and watching the theatre of life before me.

 

 

Talk With Your Dining Neighbors

On many occasions I have been dining alone and someone at an adjacent table starts a conversation with me. Having someone to talk to passes the time and I often get travel tips from them too.

While I was on a solo trip to Barcelona I was just finishing up my lunch at Clemen’s Bar in La Boqueria when someone sat at the stool next to me. We started talking and it turned out they were also from Austin, TX but moved to Barcelona a couple of years ago.

From a Meal Alone to Guided Tour

I ordered a cortado (espresso with a bit of steamed milk) and they ordered a meal and all the while we were talking about travel and various sites in Barcelona. They told me that if I didn’t have any definite plans for the afternoon they would be happy to take me on a walkabout around Barcelona. Wonderful! My own private tour guide.

We spent several hours walking around the neighborhoods. We visited Montjuic. Also to the top of the old bull fighting ring for a wonderful view of Plaza Espana and the surrounding area. I enjoyed a splendid afternoon walking around Barcelona and learning about some of the history and culture from someone who lived there.

Restaurant Staff Often Make Dining Solo a Fun Experience

My experience in Barcelona was not the norm. Usually I am on my own so I make the best of it and hopefully I enjoy a good meal too. Sometimes the wait staff are not particularly attentive but other times it is quite the opposite.

While dining alone in Miami around Christmas time I went to the Italian restaurant Hosteria Romana. Every waiter that walked by either chatted with me a little or flirted with me. It was a memorable meal not just for the food but for the enjoyable time I had at the restaurant.

I took a solo road trip to Port Aransas on the Texas coast and enjoyed dining at Roosevelt’s at the Tarpon Inn so much that I went back again on my second night in town. It was off-season so it was easy to get a table and the staff were kind and welcoming.

 

 

Not sure you are ready to travel solo? Read these posts for encouragement and advice.

• 10 Inspirational Travel Quotes About Everyday Life
• How to Plan a Solo Trip – BEST Planning Tips for Solo Travelers
• 15 Solo Travel Tips For Both Men and Women Travelers

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Dining alone – do you dread it or enjoy the solitude? What tips or advice do you have for solo travelers when dining alone?