The best places to eat alone and not feel weird

Going out to eat alone is a great way to see a new city when travelling by yourself (or when you need a quick break from your travel companions). We’ve found the best places around the world to visit that’ll ensure solo dining isn’t an awkward affair.

Lazy Bear, San Francisco

Reserving for one doesn’t mean ruling out the possibility of dining with many; communal-style eating is a growing trend in the culinary world. Restaurants host evenings where they prepare a set menu and guests eat together in groups – think of it as a dinner party catered by renowned chefs. Lazy Bear in San Francisco host regular communal dining, pop-up experiences but make sure you book in advance as it’s extremely popular. Call it a night at Inn San Francisco, just a short walk away.

Paludan Bog & Café, Copenhagen

Paludan Bog & Café is a library café where you can spend some quality ‘you time’ unwinding with a good book whilst indulging in buttery pastries and rich, steaming coffee – you’ll be having such a great time you won’t even care for company. And the great thing is that there’s no rush to leave as the café closes around 10pm on most evenings. When you feel ready to put your book down, stroll on home to the citizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen.

Ichiran Shibuya, Tokyo

In Japan, dining alone is the norm, so you’ll find endless venues to pick from here. Ichiran Shibuya serves up cloudy and sweet ramen in solo booths designed to eliminate distractions, so you’ll be able to focus on the delicious flavours. From the moment you enter this busy restaurant to your last delicious mouthful, you won’t have to utter a single word; you order your meal by filling in a written sheet, with meals later passed into your booth by a waiter. There’s even a button you can press to signal you want another round of legendary ramen. Open 24 hours every day, visit anytime you feel like date night with yourself.

For the solo traveller, stay at nine hours Shinjuku-North for a futuristic night’s sleep in capsule accommodation.

Dans le Noir?, Paris

If eating alone makes you feel a little uncomfortable, then why not try a place where no one can see you? Dans le Noir? is the world’s first chain of restaurants that serves up culinary experiences completely in the dark. The idea is that removing sight heightens other senses like taste and touch – allowing your palate to savour the subtleties in your meal like never before. Some dishes on the menu may also require you to eat with your fingers but don’t worry, no one will judge. Once you leave the restaurant and adjust to the light again, head home to Golden Tulip Opera de Noailles.

The Moomin House Café, Tokyo

You’re never dining alone at The Moomin House Café because the staff always find you a novelty dinner date to keep you company – a giant Moomin stuffed toy. Themed around the Finnish picture book series by Tove Jansson, the café invites you to tuck into meals, lattes and sweets that look like characters from the books – it’s a bit of fun and an overload of cuteness. Once you bid your stuffed animal companion goodbye, end the evening at Hostel wahaku kura, which is highly rated among our solo travellers.