There is everything to love about traveling alone. The freedom! The spontaneity! Eating whatever you want, whenever you want! There’s also nothing wrong with eating by yourself. How else would you consume food, as a solo traveler? And hey, you only live once, so you might as well treat yourself from time to time. When in Rome, eat at a fine Italian place. Find an elegant bistro in France, or a seaside tavern in Greece. Some might argue that eating alone gives you the space to appreciate flavors and may even help you meet people. All these decisions are logical, and you have every right to a meal with only yourself for company.
But brace yourself, because some people don’t like solo diners. Occasionally, you may get suspicious looks or lingering stares from other patrons, as if to say, “Why doesn’t that person have any friends? What’s wrong with them?” The more likely scrutiny, though, will come from restaurant staff, especially if they’re busy or jammed with reservations.
This comes down to simple economics: one customer will only eat so much, which usually results in a smaller bill. If a restaurant could serve two or more people at that table instead, the business will theoretically lose money on you. This arrangement affects servers as well, if they’re hoping for big tips. While dining alone isn’t something you should absolutely avoid doing when traveling solo, some diners have faced off with impatient hosts or hurried service, which may ruin the experience.
Some ways to enjoy eating alone in restaurants
If you’ve traveled alone before, you’ve probably felt a little of this judgment. Sometimes it’s concern: “You’re traveling alone? And you’re not worried?” Other times it’s presumption: “That’ll be one room, two guests?” Then there’s dining alone; everybody’s got to eat, of course, but many consider restaurants to be social spaces, appropriate only for couples, families, and groups. Still, you absolutely have the right to eat alone, and if one restaurant treats you poorly, find another that respects your wishes.
Luckily, the number of solo reservations at restaurants has climbed in recent years. More and more people are enjoying the practice of eating quality meals in a public space without feeling self conscious — plus they’re normalizing this preference for others. So if you decide to call that fancy brasserie down the street and reserve a table for one, you’re in increasingly good company, even if you have no actual company.
As for how to pass the time: smartphones help enormously, providing us with texting, DMs, games, and other pastimes as we wait for our exquisite entrees to arrive. An old-fashioned book or magazine is helpful as well, or a laptop full of overdue work. If you really don’t need much space, you may seek out a counter or bar, which is more conducive to meeting other people anyway. Then there’s timing: If you’re not picky about precisely when to eat a fancy meal while traveling, try going at this time of day.
