And when you\u2019re abroad, little details like that can make the prospect of eating alone in a foreign city even more intimidating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still, going out to eat is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to get the feel of a new place, plus it can be an empowering experience. Can you imagine skipping the crazy Robot Restaurant in Tokyo<\/a> or missing out on eating traditional wiener schnitzel in Vienna<\/a> because you didn\u2019t want to eat alone? Me neither.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, for all the self-conscious solo diners out there, I\u2019ve put together a few tips for making the most out of eating alone while you\u2019re traveling or even at a restaurant near home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First thing is first: decide which meal will be your first solo dining excursion for the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re worried about sitting alone in a busy restaurant\u2014and most of us are\u2014starting with lunch might be a good idea. You\u2019ll be able to avoid the dinner crowds, not to mention the long wait and occasional curious stares from your fellow diners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if lunch is a bit busy for your taste, you can find times in the day where the dining rush dies down altogether. Depending on where in the world you are, you might have luck during the brunch hours or the awkward post-lunch\/pre-dinner window. My first time dining alone was in the early evening well before the dinner rush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re really nervous, you can always scope the situation out first by doing take out and then commit to a meal on the next visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to solo dining, all restaurants are not created equal. Obviously, crowded date-night spots might not be your most comfortable option. Similarly, going to a big, loud restaurant by yourself\u2014especially in the evenings\u2014can feel a lot like going to a club by yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, pick a place that\u2019s a bit quieter. Sure, you might be surrounded by couples and families all the same, but there are a few perks to opting for a more chilled out environment: you\u2019ll probably be less likely to get the she-must-be-getting-stood-up<\/em> stares from your neighbors, and you\u2019re more likely to get good service from a waiter who isn\u2019t swamped with large, demanding groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While you\u2019re out exploring, look for a laidback caf\u00e9 or restaurant with a bar. That way, you won\u2019t feel as rushed to give up your seat, and you\u2019ll at least be able to chat with the bartender if you\u2019re feeling awkward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This one is pretty straightforward, and it\u2019s a rule I think you should stick by: dress yourself up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you\u2019ve spent all afternoon hiking a volcano<\/a> or soaking in a natural hot spring<\/a> and want nothing more than to throw on your comfy lounge pants and just slam some pasta, treat this like a date and take the time to dress yourself up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re at all nervous that your solo date will make you self-conscious\u2014and honestly, aren\u2019t we all?\u2014then taking that extra effort to make yourself look and feel nice will go a long way toward alleviating your nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides, you won\u2019t know if people are staring at you because you\u2019re alone, because you\u2019re seriously slamming that pasta, or because you look incredible. It\u2019s a win-win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first thing I do when entering a restaurant alone is tell the hostess “just one” before she asks me how many. For some reason this eases my nerves. Many times they will guide you in an appropriate place to sit, but sometimes they leave the choosing up to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve found that caf\u00e9 or restaurant with a bar, pull up a stool. You\u2019ll be a bit less conspicuous there than you would be sitting alone at a table for two, with the added bonus that you can strike up a conversation with other solo diners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some restaurants also have community tables, which can be another great way to talk to other guests. Of course, not everyone at communal tables is there alone\u2014sometimes it\u2019s just the quickest way for a party of two to grab a seat\u2014but sitting next to or in front of your fellow diners definitely opens the door to conversation in a way that doesn\u2019t necessarily happen at the bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s always a good bet to bring along some reading material (my book Bucket List Adventures<\/a> would be a great choice\u2014shameless plus<\/em>). Even if you don\u2019t need the distraction from your self-consciousness, having something to read makes a good standby for when people watching gets old (or starts to border on creepy) over the course of your meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Throw a good paperback, your Kindle, your iPad, or your phone in your bag and you\u2019ll still have a lovely meal, even if you don\u2019t happen to strike up a conversation with your neighbor. And if you\u2019re really feeling weird about the whole eating alone thing, you can always use your phone or tablet to message a friend while you dine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019re taking yourself on a date, remember? So treat yourself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Order something you wouldn\u2019t normally splurge on, like a nice drink or a dessert that has you drooling. If you\u2019re up for it, round out the experience by picking out a few items to try. Going out to eat can be such a unique and creative way to experience a new place, so enjoy yourself! I ordered a yummy 3-course meal at Arizona’s BLD<\/a> restaurant my first time solo dining, and shamelessly ate all of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Self-conscious about eating a lot (alone) in front of people? Don\u2019t worry. I\u2019ll tell you what you already know: they\u2019re way too busy enjoying their food and company to pay attention to how much you ordered. And if they aren\u2019t, you\u2019ll be too busy enjoying your meal to notice. But, if eating in front of people still makes you nervous choose items that are easier to eat. Stay away from the spaghetti with red sauce or saucy buffalo wings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Admittedly, being a restaurateur probably makes me biased here, but I think that going out to eat is one of the best ways to experience a new place\u2014even if that means eating out alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hopefully, these tips will help you to make the most of your next solo dining experience!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 10 Best Adult Paint by Numbers Kits (+ Tips to Complete Them)<\/a> If dining solo scares you, you’re not alone! These tips for eating out alone at a restaurant will have you enjoying a delicious meal by yourself in no time. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":64343,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[764,149],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n![](\"https:\/\/bucketlistjourney.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Assistant-Template-1-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDining Solo: Tips for Eating Out Alone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPick the Meal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/bucketlistjourney.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/IMG_5802-copy.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSelect the Restaurant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/bucketlistjourney.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/IMG_2921-copy.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat to Wear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Dining](\"https:\/\/bucketlistjourney.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMG_3974-copy.jpg\")
<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhere to Sit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/bucketlistjourney.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_8760-copy.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat to Bring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/bucketlistjourney.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_2503-copy.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPlacing Your Order<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/bucketlistjourney.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/IMG_6934-copy.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my links, I earn a commission that helps to keep this blog running\u2014at no extra cost to you. For more information read my full disclosure<\/a>.<\/em><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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