NYC Spots Made for Solo Dining

When you want to look mysterious and not have to share 10 small plates 'with the table'

It took me 2 years and some change after living in Manhattan to work up the courage to eat a “real” restaurant alone. The first time I did, I over explained everything to the poor host, something along the lines of: “A friend was supposed to join me but they backed out last minute so I decided to come anyways” [lie] and I think I mentioned the same to the waiter who actually brought me a free glass of champagne probably because he felt bad for me?

After about 10 minutes, the flush off of my embarrassed cheeks faded, I was in control of all menu options that my heart desired, and I could take my silly photos of my meal and proceed to journal without interruption. I also noticed multiple other people dining alone at the bar and felt validated. I think I always felt too sad for people (especially old people) eating alone to realize how nice it was to occasionally have a good meal at the bar alone.

Favorite spots in NYC to have a solo meal-

You can have a solo meal anywhere, but these feel really safe. Most also have a standout menu item that’s perfect for one so you don’t feel the "sharing a bunch of small plates with the table” fomo.

1. Le B

Cuisine: The classics- burger, fries, and a martini

Le B almost feels like it was made for solo diners. It’s privately tucked away on a cobblestone street in the West Village, and the bar barely has any seats because the chairs are almost like miniature couches (making it nearly impossible to come here with a group). They also have the best off menu burger in all of NYC- topped with red wine caramelized onions, and a massive tower of shoestring fries, which seems theatrical for one person to finish, but is actually so doable.

2. Residence of Mr. Moto

Cuisine: Impeccable quality sushi + sashimi (kaisendon) over rice

Sushi solo is so easy- but I really challenge you to get a bowl of Kaisendon at Residence of Mr. Moto- an intimate townhouse style Japanese restaurant in Brooklyn that serves individual portions of sashimi over rice.

When you’re halfway done with your meal, they’ll they pour broth into your bowl for you to try, and nothing on the menu is really meant for sharing- it’s all yours. The chefs here are fun and will chat with you while they make your dinner and the menu has a bunch of cool art and history on it that you can actually read about. You also have to finish with a matcha tiramisu for obvious reasons.

3. Place des Fetes

Cuisine: Seasonal salads and sourdough bread n butter

I actually went here on a friend date, but I left thinking how much I’d love to come back on a rainy day alone for a light early dinner. It’s the coziest wine bar with amazing nooks and crannies to sit and relax amongst plates of fresh sourdough, seasonal tomatoes, and french butter, (but isn’t too dark and romantic to feel like it has to be a date spot like most wine bars do).

4. Demo

Cuisine: Orange wine and lobster au poivre w/ a mound of fries

The entire menu at Demo is good- it comes from the WildAir team, and I went with my mom and we ordered everything. However, if I were to go back, I’d really only need to order the lobster au poivre with fries, a glass of orange, and the banana pudding. The restaurant is tiny and you can usually walk in- the bar is also privately tucked in the back so you can enjoy a casual dinner here alone without being mixed in to a sea of large groups.

5. Soso’s

Cuisine: Casual retro vibes and a slider burger (for a post soho afternoon shop)

This place is dedicated to an afternoon cocktail and burger after a long day of shopping around Soho. The caffeine has worn off, you have a bunch of bags with you, and you parted ways from a friend and want to sit down and regroup. Not only are the burger sliders here literally perfect for one, they only make a few a day before they sell out and they’re only available at the bar. I also love all of the retro color and design in here- it’s really just the coolest little place.

6. Ginger and Lemongrass

Cuisine: My favorite Pho in the city

Spending time recently in Vietnam made me realize that soup culture and dining in other parts really embrace the comfort of eating alone (I feel the same about ramen), which validates me in going to enjoy a huge bowl of spicy soup by myself on a Sunday evening, practically in pajamas. The spicy coconut lemongrass pho is quite literally the best soup I’ve ever had in my life (sadly does rival all of the pho I had in Hanoi because it’s that good), and a side of summer rolls to cool everything off is always key.

7. Caffe Buon Gusto

Cuisine: A bowl of saucy vodka pasta covered in cheese with free bread

THE best vodka pasta in the city served in a tiny all-day Italian cafe on the UES. I live far from here and feel like I’m really only in the neighborhood for appointments of some sort, so there’s nothing better than the doctor’s appointment to pasta pipeline. Free bread and olive oil hits the table before you’re even fully sitting, and you can choose your noodle shape that will then be drowning in vodka sauce and topped with fresh chunks of mozzarella. There’s also always enough to take home and have for dinner.

Runners up:

• A huge chop salad at American Bar always hits

• Thai diner, always- nothing you don’t know

• No one at Superiority Burger would ever judge you for getting a date shake or one of their amazing desserts alone

Side note: I’m dying to solo dine at Ha's Snack Bar - a TINY new Vietnamese place in the LES because it looks so cozy and small that it couldn’t even fit more than one person in the entire restaurant