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Solo Dining in London

Please share you advice and suggestions.

15 years ago, January 14th 2009 No: 1 Msg: #60183 Delete Edit

jps611
James Shelton

N Posts: 1

I am planning a solo, first time trip to London. I would like some ideas on dining options for a person dining solo around London. Are there places that cater to solo diners? Reply to this

15 years ago, January 14th 2009 No: 2 Msg: #60191 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

Hello James 😊

I think cafes are the best place to eat when alone. Most diners in restauants are with other people. They would of course serve you, but it might be a bit lonely being the only person eating alone. Dining in restaurants tends to be a sociable thing in London.

Mel Reply to this

15 years ago, January 20th 2009 No: 3 Msg: #60776 Delete Edit

greek gal
Inga

B Posts: 277

Hello, I stayed in London a couple of years ago and did a lot of stuff alone, incl. eating out. Absolutely no problem. There are lot's of great eating places, one of my favourites is Wagamamma (Japanese food) with reasonable prices. I also ate Indian, Iranian, Chinese apart from the various cafes and pizzerias. Another option is to eat in pubs. If you hang out at the bar chances are you will even make some new friends. I always bring something to read when alone, by the way. Have a nice time in this lovely city. Reply to this

15 years ago, January 21st 2009 No: 4 Msg: #60931 Delete Edit

southerngirlabroad
Lindi Taylor

B Posts: 1

Hi there! I am also planning a trip alone to London (I leave tues). If you stay in hostels, that seems to be a great way to meet people, if you don't like eating alone (I tend not to). Maybe Ill run into you, and keep you company : ) Reply to this

15 years ago, January 23rd 2009 No: 5 Msg: #61089 Delete Edit

Darkun
El L

N Posts: 9

Another option is to eat in pubs. If you hang out at the bar chances are you will even make some new friends.

If you stay in hostels, that seems to be a great way to meet people

I second those ideas, find a pub that has a pool table or a darts board and try and finish your meal and a few pints without meeting a whole heap of new friends 😊 and it's easy meeting people in hostels and all going out looking for food together is so much fun - especially if it's really late at night, makes it a fun mission.

😊 Reply to this

15 years ago, January 25th 2009 No: 6 Msg: #61246 Delete Edit

thecrashpacker
The Crashpacker

B Posts: 170

I live in London and often eat alone when i'm out and about...
There are tons of places, Turkish kebab shops, Jamaican jerk kitchens, Goan cafes, Chinese all-you-can-eat buffets, Lebanese, iranian, polish, australian pie shops, London is probably one of the most diverse places on the globe. Don't worry, you'll never go hungry!

Dont forget the traditional British food as well - a full english breakfast in a 'greasy spoon', Pie and mash and liquor, FISH AND CHIPS, and the best, best, best place i can recommend is the 24-hour bagel bakery at the top end of Brick lane. There are queues even at 5 in the morning, and yo know its good because the policemen will be lining up with you! Salt beef and lots of mustard is the best, and you can buy bags of bagels to take away for later.

a few more to recommend:
Busaba - Store street/Soho - amazing asian flavours, better than wagamamas
Charlotte street has a great cheap pizza-cafe place on the corner of Goodge St, and a great fish and chip shop nearby.
Cornish pasties in Covent Garden, you can even get them to eat in the pub upstairs and have a great view.

The Markets like Camden, Leather lane, Golden Lanes and Berwick street all have great, cheap food stalls or you can go to Borough market on a friday/saturday and eat for free by just sampling the stalls! Everyone else does!!

you're making me hungry now.... Reply to this

15 years ago, January 25th 2009 No: 7 Msg: #61268 Delete Edit

Bing Bing
TSS

B Posts: 7

Hi...London is actually a great place to dine alone. It's acceptable to dine alone and apart from the obvious place to dine....check out the New Shopping Centre Westfield, it has excellent choices of restuarant and great for people watching. In the evening, i would head out to Islington (Angle Station), a great place to hang out all night. I've been to Chicago and was fortunate to use the "Chicago Greeter" programme, where volunteers showed the tourist around the great city. It's ashame London hasn't caught on with such a great scheme.

I can recommend the The Churchhill in Kensington for a pub scene and thai food at the same time.

Good luck Reply to this

15 years ago, April 7th 2009 No: 8 Msg: #68591 Delete Edit

BCRose
Samantha Hernandez

B Posts: 35

24-hour bagel bakery at the top end of Brick lane

I'll be going to London this summer, July 2nd, do you have an address for this shop because i'd love to check it out! Reply to this

15 years ago, April 19th 2009 No: 9 Msg: #70134 Delete Edit

T Rev
Trevor Knowles

B Posts: 32

I just take a book when i dine out alone at nites in cities..one can usually sit somewhere so it doesnt look obvious and it makes a change from peopele watching while u wait for your meal. Reply to this