Dining alone doesn’t have to be intimidating, even in a big city like London. These are the Citizen Femme team’s favourite restaurants for solo dining in London.
Whether you’re looking for a quick mid-morning pick-me up, new restaurant ideas for your lunch break, or a long, leisurely solo dinner date, these are some of the best places in London to dine solo.
The Citizen Femme team are no strangers to dining solo, with work travel often taking us to some of the world’s best restaurants alone. Here, we share our favourite spots for solo dining in London. Including counter dining, menus for one, and places where you might even receive an on-the-house glass of Champagne as you eat alone, this is solo dining in London, tried, tested and recommended by the Citizen Femme team.
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
While it rarely happens, solo dining is a real treat. I’m a huge fan of counter dining, sans company or otherwise. And I’m a huge fan of Barrafina. Perch at the marble counter, watch the chefs work, and graze your way through impeccable tapas at your own pace. Jacob Kenedy’s Bocca di Lupo is somewhat of a Soho institution and those in the know sit only at the counter. It’s always brimming with energy and is a great place to people watch – so you won’t find yourself staring at a phone screen. They have an extensive daily changing menu covering all the Italian classics, with the region of origin noted against each dish. Over-ordering is easy to do, but leave space for dessert and pop across to Gelupo for their famous gelato.
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Katie Silcox, Managing Editor
I’ve eaten solo all over the world, at everywhere from hole-in-the-wall spots to Michelin-starred favourites. But I know it can be intimidating (it sometimes is, even for me after all these years of doing it!) so I want to share a bit of practical advice for anyone who feels self-conscious: opt for a hotel restaurant. It’s very normal – expected, even – for diners to be eating alone at a hotel, and I can almost guarantee you won’t be the only one. London’s hotel restaurants have upped their game in recent years, and many of them have become a delight to dine in. One of my favourites is Hans’ Bar & Grill at 11 Cadogan Gardens in Chelsea. It’s connected to the hotel but also has a street-side entrance on buzzy Pavilion Road, ensuring a lovely mix of guests and non-guests – and a great vibe. On a sunny day, take a seat outside and watch the comings and goings of Chelsea life pass you by. Every dish is lovely, but my go-tos are the spicy Korean cauliflower wings and the spinach gnocchi.
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Becki Murray, Wellness Director
London’s brilliant food markets are some of my favourite places to visit when I’m going to be eating on my own, especially because every trip to them is unique and you can always try something you’ve never tasted before. My absolute favourite location is the hustle and bustle of Camden Market. There are plenty of scenic spots to eat overlooking the canal here too, so you can people watch while eating your choice of an incredibly wide range of cuisine. In my opinion though, you can’t get better than the gluten-free Venezuelan cornbread from Arepazo Bros.
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Rachel Story, Style & Commerce Director
As mamas to little ones will know, eating alone is a very rare occurrence. Usually, it’s just about grabbing a quick bite to eat between meetings or enjoying a quick lunch with a colleague at work. However, Canal, by the incredible team behind trendy Bistro Freddie and Crispin, is perfect for those rare solo dining moments. The sleek interiors offer plenty of small tables for one as well as bar space for slipping right into the bustle of the restaurant and watching the chefs at work. Or opt for a sun-trapped table canal-side while indulging on Mediterranean small plates and people watching, as the sun lowers and the city life moves around you. Pure bliss on a busy summer’s day.
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Ella Alexander, Fashion Features Director
Soho institution Bar Italia is great for relaxed, solo dining. More of a café than a restaurant, it has been a beacon for homesick Italians (or honorary ones like myself) since the 40s. Go for pizza and a glass of wine in the evening, or a pastry and coffee for breakfast, and try and grab a table on the pavement outside for the best people-watching. It’s one of the few places in Soho that remains open until really late (4am according to Google), so remains a welcoming spot for that very last drink of the evening. The atmosphere is always chaotic and alive, and is the closest I get to Italy without the flight. Also, Anthony Bourdain was a regular, which tells you a lot in terms of its quality.
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Bibiana Obahor, Head Of Graphic Design
While I generally prefer the lively company of friends for dining out, Sticks’n’Sushi in White City is my exception, ideal for rare solo lunch dates. Tucked away in a cosy corner, this intimate sushi bar offers the perfect retreat after a long day of shopping at Westfield London, with delicious set menu options for one. I recommend sitting at the bar; it’s a great spot to watch the chefs prepare your meal right in front of you.
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Courtney Griffiths, Experiences and Community Director
Taking myself on a dinner date is one of my favourite things to do and a chef’s counter seat is a must; I love watching the kitchen theatre and chatting to staff. My annual tradition is a solo birthday lunch at a bucket-list restaurant. Last summer it was at OMA in Borough Market – the counter seating wraps around the open kitchen and the team went out of their way to make me feel incredibly special, constantly sending over lots of delicious surprises. Another favourite is Balthazar in Covent Garden (and its equally iconic New York counterpart). There’s something about it that makes the whole occasion feel endlessly indulgent, celebratory and unapologetic. In NYC they send over free Champagne to solo diners, and I’ve heard they often do the same in London.
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Lead image credit: Canal by Adam Firman
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