S
olo dining is shedding its stigma. Eating out alone is boosting the hospitality sector, with more lone diners than ever visiting Michelin-starred establishments. Take Hotel Café Royal in London. There has been such a surge in demand among solo diners at the restaurant, which has two Michelin stars — that about 50 per cent of its tables each night are taken up by people eating on their own. And they are not only dedicated regulars. Keen young foodies, travellers searching for the latest hotspot and single parents are all at it.
Eating alone can be nourishing in more ways than one, and I should know. This year I totted up 64 solo restaurant meals in a row on a three-week work trip to Sri Lanka. I ate out every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I loved choosing the restaurant, eating what I wanted (no sharing!) and in my own time. Of course, when I returned home, three hours after landing at Heathrow I went to Brunswick House in southwest London for dinner with 12 friends. I’ve since gone back to lone dining, exploring the zingy eateries in my new Crystal Palace neighbourhood, putting into practice the lessons I have learnt along the way.
Pick the right restaurant
Avoid “romantic” spots. No solo traveller wants to sit in a sea of tables for two. Dining alone on a nine-course tasting menu in Berlin on Valentine’s Day sounds like a scene from a rom-com, but it wasn’t much fun. Ease yourself in by starting with a cosy café, street market, busy food court or restaurant with big shared tables. Avoid that awkward request, “Table for one, please”, by making a reservation. That also means you are not left hanging if there’s no availability.