Clearly Londoners know this. According to restaurant booking site Open Table, bookings of dinners for one have more than doubled over the past two years, with an increase of 110%.
But not all restaurants are as suited to solo dining as others. Counters are good, while big tables tend to be bad; buzzy is great, and deadly quiet not so.
Here’s our pick of London’s 10 best restaurants for solo dining:
Arbutus
This affordable fine-dining pioneer is also one of the best in its league for solo dinners thanks to a granite bar area.
Find it: 63-64 Frith Street, W1D 3JW; arbutusrestaurant.co.uk
Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill
The marble-topped bar at this Piccadilly institution is fine spot for some indulgent me-time over an oyster or half a dozen.
Find it: 11-15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG; bentleys.org
Opulent: Blixen
Blixen
Grab a seat at the counter in this opulent Spitalfields brasserie and watch the kitchen at work as you tuck in.
Find it: 65A Brushfield St, E1 6AA; blixen.co.uk
Bocca Di Lupo
Choose your gutsy Italian dishes by watching what’s coming out of the kitchen at this Soho classic. Perch on a stool by the open kitchen to watch everything come together.
Find it: 12 Archer Street, W1D 7BB; boccadilupo.com
Buzzing: Ember Yard
Ember Yard
Soak up the buzz and down some wine, ham, cheese and exhilarating tapas at this upbeat Soho spot.
Find it: 60 Berwick Street, W1F 8SU; emberyard.co.uk
Kanada-Ya
Grab a window seat and slurp up some of London’s best ramen while you watch the world go by – as long as the window’s not steamed up from the heat, that is.
Find it: 64 St Giles High Street, WC2H 8LE; kanada-ya.com
Kitchen Table
It’s high-end and has a high price-tag, but the communal nature of this almost supper club-like experience makes it perfect for chatting to your neighbour.
Find it: 70 Charlotte Street, W1T 4QG; kitchentablelondon.co.uk
Worth the wait: The Palomar
The Palomar
High octane chef action to match the vibrant flavours of the food awaits those who nab a seat at The Palomar’s counter, not to mention a shot or two courtesy of the kitchen. Be prepared to queue, though.
Find it: 34 Rupert Street, W1D 6DN; thepalomar.co.uk
Primeur
Who said sharing plates had to be shared? There’s nowhere better than this slick Clapton spot for charcuterie and wine for one.
Find it: 116 Petherton Road, N5 2RT; primeurn5.co.uk
Riding House Café
The comfy armchair-style seats at the bar area as good a place as any to treat yourself to a feast for one.
Find it: 43-51 Great Titchfield Street; W1W 7PQ;ridinghousecafe.co.uk
Source: https://www.standard.co.uk
