I used to hate eating dinner alone when I traveled. Lunch was easy—I could chat with the waiter, exchange a smile and a greeting with the people at the table next to me, or people-watch for hours. But solo female travel dining? Sitting alone in a restaurant at night? That was the part of solo travel I dreaded most.
Funny thing is, when I saw a man eating alone, I assumed he was on a business trip or just preferred his own company. When it was me, though, I felt uncomfortable and even a little sad.
Where It All Began
This hang-up with dining solo began years ago when I was working in London on a photography project. Every year, I’d spend three or four weeks in Kensington, staying in a small, private hotel surrounded by pubs and restaurants.
After work, at dinner time, pubs were out of the question—too many men, too many glares, real or imagined. So I tried a few restaurants. That’s when I’d hear the dreaded line: “We don’t serve singles after 7 p.m. We can seat you at the bar, but not in the dining room.”
The bar? Alone? My worst nightmare. I’d rather starve. And some nights, I did.
What Finally Changed
With more solo trips under my belt, and living alone in Uzès, I realized I needed a better way to handle dining alone. The answer was surprisingly simple: I stopped worrying about dinner.
Instead, I started treating lunch as my main meal of the day. The food was often the same, the atmosphere lighter, and I felt much more at ease eating out in daylight. As a bonus, the prices were lower, too.
On the rare occasions I really wanted to try a dinner-only menu, I booked an early table. I brought my phone, chatted with the waiter, and yes—I photographed my food. At first, it was just a distraction. But often, people at nearby tables noticed, and conversations started. More than once, I left with new friends—or even new followers for my blog.
What once felt like my biggest travel discomfort became an opportunity to embrace independence.
Making Solo Dining Work for Me
Here’s the truth: confidence in solo female travel dining doesn’t come overnight. It comes with practice, patience, and a willingness to try again even after a night that feels uncomfortable.
Today, I still prefer lunch to dinner when I’m on my own, but I no longer fear walking into a restaurant by myself. I see it as part of the adventure, a chance to observe, connect, and enjoy my own company. Dining alone might never be my favorite part of traveling, but it no longer holds me back.
By shifting my habits and my mindset, I’ve turned eating solo into something empowering—and even liberating.
And to me, that’s a win-win.
My Newest Trick: Make Friends with the Chef!
Believe it or not, the Chef is more accessible than you might think. Of course, be curtious to ask someone in charge if it’s OK.
Uzès
Outside Uzès
Uzès
Solo Dining Tips for Women Travelers
Over time, I found ways to turn eating alone while traveling into something empowering. These are the strategies that changed everything for me:
- Make lunch your main meal – Easier, friendlier, and often less expensive.
- Book early dinners – Quieter restaurants feel less intimidating and more welcoming.
- Bring your phone or a book – Something to occupy you between courses keeps the awkwardness at bay.
- Talk to the staff – Waiters and servers often have great stories or local tips.
- Reframe it – Dining alone isn’t sad. It’s part of your freedom as a traveler.
- Make friends with the chef – You’d be surprised how approachable they can be if you ask politely.
These simple adjustments turned what used to feel like a burden into one of my favorite parts of traveling solo.
2 Responses
Excellent post🙏🙏🙏🙏
I started my foray into dining alone after I separated with my husband. I love eating out! It’s one of my happy places but doing it alone started with going to a different town Han I lived. Chances are I wouldn’t see people I knew who, in my mind, would judge. That helped me realize know one really cares and if they do it’s probably their fear not mine!! I have criteria for to enjoy my dining experience that has helped. First I try and sit by a window if possible. It gives me somewhere else to look and I just personally like a window seat! Second I sit so that I won’t have to look straight in to the next solo diner sitting at the next table. I would sit with my back to them. Third I will face the crowd in the restaurant. So much to see that can distract me from my phone. And lastly I look at my phone without guilt! Sometimes I’m looking at photos of my travels that day, texting with a friend, like having someone join you, or read the New York Times! Really who cares and chances are they don’t. And I’ll probably never see these people again. One last terrific bonus, if you eat alone you are way more likely to meet interesting people. Enjoy it!! ☺️