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.
18 Responses
Solo eating as a man is also uncomfortable as I discovered on many IBM business trips. My solution was to skip fine dining and eat fast food in the car or hotel room then take in a movie or event to fill the evening.
Knowing you, Pete, I’m surprised to know you could be uncomfortable anywhere. You are the ultimate confident person. So this means a lot for you to pass on. Good suggestions. Thanks so much for staying in touch!
There were several occasions earlier this year when traveling alone that I went solo to restaurants for dinner. My recommendation is that you book the earliest possible slot. That way, when you arrive, you have the pick of many different tables, one where you feel most comfortable, perhaps a corner where you do not have your back to anyone and you can see the entire room. Don’t hesitate to tell the host or hostess your preference or to ask to be changed if you don’t like where they lead you. The early seating will leave a bit more time to chat up the server, have a nice aperitif or even walk through the restaurant checking out it’s different aspects with no one around. At a top-rated restaurant in Fremantle, Australia, the owner took me on a tour, showing me his art. He was also charming in helping me pick out the best dishes with full descriptions. Maybe it is maturity on my part, or the fact I am a senior, or a changing culture, but I did not feel at all uncomfortable in dining alone at these nice restaurants. I just enjoyed the food and the atmosphere and watching other diners.
Good suggestions, Paula. I know that you can definitely charm anyone you meet. So glad that you have had an opportunity to travel to pass on your thoughts and ideas. Thank you for this!
I love the saying that “if you can eat at a restaurant alone, you can do anything!”
I hear ya! Thanks so much for the comment. Hope to see you in Uzès!
Good points Deborah. I do quite a lot of travelling on my own, mainly in transit travel. so it’s a little easier when you’re like everyone else, just trying to grab a bite before a flight. I usually meet up with family at my destination, so have company at that point.
Yes! It’s great to have someone at your destination you’re looking forward to greeting for a meal. That’s what I love about my early morning flights to Atlanta. I have time to go to late lunch with family. Thanks so much for your note and for hanging around with me on this journey!
Excellent post🙏🙏🙏🙏
You’re so welcomed. Glad to spend many meals with with while traveling. A highlight!
Something that works for me is to become a regular. If you’re staying in the same lovely village in Italy, or elsewhere, for several days, or longer, seek out a cafe or ristorante where the locals go for lunch and the hostess and wait staff are welcming and attentive. Then come back for dinner that same evening. The staff are delighted that you liked their ristorante so much that you came back, and they treat you like an old friend… because now you are.
Such a good point, Debbie. In fact, sounds like it’s a meetup that’s intentional. And good fun! Thanks for adding that idea to the list!
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!! ☺️
Yes! You’ve hit every good point about dining alone. I never thought about sitting so I don’t face another solo diner, but I may do that unintentionally. I’ll look to see if that’s my inclination for that next time. Thank you for taking time to comment with such great feedback. Keep traveling … alone, if you like … and enjoy!
I have to admit that I was less comfortable eating dinner alone in France than I am in North America. It could just be that that was my first solo trip, I don’t know. I know there was a couple times in France, I ate a late lunch so that I wouldn’t have to go out for dinner in the evening, but they do eat dinner so much later than I’m typically used to. Anymore it doesn’t seem to bother me too much to be eating dinner alone. As you’ve mentioned, I’ll usually have my phone as well.
Hi Kathy! I’m trying to remember if, after our tour together, you were’t taking off for more solo travel. If so, you’ve go a lot under your belt by now. Thanks for your suggestions. Hope you’ll come back this way. Meanwhile, thanks so much for staying in touch.
As a lone traveler to yoga retreats in Europe and eating on my own because I will not give up a meal, I realized that no one was actually paying attention to me as much as I thought. I, in turn, started relaxing and having a good look-around at them! I no longer bring a book, though a newspaper seems more acceptable some how if you must have a prop.
You are so right, JoAnne. I’m sure that no one is paying attention to whether someone is alone or with a group. It’s a bit sad that we think all eyes are on us. But then, if that’s the worse thing about traveling, I can handle it … and thanks to you, I’ll try to relax. Although, I would miss my phone! Thanks so much for your comment. Hope you keep enjoying your travels and retreats. Hope you’ll show up near here someday!