I became a solo diner this summer.
I arrived in Los Angeles in early June, in an unfamiliar neighborhood, in a brand new workplace, ready to begin my first experience as a real journalist. I knew pretty much next to no one but my partner, who I could reliably spend time (and all my meals with).
Then we broke up.
Suddenly, I had to repurpose the time spent on dinner dates and late-night ice cream runs as an individual activity. Was I just supposed to eat facing a blank wall? Eavesdrop on my neighbors' conversation and stop myself before chiming in? Turn on a TV show and hope no one thinks I’m lame?
An embarrassment about eating alone stemmed partially from an insecurity that others would think I was weird, and partially from a perhaps overly dramatic read of how my solo dining had gone in the past. Like when a Shake Shack employee asked, “You’re eating here?” in a tone that I interpreted as “Go home, you loner.”
I needed a solution. So I began to make myself a list of restaurants I felt comfortable eating in by myself. I realized they had common attributes:
- A menu with individual dishes rather than large share plates.
- Bars and counters that provided an escape from tables neatly organized for groups of twos and fours.
- A good view and some intriguing people-watching.
- Or, even better, live entertainment like a jazz band or a visual culinary experience.
After lots of tries all around town, my top favorite restaurants for eating solo are Señor Fish (Eagle Rock), Prince of Venice (Westwood) and Lan Noodle (multiple locations).
But I wanted to know places that other people recommended. So we put out the call to our readers on various social media platforms, and heard from listeners to AirTalk, LAist 89.3’s current affairs show.
We’ve organized it by location (as you’re probably not going to drive across town to sit by yourself; or maybe you’re the adventurous type, in which case you do you).
Bon appetit!
Eastside
Figaro Bistrot, Los Feliz
Lydia R. Espinoza-Walters (Facebook): “Great wine and onion soup.”
Ichijiku Sushi, Highland Park
BlergingtonBear (Reddit): “The very definition of neighborhood sushi bar– cozy, unpretentious, great for a weekday with something good.”
Joon Shabu Shabu, Glendale
Falsemate (Reddit): “Most Shabu spots are great for one person.”
The Barkley Restaurant and Bar, South Pasadena
Ea Bagaso highlights jazz nights on weekends
Westside
Melanie Wine Bar, Mid City
Michelle Mathews (Facebook): “Best wine list in LA."
Sara the Wine Bar and Restaurant, Culver City
JFCThatsJasonBourne (Reddit): “Good wine, good food, and not terribly expensive.”
The Apple Pan, Century City
Diner with burgers and pies and a long counter, recommended by Jim Anderson
Gilbert's El Indio, Santa Monica
Family-run, old-time Mexican food says Jack McMichael
Central/Downtown
Antico Nuovo, Hollywood
Trickquail_ (Reddit): "They have a single guest tasting menu."
Chichen Itza, near USC
John Houser (Facebook): “Great people watching. You have the locals, the foodies, and USC students.”
Marugame Monzo, Little Tokyo
Anxiety333777 (Reddit): "You can sit at the counter and watch them make the noodles. So homey!”
Koraku Japanese Ramen and Grill , Little Tokyo
Good for late-night dining, according to Catrina Maritoni Tenmatay
Multiple locations
Ramerelius (Reddit): “Sit at the bar and enjoy the view of the water at sunset at the Marina Del Rey location."
Tory Davis (Facebook): “You get seated very quickly if you are solo and will sit at the counter!"
