Why solo dining in London is easier than you think
Eating alone still gets side-eye in some places, but London is different. Bar seating is common. Counters face open kitchens. Staff are used to one-top bookings. And the data points the same way: early-evening slots, especially around 5–6 pm, are getting busier across the UK, with multiple reports citing OpenTable trends for earlier dining. That makes it easier to grab a stool, eat well, and be out in under an hour if you want.
You’ll see the term “solomangarephobia” online for the fear of eating alone. It’s more of a media nickname than a medical diagnosis, but the feeling is real. If that’s you, pick places with counters or window bar seats. You get a view, a chat with staff if you want one, and zero pressure to share plates.
Quick tips
- Book an early seat at the counter or bar. Put “solo at counter” in the reservation note.
- Order two or three plates instead of a full three-course spread if you prefer a shorter meal.
- Bring a book or just people-watch. London’s best counters are built for that.
Bocca di Lupo, Soho
12 Archer St, London W1D 7BB, United Kingdom
Bocca di Lupo in Soho suits solo diners who like a seat with a view. Take a stool at the long counter facing the open kitchen and you get a quiet show of frying artichokes, hand-rolling pasta, and cooks calling tickets in Italian. The menu moves by region and size. Most dishes come in small or large portions, so you can build a meal without waste: maybe a plate of radishes with anchovy butter, a few fritti, then a bowl of ragu. The room is lively but not shouty; staff are quick to talk you through unfamiliar names. Wines are listed by region and poured by the glass or carafe. Prices are fair for central London, edging higher if you graze widely. Bookings help, though single seats at the counter often appear. If you want something sweet after, Gelupo gelato sits across the street and usually has a short queue.
Why it works: The chef’s counter looks straight into the open kitchen, so you’re not “alone,” you’re in the action. Staff are great with one-tops, and the pace suits a relaxed solo lunch or a quick early dinner.
Best seat: Chef’s counter.
What to order: A pasta like brown crab spaghetti and a carpaccio or fritti to start.
Price guide: £25–£50 depending on how many plates.
Booking tip: Ask for counter by note when booking.
The Tamil Prince, Islington
115 Hemingford Rd, London N1 1BZ
For solo diners, The Tamil Prince works quietly well. It’s a revived corner pub in Islington that now cooks South Indian food with a Tamil tilt. Grab a stool at the counter or the bar, order a couple of plates, and take your time. The menu changes, but you’ll often see okra fries, channa bhatura, masala dosa, and a robust Chettinad lamb curry. The old pub bones remain, wood, tiles, and proper pints, which keeps it relaxed for a table for one. Service is brisk and unfussy, and staff will steer you if you ask. It opened in 2022 in the former Cuckoo pub and keeps the bar pouring pints. Sharing plates draw on Tamil Nadu but wander a bit, so onion bhajis and channa bhatura sit with that lamb curry. Counter seating is available, helpful if you’re flying solo. Bookings are taken.
Why it works: Pub-turned-South Indian kitchen with candlelit window bar stools, so solo diners get calm, front-row seats.
Best seat: Window bar.
What to order: King prawn and curry leaf varuval, masala dosa, paneer butter masala.
Price guide: £20–£40.
Booking tip: Note “bar stool for one” if the main room is busy.
Bar Bruno, Soho
101 Wardour St, London W1F 0UG
Bar Bruno in Soho is the kind of place that works when you’re on your own. You slide onto a stool, order a coffee, and nobody makes a fuss. The menu is long, practical, and comforting: fry-ups, toasted sandwiches, bowls of pasta, chips that arrive hot and fast. It’s busy at most hours, yet the staff are unflappable and quick to spot when you need another tea. Counter seats and small tables face the street, so there’s built-in people-watching if you forgot a book. Prices are very fair for the area. Portions lean generous. Service is brisk without being cold. You can be in and out in twenty minutes or linger over a late breakfast. The room is tiled and no-nonsense, the soundtrack mostly clatter and low chat. It feels like real Soho, not a theme. If you want a solo meal with minimal performance, this is a reliable stop.
Why it works: A true Soho cafe with big omelettes, fry-ups, paninis, and booths that turn over quickly. You won’t feel out of place alone here for a late breakfast or a casual dinner.
Best seat: A booth or a two-top along the wall.
What to order: Bruno’s Big Breakfast, chicken Milanese, or a panini.
Price guide: £10–£20.
Booking tip: Usually walk-in friendly; wait a few minutes for a booth.
Petersham Nurseries, Richmond
Church Lane, Off Petersham Rd, Richmond TW10 7AB
Petersham Nurseries sits in Richmond, a short walk past Petersham Meadows from the Thames. It’s a working garden centre with two places to eat: the Teahouse for counter-service lunches and cake, and the Café, a glasshouse restaurant with table service. Solo diners fit in easily because seating is informal, with wooden tables among pots and citrus trees. Lunch might be a seasonal salad, a bowl of pasta, or a slice of tart, with tea or a small glass of wine. Prices are on the higher side; the setting is the draw. The Teahouse rarely needs a booking and you order at the counter, which keeps things simple when you are on your own. The Café often needs a reservation. Early weekdays feel quieter. Getting there is straightforward: walk 20 minutes from Richmond Station or take the 65 bus to Petersham. Paths can be muddy after rain, so sensible shoes help.
Why it works: A greenhouse dining room with plants overhead and a slower pace that suits a solo afternoon. It also holds a Michelin Green Star for sustainability.
Best seat: Near the edges for a garden view.
What to order: Seasonal plates like trout, nettle risotto, or chargrilled mushrooms.
Price guide: £35–£60.
Booking tip: Book ahead on sunny weekends. Dogs are welcome.
Side Hustle, Covent Garden
28 Bow St, London WC2E 7AW
Side Hustle in Covent Garden makes solo dining easy. It sits inside NoMad London, in the former Bow Street police station, with a long bar and small tables that suit one neatly. Staff clock the small things, like topping up water, which helps when you’re eating alone. The menu reads like a choose-your-own snack run: guacamole, sikil pak, and tacos by the piece, including Baja fish or pork carnitas. Agave leads the drinks list, so tequila and mezcal fans are well covered, and there are solid no-alcohol picks. It’s card-only, evenings focused, and the early hours are calmer if you want a quieter perch. I’d take a bar stool, order two tacos and a crisp cocktail, and watch the room. If you prefer space, a corner table works just as well. Nothing fussy here; just good food, good drinks, and an easy solo rhythm.
Why it works: A lively Latin American bar-restaurant inside the old Bow Street Police Station at NoMad London. Counter service and small plates make it easy to dine alone pre-theatre. The bar keeps picking up awards, so energy is high but staff are attentive.
Best seat: Marble-topped bar.
What to order: Tuna tostadas, Baja fish tacos, a margarita.
Price guide: £25–£45.
Booking tip: Early slots are ideal before the Opera House crowd.
Bob Bob Ricard, City
Level 3, 122 Leadenhall St, London EC3V 4AB
Bob Bob Ricard, City sits in the Leadenhall Building and feels like stepping into a polished train carriage, blue leather booths, mirrored panels, brass trim. Solo diners do fine here. Staff settle you, coat taken, menu explained without fuss. The famous “Press for Champagne” button is at every table, and yes, it works.
Food leans Anglo-Russian: caviar service if you want it, then perhaps chicken Kiev with buttery spill, lobster mac, or a properly well-seared steak. There’s a Beef Wellington for one, which avoids the usual sharing hurdle. Sides arrive hot and tidy; the truffle mash is comfort in a silver pot. Puddings are classic (crème brûlée, Eton mess), portions sensible.
Noise is more a low clink than a roar, so you can read or watch the room. Prices are City-level but clear on the menu. Dress is smart without being strict. Book ahead or try for a late slot.
Why it works: Booth-only dining means privacy for a “party of one,” and yes, the “Press for Champagne” button is real. If you want a treat-yourself night, this is it.
Best seat: Any booth.
What to order: Steak tartare or lemon sole meunière, a glass of Champagne, and maybe a vodka shot served cold.
Price guide: £60–£100 depending on drinks.
Booking tip: Book a weekday early slot for a calmer room.
Where’s Fred’s, City
7 Frederick’s Pl, London EC2R 8EA
Where’s Fred’s hides in Frederick’s Place, a quiet cut-through behind Bank. It’s a day-to-night spot: specialty coffee and breakfast in the morning, low-intervention wines and small plates later on. Slide onto the bar, grab a corner table, and settle in with a book; staff don’t rush solo diners. The restored townhouse room is light and brick-lined, with enough buzz to feel part of things without shouting over it. Food leans Mediterranean think pan con tomate, charcuterie, burrata, and a couple of hot lunch dishes plus good coffee all day. It’s weekday-only, usually open later Tuesday to Thursday, and closed at weekends, which suits after-work solo bites. Handy if you’re dashing back to the office: it’s about a two-minute walk from Bank station.
Why it works: Daytime cafe turns into a cosy wine bar with Spanish-leaning small plates at night, plus outdoor seating in a cobbled 18th-century courtyard. Great for a solo evening with a glass of something interesting.
Best seat: Inside counter or a courtyard table in good weather.
What to order: Paella, gambas pil pil, patatas bravas.
Price guide: £25–£45.
Booking tip: Early evening walk-ins are doable.
Westerns Laundry, Highbury
34 Drayton Park, London N5 1PB
Westerns Laundry in Highbury suits solo diners. It sits in a repurposed laundry on Drayton Park, with a big chalkboard that changes daily. The cooking is British and seafood-focused, guided by the seasons, and plates are sized so you can try two or three without overdoing it. Counter spots face the open kitchen; communal tables work if you don’t mind company. The wine list leans to natural bottles, poured by people who know the list and won’t rush you.
If you like specifics, expect oysters, cuttlefish or a simply grilled fillet when they’re in; the menu moves with the market. The room is relaxed rather than hushed, and there’s a small cobbled courtyard for warmer evenings. Book if your timing is fixed, but a single seat early or late may be easier to find. It’s a comfortable, grown-up place to eat alone and leave feeling well fed, not fussed over.
Why it works: Natural wine, seafood-leaning plates, and a courtyard that feels like a secret. Menus are share-friendly but two or three plates make a perfect solo spread.
Best seat: Communal table corner or a courtyard perch.
What to order: Octopus baked rice when available.
Price guide: £35–£60 with wine.
Booking tip: Book ahead for evenings. The Independent
Joia, Battersea
15th Floor, 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ
Joia sits above Battersea Power Station, inside art’otel, with wide views of chimneys and the river. It’s Portuguese at heart, led by chef Henrique Sá Pessoa. For a solo visit, the bar works well: staff talk you through the menu without fuss, and you can watch drinks being mixed while you eat. The room is bright, with soft pinks and plenty of natural light; evenings are moodier and quieter than the mall below. Plates tend to be seafood leaning: salt cod, scarlet prawns, octopus, alongside Iberian pork and rice dishes. Portions are sensible for one if you order two or three. A glass of Douro red or a white from Vinho Verde pairs neatly with things. Service is steady rather than showy. Views do the talking. Book if you can; walk-ins at the bar are sometimes available. Finish with a pastel de nata and coffee. It’s simple, calm, and unpushy.
Why it works: Rooftop views from art’otel and chef Henrique Sá Pessoa’s Iberian menu. Settle in with a salad, a small sandwich, and a glass of rosé, then watch the skyline change.
Best seat: Alfresco when the weather cooperates.
What to order: Tomato salad, octopus brioche.
Price guide: £30–£60.
Booking tip: Sunshine slots go first – book earlier.
Khao Bird, Borough Market
The Globe tavern, 8 Bedale Street Upstairs, London SE1 9AL
Up a narrow staircase above The Globe in Borough Market, Khao Bird is a calm spot to eat alone without feeling conspicuous. Sit by the open kitchen and watch the grill send out lemongrass chicken with two sharp dipping sauces; portions land as small plates, so one or two dishes and rice make an easy meal. Prices hover around a tenner, with lunch through early evening service. The menu leans northern Thai (think Shan-style meatballs, mutton curry piled over triple-cooked chips) alongside a few vegetable sides with real bite. If you know the films, this is the building used as Bridget Jones’s flat, which adds a little charm. It’s compact (about 40 covers), lively but not loud. Walk-ins are welcome and online reservations are easy. Weekend brunch runs here, too. Order, eat, and be on your way in 35 minutes, or linger with a cocktail upstairs away from the market rush.
Why it works: Thai comfort food upstairs at The Globe Tavern which film fans will know as the exterior of Bridget Jones’s flat so it’s a fun, tongue-in-cheek place to fully embrace a table for one.
Best seat: Counter or window if free.
What to order: Shan-style meatballs, curry fries, BBQ corn ribs.
Price guide: £20–£35.
Booking tip: Check opening hours; it’s a smaller, buzzy room.
Map your evening
Soho loop: Bar Bruno → Bocca di Lupo (counter) → a short walk to Theatreland.
Covent Garden loop: Side Hustle pre-theatre, then a stroll past the Opera House.
City loop: Where’s Fred’s for wine and small plates, or go big at Bob Bob Ricard City.
Comparison Table (quick scannable picks)
| Venue | Best for | Seat to ask for | Typical spend | One smart order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bocca di Lupo (Soho) | Chef-counter theatre | Chef’s counter | £25–£50 | Brown crab spaghetti + fritti |
| The Tamil Prince (Islington) | South Indian comfort | Window bar | £20–£40 | Prawn varuval + dosa |
| Bar Bruno (Soho) | Classic cafe fare | Booth | £10–£20 | Big Breakfast or Milanese |
| Petersham Nurseries (Richmond) | Quiet, green lunch | Edge table | £35–£60 | Seasonal risotto or trout |
| Side Hustle (Covent Garden) | Pre-theatre buzz | Bar | £25–£45 | Tostadas + tacos |
| Bob Bob Ricard (City) | Treat-yourself night | Booth | £60–£100 | Tartare + Champagne |
| Where’s Fred’s (City) | Wine and small plates | Inside counter | £25–£45 | Paella + gambas |
| Westerns Laundry (Highbury) | Natural wine + seafood | Corner of communal | £35–£60 | Octopus baked rice |
| Joia (Battersea) | Skyline views | Terrace | £30–£60 | Tomato salad + octopus brioche |
| Khao Bird (Borough) | Playful Thai upstairs | Window/counter | £20–£35 | Shan meatballs + fries |
The Bottom Line
Pick a counter or bar seat, book early, order two or three plates, and enjoy the show. Early-evening slots are busier than they used to be, so you’re in good company.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is solo dining on the rise in London?
Yes. Multiple reports highlight earlier and solo bookings trending up in 2025, especially at 5–6 pm.
Which areas are best for a table for one?
Soho and Covent Garden for counters and pre-theatre energy; the City for wine bars and polished rooms.
Can I book bar seats?
Usually. Add “counter/bar seat” to your reservation note, or request it on arrival.
What should I bring to feel comfortable?
A book, light headphones, and a payment card. That’s it.
Are rooftops and courtyards solo-friendly?
Yes. Joia’s terrace and Westerns Laundry’s courtyard are great solo perches.
Any treat-yourself pick?
Bob Bob Ricard for a private booth and the famous Champagne button.
Featured Snippet Boxes
Not really. Bar and counter seating are everywhere, staff know how to host one-tops, and earlier 5-6 pm bookings are up across the city.
Aim for 5–6 pm if you like buzz without long waits. You’ll find more counter seats and faster turns.
Counters by the kitchen or a window bar. You get a view, quicker service, and easy chats with staff.
Yes. Add “counter seat solo” to your booking note. If walk-in, ask for the bar or chef’s counter.
Two or three plates work well – a starter and a pasta, or a couple of small plates plus a dessert.
People say “solomangarephobia,” though it isn’t a clinical term. Confidence builds with practice.
