How to enjoy eating alone while travelling solo (without feeling awkward)
- Sassy Travels
- Aug 30
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 31
I have already talked a lot about solo travelling and how empowering I believe it is. Now, we’re getting into the details of what solo travelling actually looks like in practise. And one of the biggest fears among women is dining/eating alone while travelling solo. I know this can sound like a very daunting idea at first, but I think being able to dine alone can be one of the most self-confidence boosting things you can do. So, in this post I will share my top tips on how to do it, so by the end of reading it you will feel inspired to rock up to a restaurant and confidently say: “table for one, please!”
Start small. I said this about travelling solo as well, and I will apply it to the dining alone case scenario too. You have probably ordered coffee or take away food before alone, maybe even sat in a cafe shop alone working or scrolling on your phone. If you think about it, you have been in this setting before, which is good as your brain is seeking familiarity. This is our starting point. Start with where you live. Go to a coffee shop alone and sit with your tea or coffee, maybe take a book/ listen to a podcast while you do it. This is going to be like testing the waters, you will find that no-one will judge you for sitting alone in a cafe. Next you can go to a restaurant and try dining alone. This will give you more confidence to do it abroad as well!
Sit in the corner/ somewhere out of sight. When dining alone it feels way more comfortable to sit somewhere where you can see the whole place from. You will feel more like a fly on the wall, than the girl who needs to be looked at because she is dining alone.
If you feel embarrassed, remember, the only time you really have to “survive” is walking up to your table and sitting down. You may get a few looks, but people will soon return to their conversations or food, because trust me, no matter how pretty or interesting you may be, no-one is in the restaurant to be looking at you, but to enjoy their food. And that’s why you’re there too!
Take a book/magazine with you. You will need something to keep yourself occupied with while you’re waiting for your food to arrive. Listening to a podcast can make you feel like you’re having conversation, and reading a book can feel very comforting.
Don’t go somewhere super fancy. I would recommend more laid-back restaurants that may even have people working on their laptops or phones. Using your headphones or being on your phone would feel and seem pretty impolite otherwise, so this will help you feel more comfortable, like you blend in.
If you are travelling solo, remember the chances of these same people seeing you ever again is very, very low, so even if you feel like a fool, no-one will remind you of that ever again in your life.
Be open to kindness. I actually find that I get better service and way more smiles when I go to a restaurant alone. Not because people pity you, but because seeing a lady dine alone makes men feel a bit more polite and caring, and women more emphatic, they salute you. Most of the time when I dined alone I got into lovely small talks with the waiters/waitresses, and got more attention, trying to make sure I get the best experience. So, this is coming from someone who has dined a million times alone in different parts of the world, not once did I get pity from anyone. Surprised looks, yes, but never pity.
Don’t forget to enjoy your meal. Don’t get too caught up by what everyone is thinking of you. As I mentioned, by the time you sit down everyone will return to their conversation, so there will be no focus on you. Enjoy the meal you ordered.
Speaking of, you will probably find that you will only feel a little silly or uncomfortable while you wait for your food. Once you have it in front of you, there will be something to do, so you will focus less on the fact that you are alone.
And the best part? You don’t owe anyone an explanation. You just do you. Want to sit in for dinner but decide you only want dessert and an Aperol? You do that, no-one is there to judge you (and yes I brought that example because that’s exactly what I did in Venice). There is something liberating in doing something completely alone.
Think of solo dining as an opportunity, not a punishment. I think the reason why a lot of people consider solo dining a sad experience is because they think it sounds like you have no friends or social life. But in my opinion in order to be great company to others, you first have to learn to be great company to yourself. Doing things alone that you can do with others, will help you deepen your connection with yourself, so that you get to be a more complete and wholesome person to others. Remember, you don’t have to do this, you get to do this, there is a massive difference. You get to enjoy your own company every once in a while, while also knowing that when you return home you will meet up with friends or family and share your travel stories. This is what makes life and travelling such a wonderful experience. Many things can co-exist.
Another note to boost your confidence even further, if you travel to more touristy and solo friendly places, a lot of people are getting used to solo female travellers, so recently I find that I get less looks for dining alone. So, if you pick the right location, chances are: no-one will bat an eye.
You might end up making new friends. There’s been times when I intended to eat/drink alone, but ended up meeting like-minded travellers by chance while sitting alone. There’s even been a time when I went to a very busy, local restaurant in Mexico, so the waiter asked me if I would mind sitting with others. Of course I said "not at all", and ended up having a nice conversation with other travellers who even ended up paying for my meal, very generously. Proof that there is kindness everywhere, you just have to keep an open mind.
As my previous point proves it, dining alone is not anti-social at all. You will end up chatting to people a bit more. You are more likely to reply with longer sentences because you have no-one else to pay attention to, this approach might even lead to new friendships or refreshing conversations.
I hope you found these tips on solo dining useful. As I said, I have done this a million times, and it is something I get to enjoy more and more the older I get. I think it is a great way to connect with yourself a little more; no one is there to bring your energy down or tell you what you can or can’t do. Just be patient with yourself and, as I said, start small. And if you are looking for ways to get ready for your next trip (especially when it comes to solo travelling), I have created a freebie just for you! It is called the Travel Wellness Routine Builder and is packed with even more strategies, checklists, and insider hacks to help you feel more comfortable and grounded during travels. It’s yours—no strings attached. It’s filled with simple tools like a printable checklist, self-care prompts, and mini rituals to help you feel more at home—wherever the journey takes you.
