I've often heard solo travelers say they've been turned away from a restaurant because they refused to seat a single diner. I've not experienced it myself, but last week I came upon a restaurant that would not allow me to make a reservation for one person. It wasn't just that the online form started at 2 people, there was actually a statement on the site that they did not seat single diners.
Needless to say, I chose another restaurant which not only allowed me to book online, but also greeted me warmly, showed me to the best table, gave me the best service, and served me one of the best restaurant meals I've had in some time. Sometimes, the best option is to go where you're wanted and to promote the businesses that treat you well. To that end, should you ever find yourself in Vancouver, Canada, I highly recommend dining at
Fable Kitchen.
Tracey's question to solo travelers:
Where have you had your best solo dining experiences?
Here's a sampling of the 79 comments
Jase - The
famed Noma in Copenhagen has reservations for 1 at their communal tables, where you get to meet other solo diners. I'm booked for July, can't wait.
Isabelle - I went solo to THE MODERN at the MOMA in NY. I expected to be treated poorly. Nope! I was seated at one of the best table, next to the window to the garden, and the waiter was extremely friendly, kept the conversation going,
and even brought me extras of the things I really liked!
Jessica - I was in Lisbon recently, I found that a restaurant that I really wanted to go to would not accept online reservations for one. I just reserved for two and prepared to say that my friend wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t come, but I actually didn’t have to because I came in, gave them my name and they seated me. And
when I told the waiter that he could remove the other place setting, it was a non-issue.
Amy - I’ve never experienced this but a waitress once gave me a plate of churros because I was eating alone and reading a book; she was so distraught I was alone and kept coming by asking
how I was and chatting - it was very sweet.
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