09 February 2026
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As Inspectors for The MICHELIN Guide, we often eat together and share our experiences, but sometimes we have to dine alone — and it's an experience we have all grown to enjoy over the years.
One thing we’ve noticed in recent times, wherever we are in the world, is that more and more people now both enjoy and feel confident dining and traveling alone. The increased focus on self-care and “me time” means that people enjoy having time alone. What’s more, in our experience there are few better ways of getting to know a city or a region than eating in its restaurants and sampling its delicacies — and dining solo allows you to keep the focus on the food, soaking in every detail of the experience.
So, in light of this growing trend, we thought we’d pass on a few of our own tips for the solo diner.
Getting a Reservation
This can sometimes be the biggest challenge. Indeed, some restaurant booking platforms don’t even let you reserve as "a one" — but, never fear. Send an email and, if it’s an option, give some flexibility on both the date and time of your booking. This will make you an appealing prospect to a restaurateur: They rightly love a keen customer, especially as the scourge of the industry right now is the indefensible no-show.Alternatively, go old-school and pick up the phone. You’ll be surprised at just how often a restaurant can accommodate you, despite their automated booking system assuring you it’s impossible. It’s always worth engaging with the person on the other end of the line: Make sure they know how keen you are to try their restaurant and they might spend some extra time trying to fit you in. If it’s just not possible at the time, a follow-up call to see if they’ve had any cancellations is always an option too. Don’t overdo it though — you don’t want them to have to take out a restraining order!
Lastly, if you happen to live or work nearby, you can always try the more personal approach by dropping in on your way past. It’s much easier to build a rapport face to face — plus, if it’s a small neighborhood eatery, the team are more likely to remember you on your next visit. You’ll be a regular in no time!
Making last-minute bookings is tricky for all diners, so when it comes to planning a solo trip be sure to book in plenty of time. Get ahead of the game by adding yourself to the waiting list, or find out when the next set of bookings opens up and log on right away. Being able to make a quick decision when the new dates are released could be to your advantage, as there are no family members or friends to confer with — it’s just you and the reservation calendar.
There are, of course, times when it’s a disadvantage eating alone — platters, dishes designed for two and sharing menus are never ideal. If it’s Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving or any sort of celebratory day, then this is the time to be a little more patient. With dedicated menus often specially geared towards couples and groups — and tables often split and rearranged accordingly — fitting you in can become a little more challenging for the restaurant team.
If you really want to go out on these days, counter restaurants are your best friend. These restaurants often have an odd number of diners and an even number of seats or vice versa. Being a single diner willing and able to fill up that row can be a win for both customer and restaurant, whatever day of the year. It’s also worth considering eating early, before the rush arrives, and ideally at a restaurant that serves relatively quickly.
Your choice of restaurant style on celebration days is crucial too. If it’s serving special menus tailored to the occasion, it’s probably not the one for you. And for times like Valentine’s Day, think about where would be considered less stereotypically romantic. You’re much more likely to get a table at the dark and moody barbecue house than the candlelit French bistro. Also, be prepared for your fellow diners to think you’ve been stood up and give you some sympathetic looks.
Most importantly, always make sure you do your research before booking — some restaurants are simply more enjoyable than others for your average single diner. For most, a party place full of big tables probably isn’t going to be a lot of fun, while other restaurants positively encourage getting to know your neighbors thanks to their communal table set-up or dinner party style. We’d choose somewhere busy, with a high turnover of tables, as it’s here that you’re most inconspicuous.
At the Restaurant
An experienced service team will put a single diner facing into the room, as no one eating alone wants to be plonked in the middle of the room. If that does happen, simply tell them you’d be more comfortable elsewhere.Eating alone is like driving alone. The first time feels mildly frightening. It gets more comfortable the second time you do it and, after that you may even find yourself starting to enjoy it. After a week, having your own space and sense of independence is truly exhilarating, and you begin to wonder why anyone would ever want a passenger sitting alongside them.
To the narcissists among us, dining alone could be considered date night. It’s all about feeling comfortable in one’s own skin and in one’s surroundings. If you’re unsure, take something to read — you may well not even look at it, but it serves as a useful prop for first-timers.
All of life is in a restaurant. Sit back and take it in. Own the space and remain in the moment, keep your phone in your pocket and simply enjoy the experience.
You never know, the restaurant might even think you’re a MICHELIN Guide Inspector.
Hero image: Eating alone and enjoying a peaceful moment. © Debora Szpilman
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- 7 Big Food Trends of 2026, According to Our MICHELIN Guide Inspectors - New types of cuisine or well-established trends: the inspectors share their on-the-ground perspective.
