It’s a staple shot of movies—that poor soul in a dingy restaurant dining alone. It’s also the theme of many country songs and more than a few paintings. It’s always nice to go out to dinner with friends but sometimes having the table to your self is even more relaxing. You don’t have to make conversation, you can concentrate on enjoying your dinner or catch up on reading.
In fact, a recent survey found that Americans eat the majority of their meals alone. Andy Brennan, a lead analyst at research firm IBISWorld says, “A lot of restaurants are accommodating single diners with more bar space. There isn’t the stigma there once was to dining alone.” Case in point: the Amsterdam pop-up restaurant Eenmaal only offers tables for one. It’s time to be bold, to seek out new dining experiences and embrace eating out alone. If you need more reasons why dining alone is a blessing and not a curse, read on.
1. Bar Food
When dining alone, we recommend you eat at the bar. You’ll have the bartender right there to talk to, chances are your food will arrive quicker and hotter and you won’t have to worry about getting a fresh drink when you want it.
Read Related: 20 Travel Tips for Traveling Solo
