There are so many perks to dining alone, from taking the time to enjoy a glass of fine wine and a delicious meal to getting a prime peoplewatching position at the counter. Long gone are the days that dinner was made for two or more, and luckily our city's eateries have caught up to this. From sophisticated bar spaces to buzzing communal seating areas, enjoy some quality time on your own at one of the best solo dining restaurants in London.
Last edited by Kavita Singh
Whether you'd prefer to sit alone in a leather booth or fancy chatting to the bartender while chowing down, Colonel Saab is a beautiful spot on our list. Snap a few pics and scarf down authentic Indian eats while admiring the quirky decor at every angle.
One of London's best restauarnts for counter dining, temper adds a dash of drama to your meal with its open kitchen. Catch all the action as chefs cook their signature meaty goods over roaring flames, right before your eyes.
If you're after a restaurant for solo eaters, The Libertine is a brilliant choice. Fronting slick stools and open space, we suggest sitting at the bar and ordering a lip-smacking meal. From oysters and miso aubergine to plant-based burgers, this joint is a real winner.
Fronting eight creative kitchens and two fully stocked bars, the Market Halls in Oxford Street is the perf place for a quick lunch. Choose from plenty of vendors from Filipino BBQ at Apoy to Mexican eats at DF Tacos and much more.
If you're after a place to eat in Victoria, Riding House Café offers a buzzing bar space, a chilled lounge area and plenty of alfresco opportunities. From mac 'n' cheese to kedgeree with mango chutney, the dishes here are sure to keep you feeling satisfied.
Located in Shoreditch, Daffodil Mulligan is a lovely spot if you fancy dining alone. Treat yourself to a variety of small plates such as fire oven squid, pig cheek skewers and baked crab macaroni, while washing it all down with a glass of white wine.
Tonkotsu's South East spot can be found in the heart of the Bussey building complex. With an open kitchen, large sharing table and minimalist aesthetic, this buzzing ramen bar will have you slurping on a wide range of broth and meat combos.
The Coal Rooms is one of Peckham's most popular restaurants, serving up coal-fired grilled goods from an open kitchen. Pull up a seat for the chance to indulge in seasonal specials created with the finest ingredients, making it one unmissable restaurant for eating alone.
This award-winning restaurant and wine bar in Bloomsbury is offering an ever-changing menu of British dishes, from baked Cornish monkfish and romesco sauce to roast Challans guinea fowl with spaetzle and girolles, alongside a truly impressive collection of wine.
This tapas restaurant features a L-shaped counter for enjoying its Spanish small plates while watching all the action from the kitchen. Star dishes include the likes of piquillo croquetas, bombas de chocolas and suckling pig cooked in an asador-fired oven.
With a large bar sweeping around the venue, The Wright Brothers offers the ideal location for counter dining at their Battersea site. Kick back while watching chefs shuck and prepare the freshest oysters in front of you, with a wide range of small plates and larger bites to choose from.
Padella is one of the most popular restaurants for eating alone in London. Rather than facing the queues in Borough Market, try nabbing a spot at the Shoreditch site, where handmade fettuccine, ravioli and gnocchi are all just waiting to be paired with a big glass of vino.
This casual restaurant is a top spot for solo dining in Soho, thanks to its casual feel and quick service. Home-made pasta is at the forefront of the menu here, with highlights including red prawn spaghetti, carbonara bucatini, and the fried mozzarella, 'nduja and honey sandwich.
Treating yourself to an evening of solo dining? Hit up Bar Douro for an exploration into Portuguese cuisine and fine wines. The space itself is made up of two large tables winding around the windows and in front of the bar, so you've always got chatting and peoplewatching opportunities.
Stuck for ideas of where to eat alone in London? Head on over to King's Cross where pastel hues make up the interiors of the gorgeous Lina Stores. Whether you fancy opting for counter dining or having a table to yourself, this restaurant and deli will have you swooning over its Italian fare.
With its trendy New York dive vibe, cult status and tiny counter for solo dining, Black Axe Mangal is not be missed. Get your fill of offal-heavy Turkish flatbreads with shots of Fernet-Branca to the sound of old school metal bangers.
With plenty of seating for solo diners, Arcade Food Hall promises a sleek and stylish atmosphere while you choose from a plethora of cuisine. Treat yourself to Japanese, Mexican, and Middle Eastern fare, alongside a margarita or whiskey sour.
Barrafina is one of the most sought-after restaurants in London, with outposts across all corners of the city. While you may still have to queue to get in, there's stools at the front providing a comfortable place to tuck into ham croquetas, tuna tartare and Catalan profiteroles.
Slurp on warming bowls of udon noodles at Koya, as their City location offers a slice of sanctuary from the bustling Square Mile. Expect to find a wood-panelled dining room with pendant lighting and a large counter to enjoy authentic Japanese feasting.
If you're eating alone but don't want to be completely solo, join Hoppers for a family-style feast at their monthly Sunday Session. Plates come served on large communal tables, giving you plenty of opportunities to chat and meet others while enjoying delicious Sri Lankan cuisine.
While Daddy Bao's small plates may be designed for sharing, they actually make the perfect meal for a single person. Swing by the Tooting restaurant for the chance to tuck into mouthwatering buns, meat and veggie dishes and signature cocktails alongside daily specials.
An entire restaurant dedicated to cheese? That's the ultimate solo dining experience. Found within Camden Market, The Cheese Bar features a conveyor belt of dairy delights, alongside molten fondue, London burrata and a long list of natural wines to pair.
Kudu is a family-run restaurant in Peckham, decked out in a stylish pink and green colour scheme. If the idea of South African cuisine has piqued your interest, head here to taste scorched mackerel, onglet with hispi cabbage and peri peri duck hearts.
Obsessed with all things spicy food? Get your fill of sizzling Thai barbecue at the counter, alongside smoked mackerel jungle curry, clay pot baked glass noodles and slow grilled plaice with an extensive collection of wines to sip wile you dine.
This artisan pasta restaurant and workshop is one of the best places to eat in East London. If you're a sucker for Italian food, head to Officina 00 on Old Street for authentic bowls of pappardelle, occhi and ink tagliolini alongside wine and beer on tap.
