Dining Solo While Traveling: How to Enjoy It?

Traveling Alone: The Challenges of Dining

Traveling solo can bring a sense of freedom, but when it comes to dining, many find themselves feeling uneasy. If you’ve never experienced this, the question "Is there a table for one?" can be quite uncomfortable. There’s an unofficial bias against solo diners. Why is eating alone considered strange when dining with others seems more normal? Though no one means any harm, society often views solo dining as something "odd."

Options for Eating Alone

When traveling, there are several options for dining solo. First, you can head to restaurants like other diners and request a table. However, you might feel out of place sitting in a bustling restaurant on a Friday night.

Alternatively, you could try sitting at the bar, hoping to mingle with others. Or, you can simply avoid public dining altogether by ordering room service, using Uber Eats, or grabbing a quick bite from a nearby fast-food joint.

Personal Thoughts on Eating Alone

As an introvert, I enjoy people-watching and savoring good food. When dining solo, I often choose to eat at my hotel restaurant, where the atmosphere feels more relaxed and inviting. Recently, I’ve also ventured out to explore more interesting eateries to enjoy the food and ambiance.

When I eat alone, I often wonder about the proper etiquette. If you’re just sitting quietly at the table, what should you do? Is it acceptable to use your phone to pass the time? Should I listen to a podcast or watch something on my phone while I eat? Or should I bring my laptop and work during my meal?

Overcoming the Struggles of Solo Dining

I personally try to limit my phone usage, but sometimes I find myself getting caught up in it. I’ve also noticed that reading a book can be a great choice to maintain the ambiance around me.

When I see others using electronic devices while eating, I often feel conflicted. For instance, I once visited a fancy restaurant in Taiwan and saw a woman next to me completely focused on taking selfies throughout her meal. This made me wonder if that was really necessary. Many people today don’t hesitate to use their phones or tablets while dining, and I can’t help but wonder how they feel when they see others doing the same.

Time to Reflect on Solo Dining

While this issue may not be the most pressing, I still find it challenging to decide how to approach dining alone while traveling. I acknowledge that many people are comfortable sitting at the bar and chatting, but that’s not my style. I've gradually overcome my previous discomfort of sitting at a table "just" for one, as I genuinely enjoy going out and experiencing food whenever I can.

What still puzzles me is whether to take the time to look around or just use my phone. I’d love to know how you feel about dining alone. Are you an introvert or an extrovert? What are your personal views on solo dining? Because this is an integral part of every traveler’s journey.

This article references and is edited from: One Mile at a Time