Advice on where to dine solo?

[DavidandLeahZ]

Thinking about planning a solo trip.

Any advice on where to eat (table service) as a solo diner?

I'm curious if the atmosphere of some restaurants would lead to a weird feeling if dining alone.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I've never felt weird eating alone anywhere (of course, I've never felt weird getting into conversations with people at adjoining tables, if they seem willing, either).

One advantage is, you can eat anywhere you want, i.e. if there's a restaurant or a food style that nobody with whom you normally travel likes, you can go there and have a peaceful meal . No "there's nothing for me to eat!", or "yuck - this isn't food!", or "no, that food's going to be too spicy" (except, skip the spicy sausage appetizer at Le Cellier - trust me, it IS!).

A couple/few restaurants - California Grill, Jiko, maybe Spoodles and Narcoosees - have counters around parts of the food prep areas, where you can choose/ask to be seated if you don't want to sit at a table by yourself.

If you like talking to strangers, Biergarten and Teppan Edo seat multiple parties together at large tables. The former is a buffet, and the latter is, well, teppan-style dining - with the chef at your table, preparing your food on the grill in the center.

The only character meal I've had alone has been breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table, but that's more because I tend to stay away from buffets than any discomfort dining solo.

 

[Simba's Mom]

No resturaunt has ever made me feel "wierd" dining alone. However, it did take me about 4-5 solo trips to get over my own discomfort about dining alone. Some good places to start with-Sci Fi (everyone's watching the screen so I just felt like I was eating in front of the TV at home); Chefs de France by a window table during the day where you can watch people go by; surprisingly, I've found character meals to be great-I don't feel self-conscious because no one's noticing me, they're just watching the characters, and it's so much fun to watch the characters interact with the kids. And I found the characters to be amazingly "tuned in" to my desired level of interaction. Minnie, at CM Cafe, seemed to sense that I just wanted to watch, so she'd just blow me a kiss every time she went by my table (after the first photo). My one and only experience with communal dining at Teppan Edo wasn't good. I got seated next to a teenaged girl, who obviously felt she was in some kind of WDW-inspired torture being seated next to a middle-aged teacher. My kindly attempts to engage her in conversation by asking her about her trip were met with monosyllabic grunts (not unlike my students). Unfortunately the resturaunt was too loud for me to talk with anyone else, and I found out after the meal that her mother, sitting on the other side of her, was also a teacher in my former state. If you ask politely when you're solo at TS for a table where you can see something, every place I've been to has been so nice about giving me a window table or tankside at Coral Reef. So make sure you mention that you're solo!

 

[jamstew]

I have no problem dining alone anywhere. That said, I'd probably be uncomfortable at Beirgarten since I'm pretty shy, and the community table idea doesn't appeal to me at all.

 

[perla75]

Beaches & Cream, one of our favs, is at the Beach Club & they also offer counter seating. Great place to go if you are looking for a break from Epcot, since it's such a short walk away and also near the Boardwalk.

Beaches & Cream does not take ADR's though, so you might have to wait a bit unless you go during an off time. The food is great though!

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

Great place to go if you are looking for a break from Epcot, since it's such a short walk away and also near the Boardwalk.

How far of a walk?

 

[BriarRosie]

How far of a walk?

About 5 minutes from the International Gateway. The Beach Club resort is a straight shot from that exit. You'll get the Beaches and Cream by heading left around the lobby walkway. It's a bit tricky because you take an exit door towards the pool area. Beaches and Cream is located outside the gated pool between the Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts.

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

Am I right in thinking the OHana might be weird dining solo b/c it's family style...and I would be without....family?

 

[jamstew]

Am I right in thinking the OHana might be weird dining solo b/c it's family style...and I would be without....family?

I ate at Garden Grill (also family style) without family, and it wasn't an issue.

 

[Karlzmom]

I have no problem dining alone anywhere. That said, I'd probably be uncomfortable at Beirgarten since I'm pretty shy, and the community table idea doesn't appeal to me at all.

...I was going to say that I'd choose the Biergarten for the community tables! We had a single gentleman at our table, which we also shared with a family of 4...everyone had a great time. Once you get past the initial "hello" it was nice to chat with everyone....

Of course, I really dislike eating by myself and left alone wouldn't really enjoy a lot of TS by myself. With noone to talk with you just plain end up eating too fast to enjoy the atmosphere...IMO

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'm doing my first solo trip in early May for a few days.

I chose my TS mostly based on what my family would never want to eat at.

I'll be eating at Boma and Teppan Edo. I also got a lunch at Le Cellier just because I love the soup and dessert.

 

[Quacktatty]

I've dined solo at:
Kona (twice)
Jiko
Teppan Edo
Le Cellier
Mama Melrose
Liberty Tree Tavern

The only one that was "unpleasant" was Mama Melrose, but I think that had a lot more to do with the food than the atmosphere. I loved Teppan Edo, but I had a great table with people to talk to on either side of me.

I'm planning on trying Ohana on my upcoming trip, the family style thing doesn't bother me, I am my own family after all!