Best places for solo dining?

[jgreen]

I'm scheduled to take a week long trip to Orlando next month for company training and plan on hitting WDW every evening after 5:00 P.M. What would be good places to eat for a solo traveler?

We took a family vacation at WDW last September, and we plan on going again this year in September so I will be buying an AP prior to arriving.

I really enjoyed Kona and Mama Melrose, but didn't really pay attention to how it would be for solo dining. I'd also like to hear about other places that may make for a great solo dining experience, and I am open to all suggestions as I enjoy most all types of food. TIA.

 

[Kirsten77]

I would eat the Flying Fish. You can eat the full menu at the bar and there is a lot more interaction between you and the wait staff. You are not exactly sitting alone since you are at a bar with other people.

 

[jgreen]

Thanks Kirsten 77, I think I will give that a try. I had thought about FF when I was there with the family, but didn't see anything on the menu that the kids might like. Great suggestion!

Does anyone know if Jiko would be a good choice? Don't they have seats near the kitchen/cooking area that might be suitable for a solo diner?

 

[Philadisney]

haven't been to jiko, but i enjoyed the restaurant in mexico as a solo diner. you can sit by the water and watch people go by on the boats. what a great atmosphere that pavilion has!

 

[pennyplanner]

I would go most anywhere solo, especially at WDW!

That said, when I traveled solo to the World, I ate at Brown Derby for an extravagent lunch. I also lunched at Kona Cafe, Chefs de France (great windows for people watching).

Dinner at Jiko's (I didn't sit near the kitchen) was fine. I only felt a little out of place at WP's The Dining Room (upstairs). The staff just seemed a little "thrown" that I was dining alone. Towards the end of the meal, I got up to use the ladies' room and they started clearing the table despite the fact that I had left a package on the table and not paid my bill!

Try the Adults and Solo Board for more suggestions.

Enjoy!

--penny

 

[kaytieeldr]

Let's see... since I travel solo much more often than I travel with anyone...
I've eaten at
Artist's Palette (back when SSR was The Disney Institute; they did have a community table)
Beaches and Cream
Biergarten
Boatwright's
California Grill (the Maitre d' seated me facing the window so I could see Epcot's fireworks in the distance, but with my back to the restaurant. I don't think so!)
Cinderella's Royal Table
Concourse Steak House
Coral Reef
50s Prime Time Cafe
Hollywood Brown Derby
Jiko (yes, at the counter)
Kona Cafe
Les Chefs de France (very late dinner - ask to be seated near the windows, you just may get a great view of Illuminations!)
Olivia's
Restaurant Marrakesh
San Angel Inn
Spoodles
A couple of now-closed restaurants in the Swan/Dolphin

And for counter service - Pepper Market, Everything Pop, whatever the one is at Port Orleans Riverside, Earl of Sandwich, Casey's, Pecos Bill's, Cosmic Ray's, the one in the now-defunct Wonders of Life, Sunshine Food Fair in The Land, Tangierine, Catalina Eddie's, Columbia Harbour House, ABC Commissary, Tempura Kiku...

And a number of places with friends, but where I wouldn't hesitate to dine alone (most notably Le Cellier)

Pretty much anyplace I haven't dined alone would be ONLY because I'm not interested in the restaurant period.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I was in WDW solo about 2 months ago and dined at...

Chefs de France. It was ok - not my favorite restaurant and it was PACKED so I wasn't able to sit near the windows, which would have enhanced the solo aspect.

Mama Melrose. I really liked it here. My waitress was very nice and I felt perfectly fine eating here alone.

Beaches and Cream. This was probably the most solo-friendly of the restaurants for me since I was able to sit at the counter.

Boma. (Breakfast) This was probably the best meal I had all week! Being solo here was wonderful as I was seated by a window overlooking a cute little babbling brook and my waitress was A+.

Liberty Tree Tavern. The food was great but I got some weird stares as a solo since this is a character dinner. I didn't mind - it was worth it and the characters were around all of the time

Have fun!

 

[Simba's Mom]

SciFi drive inn is a great choice for a solo diner. Who hasn't sat in front of the TV while they eat? I ate solo at the Character Breakfast at Cape May-it was such fun. No strange stares.

 

[MrsNick]

Jiko has a wonderful "counter" that you can order the full menu, and order a glass of wine, watch the chefs work. I haven't tried the counter yet (just the tables), but if I were dining alone, I'd definitely go there.