Best places to Dine solo?

[mikeishere]

I’m looking for some suggestions on the best places to dine solo at Walt Disney World? Places that feel most comfortable to eat and drink when solo does anyone have any recommendations? I’m also staying at the Swan hotel so is there any good places that won’t be awkward or uncomfortable for a solo traveller to dine?

 

[Skippyboo]

I have dined solo in a variety of restaurants at WDW - Beaches and Cream , Ale and Compass, Cape May, Trattoria Al Forno, Sci Fi, Brown Derby, Sebastian, Garden Grill, Brown Derby, Biergarten, Chef de France. Those are just the Epcot/DHS ones.

I don’t think I would do the Hibachi one in Japan

 

[Dug720]

The only ones I wouldn't do are Biergarten now that reportedly it's back to shared tables or the cook at the table Japanese one. Otherwise I've eaten all over property and never felt uncomfortable or awkward. People are far to wrapped up in their own vacations to pay any attention to you.

 

[BalooFan]

Everyone is different, but I haven’t felt uncomfortable as a solo diner at any restaurant. I have dined solo at Ale & Compass, Boma, Steakhouse 71, Kona Cafe, Citricos, Topolino’s Terrace character breakfast, Rix, Yak & Yeti, Mama Melrose, La Hacienda de San Angel, Via Napoli, Rose & Crown, Tony’s Town Square, The Plaza, Skipper Canteen, several quick service restaurants, and probably others that aren’t coming to mind.

 

[georgina]

Besides the places mentioned above, Grand Floridian Cafe and Whispering Canyon at WL ( they put me in a quieter back area that was not in the middle of the mayhem). If you are not comfortable dining solo, you could try bar areas. Nomad Lounge, Geyser Point, even Yak & Yeti has a bar seating area you can order from the menu. Take the skyliner over to Riviera resort and eat at Bar Riva.

 

[Tigger's ally]

a Hidden gem if you ask me is the Crew's Cup in the Yacht Club next to the Yachtsman Steakhouse. Walking distance for you. Very limited menu, but their Prime Rib Sliders are great. And they have many smaller tables. Always have a special of the day.

 

[Spinster Travel]

Like others have said, I've dined many places in WDW solo and never once have felt uncomfortable. Bar seating is also an option (although can be hard to come by depending on when you are visiting and sometimes I do prefer to have a reservation so I know I'm not just standing around trying to figure out where to go). Trattoria Al Forno has been a great spot for solo dining - it is busy in there, but I enjoy a cocktail at the Abracadabar first and then get seated. Agree with others that I'd probably skip the Hibachi or Biergarten in Epcot. I love chatting with others, but prefer those conversations at the bar where its common practice and not necessarily sitting at an actual table with another party

 

[Simba's Mom]

I don’t think I would do the Hibachi one in Japan

That's the only one where I felt Uncomfortable. Group dining can be good or bad-you never know! But in my experience-better to be solo than to wish you were!

The most comfortable place I found to eat solo was the Sci-Fi Dine Inn; eating in front of the movie screen felt like eating by myself on the couch in front of the TV set. And who hasn't done that. And if you like people watching, Character Dining can actually be fun for a solo (crazy as it sounds). On my first character dining experience, I didn't want any character interaction, and the characters could tell, so they just blew me a kiss and gave a little wave whenever they went by. Meanwhile I had so much fun watching all the families interacting with the characters. My meal went by so fast! And I didn't have time to be lonely.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

The bar at the Flying Fish (on the Boardwalk ... short walk from Swan ... dinner only) is by far my favorite place to dine solo. The bartenders are incredible. Whether you want to keep to yourself or if you're into conversation, they work with it and the food and beverage offerings are fantastic. The Swan and Dolphin are very accustomed to business travelers and all their restaurants, bars, and lounges are used to solo travelers so it's not even a bit unusual - my faves there are bluezoo, Amare, and Shula's. Ale & Compass lounge (next door at Yacht Club resort) is nice, and their burger is great. A skyliner ride away is Topolino's at the Riviera resort where you can get the full menu at the bar (again dinner only). They also have a great pool bar with much better food than you'd think for a pool bar/quick serve. As others have said, I've dined solo many places around WDW and rarely felt uncomfortable so if you see a menu that looks good to you, I vote for trying it! Hope you have a great trip!!!!

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

It looks from your user name that you are a man, so you may not mind dining alone at a bar. I feel like I look like an alcoholic as a woman dining alone at a bar. I won't do it. But I have dined alone at a lot of restaurants at WDW. One time at the Plaza Restaurant, the girl who was seating me made a big deal out of it, which was VERY uncomfortable. "Don't you have anyone with you? You are here all alone? Don't you have any friends? I will sit here with you while you eat." Other than that, it has been fine. At Sci-Fi Dine Inn, I am usually seated in the backseat of a car. They say you are hitchhiking. Then it doesn't even look like you are there alone. It looks like you are with the people in the 2 front seat.

 

[comicguy]

I did a quick solo trip in July and ate at 50's PT, Geyser Point, and GF Cafe and felt comfy at each!

Edit: forgot that I also ate at Spice Road Table as well

 

[georgina]

It looks from your user name that you are a man, so you may not mind dining alone at a bar. I feel like I look like an alcoholic as a woman dining alone at a bar. I won't do it. But I have dined alone at a lot of restaurants at WDW. One time at the Plaza Restaurant, the girl who was seating me made a big deal out of it, which was VERY uncomfortable. "Don't you have anyone with you? You are here all alone? Don't you have any friends? I will sit here with you while you eat." Other than that, it has been fine. At Sci-Fi Dine Inn, I am usually seated in the backseat of a car. They say you are hitchhiking. Then it doesn't even look like you are there alone. It looks like you are with the people in the 2 front seat.

I’m over 60 and don’t care what other people think! I have eaten at a lot of bars, really miss the Tune-in lounge attached to 50’s Prime Time at DHS, could get the whole menu there once upon a time. I have had some fun and interesting conversations while dining at the bar. Rainforest Cafe at AK, Geyser Point, Nomad Lounge, Lots of places at Universal too.

 

[GoofyDad_4427]

The Swan and Dolphin are very accustomed to business travelers and all their restaurants, bars, and lounges are used to solo travelers so it's not even a bit unusual - my faves there are bluezoo, Amare, and Shula's.

This is a good piece of advice. I think a lot of people don't realize that the people staying at the Swolphin and going to the parks are in the minority. Far more business travelers here, although during the day they are usually wrapped up in their conferences so you dont see them as much.

 

[2vets]

I have eaten solo at tables at Flying Fish (didn’t love it, the tables are so crammed together), Monsieur Paul, Crews Cup, Space 220 Lounge, Hollywood Brown Derby, Shiki Sai (many), Boma, Nomad Lounge, Skipper Canteen, Victoria and Alberts, Steakhouse 71, Narcoosees (several), and California Grill. My favorites in terms of staff treatment (not automatically seating me back next to the kitchen or right next to a server station, not saying stuff like “just you?” Or “what, only one?” Or (special mention - at Monsieur Paul) “How come your husband isn’t here with you?”) are Shiki Sai, Nomad, Boma, Crews Cup, Space lounge, Skipper Canteen, and (next level, but expected) V&As. Shiki Sai is my favorite, relatively quiet as well. If you have a reservation, they will sometimes ask if you want to be seated at the sushi bar, but I often decline and get table seating. In general, other guests don’t even notice, but with one exception (and it was Celebration at the Top, so I could understand why someone might look twice), otherwise, I have never had a weird reaction from guests. Biggest issue by far is getting seated at inarguably the worst table, and I will request to be moved to a better table if I have the time and am bothered enough by it.

I started slow, I was very nervous to dine solo at first, but now it doesn’t bother me in the least. I really enjoy taking my time, reading a book or Disney stuff on my Kindle app, and relishing the ability to make my own choices with no protests or complaints! Just remember, you are likely having a more peaceful, lovely, indulgent time than most of the families you see! Have a great time.

 

[gmi3804]

Define "best." Go where you want. Anywhere in the World is fine. Every WDW restaurant will be named on this thread. Even HDDR.

 

[indoshakespeare]

All of them are fine to dine solo No one will notice or care

 

[Lesverts]

I have dined solo at:

MK: Crystal Palace, The Plaza, Skippers Canteen
MK Area: 1900 Park Fare, Ohana, Steakhouse 71, Citricos, Artist Point
Epcot: Biergarten, Coral Reef, Garden Grill, Le Cellier, Rose and Crown, Teppan Edo, Via Napoli
Epcot Area: Cape May Cafe, Yachtsman, Topolino's Terrace, Trattoria al Forno
DHS: 50's Prime Time, Sci-Fi Dine-in
Animal Kingdom: Tiffins, Tusker House
Resorts: Boma,
Disney Springs: The Boathouse, Homecomin'

Nothing about being solo would keep me from going back to any of these places. Quality and service are what is holding me back from them. I a few I will not go back to for the foreseeable future.

 

[Tigger's ally]

I’m over 60 and don’t care what other people think!

I just turned 60 and this attitude started hitting me around age 55. Let people think what they will. Heck you are in a happy place. Enjoy it!

 

[zackiedawg]

Just try to think back to when you saw someone or something different, or out of the norm in some way - maybe when younger a solo diner might have stood out - some things that might get even more attention such as someone with a lost limb, or lots of tattoos, or a retro/outdated hairdo, or dressed in period clothes - and even if you noticed it, even commented on it or thought something funny or rude about it. As you went about the rest of your day, how much did that thought stick with you, how many more times did you rehash it and discuss it? Honestly, most of the time, it's a fleeting thought and then it's gone.

Even if someone looks at you dining solo, and has a momentary thought, they won't even remember it an hour later. And that's if they even notice! At Disney, there are plenty of people traveling through the parks solo - some are on a solo trip, some may have just split with their party for the day to do their own thing, some may have a partner who got tired or hot and went back to the room so they decided to stay int he park and keep a res. Plenty of reasons, and situations, with the point being that dining solo probably stands out less in Disney than any other place.

I'm not uncomfortable with dining alone almost anywhere - and have done it outside of Disney too - around home as well as traveling abroad, and on cruises. I've never cruised solo, but I often split from my party for some meals. I am more comfortable dining solo at Disney than anyplace on earth - and I have dined solo hundreds of times there - both on solo Disney trips and on trips with family where I split off for a day to do my own thing. I've done everything from Signature dining to Character dining and buffet. Never felt uncomfortable about it.

If you are someone with a little bit of discomfort dining alone, restaurants with bar seating are one easy way to get around it and there are plenty at Disney. But there are also plenty of large restaurants that are well divided into smaller spaces, so you don't feel like you're in the middle of a giant room of multiparty diners with a spotlight shining on you. Liberty Tree, Trattoria Al Forno, Prime Time Cafe, Rainforest, just to name a few examples - lots of smaller rooms and subdivisions throughout so your table might only be in direct view of 2-5 other tables. Character dinners are really not bad for solo either - everyone's busy watching the characters and not looking around at other tables trying to find solo diners. Casual and outdoor spots are always good - sports bars like Rix, outdoor like Geyser Point, places with music or entertainment like House of Blues, Raglan Road, etc.

 

[Simba's Mom]

It's amazing the people who are just solo for the moment-taking a break from the rest of the family. One time DH and I were at Biergarten-at that time they had large communal tables. There was a man dining solo at our table and we talked with him, "How's your day-what have you ridden?" etc. Right near the end of the meal, these two little girls came running up to him, obviously his girls, they'd just had "delicious" pizza, and periodically they stopped in mid-sentence, wrinkled their noses and complained about the "awful smell here". When they left, he turned to us and said "Now you know why I chose to eat alone. I wanted German food. Obviously, they didn't!"