Overthinking a solo dinner

[2vets]

A vote for Boma. I’d go to AK and close park down at Nomad, and then just take the bus or an Uber over to AKL.

Or I’d start in Victoria Falls. But then I would go eat at the bar in Jiko. Great bar tenders, fun experience.

If it were an AK day, absolutely! But it’s an Epcot marathon day with a side run to Tron. My mom comes a few days later, and she’s 82, so I have to do all my crazy running around before she arrives.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Wow! Remind me not to eat at FF. Since I do a lot of solo trips, and usually stay in the Epcot resorts area, FF would be an option-but not now!
To the OP, I wouldn't spend the extra time and money to Uber over to Boma. I've eaten there and had a nice time, but I was staying at AKL. There are nice restaurants in the area you're staying. I've eaten solo at and enjoyed Trattoria Al Forno. I've also eaten at Ale and Compass, and it was OK but pretty hectic, maybe it was just that day.

 

[2vets]

Wow! Remind me not to eat at FF. Since I do a lot of solo trips, and usually stay in the Epcot resorts area, FF would be an option-but not now!
To the OP, I wouldn't spend the extra time and money to Uber over to Boma. I've eaten there and had a nice time, but I was staying at AKL. There are nice restaurants in the area you're staying. I've eaten solo at and enjoyed Trattoria Al Forno. I've also eaten at Ale and Compass, and it was OK but pretty hectic, maybe it was just that day.

FF is fabulous, I would just sit at the bar from now on!! I may opt for a Swolphin restaurant - I remembered that they don’t take the DDP, which automatically makes them more sane !

 

[LoveDaisy]

At FF, it just felt like I was on display (DH was with me that trip, but he came down with a cold and was in the room). I was surrounded by couples, and I swear, like 4 different sets kept turning around to look at me with pity. Overall, just cringey. But not that bad.

The winner? Monsieur Paul. Last year. The waiter actually asked me where my husband was. Like, out of the blue, no preliminaries. I told him he was at home dogsitting and keeping the house organized, and that on Sunday, he’d be hitting the grocery store for us so I could be ready for my busy meeting-filled week when I got home. (This was true, but I did kind of…gloss it up …) I responded kindly, but it definitely shut that line of silly questioning down. There was a guy eating solo at the next table who overheard - he started cracking up and raised his glass to me once the waiter walked away.

To be clear, these experiences are extremely rare!

Wow that is awful! I travel for work and eat solo all the time, you handled that way better than I would have!

If you try the New Mexican place at the swalphin I’d love to hear how it is. It’s on my list for a future trip.

 

[Dug720]

The couples were just weird, but I don’t think it was purposeful. The MP waiter? I was intending to email afterwards, but I kept wondering if it was sort of an accidental slip of something, or he meant to be less offensive adjacent. Admittedly, it takes a lot for me to complain at Disney!

Same. But that still would have warranted a complaint from me. What if you were recently widowed, or recently divorced or broken up? That could make someone really uncomfortable. Or it could be a wife. Or someone who is single by choice. There are just far too many possibilities to make comments - I just think the waiter needed some "counseling" as they call it at Disney.

OTOH you could have played it off and looked at the empty chair and said excitedly. "Honey, your invisibility serum is working!!!"

 

[OC_Stitch]

Hi, all - I will be at WDW for a few solo nights before meeting family in 2 weeks. On one night (a Saturday), I have a Boma res - I was initially staying at AKL and wound up moving to BWI, so would uber/lyft over and back. I looove Boma, but obvs it would be easier to stay “local”. I’ve been debating Flying Fish, but unless I sit at the bar, I hate the way they cram 1-2 people into the middle of the back area. Not.A.Fan. Where have people eaten in the area lately that I’m maybe overlooking? I would normally go to Shiki Sai, but I am going there Sunday.

Cost is not a huge factor, but I will not be wearing anything nicer than cutoffs and a tee, so that’s a factor. Epcot area, DHS area, all fine. I have an AP, so can go in and out of parks. It’s a Saturday, so I do not want to be in line at food booths after 1 pm, and also, please no Cake Bake - I am an in/out at the bakery only. Or should I stick with Boma? Thanks!

I think Ale & Compass is the perfect place to go for a solo dinner. Also, the Mexican restaurant located inside Swan & Dolphin is supposed to be really great

 

[Marthasor]

At FF, it just felt like I was on display (DH was with me that trip, but he came down with a cold and was in the room). I was surrounded by couples, and I swear, like 4 different sets kept turning around to look at me with pity. Overall, just cringey. But not that bad.

The winner? Monsieur Paul. Last year. The waiter actually asked me where my husband was. Like, out of the blue, no preliminaries. I told him he was at home dogsitting and keeping the house organized, and that on Sunday, he’d be hitting the grocery store for us so I could be ready for my busy meeting-filled week when I got home. (This was true, but I did kind of…gloss it up …) I responded kindly, but it definitely shut that line of silly questioning down. There was a guy eating solo at the next table who overheard - he started cracking up and raised his glass to me once the waiter walked away.

To be clear, these experiences are extremely rare!

Dang, what's up with FF? I go to WDW a lot and, very fortunately, have only had 3 odd dining experiences - 2 of them were at FF!

 

[Brob2132]

I really enjoyed FF at the bar. My kids were sleeping and my wife was wiped. Good meal and the people watching was great.

I travel for work, so I'm used to eating solo though. Impervious to the questions/looks.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

Bar at citricos is also an option

I also love FF

 

[2vets]

I really enjoyed FF at the bar. My kids were sleeping and my wife was wiped. Good meal and the people watching was great.

I travel for work, so I'm used to eating solo though. Impervious to the questions/looks.

Definitely considering this! I have np eating solo, those were the only two weird experiences I’ve had.

@0FF TO NEVERLAND I looooove Citricos, but if I’m going to travel somewhere, I’ll stick with Boma

 

[_19disnA]

If I was eating solo @ Disney (or any vacation in general), I would prefer a table/booth to the bar. Sitting at the bar invites strangers to strike up a conversation with you which can be awkward. Bring a book if you need something to do while waiting for your food. The other choice might be to pickup food for carry-out and eat in your room.

 

[2vets]

If I was eating solo @ Disney (or any vacation in general), I would prefer a table/booth to the bar. Sitting at the bar invites strangers to strike up a conversation with you which can be awkward. Bring a book if you need something to do while waiting for your food. The other choice might be to pickup food for carry-out and eat in your room.

I always have a kindle (or at least my current book queued up on the app on my phone) when dining solo. I have done bar/shared seating solo at Steakhouse 71 and Nomad (maybe others?) a few times, and I’ve met some great people - I don’t feel awkward about it at all. I think it would only bother me if I felt like I was getting hit on, and that hasn’t happened at Disney, at least not in recent decades !

 

[2xcited2sleep]

The bar at Flying Fish is tied with the pseudo chef's counter at Jiko as my favorite place to dine on property solo. The bartenders at FF are superb and I've always had a terrific time there. They do a nice job of reading whether you want to keep to yourself or if you're up for chatting (I've been in both moods). I do agree about the backroom being less desirable and feeling like the 2-tops are sandwiched in there ... but I have that "sandwich and less desirable table experience" in many places as a solo ... including Le Cellier, San Angel Inn, Via Napoli. As for the OP's quandry, I'd definitely stick with something around Crescent Lake. All the spots at Swan and Dolphin have nice lounges - bluezoo (heard they just refreshed their menu), Shula's, Il Mulino (can get half orders of the pasta!), Rosa Mexicano.

 

[Simba's Mom]

If I was eating solo @ Disney (or any vacation in general), I would prefer a table/booth to the bar. Sitting at the bar invites strangers to strike up a conversation with you which can be awkward. Bring a book if you need something to do while waiting for your food. The other choice might be to pickup food for carry-out and eat in your room.

Glad someone else said that too. When I sat at the bar, there were no other solos there. There was a couple on each side of me, both engrossed in conversation with their companion. I love to read, so I'd rather be at a table or booth, with my Kindle app.

 

[2vets]

The bar at Flying Fish is tied with the pseudo chef's counter at Jiko as my favorite place to dine on property solo. The bartenders at FF are superb and I've always had a terrific time there. They do a nice job of reading whether you want to keep to yourself or if you're up for chatting (I've been in both moods). I do agree about the backroom being less desirable and feeling like the 2-tops are sandwiched in there ... but I have that "sandwich and less desirable table experience" in many places as a solo ... including Le Cellier, San Angel Inn, Via Napoli. As for the OP's quandry, I'd definitely stick with something around Crescent Lake. All the spots at Swan and Dolphin have nice lounges - bluezoo (heard they just refreshed their menu), Shula's, Il Mulino (can get half orders of the pasta!), Rosa Mexicano.

Awesome. Rn, I have Boma and Rosa Mexicano (high top seating) booked - latter is on Open Table, but I’m likely to let Boma go soon. Hard not to deeply consider FF bar…those scallops are calling my name!

Half orders of pasta - hahaha, yeah, no. I do intermittent fasting and daily hourlong runs at home, so when I’m at Disney, I go hog wild!

R.e. the smushed 2-tops, yeah, there are definitely a few other places that’s the case. Some of Cali Grill’s seating is absolutely ridiculous, for instance. But I avoid CG except the bar anyways!

 

[2vets]

Glad someone else said that too. When I sat at the bar, there were no other solos there. There was a couple on each side of me, both engrossed in conversation with their companion. I love to read, so I'd rather be at a table or booth, with my Kindle app.

I think the only weirdness I have ever experienced with shared seating was at La Cava..? But I was stuffing queso and margaritas into my face, so I didn’t mind ! Everyone is different, though. Most places, I do do table seating.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

My huddy was down at WDW for a conference and ate solo at the FF bar as well as the Narcoosee's bar. Said both were great experiences. Both are places we frequent when together and was happy they are just as approachable when he's there solo.

All the options discussed in this thread are good and you'll have a great time no matter what you chose. Enjoy your trip!

 

[matt and beth]

We just did a couples only trip for 8 days and did signature dining only. Can give a very hefty vote for two. Citricos House salad was amazing and filet was so good my wife thought I was having a seizure. Every single bite deserved reflection. . A close second for me personally is Summer House at DS. More upscale than I thought it would be and the potato salad devil eggs were delicious. The main dish was Cobia and it was absolutely fantastic. Done to perfection. Overall I would rate it a 10 whereas Flying Fish would be an 8. California Grill was Meh, and Steakhouse 71 was terrible I could do better with a Kroger steak. Turf Club at SSR outperformed easily. Trattoria Al Forno was another disappointment. The strip steak was thin and all cupped up. I’d be embarrassed to present that. We had drinks at Trader Sam’s and found Kona Cafe is a sleeper. The California rolls are good as was the Mahi. The setting is not overly great however. Narcoosee surf and turf is fantastic and has a wonderful fireworks view of MK.

 

[toesmom]

Trattoria on boardwalk has great food and you can sit outside as solo. Last time we were there we saw a lady on her own outside at table.

 

[2vets]

We just did a couples only trip for 8 days and did signature dining only. Can give a very hefty vote for two. Citricos House salad was amazing and filet was so good my wife thought I was having a seizure. Every single bite deserved reflection. . A close second for me personally is Summer House at DS. More upscale than I thought it would be and the potato salad devil eggs were delicious. The main dish was Cobia and it was absolutely fantastic. Done to perfection. Overall I would rate it a 10 whereas Flying Fish would be an 8. California Grill was Meh, and Steakhouse 71 was terrible I could do better with a Kroger steak. Turf Club at SSR outperformed easily. Trattoria Al Forno was another disappointment. The strip steak was thin and all cupped up. I’d be embarrassed to present that. We had drinks at Trader Sam’s and found Kona Cafe is a sleeper. The California rolls are good as was the Mahi. The setting is not overly great however. Narcoosee surf and turf is fantastic and has a wonderful fireworks view of MK.

Thanks! I agree wholeheartedly on Citricos and have also had some great stuff at Kona, but I don’t intend to venture out of the Crescent Lake area this night if I change current Boma plans. Hell would freeze over before I went to Disney Springs on a Saturday night… My mom and I are doing V&A’s a few days later, so although cost for this particular night is not a major consideration, it certainly does not need to be signature. (Btw, if you like sushi, I highly recommend checking out Shiki Sai. That place is the bomb, and it seems to attract more of an adult crowd than many other places in Epcot.)