solo dining ideas please

[tjmw2727]

Ok disers,

I am doing my second "semi-solo" trip in early April and honestly I am dreading eating alone but don't want to do all CS or miss some great places. My sil is joining me for 2 of my 4 days so we will hit my favorites together but what to do the other two days.

I travel often for business mostly solo and even after years of having to I just don't like solo dining. Its a necessity during business trips and I grind it out but I am looking for alternatives for my WDW trip. Strangly enough I am more comfortable sitting at a bar to eat, with or without a "beverage" but I don't like solo at a table.
I know weird but true!

I am really looking forward to all other aspects of my solo portion of the trip btw - just not the dining.

I am trying to think of counter/bar service type places I can have a nice meal without sitting at a table alone. I have come up with some and would love your comments and suggestions on those I have missed.

So far I can see myself doing, Rose & Crown at the bar, Beaches & Cream at the counter and definately 50's Prime Time at the bar. Honestly that along with some CS would get me through but I wonder if there are some good places I am missing. I love the Concourse at CR and SIL and I are not doing that one. Is there a bar area serving the same food, esp the burger and soups?

Any comments and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

TJ

 

[gokenin]

I know there is a bar area that you can eat at Flying Fish its actually the area that overlooks the kitchen I believe that the Kitchen at Jiko's also has a similar setup if you are looking for places to get a meal at. You can also do solo eating at ESPN club at the boardwalk without feeling out of place and I know that you can get full menu at the outside bar down at Raglan Road at DTD. Those are the ones i know of am sure that there are others but hopes this helps

 

[Mackey Mouse]

When Tubbi's opens again at the Dolphin, it is so casual I am sure you would feel comfortable eating there alone.. I also think they do one heckuva burger...

I understand that feeling....I always bring a book and pretend it is not making me uncomfortable to sit and dine alone (although I hate it). Look how comfortable I am sitting here engrossed in my book type of thing.

 

[CarolynNC]

I can't help you out with counter/bar sit down meals but wanted to recommend Concourse Steakhouse & LeCellier. I made a solo trip last August and they were my favorite. I am quite secure when it comes to dining alone so I enjoy most any dining experience. I had a little corner table in the back at Concourse. There was someone seated at the next table but it wasn't intrusive. In fact, I'm a people watcher so I would have preferred being in the center of the room where I could snoop! My table at LeCellier was in the center of the room. I think the tables here were closer together. I ended up chatting with the family at the table next to mine.

I think if you asked to be seated at the back of the restaurant you would enjoy dining alone at Concourse. Good luck with your choices.

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks all, great ideas. I am doing LeCellier (my fav!) and Ragland Road with my sil and love Concourse enough that I may try lunch alone!

I hadn't thought of ESPN but since I will be at the BWV I can see myself doing a meal alone there.

Thanks again
TJ

 

[Cheshire Figment]

How about Teppenyaki or Biergarten. You will be put at a table with others. Since you are familiar with the parks you can probably get into some interesting conversations, especially if you end up seated with people on their first trip who need advice or help.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

How about Jiko? When I ate there solo, I ate at the Cooking Place, which is bar-type seating, got to watch the appetizers being made, and had a lengthy conversation with two nice older ladies.

 

[jwfla422]

I agree with kitchen bars at FF & Jiko even though they are full service restaurants. DD and I always sit at the kitchen bar at FF when we go (she's 7)--I'd sit there if I were alone just because I find it entertaining watching the cooks. Who needs a book when you can watch the whole process, plus many of the CMs are quite friendly. We have yet to get a spot at the Cooking Place but one day we will. (or I will)

I have also had dinner at Portabello's in DTD myself at the bar and was quite happy. This was a few years ago when dd didn't mind going to the kid's clubs, I'd take some "grown up" time for myself and have a quiet dinner and then do some shopping. I've honestly never been uncomfortable dining alone. I used to travel for business years ago and would always look for the good restaurants in the areas I went to. I find it more like an adventure.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I can understand your uncomfortableness about the thought of dining alone. I've taken about 7 solo trips to WDW, and I think it took me about 4 trips before I could feel comfortable dining sit-down alone. Chefs de France, if you can get a window table (which I've been able to do each of 3 trips there), is a good choice, as is SciFi drive in. And here's a tip-bring a small notebook for jotting notes about where you've been, rides you've ridden, what you ate, etc. When you get home, you can store it with your other mementos. What fun to reminisce later!