Solo dining suggestions

[BRC6C]

In 11 short days I'm off for my solo adventure! I'm a relatively frequent visitor given that I live in the DC area. We (me, DS14, DH) were down for a month last summer and will be back for another month this summer. Oh, we also went for 10 days at Christmas I have traveled solo to DW before and never really thought about food, just ate where I was when I was hungry.

This time, I want to be a little more thoughtful in my food choices! Also, I'm staying on site so there can be cocktails! I'm not opposed to eating at table service alone, but it's 11 days out and I have no ADRs. So, what would you do? Where would you eat?

 

[DJFan88]

Some ADRS are easy to get day of, and casual. Have gotten Olivias, Kona Café on a whim for our family and was perfect. Literally changed to better times while on the bus to Olivias using the app, so we could just get off and go in. I'd also probably try to book anything that you were never able to book with your family because there is nothing on the menu for "so and so" . Maybe your family isn't like that, but mine is picky and I definetly will be trying places with just my husband while the now teens do there own thing! Also, anytime you can get a BOG I suggest taking it! Just because its hard to get! When I try to get ADRs for our family of 4 on various times/dates I get no availability, but I tried changing one of those to just 1 person, and 3 different good times came up!

 

[Dug720]

In 11 short days I'm off for my solo adventure! I'm a relatively frequent visitor given that I live in the DC area. We (me, DS14, DH) were down for a month last summer and will be back for another month this summer. Oh, we also went for 10 days at Christmas I have traveled solo to DW before and never really thought about food, just ate where I was when I was hungry.

This time, I want to be a little more thoughtful in my food choices! Also, I'm staying on site so there can be cocktails! I'm not opposed to eating at table service alone, but it's 11 days out and I have no ADRs. So, what would you do? Where would you eat?

Wherever you want! If there is somewhere you've always wanted to eat but your kid or husband balks, get yourself an ADR - or if it's counter service, go there!

In my experience no one has made any comment - except maybe the occasional "Wow! I wish I could do that!" comment or something - or looked weirdly at me or anything. But then again, I don't look around to see if people are looking at me.

 

[North of Mouse]

Just us, maybe, but dh nor I will eat TS alone. No, nothing wrong with it, we just feel uncomfortable, and would rather eat CS.

When I eat alone, I tend to want to read a book, newspaper, or 'something' similar. Of course, would never do that in a TS atmosphere.

 

[Best Aunt]

I like to eat an early lunch outside at the Morocco quick service restaurant. It's peaceful because the crowds haven't gotten there yet.

If you get over to Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can eat at the bar at Sanaa, and at a counter area where some of the food is prepared at Jiko. Sanaa is at Kidani and Jiko is at Jambo. You might enjoy checking out this hotel if you have the time.

 

[texaslady22]

On my last trip, I did a walk-up at Sci-Fi and ate alone there. It was nice to be able to watch the video clips and enjoy my milkshake.

 

[Anniefrances]

Single parent here - when my kids were tiny, I would look forward to one or two good TS meals, which I managed to do while they slept in their stroller. These were (and still are) some of my favorites for solo dining:

Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge is my go-to at HS. Delicious food, decent wine list/cocktails, and excellent people watching.
California Grill, if you can get an ADR - so relaxing with a glass of wine.
Yak and Yeti has some nice little 2-top tables upstairs - a nice break in the middle of the day.
San Angel Inn also has a little 2-top table that is tucked away and perfect for one. Don't forget the yummy margaritas!
Teppan Edo if you are feeling social and want to chat with fellow WDW guests (community tables).

 

[ElizaDoesDisney]

I have done a number of short solo trips to Disney and below are some of my favorites for dining solo. Of note, I spent a number of years travelling solo both for work and pleasure and am generally comfortable dining solo (with my kindle ... I'm always with my kindle). I prefer dining at the bar or in a lounge, but will take a table if needs must.

• Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge (DHS) - excellent cocktails and good small plates
• Tune in Lounge (DHS - bar connected to 50's Prime Time) - great wedge salad
• Tutto Gusto (EPCOT) - great place to get out of the heat, excellent wine list, great cheese/charcuterie choices
• Cava de Tequila (EPCOT) - not really a restaurant, but I've made a lunch out of chips and queso plus fantastic margaritas
• Nomads Lounge (AK) - great service and an interesting menu - often quite uncrowded during the day (though likely to change when pandora opens)
• Blue Zoo (Swan/Dolphin) - excellent food and drink, pretty decent bar menu or you can order off of the full menu
• The Wave (Contemporary) - great menu (bacon and eggs was amazing), nice bar set up
• Cabana Bar (Swan/Dophin) - out by pool/closes relatively early. fantastic drinks. decent menu. a bunch of TVs and NFL Sunday ticket - my go to during football season
• Crew's Cup Lounge (Yacht Club) - nice quiet bar, I'm so in love with their wedge salad (lardons!) that I've never tried anything else.
• Sam's Tiki Terrace (Poly) - Great small plates. Watch Wishes!
• Mizner's Lounge (GF) - Drinks are fantastic, good food from Citricos kitchen - I love people watching from a window while listening to the band.

Best part of dining solo --- if you stick to bars/lounges there is no need for reservations

 

[Cinderella94]

When I eat alone, I tend to want to read a book, newspaper, or 'something' similar. Of course, would never do that in a TS atmosphere.

I've never dined solo in WDW so who knows if I might feel differently if I try it, but I don't see anything wrong with reading a book at a TS restaurant. Maybe not a newspaper though, just since it takes up so much room.

 

[ElizaDoesDisney]

I've never dined solo in WDW so who knows if I might feel differently if I try it, but I don't see anything wrong with reading a book at a TS restaurant. Maybe not a newspaper though, just since it takes up so much room.

I agree with @Cinderella94 - when dining alone, a book is always acceptable. At least at the places I dine... I've never done a V&A level meal alone, but when I dine alone I always have a book/kindle with me.

 

[thepicklebee]

I like many of the resort lounges, Crew's Cup being my favorite for the truffle fries. And the Nomad Lounge was deserted when I was there in Sept. and I was the only person in there.

 

[POTCfan]

I have done a number of short solo trips to Disney and below are some of my favorites for dining solo. Of note, I spent a number of years travelling solo both for work and pleasure and am generally comfortable dining solo (with my kindle ... I'm always with my kindle). I prefer dining at the bar or in a lounge, but will take a table if needs must.

• Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge (DHS) - excellent cocktails and good small plates
• Tune in Lounge (DHS - bar connected to 50's Prime Time) - great wedge salad
• Tutto Gusto (EPCOT) - great place to get out of the heat, excellent wine list, great cheese/charcuterie choices
• Cava de Tequila (EPCOT) - not really a restaurant, but I've made a lunch out of chips and queso plus fantastic margaritas
• Nomads Lounge (AK) - great service and an interesting menu - often quite uncrowded during the day (though likely to change when pandora opens)
• Blue Zoo (Swan/Dolphin) - excellent food and drink, pretty decent bar menu or you can order off of the full menu
• The Wave (Contemporary) - great menu (bacon and eggs was amazing), nice bar set up
• Cabana Bar (Swan/Dophin) - out by pool/closes relatively early. fantastic drinks. decent menu. a bunch of TVs and NFL Sunday ticket - my go to during football season
• Crew's Cup Lounge (Yacht Club) - nice quiet bar, I'm so in love with their wedge salad (lardons!) that I've never tried anything else.
• Sam's Tiki Terrace (Poly) - Great small plates. Watch Wishes!
• Mizner's Lounge (GF) - Drinks are fantastic, good food from Citricos kitchen - I love people watching from a window while listening to the band.

Best part of dining solo --- if you stick to bars/lounges there is no need for reservations

When dining alone, I've gone to quite a few of these. And I will have to try the one's I haven't been to. I'll also add the bar at Raglan Road and Territory Lounge (at Wilderness Lodge). I find it tends to be fairly easy to get one seat at the bar. But I have also done several TS restaurants by just seeing what looked good (and had an available reservation on the mobile app) the day of. Check multiple times, because there tends to be a lot of changing availability for a party of one.

 

[Dug720]

Also there is at least one - 'Ohana - that will NOT search for 1. It will never come up. If you find that consistently - or are trying for 'Ohana - put in 2. As long as you show up there is no charge for the hitchhiking ghost - and almost all of the tables are minimum 2 anyway.

 

[loves to dive]

I go solo once a year and pretty much eat where I want. I love Nomad Lounge at AK, the menu is the perfect size for me since I'm not a big eater, the setting is cozy and it's just plain comfortable. I also enjoy eating at both The Brown Derby and the Brown Derby Lounge outside. I'm a huge fan of their Cobb Salad and you can get it at both locations. I've never had any problems getting same day ADRs so I just tend to be walking around the parks and decide I want a TS meal later and jump on MDE and go from there.

 

[disnut8]

Lotus Blossom but don't get their wine if you don't like sweet fruity stuff (you can stop in Norway first). Flame Tree BBQ but have some Ziploc bags with you for leftovers

 

[JARNJ3]

I agree with @Cinderella94 - when dining alone, a book is always acceptable. At least at the places I dine... I've never done a V&A level meal alone, but when I dine alone I always have a book/kindle with me.

Same here. I did a solo WDW trip - had my ipad with me & read books while I ate. Its one of my favorite things to do. Places I ate alone:

- via Napoli
- Hollywood & Vine
- Trattoria al Forno (Boardwalk)
- Grand Floridian Cafe
- Plaza Restaurant

 

[hedywill]

I just returned from a solo trip last week. I had more ADR's than I've ever had before, and I loved it. I chose some of the places that I've always wanted to try. I ate at Mama Melrose (lunch), The Wave (breakfast & dinner), Grand Floridian Cafe (lunch), Ohana (dinner), Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian, Rose & Crown (lunch).

 

[cedricandsophie]

Jiko has a food bar next to chef that is fun. Good wine list.

Morimoto has a great sushi bar. Decent wine list.

Cali Grill is good for sitting at bar. And the saki martini is fab.

 

[skramer100]

Morimoto and sit at the sushi bar. Tell the chef to surprise you with whatever. Great time.
I also like Territory Lounge. The fondue is a nice meal and they have nice wines/cocktails.

 

[BRC6C]

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions! I don't mind eating alone so I'm not worried. I'm thinking I'll be hitting a lot of lounges, they sound perfect!!