What is your favorite place to dine solo?

[little1kry]

I'm going on a short solo trip in October and, while I'll mostly eat counter service, I'm trying to think of a couple TS placed to go. Sanaa is already on my list but I'm looking for one or two more. I've already done Boma, Brown Derby, Mama Melrose, and Tusker House solo but want to try something new. So, any ideas? Where do you like to dine solo at Disney?

Thanks!

 

[LiteninPrincessa42]

I have no problem dining solo anywhere. But for my trip in September I am doing mostly buffets. I figure I won't have to sit there looking lonely waiting for food to arrive. I can get up and get my food and then just leave when I'm finished. That's my plan anyway!

 

[Joanna71985]

I will dine solo anywhere. But I prefer eating at character meals. I've done CP, CM, LTT, GG, Norway, CRT, Tusker House, and the old AK breakfast solo. Ones I will recommend are CM and CP. They are really good buffets.

 

[popstar7867]

I'm interested to see what people say too! I have the DVC and I can't always convince friends and family to vaca with me so I'm thinking of doing a solo 5 or 6 day trip in September! I had to vaca solo last December and the best meal I ate solo was at Jiko. I got to sit at the appetizer bar and I sat right next to the imagineer who created AK!! It was great chatting with him! I would love any touring tips or dining tips for solo travelors! I always feel a little awkward going solo, but it definitely has it's perks!

 

[newcomer52]

I haven't been uncomfortable dining solo any place at Disney. The places that have a counter to watch the cooking is always fun, Jiko, California Grill, Flying Fish. You can either chat with your neighbor or the chef. Coral Reef is good because the aquarium keeps you occupied while waiting for your dinner. Some places I never miss, just because I love the food, Momma Melrose, Liberty Tree Tavern, Kona Cafe, Artist Point

Jeralyn

 

[DVC Erik]

Jico's is great. I was wondering the same thing. Being single with DVC can be tuff. I never thought it would be so hard to get people to go to Disney with a free hotel

 

[PaulaSB12]

Here are my adrs, I will eat anywhere
21st September Beaches and Cream (oop for the milkshake)
22nd Grand Floridian 0715 Kona Cafe 12.00 room service after MNSHHP
23rd Grand Floridian 0800Yak and Yeti 14.00
24th Crystal Palace 08.15 Sci Fi 14.05 WCC 8.45
25th Kona Cafe 07.55 Rose and Crown 13.00 The Wave 21.15
26th The Wave 0800 (out for the day probably SeaWorld) Narcoossee's 21.40
27th The Wave 0720 The Plaza 11.40 Victoria and Alberts 17.45 (didn't get to go last year my sister wasn't keen)
28th Boma 0800 haven't decided for this one 14.00 Citrios 21.35
29th Crystal Palace 10.00 Tutto Italia 16.30 Jiko 21.50
30th Captains Grill 0830 (out all day) California Grill 21.30
1st Oct Kona Cafe 0800 (out all day ) Flying Fish 21.15
2nd 1900 Park Fare (fist time I managed to get an adr for this one) 0825 Crystal Palace 15.45 Room service after MNSSHP
3rd Chef Mickey 0740? Sci fi 15.15? T-Rex 22.00
4th Chef Mickey 0720 Le Cellier 20.50 (the only adr I managed for this in the whole 2 weeks!!!!!)
5th (day I fly back) 1900 Park Fare 0815

 

[little1kry]

I like the idea of the counter at Jiko, etc. but forgot about that option and it seems like a really cool idea if dining solo.

I'm not really uncomfortable anywhere but haven't done a character meal solo before....might have to think about it for this trip.

Thanks everyone!

 

[popstar7867]

Jico's is great. I was wondering the same thing. Being single with DVC can be tuff. I never thought it would be so hard to get people to go to Disney with a free hotel

OMG Erik I know what you mean! You would think offering up a free hotel stay at Disney would have friends and family jumping on a plane! lol I know I would be! lol Some people just do not understand our love of disney! lol

 

[Terk-1]

I always bring a book with me (love to read) to each of the parks, so I'll take it out and read while I dine. I find it helps get rid of any awkwardness of dining solo. I also find it comes in handy waiting for a parade or show to start.

My must dines on every trip are:

50's Primetime
Crystal Palace (once for dinner & once for breakfast)
Le Cellier

My upcoming trip is during the free dining plan and for $200 I was able to upgrade to deluxe, so it's giving me the chance to dine at several signature or different restaurants that either I would not be able to do because of the cost or family members. Here is the list of places I have ADR's at for this trip:

Le Cellier
50's Primetime
Boma (B) - never been
Sci-Fi (L)
Crystal Palace (D) - before MNSSHP
Crystal Palace (B) - must for me on my last morning at WDW
Yachstman Steakhouse - have not been in a long time
Liberty Tree Tavern (L) - late lunch before MNSSHP (going twice on this trip)
Cape May Cafe (B) - never been
Cape May Cafe (D) - never been
Tusker House (L) - have not been since the rehab
Akershus (B) - never been
Chef Mickey's (B)
Cindy's (B) - never been
The Plaza (L)
Tutto Italia (L) - never been
California Grill - have not been in a long time
Rose & Crown (D)
Hoop Dee Doo Review - have not been in a long time
Narcoossee's - never been
Teppan Edo (L) - never been

 

[SalukiPride]

Jico's is great. I was wondering the same thing. Being single with DVC can be tuff. I never thought it would be so hard to get people to go to Disney with a free hotel

I'd never complain about a free hotel at WDW. Where are we staying and what is the dates?

 

[little1kry]

I'd never complain about a free hotel at WDW. Where are we staying and what is the dates?

Yeah, right? Those are clearly not people who frequent the Dis boards.

 

[Donald is #1]

Jico's is great. I was wondering the same thing. Being single with DVC can be tuff. I never thought it would be so hard to get people to go to Disney with a free hotel

I haven't had that problem yet but in a couple of years I can see me being in the same boat. Of course, that is probably because my '10 and '11 trips will be taking my nephew and niece on their own trips without each other. If it wasn't for those trips, I think that I would be in the same boat starting next year. This year my only DVC trip is solo by choice.

 

[*Emily*]

Jico's is great. I was wondering the same thing. Being single with DVC can be tuff. I never thought it would be so hard to get people to go to Disney with a free hotel

I'll be your friend! lol

I went solo last Sept and loved Teppen Edo, those chefs sure put on a good show!

 

[DVC Erik]

I'll be your friend! lol

I went solo last Sept and loved Teppen Edo, those chefs sure put on a good show!

teppen edo's is a great place what do you get ????

 

[disneylove69]

I'd never complain about a free hotel at WDW. Where are we staying and what is the dates?

Now why can't I have friends with DVC?

 

[*Emily*]

teppen edo's is a great place what do you get ????

I got the worlds strongest drink lol I can't remember the name but it was plum wine mixed with vodka with lime juice. I can definitely hold my own but that thing did a number on me!

Foodwise I had the chicken/steak combo, so good! And the chocolate ginger cake? I think I've actually had dreams about it, it was that great. I go to culinary school and I've tried to re-create it in my pastry classes...just not the same. Must be that disney magic they sprinkle on everything!

 

[Simba's Mom]

My favorite places to dine solo if you aren't too comfortable with solo dining are Chefs de France (I've always asked for and gotten a window table), Coral Reef (again, I've always asked nicely and gotten a tank-side table) and Sci-Fi.
Terk-1, I noticed you're going to the Cape May CB solo for the first time. That's now one of my favorite solo meals. It's so much fun to sit back and watch the characters interacting with all the kids. And being next to a convention-type hotel, there are always other solos there. And except for once, I've always gotten fantastic service.
Maybe it's just my experience, but I won't do dining at communal tables, like Teppen Edo or Biergarten. One time at Teppen Edo I got seated next to a teenager who'd quite obviously just encountered her worst nightmare by being seated next to a middle-aged woman. My attempts to ask her questions about her vacation were met with monosyllabic grunts (I used to teach high school, so I wasn't surprised). And it was too loud in there to try to talk to anyone else at the table. That's unfortunate-after dinner I met her mother, who was also a high school math teacher and we had a very pleasant talk. Rats! Why couldn't they have sat in different seats at dinner?! Oh, well-I'm just not chancing again. Too many great resturants and lots of great books to read.

 

[aggielawyer]

One time at Teppen Edo I got seated next to a teenager who'd quite obviously just encountered her worst nightmare by being seated next to a middle-aged woman.

This is what's kept me from planning to eat at Teppan Edo on my upcoming solo trip. I AM eating at Biergarten--I guess I figure if I'm with a boring table, I can just ignore them and enjoy the show. Teppan Edo has too much 'down time' to do that.

And I don't consider myself middle-aged at 35, but I'm sure I would be to a teenager!

 

[valree]

I haven't been uncomfortable dining solo any place at Disney. The places that have a counter to watch the cooking is always fun, Jiko, California Grill, Flying Fish. You can either chat with your neighbor or the chef. Coral Reef is good because the aquarium keeps you occupied while waiting for your dinner. Some places I never miss, just because I love the food, Momma Melrose, Liberty Tree Tavern, Kona Cafe, Artist Point

I've never been to Flying Fish. Maybe I'll try it and sit at the counter!

These are great ideas, everyone!