What is your favorite place to dine solo?

[Missytara]

I eat out a great deal at home, and mostly sit at the bar.

My fav place is Rainforest Cafe in DTD, because a lot of people sit at the bar while waiting for their table. Really good turnover and you meet people from all over the country.

My second fav place is the bar at California Grill. I go for dessert during the time when the fireworks are going off at MK.

And my third is the lounge at the Wilderness Lodge. Good munchies and cold beer. Then I walk around the pool area for a while, and take the boat back to MK and the bus back to DTD - then I hop on the water taxi that takes me to POR, where I stay.

 

[evildiva]

I went solo in April and found dining by myself to be very easy. I specifically ate at The Wave, Kona Cafe and the Kona Sushi Bar. If you enjoy sushi I highly recommend the Kone Sushi Bar. It opens at like 5pm and you can sit right at the bar and watch the sushi chef (Dre was my favorite) or you can sit at a bar that face the window and watch the monorail. Very nice and Dre is really nice. He listened to and answered all of my crazy questions.

I am going again in October solo and will be dining at Kona Cafe, Chefs de France and Tokyo Dining.

 

[Redbudlover]

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

Ooooh Terk1 you are in for some good eating! I have been to most of those places and love them! I especially like Flying Fish, Narcoossee's, CA Grill, CP both B and D (before MNSSHP!) I like Cape May a lot for B also, in fact better than Chef Mickey's as it is not as crazy or noisy. I love Bomas and Tusker House as well!. Had to send my steak back to LeCellier...

I enjoy going solo as well and enjoy going out to eat solo as well as with others. Like you I bring my book. I stay open to talking to people if I am at a buffet or chef's Table like at Flying Fish, but often I crave a little quiet time after being in the parks and enjoy a fine meal with a little wine and a good mystery!

 

[Straughn]

I travel solo all the time and love eating in the Signature restaurants. I have never had a problem or bad service or felt uncomfortable doing so. I am particularily fond of Artist Point, Jiko and Flying Fish-always great service and the staff will chat with you. I have never done any of the buffets, but that is because I don't care for a buffet, not because I don't want to do it as a solo.

 

[psupple]

Flying Fish and ESPN. Both have bars so you don't have to sit at a table alone. And, for some reason, if you do decide to eat at a TS, having lunch at a table solo seems less awkward than dinner IMO... and it's cheaper!

Oh, I also did Biergarten solo... by default, you don't actually sit alone LOL, as you are seated at a table of up to 8 people. Of course, everyone asked why I was alone, if it was by choice, etc. All in all, it was really fun!!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Maybe it's just my experience, but I won't do dining at communal tables, like Teppen Edo or Biergarten.

It's been "hit or miss" for me at communal tables at WDW, and I wasn't even solo at the times - I was with another adult.

At a now-defunct dinner show (Jolly Hollidays) we were seated at a table with a family of 5 I think. My friend and I tried to engage them in conversation but it was hopeless.

At Teppan Edo we were seated with a family on one side and a couple celebrating their honeymoon on the other. They were nice. The family...not so much.

Once at Biergarten we had boring people on one side and a group of delightful middle-aged ladies on the other. We just focused on them.

I think part of the problem is that most people in this country aren't accustomed to communal dining and just don't know what to make of it. Especially teenagers being spoken to by an adult.

 

[lustergirl]

My favorite is the ESPN Club. I love sitting at the bar catching up on the sports that I missed.

 

[Missytara]

I also bring a few easy reading paperback books, or a puzzle book with me when I eat out.

I always sit at the bar, so you meet a lot of different people waiting for their tables. I also enjoy going over to Rainforest Cafe my first day there and watch a college football game and have a leisurely lunch before heading into the parks.

I love getting dessert at the California Grill when they take the lights down for the fireworks.

I love going to the luau at the Poly.

I will go over to WL and sit in the lounge and get munchies one night; when I have had a large lunch.

I also love to sit in the GF and listen to the piano player in one of those big old overstuffed sofas in the lobby.

I love going by myself to eat anywhere.

 

[rqd]

In my previous solo visits, I've been seated at the Chef's counter at the California Grill.

I've never missed getting a seat here without a reservation. They have seats at the sushi, chef and dessert counters and I've been seated at each. The Chef's counter is the best, imho.

It's located next to the sushi counter and seats two. While sitting there, the staff and the chefs will engage you in conversation and answer your questions.

The sushi bar is also a great place to sit. If you're looking for conversation and are lucky, you'll be sitting next to other solo diners.

rqd

 

[PrincessTrisha]

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

Hi, my name is Trisha and I'd like to be your friend.I'll even buy the drinks .



On topic, I'd say that if you are uncomfortable eating by yourself a couple of places might be easier to handle.

1) Sci Fi - it's dark so no one else will really notice that there's no one with you and there are movie clips playing so they offer entertainment and a distraction while waiting for your food.

2) Sanaa - especially if you get a window table. That way you can look out the window and watch the animals.

3) California Grill - absolutely beautiful views. Very easy to distract yourself from feeling "alone".

Places I'd avoid if you feel subconscious eating alone:

1) Ohana - I can only imagine how subconscious one would feel about large serving after large serving being brought to your small table for 1. (I don't think I'm brave enough for this one).

2) Whispering Canyon Cafe - With all of the "stuff" going on, I'd be worried about being "called out" for being by myself. Breakfast or lunch might be okay because (at least from my lunch experience) it's more subdued.

3) The Castle - this is where I think I'd notice being by myself the most.

 

[Sidhuri]

I've taken a few solo trips to the World and have had great experiences at several sit-down restaurants. My favorite is the Flying Fish on the Boardwalk--ask to sit at the bar where you can watch the chef at work. I've also enjoyed Shula's (I ate in the bar), Hollywood Brown Derby and Wolfgang Puck's. Happy eating!!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Citricos or California Grill

 

[honeydiane1953]

never been solo before but i have ressies at CITRICOS, TEPPAN EDO, THE WAVE, ARTIST POINT, JIKO, FLYING FISH, and then citricos(if good) but do have WOOFGANG PUCK CAFE as a back up. i am going Oct 4th -- 11th. i tried to get CALIFORNIA GRILL AND LE CELLIER but those two seem impossible.

 

[honeydiane1953]

forgot to mention i am going solo this time.

 

[nurse.darcy]

forgot to mention i am going solo this time.

The Bar at 50's prime time. . .known as Tune In Lounge. . .if you eat there say hello to the bartenders for me. . .Dave, David, Enzo and Alena (who will be out on maternity leave when I go back). Nancy the waitress will probably take Alena's place. . .

 

[Bill Brown]

PrimeTime 50's Café is my TS favorite, solo or otherwise. I really feel like I'm visiting distant relatives when dining there. It's best when other guests are willing to play along with the CMs, too.

 

[MsDisney23]

I look forward to eating anywhere in WDW... I own my company, so I use the time to catch up on emails, return phone calls, etc. I enjoy reading something, planning out my evening etc. while waiting for my food. I truly enjoy all of my solo trips.. but I have to tell ya, I sure do miss not having my dd with me these days. Looks like it's time to plan a trip for the two of us.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I will go over to WL and sit in the lounge and get munchies one night; when I have had a large lunch.

Planning my first solo trip in January and this is on my list. Have done this with another adult but know I'll love it as a solo.