what table serv meals do you enjoy as a solo?

[newholidayx2]

Havent booked any yet even though my 180 window was 3months ago!
Where would you suggest for a 1st timer solo? Where would you feel most comfortable?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I didn't feel comfortable at any table serve places for my first 4 solo trips. Now I recommend Sci Fi, Chefs de France (especially if you can get a window seat), character meals if you like to people watch (lots to see there-I love to watch the characters interact with the little ones). Also, servers have been particularly nice to me at Rose and Crown and Boatrights. At Sci Fi, I remember the server was so surprised about me dining alone. She kept saying "I wish I had the courage to do that", so then she kept making sure I was taken care of. Real nice!

 

[Lancer]

On each trip I take solo, I always end up at Teppanayaki for a meal. You can sit around the grill with up to six other guests and its always easy to strike up a conversation. I would have to agree with Simba's Mom, It may seem awkward at first(not from the server but from the other guests wondering to themselves, why you are eating alone) but you get used to it and I also found that the servers did treat me really nice. I always tipped them very well as a thanks. I always have a park map with me to look at to pass the time while waiting for my food. I just say to my self " what, am I inconveinancing you by eating alone?" or "was I supposed to ask your permission to eat ?" Now Im just ranting. By all means enjoy a nice peaceful meal. where ever you want!

 

[InstImpres]

I've enjoyed many meals that I wont spend for if we were a larger group...I particularly love Alfredos. I agree that Tempppanayaki is nice to be with other people but it works because you are all seated together and they put the right number of people at the table. I personally found Biergarten to be awkward as they seat people at a large table at all different times, they than sat me in the "middle" after 2 parties were half way finished. I felt a little on display (but I am sure that was me). Any sit down is great....enjoy!

 

[rtobe]

California Grill - ask for a "chef's table or "counter" - I sat in front of the sushi chef's station and learned all kinds of neat things about sushi. Also the chefs came by and explained how my entree and dessert were prepared was truly a nice time.

 

[Meezers]

I MAY be able to let you know about CP in a month or so...thinking of trying this while DB and DM are at Teppanyaki....just wanna eat with Pooh and Gang!

 

[wdwjunkie2005]

I really liked the Prime Time Cafe as a solo. My server made me feel part of "the family" with the table next to mine. "Say 'Hi' to your cousins from Alberta!" She tried to make my "cousins" feel bad by pointing out that I'd eaten all my veggies (I'm a vegetarian; if I didn't eat 'em all, I'd starve!). It was a lot of fun. Also, the vintage TV clips are a nice diversion if you need to have something to do when dining alone.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club has a counter. At Marrakesh you are seated with other people as a matter of course.

I only did one solo trip (business sent me to Orlando!!!!), and ate in the room a lot, but the folks at the Crystal Palace and Whispering Canyon Cafe were super nice.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I done a few table service restaurants as a solo. I ate at Trail's End three times as a solo, and always had a great meal and never felt awkward. Another great place is Beaches and Cream at the counter. I also done 1900 Park Faire, Bomas, and Boatwrights as a solo, and had a nice time.

The only time I felt awkward was when I ate solo at Cape May Clam Bake dinner at the Beach Club, as I was placed in a booth area with two tables, with a large family at the other table. Too close and felt right on top of them! Never been back since then because of that. And I hestitate to do Garden Grill for a similar reason, as I think I saw lots of booth areas with close tables when it rotated around.

Though, now in my mid thirties, I noticed I care less and less about what others think about me eating alone! If there is a place I want to try, then I will try it!

 

[#1DizGal]

Mama Melrose's at the Studios. I dine there solo every trip! Sci Fi is pretty awesome, too. Have a great time!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club has a counter. At Marrakesh you are seated with other people as a matter of course.

Are you sure about Marrakesh? Granted, it's been a bit since I've eaten there but it always used to be individual tables.

To the original poster: As a frequently-solo traveler, I dine anywhere I want. What kind of food do you like?
I've dined solo at, let's see...
Brown Derby
50's Prime Time
Chefs de France
Le Cellier
Marrakesh
Biergarten (yes, seated with strangers, but all seated about the same time)
Spoodles
Beaches & Cream
Coral Reef
Cinderella's Royal Table
Boatwright's
Olivia's
Kona Cafe
Concourse Steak House
California Grill
Jiko (at the counter)

 

[WillCAD]

My favorite solo places are the same as my faves when travelling with a group.

BREAKFAST:

All-Star Resort food courts - excellent food, casual but fun atmosphere, great service.

Electric Umbrella - Pretty good food, best location, great views of either the fountain or the breezeway to MS and TT (hint - sit on the upper level when it's open!)

Starring Rolls Bakery - It don't get no sweeter 'n 'at, hon! Phenomenal baked goods, lovely atmosphere, convenient location.

Kona Cafe - Tonga Toast rocks! And the atmosphere and location are fabu, too.

Boatwrights (POR) - Calm, lazy-river atmosphere, excellent food and service, location convenient if you're staying at POR.

LUNCH:

Electric Umbrella - See breakfast entry above.

Backlot Express - Pretty good food, convenient location, and if you eat during an Indy show, you can sit near the arena and listen to the music and the WHUMP of those cool propane explosions.

Tomorrowland Noodle Station - Best non-burger lunch n MK! Super tasty food, big, bigger, biggest portions for the money, quick service, and great location.

Lotus Blossom Cafe - Excellent Chinese food, large portions, great location. WARNING - No A/C in the dining area make it a hot one in summer!

Tangerine Cafe - Tasty Medeteranian food, nice atmosphere, great location. Sit, eat, relax, and listen to the Moroccan band outside.

Dolphin Fountain - Simple burgers, fries, chicken, sandwiches, etc., but excellent quality, large portions, smiling, happy servers, and a quiet, relaxed atmosphere within the Dolphin hotel. DO NOT MISS the apple pie a la mode - it's terrific!

DINNER:

'Ohana - fabulous food, wonderfuly relaxed atmosphere, great view of MK out the windows. The new menu has turned some people off, but I like it even better, especially the new desert - it totally burries the old pineapple and caramel sauce! Makes a Mickey Bar look like a doggie treat! Makes Dole Whips look like something out of a medicine cabinet! (Can you tell how much I loved that desert?)

Boma - Unusual food, terrific variety, great service, and deserts to die for. Located within AKL, the most beautiful resort in all of WDW.

Yorkshire County Fish Shop - Yes, it's counter service, but I love to grab an excellent fish and chips dinner here and eat while listening to British Invasion. Also a good place to meet folks from the U.K. - they seem to love fish and chips so much that they fly all the way accross the Pond to get it!

All-Star Resort food courts - Excellent counter-service dinner fare, same relaxed but fun-loving atmosphere as the breakfast menu.

SNACKS:

Mickey Bars are great for a quick sweet treat.

Pineapple soft-serve Dole Whips can be a mighty refreshing break on a hot day. Heck, they taste just as good on a cold day.

Kaki-gori is the greatest little frozen treat in Epcot.

I really miss the Beaver Tails at Trapper Bob's, the root beer floats from Pure and Simple in the Wonders of Life, and the Frozun Sundrop from Forty-Thirst Street.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I MAY be able to let you know about CP in a month or so...thinking of trying this while DB and DM are at Teppanyaki....just wanna eat with Pooh and Gang!

Yes, please do post how Crystal Palace is. I'd love to eat with Eeyore!

 

[macraven]

i go solo and prefer to eat at ts places .
when i do cs, and if the place is crowded, its a bear to try to find an empty table while i am carrying a tray of food.

the solo places that i have eaten at and really felt good about are:
crystal palace
tonys
concourse steak house
ohana
grand floridan cafe
san angel inn
le cellier
rose and crown
sci fi
crt/dinner
hollywood and vine
marrakesh
garden grill


there are some places where going solo was not enjoyable for me but did not list them

 

[lisaviolet]

I enjoyed sitting at the bar at the Prime Time Cafe eating the fried chicken. In fact, I think it is a best kept secret since it is a popular restaurant and you don't need an ADR to eat at the bar.

I also enjoyed Kona Cafe at breakfast. I think it was because the waitress seemed to be used to solo travellers. And the food is good.

I didn't enjoy Spoodles at breakfast. The hostess seemed in shock that I was solo. Funny. And it was just before Christmas so I guess that added it it. Not liking it probably had more to do with crappy food and crappy service than solo. I was surprised....service has to be pretty poor for me to use crappy. Plus, I've seen some fantastic reviews about the breakfast. Off day I guess.

Oh, I loved...loved...loved eating solo at Olivia's at OKW. The place is so homey and the staff is incredibly friendly.

It's weird I always eat at only CS with others on vacation (we try to save $$$ plus I hate reservations) but something led me to add TS solo....weird.

 

[Disney Chick2]

My new favorite from this past November was Flying Fish. I sat at the bar and had a great meal. The bartenders were talkative and offered wine tastings...I had always wanted to go and now I'll go back everytime.

 

[Laurabearz]

I maybe taking my first solo trip to WDW this summer (or Spring, not sure yet, depends on if and when I can book all the tours I want to take... lol)


This thread has been very helpful. I would have never thought of Tepppanaka (sp) as a place to eat on that trip until I read this thread! That seems like the perfect place to dine!

 

[barrie]

Here's another plug for Flying Fish. I ate solo at the bar in November and had a fabulous meal. It was like seeing a dinner show for free! Here's some pix...

My view to the left:

My view to the right (which totally convinced me to try the scallops on my next visit!):

And the truly wonderful appetizer I had - I don't usually photograph my food but I thought the presentation was so nice and I wanted to show other people:

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks for those pictures! I'm definitely adding the Flying Fish to my "must try" list for August. And since I'm staying in the Epcot area, it'll be so convenient. Just one question-is it best to ask for the bar seating when you make ADRs?

 

[barrie]

You're welcome! I've been there a few times and was always able to just walk in and get a seat. That's the nice thing about sitting at the bar in any restaurant. But advanced planning is probably a good idea depending on when you go. I don't know if you need to ask in advance for bar seating. Seems like you could just do that when you get there but I'd ask on the phone when you call for PS. Barrie