🍝 The Ultimate Guide to Eating Alone Without Feeling Like a Sad Sandwich

Table for One, Please (Yes, I Meant That)

Let’s get one thing straight: eating alone is not a cry for help. It’s not tragic. It’s not weird. It’s a vibe.

And yet… that first time I ate alone in Paris, I was convinced everyone was staring at me like I was the ghost of a dumped tourist. I even pretended to be on an important phone call with “my publisher” (who, shockingly, didn’t exist).

Spoiler alert: nobody cared. And now? I’m a solo dining connoisseur. You will be too — here’s how.

1. Pick the Right Spot (AKA No Candlelit Tables for Two)

Ambiance matters. Look for places with:

Bar seating
Communal tables
Cafés with outdoor seating
Spots where locals actually eat lunch on their own

Bonus if it’s a place with a view or street action — that way, you’ve got built-in entertainment that doesn’t involve awkward eye contact with a waiter wondering why you haven’t ordered wine for two.

2. The Prop Game: Strong

If you feel awkward, bring props:

A book (preferably something intimidating and intellectual-looking)
A journal (so you can pretend you’re writing a New York Times bestseller)
A mini tripod and phone (hello, travel content)
A deck of cards (ok this one’s weird but I did it once in Vietnam and made friends)

The goal isn’t to hide behind something, it’s to give your hands something to do while you bask in your main character energy.

3. Pretend You’re a Food Critic. Seriously.

Order slowly. Ask thoughtful questions. Take notes. Make the waiter think you're from a Michelin-ranked blog. Bonus: you’ll actually taste your food instead of inhaling it.

True story: I once did this in Rome, got a free dessert, and left a glowing fake Yelp review in my head. 5 stars for delusion.

4. Don’t Sit Near the Bathroom. You Deserve Better.

You may be solo, but you still deserve a good table. If they try to seat you next to the restroom or in the back corner where the plants go to die, politely say, “Actually, could I sit by the window?” You’re not being a diva — you’re embracing main character rights.

5. Embrace the People-Watching Olympics

You’ll notice more when you’re not distracted by conversation. The couple arguing over wine. The family with three screaming kids. The guy who’s clearly on a bad Tinder date. Solo dining turns you into a quiet observer — and it’s weirdly empowering.

Plus, if you’re journaling, people assume you’re a mysterious writer documenting their lives. Bonus points if you wear sunglasses.

6. Celebrate the Freedom

Want to order three appetizers and no entrée? Do it. Want dessert and wine at lunch? Live your best life. There’s no one judging your choices, asking for a bite, or telling you “I’m not that hungry” while stealing your fries.

And when you’re done? You get the check, pay, and leave. No awkward splitting, no waiting, no small talk. Just you and your satisfied, solo-stuffed face.

7. If You Still Feel Weird… Fake It Till You Own It

Confidence is a skill — and like most things in solo travel, it gets easier with practice. If you feel awkward, ask yourself: “Would a confident woman care?” Then channel that version of you — even if she’s not fully there yet.

The more you dine alone, the more it becomes a celebration rather than something to survive.