Solo female travel: the quiet pleasure of dining alone

As a food writer and restaurant critic, I frequently find myself enjoying meals solo in various eateries. Sometimes it's a spontaneous decision to enter a place that piques my interest, while other times it's due to a looming deadline when I've been unable to secure a dining companion or when my planned guest has canceled.

If given a choice, I would almost always opt to dine with others, as I believe much of the joy of food lies in the shared experience—yet circumstances sometimes dictate otherwise.

Travel revolves around the culinary experience

A good guideline for restaurant reviews is to sample two starters, two main courses, two desserts, and cocktails (if they're a specialty), along with wine. This approach allows the restaurant to showcase its strengths rather than being evaluated on just one dish from each category. Thus, when dining solo, I often find myself ordering enough for two, which can be quite awkward—especially in my hometown of Dublin, where restaurants sometimes display photos of reviewers on the walls.

Interestingly, while it may seem less daunting to dine alone in a casual spot, solo dining at an upscale restaurant can be quite enjoyable—particularly when there's a tasting menu paired with wines that requires genuine focus to appreciate its subtleties. High-end establishments are accustomed to catering to business travelers dining solo and know how to make them feel comfortable.

While I navigate these slightly uncomfortable yet often pleasurable situations for my job, I was surprised to learn that many female travelers genuinely relish the experience of dining alone—something that typically causes anxiety for many globe-trotters. Here are some of their perspectives.

Benefits of dining alone

Martha de Lacey is a cook living in Margate with her partner and young child. Before relocating to the Kent Coast, she resided in East London, where she organized supper clubs and cooking classes in her home. An adventurous solo traveler, Martha believes travel is all about the culinary experience. Her passion for everything from kebab spots in Istanbul to taco joints in Puerto Escondido and famous sandwiches in Puglia, as showcased on her Instagram, is truly inspiring. Dining alone while traveling doesn't intimidate her at all.

'I began dining solo during my time as a journalist in London,' shares Martha. 'As a film and music critic, I spent a lot of time outside the office, waiting between films or before concerts without a companion.'

'I became accustomed to it, and soon enough, when traveling with friends, I started adding a few solo days at the end of my trips to explore on my own,' she recalls.

'I've embraced solo travel – I enjoy my own company and the tranquility it brings. When it comes to food, there are no compromises or need to share. I’m quite adventurous with my eating, and sometimes when I’m with friends who aren’t keen on trying dishes like calves’ brains or other unique offerings, I miss out on what I really want to order,' she explains.

'Dining alone allows me to focus on the food, and I tend to drink less – when I’m out with a large group, having fun, I often find that by the end of the night I can’t recall what I ate because I’ve been too engaged in the conversation and the company,' she notes.

Dining solo is simpler while traveling

Holly Pratt Kelly, a solicitor based in Dublin, seizes every chance to travel. During a break between exams in her legal training, she took a three-week solo journey to Malaysia.

'I appreciate the freedom that comes with traveling alone, and eating solo doesn’t bother me – it’s not something I typically do in Ireland, so I relish the experience when I’m abroad,' she shares.

'I often seek recommendations from acquaintances or look for advice from travel bloggers. The only time I felt a bit uneasy in Malaysia was in Kuala Lumpur, which is surprising since it’s the capital and you’d expect them to be accustomed to solo female travelers. In Penang, I visited hawker markets where you place orders at stalls and have your food brought to your table. There was entertainment and excellent people-watching, but I always had my Kindle to keep me company,' she shares.

'I tend to over-order when dining alone because there are so many dishes I want to sample! Even while solo traveling, I sometimes prefer eating in a group – I often meet fellow travelers on a bus or at a hostel and we decide to go out to eat together,' she explains.

Enjoy local cuisine, but keep safety in mind

Dr. Mairead Ryan is affiliated with the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, specializing in behavioral epidemiology and health interventions for young people. During her PhD, she embarked on a five-month solo journey across South America, exploring Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, and Colombia.

'In my younger years, the thought of traveling and especially dining alone seemed daunting, but now I find it quite enjoyable. When waitstaff realize you're on your own, they tend to engage in more small talk, which is pleasant – but if you pull out a book or phone, it signals that you prefer solitude,' she shares.

'I wouldn't classify myself as a foodie, but along the 'gringo trail' in South America, it’s easy to find falafel and vegan bowls everywhere, as many restaurants cater to affluent Western tourists,' she notes.

'However, those options don't reflect what the locals actually eat, and I generally steer clear of those places, even though I enjoy falafel. If you’ve made the effort to travel, why not indulge in something beyond a falafel bowl?'

'In South America, the first question people tend to ask is, 'Are you single?' – there’s a notion that you’re traveling to meet someone, and local female travelers are quite rare. Once you venture beyond the typical tourist spots, locals become curious about your presence and often offer advice. I noticed this particularly in Colombia and Argentina.'

'As a woman traveling alone, one important consideration for safety is how to get back to your accommodation after dining out. In Argentina, for example, most people don’t typically eat dinner until 10:30 p.m., which means returning to your hostel quite late. I always seek restaurant suggestions from locals outside my lodging, as hotel and hostel staff are often motivated to recommend certain places,' she explains.

'I make sure to pack a nice dress in my backpack so I can treat myself to a nice restaurant every few weeks – the food quality is excellent, and depending on where I am, it's often still affordable compared to what I pay at home. Those are the solo dining experiences I cherish the most,' she shares.

'So the next time you're traveling, consider making it a table for one. You might discover that solo dining is more enjoyable than you thought.'