Where to Eat in Los Angeles When You’re Dining Solo

Group dinners are fun, but sometimes you want to enjoy a meal alone. When you’re a party of one (emphasis on the party) it’s hard to know the best spots to dine. Here’s where to eat in Los Angeles when you’re dining solo.

Kazu Nori

There are many great things about KazuNori, but what makes Sugarfish’s sister so great for solo diners is that the entire restaurant is a counter. There’s often a wait, but if you’re alone it’s easy to slip into any available seat. Since it’s all counter seating there’s none of the awkward waiting until a small table opens up. The handrolls are efficient and delicious which makes it perfect for a quick lunch, but it also works well for a dinner where you want to linger a bit longer with a glass of Sapporo. (Plus, handrolls weren’t meant to be shared and these are so good you wouldn’t want to anyway.)

Bestia

Hear us out. We know Italian food is meant to be shared, but Bestia is one of the hardest restaurants to get into in LA. Trying a walk-in reservation with a group is possible, but it’s much more likely you’ll get in if you snag a seat at the bar. We have full faith that you can polish off the Roasted Marrow Bone, a pasta dish, and a dessert without any help.

RiceBar

To be honest, there’s not enough room in this tiny Filipino eatery for all your friends anyway. Enjoy RiceBar alone. Sit at one of the seven or so seats squeezed in (it’s part of the experience) and order a Bisteg Tagalog or Pork Longganisa. You’ll be close enough to talk to the chefs across the counter. Take your dessert (Iced Buko) to-go for a walk around downtown. Sure, you could eat dessert in your stool, but we bet another solo diner is eyeing your prized spot hungrily.

Gjusta

This is a great place to grab brunch, but the most serene time to eat at Gjusta is a serene, quiet dinner. In the evening, the long line disappears and so does the Venice Beach crowd. You’ll be able to enjoy the back patio solo with a book while you enjoy Gjusta’s lesser-known (but just as good) dinner menu. Unlike breakfast time, no one will circle your table like a hawk waiting for you to finish.

Silverlake Ramen

Any ramen place is a great place to dine alone. It’s even better when you can skip the line for a table and slide into a bar seat at the crowded spot Silverlake Ramen.  When you’re solo you can sit at the counter and watch the chefs make giant pots of noodles and broth. Think of it as dinner and a show.  Let’s be honest-you weren’t going to share that bowl anyway.