The Essential Guide to Solo Dining
Dining solo is a beloved pastime in New York. Every night of the week, New Yorkers can be found at bar stools and sidewalk tables across the city, savoring the pleasure of time spent alone. Here are some of the most welcoming places in lower Manhattan for your next solo cocktail or meal.
This West Village trattoria is the Italian restaurant every New Yorker wishes was on their doorstep. It’s an ideal blend of rustic and refined, with a menu for every type of craving. For lunch, watch the neighborhood walk by at one of the sidewalk tables over a glass of wine and grilled artichokes. The bar has a welcoming atmosphere and bartenders happily chat about the wine list, cocktails, and snacks (don’t miss the ‘Nduja Arancini). Open daily until midnight, it is one of the neighborhood’s coziest spots for a late solo dinner; try the tortelli with smoked ricotta.
51 Grove St, New York, NY 10014; E. ciao@viacarota.com
Hip and history-heavy Minetta Tavern is a must for solo dining. From the red leather banquettes to the muralled walls, stepping into Minetta Tavern is an electric experience. Opened in the late 1930s, the relic was revamped by Keith McNally in 2009, immediately garnering buzz, which resulted in a “sorry, you’re not on the list” doorman and a NYT Critic’s Pick feature. Clearly, the appropriate hype didn’t hurt because 10 years later, it’s still going strong as is McNally’s well-established tradition of sending out a glass of Champagne to any solo diner to make them feel at ease.
113 Macdougal St, New York; T. (212) 475-3850
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This petit bistro on Spring Street in NoLIta is a neighborhood favorite for flavors of the Mediterranean. By day, outdoor tables are topped with light fare like baba ganoush, while by night, aromas of slow-roasted lamb tagine fill the space. Solo diners will be equally comfortable at a sidewalk table, the cozy L-shaped bar, or one of the small booths. This restaurant’s intimate size often results in conversations sparked between fellow diners and bartenders.
14 Spring St, New York, NY 10012; T. (646) 666-0114
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From an early breakfast to afternoon drinks to late-night snacks, this Swiss-inspired café on Lafayette Street offers a casual retreat at any time of day. Swing by first thing in the morning to grab a sidewalk table and read the newspaper over coffee and croissants, or opt for a hearty lunch of croque monsieur with melted gruyere at the bar. A friendly atmosphere and talkative bartenders keep the café steadily buzzing until 2am; dinner is served until midnight (check out the spätzli with wild mushrooms).
212 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012; T. (212) 925-9322
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This neighborhood bistro and happy hour destination in SoHo is a welcome spot for those dining solo. The cozy indoor space is the ideal location for a glass of wine and some food—anything from a light snack to a healthy lunch or hearty dinner. The focus here is on farm-to-table specialties, craft beer and wine, and creative cocktails.
150 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012; T. 646-649-4221
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A converted carriage house is the setting for one of TriBeCa’s tiniest and most intimate restaurants, Smith & Mills. A handful of stools at the bar are prime positions for watching bartenders mix cocktails until 2am (3am on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). A small but varied menu includes raw oysters, a decadent cheese plate, and steamed mussels with toasted miche. Smith & Mills is consistently popular but solo diners can often squeeze in at the bar. A few sidewalk tables add extra space during the warmer months.
71 N Moore St, New York, NY 10013; T. (212) 226-2515
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FEATURED IMAGE Courtesy of Via Carota
