Dining alone in NYC
Hi all,
I'm planning a trip to NYC in mid-October and will be touring the city on my own. I'm just wondering if you could tip me off on some good, casual places to eat by myself where I won't feel too out of place or uncomfortable. I'm mostly thinking breakfast and late lunch or an early dinner. I'm planning to spend my time in Manhattan, probably Central Park and south.
The last time I made the trip I pretty much ignored food and ate McDonald's sitting on the floor at Grand Central while waiting for the train : )
Thanks in advance for your help!
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10 Comments:
i think anywhere with bar dining is good for eating on your own. i like gottino for wine and snacks, and el quinto pino for more traditional tapas. momofuku noodle bar is also great for bar dining. sushi bars work too.
for a quicker meal - i've been to num pang several times by myself. the sandwiches there are so good - my favorites are the cauliflower and the meatball.
shake shack would be nice for outdoor dining - a delicious burger in madison sq park!
for breakfast, you could go a bagel place like murray's. it's very casual and everyone's just doing their own thing. bakeries would also be good - my favorite is almondine in brooklyn. if you go there - get the almond croissant it is awesome!
kristin314 at 2:42PM on 09/01/09
Good for solo dining:
Bouchon Bakery
Oyster Bar Saloon
Ise
Elvie's Turo Turo
Yakitori Totto
Fig and Olive
Caffe Follow Me
(Bar at) Otto Pizzeria
Boqueria
Bar Boulud
Ortolan at 3:06PM on 09/01/09
i would add the bar at lupa to that list. i've eaten at lupa several times by myself, both at a table and at the bar, and have had wonderful service.
cybercita at 9:19PM on 09/01/09
Shopsin's. In the Essex st market, lower east side. Just listening to Kenny talk to whoever is an experience in itself.
sailordave at 1:52AM on 09/02/09
dinner - Dock's Oyster Bar 40th +3rd
Great Bar dining - especially for solo diner (busy, big screen tv's, friendly bbq)
http://docksoysterbar.com
Happy hour - bar menu include $1.50 burger sliders, $7.00 drink specials
breakfast - Midtown diner 50th + 1st Ave (right near Tramway) - spacious (as far as NY is) diner.
lunch - Park and 51/52/53 - plenty of street carts with New York food (Rafiqi's gyro's etc - written up in TimeOut), also dessert cart - plenty of outdoor seating on east side of Park Avenue for people watching.
Joyisme at 4:42PM on 09/02/09
I agree that anyplace with a full menu at the bar is easy for dining alone. If you want to really treat yourself, though, and you're dogged enough to snag a reservation, I went to Momofuku Ko by myself and loved it. The restaurant only seats about 12 people to begin with and everyone's facing the kitchen, so it's an ideal setup for solo eating. I ended up chatting with someone sitting next to me and exchanging tastes of our wine pairings, but I was perfectly content to just focus on the creation and astounding deliciousness of the food.
Having now given this some thought, I would recommend first figuring out what sorts of food you really want to experience, and then just heading for those restaurants: you'll be astounded, I think, by how comfortable you'll feel.
travels4food at 11:36AM on 09/03/09
Gotham Bar and Grill's bar. I've done it several times. I think Union Square Cafe also serves its full menu at the bar, and it's very convivial.
Carioca at 1:54PM on 09/03/09
why is eating out solosuch a big deal?! When it comes down to it, the only factor that makes you feel out of place or uncomfortable is YOURSELF.
slograffiti at 4:32PM on 09/03/09
A great place to have a meal at a table or at our almost 200 year old bar, your choice, is the Bridge Cafe. The Bridge is Old New York. The building was built in 1794 and is the oldest wood structure containing a business in New York. It is also the oldest operated bar and food establishment. I will assure you that you will have a great meal in a very comfortable and hospitable enviornment. Home away from home. I can make this promise because I am the Executive Chef. I wish you a safe trip and good luck with your choice. After all there are over 25,000 restaurants in New York city. www.bridgecafenyc.com
chefjoek at 2:31AM on 09/05/09
Eat at Hearth in the East Village. There are four seats that look into the kitchen - inspiring and fun to watch, and absolutely divine food. Ditto for Dell'Anima.
Balthazar - wonderful to sit back and enjoy the scene. I ate a late lunch there by myself once and was treated to a flute of champagne, on the house.
Blue Ribbon Bar is tiny and intimate, perfect for one. Little Owl, too.
Sweet Freak at 11:26AM on 09/05/09