The latest lockdown restrictions mean socialising this winter is going to be pretty limited… and it might get worse before it gets better.
‘First of all, ask yourself – what is the fear?,’ suggests Nadia. ‘Why are you actually scared of doing things alone? Identify these fears so you can start to address them. You don’t even have to use it, it’s just there for you to glance at every so often if you feel uncomfortable staring into space, and it can be an excellent cover for the solo diner’s guilty pleasure: people-watching.This is not the time to deny yourself. Order the nicest wine by the glass you can afford, or make sure you opt for that dessert you’ve had your eye on.Treating dining alone as a ‘solo date’ will help you enjoy it and make sure it’s an experience you want to repeat.
Also, during the uncertainty and instability of the pandemic, solo dinners or drinks can provide an outlet that breaks the tedium of spending so much time at home. ‘I was very much out of my comfort zone, but once I got inside and ordered a drink it was a lot easier. Stepping inside the building is the biggest mental hurdle, I think.‘It’s a bit awkward when you say “I came here by myself”, but when they realise you’re not a nutter and you tell them the reason you’re on your own – they let you join their group.Natalie Montgomery, founder of, says she loves solo dining, and even does lots of other social activities on her own – like going on holiday.
I often used to go for dinner alone in London. Some restaurants refuse to seat solo diners. Others insist you sit at some awful table out of sight near the loo/in a corner. Well meaning waiters try to be over social.