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Original poster

I went to the theatre on my own, where should I have eaten?

62 replies

Flowerypillow · 17/02/2023 18:32

A big first for me since DH died. I went into London and saw a play in the West End, all on my own. I've had a really good afternoon, but I'm a bit cross with myself because I'd planned to also eat and chickened out.

Everywhere seemed either too busy to get a table or so empty I'd feel conspicuous. There were some Italian Restaurants that looked a possibility but they had "Italian" charmers drumming up custom on the doors and I couldn't face it, so I'm on my way home to make carbonara 😆

I will do it next time though, so on your own in the West End where would you head for to eat? And, stupid question, could/should I book a table for one?

OP posts:
Buffypaws · 17/02/2023 19:09

Whatever you do go and get an ice cream from Bilmonte before you go home. Great windmill street.

SamMil · 17/02/2023 19:10

sunflowerandivy · 17/02/2023 18:42

I eat at Taro on my own all the time. Old Compton street. It's a Japanese restaurant in soho and its not unusual for Japanese people to go out and eat alone in a restaurant quite casually. I have been at all times of day and there are usually some other solo diners. Delicious food. Really relaxed atmosphere. Good luck.
If in a different city I normally eat alone in wagamamas. Again, always other solo diners.

This is a good recommendation, I love Taro too! It's always busy and the tables are quite small so not somewhere you feel too conspicuous eating alone. Plus super tasty!

TicTac80 · 17/02/2023 19:11

Can't comment about places to eat in London, but when I've eaten out on my own, I got to smaller/independent places and just take my Kindle and read whilst eating. When I was younger, I used to be too scared to eat out on my own. Now, I couldn't give a damn (and enjoy the peace/solitude)!!

SomeMonstersEatTelly · 17/02/2023 19:14

I hope you had a lovely time.

All the suggestions above are great ones. For a real treat I’d go to the counter at Bocco di Lupo for a glass of wine and a bowl of pasta. If there was time, I’d have a pudding or go to Gelupo across the street for an ice cream. They have lots of solo diners and I think they might even have a counter special menu as a pre theatre these days.

ImpossibleGirl · 17/02/2023 19:15

I quite like Cote Brasserie or Old Compton Brasserie. Book ahead though, as they are both usually rammed pre-theatre.

Bills or Browns are also good options.

Depends on which part of the west end the theatre is in, picking somewhere reasonably close by.

Generally avoid Wahaca, Nando's, Dishoom, etc at that time as the queues can have a deceptively long wait and the service/food not always the quickest when busy. Hate allowing an hour and a bit for a quick meal and still having to bolt my food and drink to get to the theatre in time.

Original poster
Flowerypillow · 17/02/2023 19:16

Thanks all, I'd initially thought pub, but they were all very busy and it struck me I wouldn't be able to go to the loo without losing my table!

Casual with cocktails sounds perfect.

I saw To Kill a Mockingbird. I really enjoyed it and thought the story telling was superb.

OP posts:
TheCave · 17/02/2023 19:17

Sorry for your loss. The food courts as people mentioned are good, there's a lovely one in a church close to Selfridges (called Mercato Mayfair I think). Also anywhere with counter seating overlooking the chefs - Bancone is nice for fresh pasta.

Luredbyapomegranate · 17/02/2023 19:19

Oh loads of woman eat in the middle of london alone. I go to a lot of the places mentioned alone and in company, I love a steak at the hawksmoor at this time of year, Lina stores is great for a plate of pasta while sitting at the counter, or somewhere in china town.

I hope you enjoyed yourself

FettleOfKish · 17/02/2023 19:24

I saw To Kill a Mockingbird. I really enjoyed it and thought the story telling was superb

That's what I saw too OP. I thought it was brilliant. Lots more laughs than I expected, the shared narration was very clever Smile

limitedperiodonly · 17/02/2023 19:26

These two are good and though you can have a table it's nicest to sit at the bar which is great for lone diners with a good atmosphere and you won't get ignored.

www.theguardian.com/food/2023/feb/17/maresco-soho-sings-its-love-of-scotland-like-a-tipsy-proclaimer-restaurant-review the review is today's but I've been and it's great.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/jan/25/bocca-di-lupo-review this is a very old review but it's still very good there

A cheaper option is Cote. My friend and I go to to the Soho branch at least once a month because we're big filmgoers. We're going next week, in fact and we're really looking forward to it. All the branches are good but the staff in there are particularly nice. There are two female managers and I'm sure they'll look after you especially as a lone female diner. www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d3359779-Reviews-Cote_Brasserie_Soho-London_England.html

Someone else mentioned Brasserie Zedel and I'd echo that as a good place for lone diners with lovely food and beautiful surroundings.

Have a great time.

BigGreen · 17/02/2023 19:32

Oh I just came on to say the counter seats in Bocca di Lupo are amazing and I'd adore Waring there alone. Have a great (next) time!

Icepinkeskimo · 17/02/2023 19:37

Thank you OP for posting this, like you I love the theatre and you have now inspired me to get out and enjoy life again. I can recommend Bilamonte for an ice cream and coffee, it has a really cosy laid back feel about it.
Im watching for other recommendations, and am now off to look what I want to see at the theatre.

user1494050295 · 17/02/2023 19:43

Barrafina on drury lane is excellent and has counter seating

Authorisatingarchibald · 17/02/2023 19:52

Flowerypillow · 17/02/2023 19:16

Thanks all, I'd initially thought pub, but they were all very busy and it struck me I wouldn't be able to go to the loo without losing my table!

Casual with cocktails sounds perfect.

I saw To Kill a Mockingbird. I really enjoyed it and thought the story telling was superb.

It was fabulous wasn’t it

limitedperiodonly · 17/02/2023 19:55

Cork and Bottle in Leicester Square - underground place with a tiny entrance that's fab, and only five meinutes' walk from New Row.

@MsGrumpytrousers Oh yes. I've been going there with my husband since 1989. He often says he's been going there since 1980 when he was a student at The London College of Fashion - one of the campuses used to be what is now Capital Radio in Leicester Square so it was their local.

Our mums loved it too. Once my mum said she'd meet me there and was a bit late. She'd got muddled up and walked into the sex shop next door. They steered her in the right direction.

A friend and I went to see Babylon last month directly opposite. Because Babylon's three hours long we couldn't fit in a full meal so debriefed over cheese and wine. She was really not sure about Leicester Square but trusts me. She loved it and took a friend there the other week loving the fact her friend said: "Leicester Square? Are you sure?" and my friend led her into the secret cosy basement. Next door is no longer a sex shop.

Wonderingwhyy · 17/02/2023 19:58

I also recommend Bocca di Lupo.

Also wanted to say how great to find a thread with all these other solo theatre goers! I’ve just restarted going on my own again - so many great shows on in London atm. Hope everyone enjoys their theatre!

PatriciaHolm · 17/02/2023 19:59

FettleOfKish · 17/02/2023 19:24

I saw To Kill a Mockingbird. I really enjoyed it and thought the story telling was superb

That's what I saw too OP. I thought it was brilliant. Lots more laughs than I expected, the shared narration was very clever Smile

Oh very pleased to hear that both of you! We were just contemplating booking that.

Cordeliathecat · 17/02/2023 19:59

I agree with the food court in 7 Dials. Also the Japan Centre in the basement just off Leicester Square is good for a quick bite before going to The Harold Pinter. They also have a ramen place next door which is good too.

Derbybound2022 · 17/02/2023 20:02

There is a cote brasserie in Covent Garden. This chain have good range of good and not too busy. I would be comfortable eating alone there.

RockGirl · 17/02/2023 20:03

I'd go to Seven Dials, and they do fab frozen margaritas! :)

dapsnotplimsolls · 17/02/2023 20:05

The cafe at the Royal Opera House.

Oopswediditagain2023 · 17/02/2023 20:10

stravagante · 17/02/2023 18:38

I hope you enjoyed your play.

I often go to the theatre on my own as I'm a theatre nerd. This might be too downmarket for you, but I often pop into Benito's Hat on New Row - they do 2 for 1 on happy hour cocktails so I often buy two mojitos and enjoy my burrito, my two drinks and a book. Last time I did this I was opposite another woman doing exactly the same. We shared a grin when the drinks arrived.

www.benitos.co.uk/locations

This sounds heavenly 🙌

SleepyTraveller · 17/02/2023 20:14

I'd say Bancone (provided you like pasta). Counter seating where you can watch the kitchen, which is good if you're by yourself. Definitely book ahead though.

Or anywhere else you fancy - lots of people do eat out alone. Have fun!

FirstnameSuesecondnamePerb · 17/02/2023 20:15

I was popping on to say Spaghetti House too

Diplidocus4 · 17/02/2023 20:17

J Sheeky as a treat ?

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