Solo dinner in London

[Babysharkdoodoodood]

I'm staying in London for one night before I go to the Netherlands for a week. DH will be in KL visiting grandchildren.

I'm looking forward to my solo 'adventure', but want to treat myself to a really nice dinner. I'm already splurging on the hotel thanks to ds's friends and family discount at a hotel on Park Lane, and have my day planned going to Westfield to go to Sephora (amongst others) and Liberty.

Where would you suggest is a lovely restaurant for a dinner on my own? I eat anything. I don't have a budget as I've saved really hard for this trip, but not stupid money.

@digley oh thank God. I can't remember who told me this horrid lie but I will identify them and make them pay...

@therealcookiemonster not to sound like a snob but I wouldn't say the very best Cantonese at all (am Cantonese, from a Chinese country in Asia, but live in London). I think the staff probably just dine there as it's familiar. It's a bit of a chain in Asia – a very upscale chain with assured quality, but still a chain nonetheless.

There are a million nicer (and much cheaper) and way more famous Cantonese restaurants out there. The Michelin star doesn't mean much IMO as Michelin tend to randomly award token stars to Asian food. In my country, the stalls/restaurants with Michelin stars aren't where the queues or waitlists are at all. And based on what I've tasted (or heard from the locals) in other countries like HK, this is true elsewhere too. I think generally I would only trust Michelin for Anglo or European food.

@bywhatmeasure I am sure you are right. unfortunately my exposure to chinese restaurants in London is very limited as I only eat halal and with most places the soya sauce contains alcohol and the cheaper places with smaller kitchens tend not to be able to accommodate cross contamination issues.... if you have any other recommendations on places, would love to try some.

I've tried and tried to get a table and there is no availability at all 😪

If you like French food, Noble Rot?

Zedel? I often eat there for a treat on my own. The Delaunay is also nice, as is the Wolseley, and they look after solo diners. The atmosphere at Zedel is better, I think, it has more of a fun vibe. The reading room at Claridges is also lovely.

How about https://www.stjamescourthotel.co.uk/diwali-2023/
Or https://thehawksmoor.com/locations/seven-dials/
Or https://camino.uk.com/menu/kings-cross/

What's your favourite type of food OP?

Not Camino. Did not have a good dinner there when I went with DH. So much so that I did a review on Tripadvisor, which I rarely do.We basically got ignored for most of the night.

I love Japanese, Chinese, Indian and Mexican, but not all at the same time.

Haidilao Hotpot might be fun.

Agree. Total dump. Same as any out of town mall.

A solo adventure that I adore is spa and massage at the connaught and then dinner at Scott's a few doors down 🤌

Jikoni in Marylebone

I had a lovely solo meal at Locale this past weekend.

Lovely Italian restaurant near Waterloo station so easy to get to on the Tube, and reasonably priced for London.

http://localesouthbank.com/

Benihana is really not one I’d recommend for a treat. It’s a bit of a tourist trap and not that exciting.

Have a look at some recent restaurant reviews and see what has had raves.

I haven't been there for ages, but https://london.mestizomx.com/ was very good the last time I did.
This place is also very nice Peruvian food https://www.limalondon.com/book-floral

If you like Indian then Kanishka was great. Had some fancy work dos there in the past

Barrafina in Drury Lane. Fabulous tapas, great counter seating and beautiful chefs to look at.

I really like going to Bocca di Lupo in Soho on my own which has counter dining at the open kitchen.

If anyone is interested I'm just cancelling a table for 2 at Le Gavroche November 3 rd at 5.15 pm.