An afternoon alone in London - Solo dining

[HungryLondon]

I have a work event in London tomorrow but I arrive not long after noon today. I am travelling alone and was looking for ideas of things to do. I was thinking a bit of shopping in Liberty and Selfridges but would love to hear of any current exhibitions that are cheap/free or anything I might not have considered. I’ve been to central london 7/8 times and I’ve done the main sights centrally. My partner has family in the area so I have seen more of North London.

I get £25 for dinner and will be staying in the Southwark area. I am more than happy to eat elsewhere in london as long as it isn’t too late. I have previously enjoyed padella with friends so may try it alone but can anyone else recommend somewhere good for solo dining? I particularly enjoy Italian.

My colleagues all declined the trip as they were too anxious about navigating london and the level of crime… I hadn’t expected to be completely alone.

Completely appreciate there are thousands of options but recommendations really help my neurodivergent brain to make a decision

And breath. I like here Auberge | Bar & Restaurant | French brasserie | London South Bank (auberge-restaurant.co.uk) not Italian but have eaten alone.

Does your hotel have a restaurant? When I'm on work trips I usually eat in the hotel.

Are you near Southwark underground or further down?

Given you're in Southwark, I'd have a wander of Borough Market late afternoon and see what takes your fancy before too many things close up and then go for an early evening visit to a museum or exhibition or a show.

I personally really want to go to the Garden Museum, but it does close before evening, so that's not very helpful.

Further down closer to Kennington @idontlikealdi
The hotel doesn’t have a restaurant I don’t think

Yes I agree - Borough Market and surrounding streets have so many places that are suitable. Southwark Cathedral is lovely. You could then wander up along clink street to the river and along the Thames path to the southbank centre where there are exhibitions, or see a play at the National, or go into the BFI to wander around (lovely cafe/restaurant) and see an old movie. A quick hop home to your hotel on the bus or on foot.

Your colleagues declined a work trip because they're scared of crime and having to get around?!

Jesus.

I hope you find somewhere lovely and enjoy the peace!

https://mercatometropolitano.com/

this is at elephant and castle - great choice of restaurants and very informal - 1 stop on tube from Kennington

Thank you! That’s a good idea @mindutopia

One of my colleagues has messaged to say they hope I stay safe and there are no attacks! They were meant to be coming with me until they got cold feet yesterday. I’m early twenties and they’re late 30s. I hadn’t even considered crime I don’t see it as any different to any other city such as Paris or New York. I’m more worried about wasting my opportunity of a free meal by going for something familiar

To add, re Borough Market, for solo dining in particular Barafina is good as they have bar seating. (Tapas- there's one in Borough Yards).

Good Lord, scared of going to London?! Well done for not being batshit!

Borough market is a good call. There's a Sargent exhibition on at the state Britain that looks rather good if that floats your boat.

Where do these colleagues live?? They sound shockingly ridiculous!!!

Thanks everyone! Seems like borough market is a good shout

If you are going to Selfridges then behind the store is the Wallace Collection - a fabulous free museum with art, china and furniture. The National Gallery, Portrait Gallery and British Museum are all free. I hope you have an enjoyable trip. Your colleagues are crazy.

@bergentrain Newcastle!! Which is ironic considering the man that committed the acid attack that was recently in the news had been living in Newcastle. It’s hardly like they’re from a quaint little village. The tube is just a big metro

Bao Borough and Akara are terrific restaurants around Borough Market.

The stalls in Borough Market are good but it's become a bit of a victim of its own popularity recently and there are so many queues for everything now.

When Forms Come Alive is a good modern sculpture exhibition at the Hayward Gallery, walkable from Southwark.

Words fail me (re: your colleagues). Absurd paranoia!

I had a similar thread yesterday:
Https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/chat/5022645-central-london-couple-of-free-hours-low-cost-what-to-do

I obviously didn't have any worries about safety over and above any other city but obviously one thing to watch for when coming from a small town etc. is not standing looking on your phone in a way that someone in a scooter might come up and grab it. (Edit: sorry, I've just seen you came from Newcastle! The scooter thing does seem to be a London phenomenon, though).

Ooh very similar thread, I’ll take a look. Thanks @madeinmanc
My phone will be going away when I’m off the train in a couple of minutes! Not particularly worried about it being stolen (it’s 6 years old) but don’t want to dawdle and be in the way.

I’m in London for 3 days every week for work. I got to my hotel in SE London at 11:30 on Sunday night this week. Went to the theatre alone on Tuesday night. Have honestly never felt frightened.

Lived there in my 20s and in 7 years never had any crime (unless you count 7/7). The odds of anything bad happening to you in London are probably not far off those of winning the lottery.

I know @OneMoreTime23 I’m sure it will be absolutely fine

They’re usually pretty rational so maybe they are suffering with some anxiety. I know we all assess risk differently. For example I no longer drink alcohol after being spiked and assaulted at 18. They go on weekly nights out so we are all different.

The biba exhibition is on at the fashion and textile museum. That's on the south bank.

I went to a nice Turkish near Kennington: Tas. Dined on my own, often do in London.

Mercato metropolitano is great with all the food options

Try Seoul Tokyo on Borough High St.

Yummy Korean in your price range.

Ooh this wasn't on my radar yet. Thank you!

The Wallace collection also has a restaurant and a cafe. In fact we’re having lunch in the restaurant next week. First time eating there, though a BiL did have a big do there a couple of years ago.