There are many reasons people eat out alone—whether they’re traveling for work, they can’t be bothered to whip up a meal at home or they just want to treat themselves to a night out—and they seek different experiences. Some want a quiet time to themselves with a good read, while others wish to have some interaction with the bartender or fellow diners. Whichever kind of night you’re looking for, Los Angeles has plenty of restaurants where solo diners can feel comfortable and enjoy a great meal, from quick budget-friendly bites to high end tasting menus. So, bring a book (or don’t) and your appetite, and step out for a great dinner on your own with our pick of the best solo dining spots in Los Angeles.
14 of the Best Restaurants for Solo Dining in Los Angeles
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Published Feb 17, 2023
1. Kato
The Michelin-starred Taiwanese-style Kato does have tables available for single diners to enjoy the 12-course tasting menu, but those who prefer a slightly less formal setting can also opt to sit at the bar, where they offer a six-course tasting menu earlier in the evening or an a la carte menu after 7:30 p.m. Either way, don’t miss dessert—the egg custard with kelp vinegar is mouthwateringly good.
777 S. Alameda St. Suite 114, Los Angeles, CA 90021; katorestaurant.com
2. Camphor
This modern French bistro in the Arts District has low noise level and is good for someone looking for a quieter evening catching up on texts or a book. Camphor has another reason for people to eat solo at the bar: their outstanding burger is one of the best in LA right now and it is only available at the bar.
923 E. 3rd St Suite 109, Los Angeles, CA 90013; camphor.la
3. Soko
The sushi counter is one of the best places for those eating solo but looking for some interaction with the sushi chef. At this eight-seat sushi bar inside the Fairmont Miramar, the menu is kept clean and simple. Diners can check off the sushi and drinks they want on the paper menu or get the omakase and leave it all in the hands of the chef.
101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401; fairmont-miramar.com/dine/soko
4. Soulmate
Soulmate has two separate bar areas, so there’s no shortage of seating for one. Choose between the outdoor bar or the sultry indoor bar, whichever your mood fancies. But consider eating out on the earlier side—happy hour is only available at the bars from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. daily with small plate options ranging from mini lobster rolls to roasted pork belly.
631 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069; soulmateweho.com
5. Sushi Note
A sushi omakase makes for a great solo dining experience, but especially so at Sushi Note where wine pairing is also available to go with the omakase. Between the bites of fish and learning about the wines from the sommelier, there’s plenty to occupy a solo diner’s time with.
13447 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423; sushinotela.com
6. Holbox
Holbox is a Mexican seafood stand inside Mercado La Paloma that is simply one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles. The food court setting of Mercado La Paloma makes it comfortable for anyone to eat here alone, and many diners do exactly that. There are counter seats at Holbox itself where guests can watch the food being prepared, as well as tables all around the mercado for those who want to find a corner to themselves.
3655 S. Grand Ave. #C9, Los Angeles, CA 90007; holboxla.com
Eating ramen alone is actually quite common in Japan and there is usually a counter where solo diners can easily grab a seat and tuck into a comforting bowl of flavorful noodles. Tsujita Annex’s Jiro-style ramen has a rich tonkotsu broth that comes with a mountain of garlic, so it’s probably a good thing you’re not eating this on a date.
2050 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025; tsujita-annex.com
One of the drawbacks of dining solo is the inability to share dishes and try more of what a restaurant has to offer. But not so at Hanshik Express that offers doshirak, the Korean version of a bento box. The plate comes with two sides and five or eight items, depending which you order, so even solo diners can try a variety of dishes in one meal.
3959 Wilshire Blvd. Suite A5, Los Angeles, CA 90010; hanshikunlimited.com
9. Encanto
Grab a seat at the bar or a stool at the counter at this contemporary Mexican restaurant in Los Feliz. The taco options make a great meal for one, and each one comes with a serving of meat (or cheese or mushroom for the vegetarian) and tortillas for diners to build their own tacos, keeping you busy during the meal.
2121 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027; encantola.com
10. Pizzeria Sei
The Tokyo-style Neapolitan Pizzeria Sei is one of the hottest pizza places in town right now. Most of the seating here is actually the kitchen counter, so grabbing a single seat is easy and not at all awkward. Plus, the counter seats give diners a view of pizza-making action while waiting for their food. Dinner and entertainment? Yes, please.
8781 W Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035; pizzeriasei.com
12. Bavel
After five years, Bavel remains one of the hottest reservations in Los Angeles. But for those who don’t have a reservation and are trying to walk-in for dinner, going solo is actually the best bet. Order a couple of Chef Ori Menashe’s Middle Eastern plates—don’t skip the oyster mushroom kebab—and enjoy them with an inventive and refreshing cocktail.
500 Mateo St., Los Angeles, CA 90013; baveldtla.com
13. Connie and Ted’s
This New England clam shack-inspired seafood restaurant is spacious, with plenty of seating both at the bar and tables. The daily special is always a great meal for one, and their chowder sampler makes it easy for even a solo diner to try them all in one visit.
8171 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90036; connieandteds.com
14. Ilé
A pop-up that takes place at the chef’s house, Ilé serves a tasting menu of elevated West African cuisine, a rarity in Los Angeles. While dinner here is definitely a splurge, the communal dining setup is perfect for solo diners looking to connect with other guests and make new friends. The experience also interweaves each course with personal stories from the chef and Nigerian music.
1312 Cole Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028; ileishome.com