PrintEating Out Alone in New York
Over on Serious Eats Talk, clarkie_16 asks for good places to eat out alone in New York. We've got some suggestions here, including a few expected ones—the bars at Balthazar and Otto, grab-and-go joints like the Shake Shack or Murray's Bagels—but there have to be others out there. Ed volunteers the Gramercy Tavern, Babbo, and Gotham Bar and Grill. Where are some of your favorite places to eat out alone?
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15 Comments:
Eating out alone to me is a test of restaurants. If they treat you well and don't hide you in a corner, that wins my approval. I have been eating out alone for years and in many many cities. Years ago, a woman eating alone was stuck in a corner.
My best experience with treatment was at Palace Cafe in New Orleans. I was there and did not have reading material with me. I asked the waiter if there might be a newspaper lying around I could read.
Next thing I know he appears with a brand new newspaper, he had gone to the box outside the restaurant and purchased one for me. AND the food was great..........
brooksandi at 4:46PM on 09/01/09
When I eat alone, I tend to like eating at the bar. You can either meet people, or not, but it's nice to have the option. One of my favorites is Bar Etats-Unis, where the bartender always takes care of you, and the food is fantastic. You can order off the "bar" menu, or off the main restaurant's Michelin-starred menu. Awesome.
Also, Ouest. Eating at the bar means you'll meet at least one new person, and, again, the bartenders are great.
MegB at 4:50PM on 09/01/09
anywhere in chinatown.
foodinmouth at 5:01PM on 09/01/09
Terroir is good since it's all basically bar seating, but I ate at the bar at Hearth last Friday since Terroir was packed, and it was a very nice experience. You feel well taken care of but not fussed over.
laurelie at 5:30PM on 09/01/09
Waterfront Ale House and Molly's. Apparently I like to eat burgers and drink beer alone
ESNY1077 at 6:19PM on 09/01/09
One of the places I went to on a trip to NYC recently was Ssam Bar at lunch, obviously wasn't busy, food was great and the staff were too
Edwardkimuk at 6:52PM on 09/01/09
I love eating alone...its a great way to treat yourself and is definitely a test to the restaurant. I too like to crawl up to the bar and enjoy myself there.
I have enjoyed solo dinners at Perilla, Gramercy Tavern, Market Table just to name a few
These are all places that you can have a great dinner while people watching, see drinks made bartender and overall, how the place is flowing.
sjgorss at 6:53PM on 09/01/09
Lupa is a great one too. Little more hustle, bustle but if you can get a seat...definitely worth it.
sjgorss at 6:54PM on 09/01/09
when I used to eat alone, I frequent a Middle Eastern restaurant for hummus and pita. I want to be the only one dipping my hummus. ;)
gargupie at 8:50PM on 09/01/09
Grand Central Oyster Bar is one of my fave solo places--either in the tavern or at the counter--slurp varied bivalves, maybe a bracing oyster stew or giants chowder, and a very cold dirty martini.
Eating without feeling the need to make small talk is an occasional luxury more peeps need to indulge in. ;)
effingfoodie at 11:45PM on 09/01/09
Thank you everyone for all of the great suggestions! This is really a great topic for New Yorkers. I definitely have some new places to check out now!
ScoopStreet at 12:12AM on 09/02/09
I second Hearth, Grand Central, and Ssam, and will add L'École, Casellula and Landmarc to the list.
simon at 12:28AM on 09/02/09
The bar at Dumont Burger has always been a fav of mine.
Kanger at 9:41AM on 09/02/09
Any really good sushi bar. Any very good restaurant with a bar -- Gotham, for example. Good wine bars.
el capitan at 10:49AM on 09/02/09
anywhere with bar seating. literally. note: you can avoid the 1-2 hour waits at ippudo by going alone and sitting at the counter. sublime ramen, great pork buns, in and out in 30min.
cg_ups at 12:48PM on 09/02/09