The Best London Restaurants for Solo Diners

Lamb’s Conduit Street in Bloomsbury has become a much sunnier place since Honey & Co relocated here from their original site on Warren Street. There is a calming feel to the surroundings, with plenty of counter seats that are perfect for solo diners. It’s an all-day spot, with a host of egg-based dishes and indulgent homemade cakes available for breakfast. The main menu, meanwhile, boasts vibrant Middle Eastern dishes that change seasonally, but the finely-made falafels and creamy, velvety hummus are ever-present.

Taking influences from the European ‘bistronomy’ movement, Levan has proved to be a perfect fit for Peckham. Whilst they say the plates are suitable for sharing, dining solo means you get to enjoy more of them yourself – and there is a chef’s menu available too if you’re happy for the kitchen to take control. Dishes come with an appealingly rustic look and certainly deliver on flavour. Choose a seat in the window, watch the world go by and tap your feet to the great music they play – after all, it’s named after DJ Larry Levan.

While the food should always be the primary reason to choose a restaurant, it also helps to have some atmosphere – and when dining solo, a touch of people-watching can often help things along. Overlooking Grosvenor Square, Lucky Cat is just what you need, with a touch of glitz and glamour thrown in for good measure. Start things off with a cocktail, while taking time to look over the extensive Asian-inspired menu. The bao buns filled with pork belly are a treat, and the well-priced lunch menu is an ideal pit stop for hungry shoppers.

A pub is so often the perfect place for solo dining. You never feel alone and, historically, inns were a place duty bound to offer food and shelter to one and all. The Pig and Butcher started life in the mid 19th century, serving refreshment to the cattle drovers taking their livestock to Smithfield Market. While it looks every inch the ‘proper London pub’, it could just as easily be transported to the countryside and feel right at home. As one would expect, the in-house butchered meats are of top quality – but they make a mean fish pie too.

While it is possible, on occasion, to secure a single seat in the first-floor El Asador, you’d be hard pressed to do justice to the signature sharing dishes they offer. The ground floor Counter section is a much better option, however here they only take walk-ins, so arrive early or be prepared to queue. Watch the chefs in action in the open kitchen and choose from the roll-call of Spanish, tapas-style dishes. ‘Sabor’ translates as flavour, an appropriate name for dishes like their signature octopus, which simply melts in the mouth.

Any restaurant being located on a road called 'Paradise Row' certainly adds something to its initial appeal; luckily, they don’t need any help here. Whether you sit inside or out on the large decked terrace you are guaranteed a lively atmosphere. The kitchen looks to the Mediterranean for inspiration, with their short menu showcasing well-judged combinations of flavour and texture. The wine list is sensibly priced and each bottle available by the glass too – another plus for solo diners.

Sister to the Michelin-Starred Trinity that sits below, this more casual, great value restaurant has been a hit since the day it opened. The counter seats at the window overlook Clapham Old Town and are ideal for single diners, with the high tables and stools by the open-plan kitchen also a great option. You would need some assistance devouring the larger plates they offer, but you’ll still have a wonderful time with the smaller versions that combine a range of international flavours and styles.

This former power station just a few minutes’ walk from Victoria Station is something of a hidden gem. It’s bright and spacious with counter seating plus tables set amongst verdant trailing house plants. Produce from the owners’ farms in Somerset and Northumberland inspires the seasonal menus, while the chefs make good use of the wood burning oven – their freshly baked flatbreads offered with various toppings are simply divine. They also sell a bespoke range of tableware in their neighbouring 'Wild Store'.