mwickens

On my first trip to Italy, I'll be staying in Rome (4 nights), Florence (3 nights), and Siena (1 night) between Christmas and New Year's Day. I'm travelling solo and am wondering if anyone has suggestions for where to eat without feeling completely out of place. Specific or general suggestions welcome.

Grasshopper

I've eaten alone in all those cities and never felt out of place. Pick any restaurant, trattoria, cafe, bistro, etc. that appeals. Once you get accustomed to solo travel and eating out you won't even think about it. I like to bring a journal or sketch book with me. It gives you something to do, but makes you more approachable than a book or magazine. It also allows you to watch what's going on around you better.

Have a GREAT trip!

SeaUrchin

Grasshopper, I would love to take a sketch book with me to a table when I am alone. But what if someone takes a peek at it, and here are all these stick figures sitting at tables?

Maybe I should take an outlined coloring book instead!!

bookchick

I take a lined notebook with me, and take notes. On my most recent trip to Rome, some people thought I was writing a restaurant review, which I was. Needless to say, I got 4* treatment!

BC

ira

Hi mw,

You won't feel out of place whereever you go.

In Florence, we very much liked
Il Ritrovo
Via de? Pucci 4/A
Best food for the price Has fish. Full dinner w/wine abt 40E pp Closed Monday
From Pzza San Giovani (NW corner of the Pza del Duomo) walk one blk East to Via dei Martelli. Go left to Via dei Pucci. Turn Right. Look very carefully on left. No sign. Door could be locked. Ring bell.

In Siena, you might want to make reservations at Cane e Gato.
(Do a search on this forum for further details.)

nicegirl512

I ate alone in Florence and Rome (and I am not one who enjoys eating alone) and it was no trouble. My only suggestion is to choose a place that seats you. In Florence I went to Il Vegetariano. The food was divine, but it's served sort of cafeteria style, and then you take your tray and sit down. Well, there were no free tables and I had to ask some weird dude if I could sit with him. I learned my lesson after that and went to trattorie and restaurants where I would be seated at my very own table (or at the very least, the waiter/host would be responsible for seating me with other people). I also felt more comfortable going for an earlier dinner (7:45 or so), but that's more to do with my general discomfort at eating alone than anything else--the restaurants were much less crowded and I didn't feel so self-conscious.

mwickens

Thanks, grasshopper! I was just wondering because the TimeOut Rome guide book I have had a comment about solo dining that worried me a bit. Your experience is enouraging. If anyone else has suggestions and in case it's relevant, I'm a 39 yo male.

Grasshopper

Interesting... It never occurred to me that a solo male would feel uncomfortable eating alone!

One thing I would add is that as tempting as it is at the end of the day to order room service, don't do it! Everytime I forced myself to go out I had some kind of adventure.

SeaUrchin

Business travelers eat alone all the time, it is not a big deal.

Look pleasant and maybe strike up a conversation or pleasantries with another table, or at least smile and nod if you want human contact.

This may change your life, mwickens!

WillTravel

My Time Out Rome guidebook says solo female diners may be stared at, but that things are changing.

SeaUrchin

I think for a woman, people stare at you either because you look really good or really bad and neutral gets a glance.

If I see someone looking at me because I am dining alone, I give them something to look at or talk about, things turn out differently that way.

SuzieC

Do you ever have to eat alone at wherever home is?

I go along with SeaUrchin on this one...

Also, I think everyone else has their own lives to lead ... and they are far too busy doing so to really take notice of all important "me".

ira

Hi Grasshopper

>It never occurred to me that a solo male would feel uncomfortable eating alone!<

Sure, what do you women care about us poor guys, on the road, far from home, no one to give us a good night kiss?

The next time you see a single male eating out all by himself, invite him home.

mgfit

In florence, make a reservation at Aqua Al Due. They seat you at table with other people. The food was great and a very reasonable price. It was about at 10 min walk from the Ponte Vecchio. We met two single girls travelling at our table and had drinks and great conversation. Ask for a table with other people. We also met a lot of people at the tables next to us at some of the cafes on Piazza della Signoria in Florence too. Ask your hotel for recommendations too...they can help.

Daneille

I've often found when travelling that if you eat at a restaurant where there are other travellers that you end up all sitting together and trading tales. I have also found restaurants in Florence and in Rome where the seating is often at long trestle style tables rather than tables of 2 or 4 and you end up sitting with other people anyway. I had a hoot of a night with a group of swedish cyclists, 2 german girls, a couple of canadians and me and we had a great night discussing our adventures over some cheap wine.

Eating alone is also a great time to be writing your postcards and tavel diary.

SuzieC

Ira wrote: "Sure, what do you women care about us poor guys, on the road, far from home, no one to give us a good night kiss?

The next time you see a single male eating out all by himself, invite him home."

Oh! OK! Well - at least the kiss part THEN I'll decide whether or not to bring it on home!

JohnH

Last time I was in Rome I was by myself and sometimes felt awkward eating alone. One night I was having dinner at a small restaurant on a side street off Piazza Navonna (can't remember the name). It was packed with locals (so I knew it was probably good!).

I wound up sitting next to an Italian family who offered to share everything they ordered with me!

I went back the next night and the waitress and host recognized me - so I was already practically a local.

It's hard to feel uncomfortable for too long in that environment if you just open up to it.

mwickens

Thank you all for the great feedback! You've set my mind at ease and given me some excellent ideas. Now if only I didn't have to wait 2+ months to go!

SuzieC

The wait can be a horror. Its a good time to read all about things that interest you related to things you're going to see! At least that is how I spent my time before my solo trip to Paris.

And, by the way, John's comment, "I went back the next night and the waitress and host recognized me - so I was already practically a local" applied to me in Paris as well, now that I'm reminded of it.

sera

Unfortunately, this will be of no help to you because you're going in the winter, but I've traveled in Italy alone in warm weather months and was most comfortable at outdoor cafes. I always brought a book and alternated reading and people watching. Plus it's a good time to catch up on planning/reviewing expenses/expenditures, etc.