Help, I'm Eating Alone
 

Due to some upcoming knee surgery, my wife will not be able to go on our planned trip to Switzerland and Rome in late March and early April. I've wanted to be in Rome during Easter Week for many years so my loving wife has given me her blessing to fulfill my dream. That being the case, are there any suggestions/tips on eating alone in Rome restaurants. Can you still order that highly suggested antipasto dishes at restaurants like Orso 80? Are there certain items that you can't or shouldn't order? Thanks, Mike

I've done the solo route several times. Eating alone in restaurants is the hardest part of going alone. I found that writing in a journal at a restaurant helps alot - or take a book to read. Ask to join someone else if you are brave. I also noticed that some snooty restaurants are hesitant to seat you if you are alone.

Any restaurant in Rome or any other city which is "hesitant to seat you because you are alone" (and who knows...could it possibly have been hesitation because the way thse poster LOOKED???) doesn't deserve your time or money.
What would be on the menu that you couldn't order because you are alone?

I don't think you will find very many things on the menu that are for 2 people only (all I can think of off hand is rack of lamb and that's not so common in Italy). And any restaurant should welcome you - alone or not - as long as you're dressed appropriately. I have done this frequently since I travel on businees a lot and add 1/2 vacation days to each trip when I can. I don't recall any restaurant ever being unwelcoming to a single woman - and in fact many are extra solicitious.

I just be sure to bring a book with me - or postcards to write. The diary idea is also a good one if you do this on your travels.

No offense Mike, but haven't you eaten alone in a nice restaurant here in the USA? Try it before you go, to get used to it, I'm not kidding.

You order what you will eat like in any other country, you might have to order a smaller bottle of wine, but maybe not.

Don't think of yourself as half of an absent duo, think of yourself as a whole person and you will have more fun and less stress.

good advice from nocinonut. When my husband was a journalist and had to work holidays, I often ate out alone, so when I travelled by myself alone in France, it was not a problem at ANY restaurant.

After reading the last two messages, I thought I'd better reply. I guess my primary reason for the post did not come acroos CLEARLY. It WASN'T merely eating alone, but eating alone in Rome. Is it any different from the FEW times that I've eaten alone in the USA? Do ROME restaurants act DOWN on solo patrons ect.. Thanks, Mike

Only problem I had with eating alone was that I couldn't enjoy a whole bottle of wine! :) My wine choices were limited to the house wine or any that could be served by the glass. That being said, the wines in Italy were still great.

Mike, Rome is an international city, there are businessmen (Romans and others) eating alone there every day of the year. You'll be fine, don't worry.

At my former job I flew all over the world and ate alone at hundreds of restaurants. That's business and most business travelers are used to it. (I usually bring my laptop/journal with me.) In today's world, most people will assume you are a business traveler.

If you are not confident enough to eat by yourself, try a sushi bar. Casual outdoor cafes in Trastavere are also less intimidating because so many people are milling about on the street you will just become part of the background.

I would order whatever pleased me.

I find eating solo a much more enjoyable , comfortable experience in Europe than in the USA . Here in NYC - singles (which there are a lot of us) tend to be marginalized - bad table, indifferent serivce, etc. And then there are the looks: What's wrong with him/her?Doesn't he/she have any friends? I prefer dining alone than dining with someone who annoys me. Take a book, write in your journal, catch up on postcards - or be real daring, and just sit there and learn to be comfortable not doing anything. My sense is that in Europe, solitude isn't look upon as weird. You're a paying customer.

Remember, too, that if you go to dinner much before 9 in Rome, you might really be literally alone in the restaurant!

I have traveled alone many times, and only once was I refused a dinner reservation because I would be dining alone. That was in Rome, restaurant is Vecchia Roma. They're unlikely to get my business in the future.

When solo I usually write in my journal as mentioned above. Doesn't have to be a lot of writing, just notes for future reference on what I did, where I ate, what it cost, etc. I have often found it easy to strike up conversations with neighboring diners, especially if I hear English spoken. Sometimes it is they who speak to me first.

Also, maybe some Fodorites are going to Rome at the same time, you could post a new heading here and see if anyone wants to join you for a meal or a drink.

I meant to add, that contrary to the JonJon posting above, Vecchia Roma refused to reserve a table for solo me sight unseen, I'd asked my hotel to arrange it.

Elaine, thanks for your usual insight to travel "situations", especially the one on the separate post for a Roman Fodorite "get together". I will do just that as the departure date gets closer. I'm leaving for Switzerland on March 24th so I'll plan on my post toward the end of February. If anyone else has any additional ideas, I'd love to hear from you. Mike

I generally travel alone and have run into the problem getting a table in a restaurant by myself a couple of times in many trips.

My "take" on this is that, if the restaurant does not want my business, I will go elsewhere.

I often write in my journal, peruse my itinerary for the next day or read a book while I wait for my food.

Solo travel has a lot of advantages (no negotiating about what to see and when to keep a group happy) but eating in restaurants is not one of them.

I also will bring a book or magazine or if possible sit at a place on a patio or with a view so I can people watch...I'm sorry your wife cannot go, but I hope you have a wonderful time !

I notice that it is two of the women posters who were refused tables, I think that has to do with stereotypes of women more than solo diners.

Mike, I don't think you will have any trouble at all dining alone, as was mentioned before, there are many businessmen dining alone in Rome at the better restaurants, just make reservations, too.

BTW, I will be in Rome on the 28th of March, we could start a Fodorite dinner party, if you are there those dates.

Mike:
I'll be in Rome with my Mom March 29, 30 and 31. So if you would like dinner companions let us know!

I have never had a problem eating in restaurants solo. I travel for business occassionally and don't like eating in my room. I have never had an unpleasant experience in restaurants and find people will chat with you because you are solo! I have met some very interesting folks and email a few to this day. Good luck!!

Mike, The menu will tell you if an item requires two people to order it. There are a couple items the restaurant prefers to prepare for two (or more) people and I've never been anyplace that didn't print that on the menu. Fondue in Switzerland comes to mind. If you tell them you are on a special trip and are just dying for it, they may serve you anyway but I've never tried that.

Enjoy your trip.

I will be in Rome from March 30-April 12th. Natalia, are you going to be in Rome only on the 28th? I definitely love the idea of a fodorite dinner party. I'll wait for your response. AC, I'd love to have a meal with you and your MOM alone or part of the Fodorite party. Let's all keep in touch!!!! Mike

Thanks very much for all your thoughtful suggestions as I look forward to a possible Fodorite gathering in Rome during my visit. Mike

Second the idea of a sushi bar. When I travel on business I generally eat Japanese as much as possible as you can eat at the sushi bar (also you can charge it to the client or one's own firm).

If on holiday by myself I tend to eat a large meal at lunchtime as lunch time menus are normally cheaper and the restaurants less busy which makes eating alone easier. In the evening I will often go for a kebab or something so I get to meet the kebab shop owner and see what recommendations he has for the area.

Must say that I never feel comfortable eating alone in the UK or Europe. I always feel much more comfortable doing it in the US (although I am talking NYC mainly) where loads of people seem to eat solo all the time. Students even go to cafes by themselves to work in NYC! Why not work at home?

UKUKUK, since you're the second person to mention sushi bars and heavier meals at lunchtime, I'll probably try both suggestions during my trip. Thanks again for all the responses. Mike

There is absolutely nothing wrong with eating alone, I do it all the time. In fact, it is often nicer! You have time to contemplate your day's adventure, plan the next, take a paper, or even chat with your neighbor at the adjoining table(s). Everywhere in Europe accommodates single diners - in fact I think their cafes are a blessing to solo diners. Unlike here in America, one feels awkward sitting alone in a huge booth or at a large table. You will enjoy yourself! Experience Easter in Rome and fulfill your dream!

I travel alone often with no problem eating out alone. Taking something to read is good just in case it makes you feel more comfortable. I choose more casual places, near where I stay, and often go back a few nights in a row. Surprising how quickly you become a regular - oops sorry just read the original post that this is for Rome.

We would love to meet for a meal! Let us know how we can set this up!

AC, thanks for the reply. It would be either the 30th or 31st. As of today, I'll arrive in Rome from Switzerland around 2:00pm on the 30th. I may skip Switzerland and go to Venice instead before going to Rome. I was thinking of the restaurant called Orso 80 near the Plazza Navona. The place has gotten some good reviews here as well as "Rant and Rave". Let's keep in touch. My email address is [email protected]. If you'd like, send me your address on that link. Mike

Barbmike: Orso 80 is a very good restaurant. My brother and I ate there 4 years ago and enjoyed the family atmosphere. It appeared that they had a distinct "English-speaking" side and a local, Italian speaking side for guests. Fortunately, we were placed in the Italian side and while I speak Italian, my brother opened his mouth and started speaking English which ruffled the waiter a tad. But all in all, it was a nice place to eat. We were staying in the Campo dei Fiori area and walked up there. It was a very, very long walk to say the least!

mike, I just ran across a new walking tour from enjoyrome.com - it is a food and wine tasting tour and should be fun.