I do a lot of "solo" traveling, and have always enjoyed eating alone. In fact, I live in SF, and often eat out by myself. Sometimes, they put me in the back, a bad table, or they think I'm self conscience about being alone, I usually ask them for a better seat, somewhere to "see and be seen". Actually, I really enjoy people watching! Yes, you should tip as if two people were dining. But, only if the place is full. Otherwise the waiter is losing out on the table income. However, if there are empty tables around you, no need to tip for two.

SF is a great city to dine solo. No one will look at you oddly! So, pick your favourite restaurant, ask for a great table to people watch, and enjoy yourself!!!! (and please don't bring a book, guide, cell phone, etc. to hide behind.....enjoy the experience and power of being a gorgeous woman not afraid to dine with the best company in the world.....herself!!!!!!)

Have fun!!!
Andiamo

Just returned from San Francisco tonight - awesome day there!

Had lunch at R & G Lounge on Kearny in Chinatown - Cantonese cuisine. Saw a number of singles seated at the bar for dining alone.

Had dinner at McCormick and Kuleto's in Ghirardelli Square, saw at least two ladies at the two tables next to ours - they were each dining alone. Terrific view of the bay. Seafood, American.

I used to do a lot of business travel and LOVED dining alone. No more business talk! My mind is my own and I usually let it wander and traipse around all by itself. What wonderful luxury!

If asked "Just one?" I smile happily and say, "ABSOLUTELY!" :)

ET dining alone???...hard to believe...Faina2 on the other hand.....:-?:-?

Any room at the conjugal table? :-"

Kal: You would be most welcome at any of my tables - whether I'm dining alone or not! :)

I've been to enough power breakfasts (before the term was even invented), power lunches, power dinners, power late night pow-wows with gallons of coffee - and too many in foreign countries when I can't even calculate whether it's 2pm or 2am by my biological clock! Ugh! Just the memories make me shudder.

Dining alone? What paradise!

Kal: BTW, you're up really late! Another night owl? ~:> (Sorry, no picto for owls, just one for chickens)

I do not discourage dining alone when one has to. I also agree that compared to lunches and dinners with business associates and partners, dining alone becomes more enjoyable.

However, it can never be termed as a "paradise" (as it was made to appear to be) when one can dine with somebody, or a group that, one enjoys dining with - spouse, girl- or boyfriend, close family members or a dear friend.

As far as the suggestion here are concerned, Boulevard and Zuni are great SF restaurants to dine solo in.

Delfina, a very good Cal-Italian in the Mission, is terrific for dining solo as it eliminated the difficulot task of securing a reservation when they normally will squeeze in a solo diner in the "communal" stool-bar area.

Piperade, a good Basque restaurant by Gerald Hingoyen and which does not have communal tables, is also a great place.

Wow, what amazing feedback! Thanks for all of the wonderful suggestions (and the good point about tipping, Andiamo). We're really looking forward to our visit and glad to hear we won't come away hungry.
Ellie

Kal: Heyhey!! I resemble that remark!

;)