In season two of The Bear, there’s an entire episode dedicated to Sydney (Ayo Adebiri) going out to eat by herself. Her assignment from Carmy is to try out Chicago restaurants to compare menus, but the result was the image of a woman enjoying herself…by herself. I’ve been solo dining since I was a teenager, and, honestly, I think everyone should do it. We live in a moment where everyone is so desperate for “alone time,” but none of us are able to really disconnect from the noise around us.
Solo dining grounds you in a nourishing, affirming experience. I’ve found it empowering as a woman to sit by myself, taking up the space and filling up my own cup through an indulgent meal. Eating alone lets you experience the food on your own terms. As women, we’re often accessories for men in restaurants. Dining alone, as Sydney did, centers a woman in the space, not just eating a meal but fully enjoying it, dessert and all.
What Makes a Good Solo Dining Spot?
There are a few things that make a restaurant great for solo dining. The ambiance has to feel welcoming. When describing restaurants, the word “ambiance” gets thrown around a lot, but what it actually describes is how the architecture, the people, and factors like music and lighting interact with each other. It’s unpleasant to be the only person sitting by yourself in an empty restaurant with surgical-white lighting and no music. When you’re with someone else, they’re part of your experience, but when it’s just you and the restaurant, it has to really stand out.
The service is also a big part of it. When you’re dining alone, the rapport with staff becomes a bigger part of the experience. Do they have a light enough touch to know when to leave you alone and when to hover, or are they able to strike up a conversation? The relationship between the server and guest becomes much more apparent. These Pittsburgh solo dining spots are all places where I feel solo dining isn’t just fun—it might actually be better than going with another person.
Often, for me solo dining means sitting at the bar, but there’s no rule that says you can’t sit at a two-top table by yourself. If you’ve never done it before, try one of my favorite spots in Pittsburgh for a date with myself.
Best Solo Dining Spots in Pittsburgh
Fet-Fisk
4766 Liberty Avenue
At Fet-Fisk, solo diners aren’t the exception to the norm. On any given night, the bar will be full of people indulging on their own. If you’re new to solo dining or just want to treat yourself, Fet-Fisk is a great place to start. The staff are welcoming, the ambiance is nice, but and what really makes it ideal for solo dining is the horseshoe-shaped bar. A horseshoe shape gives the bar a softer edge and connects you more to the people around you, rather than making you feel like you’re sitting alone in a line of people. It’s easier to start conversations with strangers and see the whole restaurant. I have had both an all-apps dinner there, as well as a proper one with main course and all, but you can mix it up however you’d like.
Solo Meal Recommendation: 6 oysters with a glass of Prosecco or Crémant d’Alsace. Steak tartare and glass of Agiorgitiko. Strawberry shortcake and Amaro or Fernet-Branca.
Dish
128 South 17th Street
At Dish, you’re never really alone. The restaurant has been around for almost 30 years, and there’s always a mixture of neighborhood regulars and special occasion diners filtering in and out. Eating alone at Dish feels like the ultimate indulgence when you need a pick-me-up. The service feels so warm and the space is so intimate that it just feels like a hug.
Solo Meal Recommendation: A glass (or two) of Nero d’Avola and Melanzane Mozzarella di Bufala as an appetizer. Pappardelle alla Funghi as a main course. And house-made Allorino as a digestivo.
Apteka
4606 Penn Avenue
One could make the argument that solo dining at Apteka is actually preferable. People line up around the block to get a seat there, and if it’s just you, your wait will be a lot shorter. The dishes are so well-thought out and complex that spending time with them alone allows you to absorb them more fully. Sitting at the bar also allows you to chat with the bartenders about Apteka’s wine list, which always has something new to try on it. There’s something about having a plate of kluski slaskie dumplings all to yourself that just hits different.
Solo Meal Recommendation: Kluski Slaskie dumplings with a glass of Planac Negotians Vinarius. A dessert of Ciasto Orzechowe (Walnut Cake).
Bar Marco
2216 Penn Avenue
Since Bar Marco started a la carte service rather than prix-fixe, you can now more easily order just a little plate of arancini and a glass of wine. I have a fond memory of doing just that this spring during a rainstorm while on my way to somewhere else. I ducked in and got my arancini and a glass of red wine, and by the time I was done eating, the rain had stopped. The bar seats aren’t shoved into the corner, they’re a centerpiece of the restaurant. Plus, everyone there is so knowledgeable that it’s fun to go on your own and try new things.
Solo Meal Recommendation: An Arancini appetizer followed by a main of Cacio e Pepe! Let the bartender choose a red or white for you.
Palm Palm
5996 Centre Avenue
This brand-new restaurant from Herky and Lisa Pollock solidified itself as a great solo spot the first time I tried it. Like Fet-Fisk, it also has a horseshoe- shaped bar, and the Pollocks and executive chef Ed Smith have really worked to create a welcoming atmosphere. Everyone is friendly, the space is light and airy, and the food is delicious. The bone marrow tartare was unlike any tartare I’ve ever eaten, and eating alone let me focus on it in entirely. Don’t miss this one for solo indulgence.
Solo Meal Recommendation: Glass of Prosecco with Bone Marrow Tartare. Sushi Tots with a Dry Martini.
Story by Emma Riva
Cover photo by Sarah Laponte, courtesy of Fet-Fisk
Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.
