Best destinations for solo travellers around the world
Philadelphia
Philadelphia has steadily been raising the bar in recent years as one of the most exciting emerging foodie cities in the USA. Not to be overlooked in favour of NYC (in fact, being only 90 minutes away by train, it’s an easy day trip), Philly is also the home of the iconic cheesesteak. The rivalry between whether Pat’s or Geno’s is the best is infamous; luckily as both are found at The South 9th Street Italian Market, we’ll leave you to decide for yourself. Elsewhere, Reading Terminal Market, operating since 1893, is one of the oldest in the USA. Don’t leave without trying Termini Brothers‘ legendary ricotta-filled cannoli or the Guatemalan, Salvadorian and Honduran street food from Sofia Deleon at El Merkury. A city known for its counter culture, you won’t have trouble finding a solo spot at wine bars like Tria for a glass or two and an evening spent dining on delicious small plates like truffle egg toast with fontina and wild mushrooms, or warm gorgonzola-stuffed black figs. discoverPHL.com
Credit: Kyle Huff
Marrakech
A personal favourite, it’s impossible to go hungry in Marrakech; this city is an assault on the senses. A stroll through the souks will reward you with freshly-squeezed pomegranate juice and handfuls of dried fruits, nuts and juicy olives. In the evenings, head to the Jemaa el Fnaa main square and join the locals at communal tables around steaming tagines and pots of fresh snails. Settle into the secret garden courtyard of Le Jardin, bejewelled in jade green tiles, for a lunch of Agadir octopus and Moroccan salads and book a table at rooftop spot La Trou au Mur for a camel tagine while the sun goes down and the call to prayer echoes across the rooftops. For the ultimate solo indulgence, book yourself a table for one at Le Marocain restaurant at La Mamounia and an aperitif on the terrace of its La Majorelle bar; a prime people-watching spot, you may even glimpse one of its A-list guests. See our guide to Morocco food trips for more inspiration. visitmarrakech.com
Porto
Eschew Lisbon this year for a trip to Portugal’s second city. Its cobbled streets and winding hills are home to some of the country’s finest flavours, not least the Francesinha, a cheese and sauce-drenched sandwich somewhat inspired by the croque monsieur – it’s not for the fainthearted. This quaint city is awash with tables for one. I adored Tia Tia, a restaurant and natural wine bar where diners control the vinyl playlist and seasonal dishes include the likes of mushroom and turnip with cured egg yolk and buckwheat and fresh local mackerel with sliced apple, with all produce purchased from the local Bolhão market. Head upstairs at said market a nab a spot at Herdade 1980; with live fado music on Thursday evenings, their steaks and Portuguese wine selection are not to be missed. Monteen serves up small dishes influenced by flavours across the Med and Vümo has a unique menu of smoked, vegan dishes. For a spot of fine dining, the vegetarian Seiva welcomes solo diners for its tasting menu featuring dishes like a creamy kimchi croquette and marinated pineapple and salt-baked beetroot with pears and pine nuts. Check out our full guide to the best restaurants in Porto for more. visitporto.travel
Copenhagen
Renowned among global gastronomes thanks to its 26 Michelin stars and regular presence in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, the Danish capital shouldn’t only be visited for its fine dining. While you may not get a solo spot at its top tables, do not let that deter you as the city is alive with delicious dishes for one. Head to TorvehallerneKBH, an iconic food hall known as Copenhagen’s pantry to spend an afternoon nibbling your way through fresh meats and cheeses, bakeries, mini restaurants and bars. Grab a bike and head north to Refshaleøen island to Reffen, the biggest street food market in the Nordic region; soundtracked with live music, festivals and parties, it comes alive during the languid Scandi summer. Copenhagen’s hotdogs are legendary and while you’ll find stands all over the city, John’s Hotdog Deli outside the central station is the one to beat. The city is also big on communal dining; from community event spaces like Nordhus and Absalon to Meet the Danes, which allows you to join a family for dinner in their own home, you’re sure to have an experience unlike any other. wonderfulcopenhagen.com
Osaka
It goes without saying that Japan’s street food capital makes a great option for solo travellers; it’s almost overwhelming in its offering. Day or night, take a stroll through the bustling suburb of Dotonbori with its futuristic neon cityscape and giant mechanical food signs that will set any stomach rumbling. Whether you’re after sizzling grilled squid, nourishing ramen or the Osaka specials of okonomayaki (Japanese pancakes) or takoyaki (deep fried octopus balls; be warned, they are liquid lava), the streets are paved with mouth-watering bites. In a city full of izakayas there’s no shortage of solo seats and much conviviality can be found taking a step through their curtains. There are ramen bars everywhere, ramen vending machines even, and in a country where the pre-packaged sandwiches from the 7-Eleven are better than a gourmet one in the UK, it’s hard find a bad bite. For an incredible sushi experience, book one of the 10 seats at Sushi Ukiyo – the secret restaurant within the W Hotel, where every mouthful is skilfully crafted in front of your eyes from the finest fish available. osaka-info.jp
Credit: Laurel Waldron
New Orleans
New Orleans is another US gem that’s a must for the solo diner, with plenty of hot spots to grab a seat at the bar and sweet talk the staff. Communal dining spot Dakar NOLA won Best New Restaurant at the 2024 James Beard Awards; join a table and you may leave with some new friends as well as a belly full of Senegalese food. Take a seat at the bar at GrisGris and watch the chefs whip up classic Southern dishes and New Orleans favourites such as shrimp and grits and whole redfish court-bouillon, as well as signature dishes like oyster pie and a sugarcane seared duck. Get your fill of freshly shucked oysters at Drago’s Seafood Restaurant or Acme Oyster House and be regaled by the stories of the shuckers. Be sure to head to the French Quarter for a meal at Tujague’s. This historic spot has been serving for 160 years; the second oldest restaurant in New Orleans, it’s known as the birthplace of brunch and home to the oldest stand-up bar in America. neworleans.com
Athens
The Greek capital is a divine destination for solo dining, such is its abundance of tiny tavernas down atmospheric, winding cobbled streets – we defy you to not imagine yourself in a movie as you dine. Head to the bohemian Exarchia neighbourhood for Pharaoh, a multi award-winning wine bar and restaurant serving up a menu of traditionally prepared Greek cuisine from wood-fired stoves and charcoal grills – there’s no electricity or gas in this kitchen – accompanied by a 400-strong wine list and live DJs. Grab a seat at the counter of Manari, the taverna that’s the talk of the town, for a view of all the action from the grill. For a slice of old Athens, Cherchez La Femme is bringing back the forgotten tradition of the “kafeneion”, cafés where folks would meet in the sixties and seventies. With dishes like swordfish on a spit with sour cabbage, pickled rock samphire and mustard-lemon olive oil sauce, or giant beans bougiourdi with wild boar sausage and limnou kalathaki cheese, grab yourself a table and settle in for a solo feast. thisisathens.org
Credit: Alex Antoniadis
Düsseldorf
While the German capital of Berlin is well known as a haven for foodies, the western city of Düsseldorf is a quiet contender for the title. From its old town filled with cosy pubs to the buzzing restaurants of Little Tokyo – home to Europe’s third largest Japanese community as well as a wealth of south east Asian cuisines – it’s ripe for exploring. Pick up vegan Vietnamese street food at To 1980 (with a purse-friendly daily-changing lunch menu from €9,80) or pull up a chair at Taiwanese noodle house Fuyu for their caramelised pork belly. The cosy Café Bató serves up prime position for a lazy morning spent people watching on the banks of the Rhine (not to mention the promise of warm apple strudel…) while German restaurant Wilma Wunder offers sustainable soul food with a modern twist on classic recipes, like Wilma’s Rhenish Sauerbraten; braised beef in raisin sauce, with bread dumplings, red cabbage and apple compote. visitduesseldorf.de
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