Please Help Me Eat Alone in London!
March 31, 2011 7:55 AM Subscribe
Am looking to eat alone in restaurants/ upmarket cafes in London. I have a lot of friends in London, but my inner introvert is wanting some time alone. Money is not an issue. Looking for evening tea/ dinner-type places where I can read a book in peace. Preferably high ceilings, loads of light, good scenery, open till 9pm.
If it matters, I have been to London a lot, so am not looking for novelty/ touristy-type places. Also, I'm not embarrassed by eating alone, so please no places such as Wagamama so that I can hide the fact that I'm alone among huge groups of people.
Cafes in museums are good, except most close fairly early. Cafes on the top level of hotels are good, except I don't know any in London.
Can spend up to £50/ meal
If it matters, I have been to London a lot, so am not looking for novelty/ touristy-type places. Also, I'm not embarrassed by eating alone, so please no places such as Wagamama so that I can hide the fact that I'm alone among huge groups of people.
Cafes in museums are good, except most close fairly early. Cafes on the top level of hotels are good, except I don't know any in London.
Can spend up to £50/ meal
I think the Nat Geo cafe on Regent street would suit. It is open until 9:30pm and serves high-end tapas. Its airy, being all glass and good for people watching.
posted by vacapinta at 9:27 AM on March 31, 2011
posted by vacapinta at 9:27 AM on March 31, 2011
I had a splendid meal by myself at St. John. I was there for lunch but they're open until 11pm. The ceilings are high and there was lots of light, at least in the daytime.
posted by escabeche at 9:28 AM on March 31, 2011
posted by escabeche at 9:28 AM on March 31, 2011
Seconding escabeche as well. St. John has a walk-in bar area as well. You can order much of the menu there but its more cafe-style and relaxed. You could probably grab a table and stay there and read for hours.
This meal here, which I was invited to but couldn't attend, was entirely ordered at a table in the bar.
posted by vacapinta at 9:38 AM on March 31, 2011
This meal here, which I was invited to but couldn't attend, was entirely ordered at a table in the bar.
posted by vacapinta at 9:38 AM on March 31, 2011
I would eat alone at the Modern Pantry Cafe. They are open until 11, 10 on Sunday.
posted by oneirodynia at 10:06 AM on March 31, 2011
posted by oneirodynia at 10:06 AM on March 31, 2011
I sometimes go up to the 5th floor restaurant at Waterstones in Piccadilly for solitary scoffing. It's open til 10pm and hasn't been busy on the weeknights I've been there. Great views, lovely seafood and comfy sofas for nestling in with a book.
posted by freya_lamb at 11:04 AM on March 31, 2011
posted by freya_lamb at 11:04 AM on March 31, 2011
Best answer: Seconding the Modern Pantry, the food is great.
I'm sure you've already been to this one, but what about the Royal Festival Hall? There's a cafe on the ground and second floor which is where I always go and sit if I'm around the Southbank and need to kill some time.
There's also Skylon on the top floors which has a restaurant and a grill, with amazing views over the river.
If you like St John, there's St John Bread and Wine on Commercial Street. It's centred around the bakery and is a bit less formal than the bigger St John operation. Open til half 10.
The cafe at Tate Modern is lovely and airy and is open until half 9 on Fridays.
Ottolenghi in Islington does have communal tables, but also has amazing salads and cakes, and heavier evening dishes. You might have to book for dinner though.
posted by Encipher at 3:33 AM on April 1, 2011
I'm sure you've already been to this one, but what about the Royal Festival Hall? There's a cafe on the ground and second floor which is where I always go and sit if I'm around the Southbank and need to kill some time.
There's also Skylon on the top floors which has a restaurant and a grill, with amazing views over the river.
If you like St John, there's St John Bread and Wine on Commercial Street. It's centred around the bakery and is a bit less formal than the bigger St John operation. Open til half 10.
The cafe at Tate Modern is lovely and airy and is open until half 9 on Fridays.
Ottolenghi in Islington does have communal tables, but also has amazing salads and cakes, and heavier evening dishes. You might have to book for dinner though.
posted by Encipher at 3:33 AM on April 1, 2011
Nthing Modern Pantry.
Moro is always booked up but if you get there early you can eat at the bar (well, you can eat at the bar anytime but it fills up quickly and there will be a queue). It is big, airy and bright and the food is wonderful, although the scenery is limited to the bar itself.
Encipher mentioned the Tate's cafe but there is the restaurant as well. It has great views and is open until 9.30pm on Friday and Saturday. I'd also agree that the Southbank is a good place for hanging out on your own.
posted by ninebelow at 6:21 AM on April 1, 2011
Moro is always booked up but if you get there early you can eat at the bar (well, you can eat at the bar anytime but it fills up quickly and there will be a queue). It is big, airy and bright and the food is wonderful, although the scenery is limited to the bar itself.
Encipher mentioned the Tate's cafe but there is the restaurant as well. It has great views and is open until 9.30pm on Friday and Saturday. I'd also agree that the Southbank is a good place for hanging out on your own.
posted by ninebelow at 6:21 AM on April 1, 2011
I eat everywhere by myself. My restaurant bible for London is Time Out's guide.
One heads up: My experience in the UK has been that most cafes close at 5 pm. Isn't that supposed to be tea time, when they would get a lot of business?
posted by brujita at 6:23 AM on April 1, 2011
One heads up: My experience in the UK has been that most cafes close at 5 pm. Isn't that supposed to be tea time, when they would get a lot of business?
posted by brujita at 6:23 AM on April 1, 2011
Response by poster: Skylon looks amazing and just what I need. Very high ceilings. I think it's because I have fond memories of eating alone, chilling out, and studying in the dining hall (with three storey-high celings) at odd hours, back when I was in college.
I enjoy spending time at the Natural History Museum cafe, the museum next to it (can't remember the name), and Tate Modern cafe, but they do close early except on weekends. I spend most of my weekends hanging out with people and weekdays alone (well, at least, trying to spend it alone, with not that much success!)
Coincidentally, I'm heading to St John's next week for dinner with friends.
brujita: yes, you would think cafes would stay open past 5pm! i would certainly go to many of them if they were open past 5pm.
posted by moiraine at 6:30 AM on April 1, 2011
I enjoy spending time at the Natural History Museum cafe, the museum next to it (can't remember the name), and Tate Modern cafe, but they do close early except on weekends. I spend most of my weekends hanging out with people and weekdays alone (well, at least, trying to spend it alone, with not that much success!)
Coincidentally, I'm heading to St John's next week for dinner with friends.
brujita: yes, you would think cafes would stay open past 5pm! i would certainly go to many of them if they were open past 5pm.
posted by moiraine at 6:30 AM on April 1, 2011
Isn't that supposed to be tea time, when they would get a lot of business?
People in London usually have an afternoon tea from around 3-5pm (although its not the heavy tradition most Americans think it is). Even well-known Tea spots like The Wolseley are shut by about 6pm.
posted by vacapinta at 6:48 AM on April 1, 2011
People in London usually have an afternoon tea from around 3-5pm (although its not the heavy tradition most Americans think it is). Even well-known Tea spots like The Wolseley are shut by about 6pm.
posted by vacapinta at 6:48 AM on April 1, 2011
yes, you would think cafes would stay open past 5pm!
I think this is because after 5pm everyone in the UK wants to get drunk so swap from cafes to pubs and restaurants (a lot of cafes aren't licenced for booze).
posted by ninebelow at 6:55 AM on April 1, 2011
I think this is because after 5pm everyone in the UK wants to get drunk so swap from cafes to pubs and restaurants (a lot of cafes aren't licenced for booze).
posted by ninebelow at 6:55 AM on April 1, 2011
Cafes in German-speaking countries close at 7pm, which I think is more sensible.
posted by brujita at 7:42 AM on April 1, 2011
posted by brujita at 7:42 AM on April 1, 2011
brujita: There is no UK law that says cafes close at 5pm. There are plenty open late if that is what you or the OP are looking for.
Near Trafalgar Square, just as an example:
-The National Gallery cafe is open until 11pm.
-The Cafe in the Crypt is open until 8 or 9pm
-Notes Music and Coffee is open until 9pm
-The aforementioned Foyles cafe is open until later and sometimes even has jazz bands playing!
If there's another part of town you are interested in, I am sure me and other mefites who live in London whould be happy to point you in the right direction!
posted by vacapinta at 8:01 AM on April 1, 2011
Near Trafalgar Square, just as an example:
-The National Gallery cafe is open until 11pm.
-The Cafe in the Crypt is open until 8 or 9pm
-Notes Music and Coffee is open until 9pm
-The aforementioned Foyles cafe is open until later and sometimes even has jazz bands playing!
If there's another part of town you are interested in, I am sure me and other mefites who live in London whould be happy to point you in the right direction!
posted by vacapinta at 8:01 AM on April 1, 2011
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posted by The River Ivel at 8:22 AM on March 31, 2011