Eating Alone Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely
One concern that many solo travelers have is feeling lonely or awkward while dining out alone. As a seasoned solo traveler, I have eaten alone countless times, and I’ve learned a few lessons along the way. Some dining experiences are more memorable than others, but the evening I spent at the Grand Hotel’s L’Europa restaurant in Russia was what I call a “magical moment”.
Here’s How I Ended Up Having One of the Most Memorable Meals of My Life (Completely Solo)
It was my last night in St Petersburg after a whirlwind ten day trip to Russia, and I decided to spend the evening relaxing by drinking champagne and eating caviar in the Grand Hotel's famous "Caviar Bar." Much to my dismay, The Caviar Bar was closed for renovation. I left disappointed, but the maitre de' of the hotel's L'Europa restaurant must have noticed my discontentment, because he approached me and asked if I would like to have dinner. He said that the restaurant was offering a special three course pre-fixe meal that night and that he would be happy to set a "table for one" for me in a nice spot. I agreed. What unfolded was "pure delight." The restaurant's decor was exquisite with candelabras on each table. At the end of the large dining room was a small, raised stage. During the evening different classical performing artists performed. I listened to a string quartet, a piano sonata, several opera arias and the "piece de resistance" was a ballet "pas de deux." The food and wine were wonderful and the grand total, including the first class service, was only $78.00! The evening was so special I didn't want it to end.
To find out to some of my tips on banishing anxiety about eating alone, listen to one of my most popular podcasts: Dining for the Solo Traveler.
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Author: Astrid Clements
Astrid Solo Travel Advisor CEO and founder, Astrid, has spent over 40 years traveling around the world. She is passionate about embracing the world’s diverse cultures and sharing with others the global need and personal benefit of cultural literacy. Her focus is on affordable luxury travel that is both substantive and fun! To read more about her and each one of our Solo Travel Advisors, head over to the About page!
In celebration of the 100th episode of my Solo Travel Talk podcast, I will inspire and encourage you to consider all the changes happening in the travel industry. I discuss how solo travel is evolving, current travel trends, and this question: “Solo travel … is it fad or fabulous?” Listen to the episode and decide for yourself.