My Favorite Places to Dine Alone in New Orleans

“Table for one, please.” 

“Oh just one?” 

“Yes, table for one, please.” 

I find myself repeating this phrase often, not for lack of dinner company, but mostly because I really love eating out alone.  It feels indulgent to me, and liberating, and exactly like I skipped that conversation that usually goes something like this: “Where do you want to go for dinner?”  “I dunno, where do you want to go?”  “Does your mother hate me?”  Silence…. and someone orders takeout.  

Because I often travel alone (and have eaten enough room service club sandwiches to last me a lifetime), I’ve grown to LOVE learning about a city through some of their best restaurants… all by myself.  It’s like being a stranger in a strange land, leaving surrounding diners not to pity me, but rather assume that I’m Sydney Bistow in the early seasons of Alias.  They are correct, I’m part ninja in confidence alone.   

I also live in one of the best food cities in the country, and a girl can only eat so many scrambled eggs for dinner at home before enough is enough.  What I’ve come to love about dining out in New Orleans is that I now have local knowledge under my belt.  That’s handy as a single woman dining alone.  It’s nice to know what bars feel cozy to eat at (without too much interruption from gentlemen folk), and which restaurants feel nice to sit at a table solo.  Here are some of my favorite restaurants to dine alone in based on my experiences out in New Orleans.  If you’re on a visit solo to New Orleans, welcome… get some good grub and always have a Sazerac:   

•  Sylvain in the French Quarter is one of my favorite places to grab a solo bite.  It’s especially great if you’re visiting town, wandering through the Quarter (it can be pretty dreamy) and looking for a good bite to eat.  Some tips:  Sylvain opens for dinner at 5:30.  I suggest arriving well before 7pm and finding a seat at the bar.  The earlier the better as, in my experience, the bar can fill up quickly.  The restaurant is cozy and dimly lit with a decent mix of local and tourist patrons.  This is a good place to strike up a dinnertime conversation.  Also, get the burger.  

•  Patois is located in the heart of and Uptown neighborhood.  It feels like a very local, heartfelt, comfortable neighborhood place.  The food is sincere, generous, and really some of my favorite in the city.  Tips:  Don’t be afraid to make a reservation for one and sit at a table on your own.  This place is comfortable enough.  The staff will take good care of you.  

•  For breakfast I love Cherry Espresso Bar.  It’s a coffee shop Uptown with the best breakfast sandwiches, quinoa bowls, pour over coffee and no ridiculous line out the door for medium-meh diner food.  

•  For lunch I love the locally sourced food and very chill vibes at Sneaky Pickle in the Bywater.  It’s mostly vegan food with a few meat options and a lot of gluten free too.  It’s heart food.  Tips:  This is an order-at-the-counter spot so cozy up at a small table, bring a good book or magazine, and enjoy the solo quality time.  

•  For Southern Cajun food I really love a bite to eat at Cochon in the CBD (Central Business District).  They know their way around a pig.  My very favorites at Cochon are the wood-fired oysters, the smoked pork rubs, and… the cochon.  Tip:  ask for a seat at the chef’s bar.  You can peek into the kitchen (it’s full of friendly hard-working folks), gaze into the wood-fired oven, and have a good chat with the chefs.  Also, order a Sazerac.  

•  For a solo happy hour, I recommend a seat at the bar at Peche.  Go early.  If the weather is nice they may even have the side doors open, which makes a bar seat even more lovely.  Order the oysters, definitely get the tuna dip, and a lovely glass of crisp wine.  The staff is really lovely and the food is solidly delicious.  Tip:  Peche is very well-earned after an afternoon visiting all of the art galleries in the Arts District.  Here’s your guide to art in and around Julia Street.  

•  N7 is a dreamy, romantic restaurant in the Bywater.  The restaurant is behind a pretty nondescript, tall wooden fence but as you pass through, it’s like entering a secret garden.  There’s seating outdoors, but when I’m alone, my favorite tables are the cozy two tops inside the restaurant.  I’ve found there’s no real need for a reservation, head in, make eye contact with a waitress and they’ll usually nod you on to find your own table.  The wine list is excellent!  Bring a book and feel transformed.  

•  Cafe Henri is an easy neighborhood restaurant, also in the Bywater.  I like to sneak in just before closing for their Steak Frites which is charred just perfectly and supreme.  Staff is mellow.  Almost always a place to grab a table or bar seat.  Easy and delicious. 

Enjoy your dinner.  Enjoy your time.  Remember, no one belongs here more than you.