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A bar with exposed brick walls, barstools, and an arched back with bottles of alcohol at Coucou restaurant in Venice, California. — The bar area of Coucou in Venice.

Where to Dine Solo in Los Angeles

Full entrees, comfortable bar seating, and quiet dining rooms to eat a meal by yourself throughout LA

by Eater Staff Updated Oct 3, 2023, 1:18pm PDT

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The bar area of Coucou in Venice.

| Nick Walker Studio

by Eater Staff Updated Oct 3, 2023, 1:18pm PDT

Food writer M.F.K. Fisher helped to popularize the notion of dining solo, which can be one of life’s ultimate pleasures. There’s something delightful and intimate about not having to engage in conversation with a dining partner or having to explain your presence while simply easing into a meal. Often, staff strike the right balance between banter with customers and peaceful solitude and enjoyment of their meal. Usually the best solo dining seats are at a restaurant’s bar, with the bonus that these seats also frequently provide a great vantage point to the rest of the dining room or into a busy kitchen, all while sipping and eating from some of a city’s best restaurants, no reservation required. Here now are just some of the many great places to dine solo in Los Angeles right now.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Kobee Factory

The minimal dining room of Kobee Factory, with its smattering of Formica tables, is a great place to be unbothered and enjoy a generously portioned plate of kebabs and other Syrian dishes in a Van Nuys strip mall.

14110 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91401

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Also featured in:

17 Hidden Gem Restaurants in Los Angeles

Sola Japanese Izakaya Dining

The menu is laid out simply at Sola Izakaya, which provides three categories of well-prepared meats, seafood, or vegetables. The deep-fried tofu is immensely flavorful, as is the butter-sauteed squid, or the grilled pork belly.

15928 Ventura Blvd #120, Encino, CA 91436

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A post shared by Sola Restaurant (@sola_izakaya)

Agnes

Pasadena’s expansive Agnes restaurant is a bit of a Swiss army knife, with a full dinner menu and handy lunch bill of fare that can be enjoyed at the bar. Try the tremendous braised brisket melt or a platter of cheese with charcuterie alongside a well-shaken cocktail. Co-owner Vanessa Tilaka also regularly hosts cheese-tasting classes, the ultimate activity for one.

40 W Green St, Pasadena, CA 91105

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A charcuterie and cheese selection on a plate at Agnes in Pasadena, California. — Agnes cheese selection.

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Wife and the Somm

Glassell Park’s cozy wine bar always has room for one at the bar. Upon first glance, Wife and the Somm can feel upscale with an incredible wine list, but after a visit or two, visitors will be on a first-name basis with regulars and staff.

3416 Verdugo Rd, Glassell Park, CA 90065

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Also featured in:

16 Fantastic Wine Bars to Sip, Swirl, and Savor in Los Angeles

Clark Street Diner

Sometimes it’s nice to be alone with one’s thoughts — and a giant stack of buttermilk pancakes, or a plate of corned beef has.. or a tuna melt on really good bread. Sidle up to a counter seat at this beloved retro-styled Hollywood diner, taken over by the Clark Street Bread group in 2021, and take a minute to read a book or doom scroll through the phone as the diner buzzes in the background.

6145 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

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Antico Nuovo

Chad Colby’s dining room is always busy but the bar is one of the best seats in the house, where one can take in the sights and sounds of the preparation area. Hours prior, staff prepare excellent handmade pasta on that same marble countertop. To the left is a massive wood-fired hearth where Colby oversees everything coming from the kitchen including the Tuscan grilled pork chops, focaccia, or incredible ice cream.

4653 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004

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The dining room at Antico Nuovo restaurant with long wood tables and chairs, an open kitchen, and a tree-like plant. — Antico Nuovo.

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Terroni

There’s no better respite from an afternoon spent fighting throngs of shoppers at the Grove than snagging a bar seat at Terroni for a cocktail and a plate of fresh housemade pasta. The bartenders are chatty, the drinks are well-mixed, and pastas like homemade tagliatelli with a classic Bolognese or guanciale-studded bucatini all’amatricana replenishes the soul.

7605 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

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Eataly

With a bustling marketplace and plenty of places to sit — from bar seats to tables to booths — the sprawling dining areas of Eataly are great for those who want to get away, but not feel like they’re by themselves. Capri has pasta, pizza, and crudo that feel plucked right out of the Amalfi Coast while other areas serve more familiar Italian plates that please a crowd, or a single diner.

10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067

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Capri inside Eataly.

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Langer's Delicatessen

The counter seats (or the small booths) at nearly 77-year-old Langer’s are ideal for a solo lunch in Los Angeles, with hefty pastrami sandwiches, comforting matzo ball soups, or loaded chili fries. Sit down and people-watch at one of LA’s most energetic lunch crowds.

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704 S Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA 90057

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Counter at Langer’s deli with patrons sitting. — Langer’s Deli counter.

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Bicyclette

With a few choice bar seats, Bicyclette is a terrific place to duck in a weeknight to dine solo. Bartenders are friendly and eager for you to try the newest spirit they’re into. The polished bistro food like the bouillebasse and onion soup provide the right amount of comfort for solo eaters that are looking for a relaxed but upscale meal.

9575 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035

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Bicyclette Bistro dining room — Bar and dining area of Bicyclette.

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Grand Central Market

The best part about dining alone at Grand Central Market is not having to reach an agreement on where to eat. Take a lap around the space and choose from whatever commands attention from Sarita’s incredible pupusas, Oyster Gourmet’s freshly shucked oysters, or one of the city’s most popular lobster rolls at Broad Street Oyster Company.

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

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Grand Central Market, Downtown’s China Cafe — Grand Central Market, Downtown

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Camphor

Co-chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George dazzled LA with Camphor’s modern French bistro fare, but the apothecary-like bar is where solo diners are made to feel comfortable thanks to the well-versed and conversational barmen. The extra bonus is a direct view into the busy and well-run kitchen.

923 E 3rd St #109, Los Angeles, CA 90013

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The bar area at Camphor restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles. — Camphor.

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Shirubē

Japanese restaurants are often very conducive to solo dining, especially at Shirubē in Santa Monica, which has a bustling open kitchen for people eating at the counter to watch. Order up the seared mackerel, the restaurant’s specialty, along with other izakaya bites, all washed down with top-flight sake or ice-cold Japanese beer.

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424 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

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Seared cured mackerel at Shirubē in Santa Monica.

Also featured in:

19 Superb Santa Monica Restaurants

Holbox

With almost all bar seats, Mercado La Paloma’s popular Holbox has received rave reviews for its pristine seafood and excellent coastal Mexican food. Order at the counter and wait for the parade of fish tacos, ceviches, and freshly cracked sea urchins for a solo feast done right.

3655 S Grand Ave c9, Los Angeles, CA 90007

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Holbox’s sea urchin ceviche in Los Angeles, California

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Earle's On Crenshaw

A South LA institution with outdoor seating, Earle’s On Crenshaw is made for solo dining. There’s outdoor seating and indoor counters that face Crenshaw Boulevard, plus a rapid ordering process that includes vegan, chicken, turkey, or beef dogs, excessively decadent chili dogs, and much more.

3864 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008

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Chili-slathered hot dog with pickled onions on a slate gray background at Earle’s on Crenshaw. — Chili dog from Earle’s On Crenshaw.

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Coucou

Those looking for a friendly, easy place to have a solo meal at the bar, Venice’s Coucou is a solid place to eat without feeling alone, per se. The bar is casual and approachable, with great cocktails and reliable bistro fare like a juicy burger, steak frites, and soft serve to finish. Coucou has the polish of a fancy place but with the no-reservations-required vibe that Venice folks love.

218 Main St, Venice, CA 90291

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The bar at Coucou restaurant in Venice, California. — Bar area of Coucou in Venice.

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Dulan's

Operating since 1999, Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen is SoCal’s traditional soul food specialist. The Dulan Brothers made a name for themselves by serving shockingly large portion sizes of smothered pork chops, smothered chicken, or oxtails served with mac and cheese, greens, stuffing, and gravy. Though the Century Boulevard location is an ideal place to sit and grub solo, the original restaurant on Crenshaw is set to reopen with new seating this fall.

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1714 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90047

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Smothered fried chicken with mac and cheese, greens, cornbread, and sweet potatoes at Dulan’s Soul Food in Inglewood, California.

Gardena Bowl

When dining at this mini diner attached to a bowling alley, take a look around. There are plenty of people eating by themselves and enjoying every bite of Hawaiian fare. It’s likely these fellow solo diners ordered the hearty kimchi bacon fried rice, and the Hawaiian royal — a massive plate of eggs, rice, chashu, and Portuguese sausage.

15707 S Vermont Ave, Gardena, CA 90247

Visit Website

Loco moco at Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop in Gardena, California. — Loco moco at Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop.

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Kobee Factory

14110 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91401

The minimal dining room of Kobee Factory, with its smattering of Formica tables, is a great place to be unbothered and enjoy a generously portioned plate of kebabs and other Syrian dishes in a Van Nuys strip mall.

14110 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91401

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Life & Thyme (@lifeandthyme)

Sola Japanese Izakaya Dining

15928 Ventura Blvd #120, Encino, CA 91436

The menu is laid out simply at Sola Izakaya, which provides three categories of well-prepared meats, seafood, or vegetables. The deep-fried tofu is immensely flavorful, as is the butter-sauteed squid, or the grilled pork belly.

15928 Ventura Blvd #120, Encino, CA 91436

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sola Restaurant (@sola_izakaya)

Agnes

40 W Green St, Pasadena, CA 91105

Pasadena’s expansive Agnes restaurant is a bit of a Swiss army knife, with a full dinner menu and handy lunch bill of fare that can be enjoyed at the bar. Try the tremendous braised brisket melt or a platter of cheese with charcuterie alongside a well-shaken cocktail. Co-owner Vanessa Tilaka also regularly hosts cheese-tasting classes, the ultimate activity for one.

40 W Green St, Pasadena, CA 91105

Visit Website

A charcuterie and cheese selection on a plate at Agnes in Pasadena, California. — Agnes cheese selection.

Wife and the Somm

3416 Verdugo Rd, Glassell Park, CA 90065

Glassell Park’s cozy wine bar always has room for one at the bar. Upon first glance, Wife and the Somm can feel upscale with an incredible wine list, but after a visit or two, visitors will be on a first-name basis with regulars and staff.

3416 Verdugo Rd, Glassell Park, CA 90065

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by WifeandtheSomm (@wifeandthesomm)

Clark Street Diner

6145 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Sometimes it’s nice to be alone with one’s thoughts — and a giant stack of buttermilk pancakes, or a plate of corned beef has.. or a tuna melt on really good bread. Sidle up to a counter seat at this beloved retro-styled Hollywood diner, taken over by the Clark Street Bread group in 2021, and take a minute to read a book or doom scroll through the phone as the diner buzzes in the background.

6145 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Clark Street Diner (@clarkstreetdiner)

Antico Nuovo

4653 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004

Chad Colby’s dining room is always busy but the bar is one of the best seats in the house, where one can take in the sights and sounds of the preparation area. Hours prior, staff prepare excellent handmade pasta on that same marble countertop. To the left is a massive wood-fired hearth where Colby oversees everything coming from the kitchen including the Tuscan grilled pork chops, focaccia, or incredible ice cream.

4653 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004

Visit Website

The dining room at Antico Nuovo restaurant with long wood tables and chairs, an open kitchen, and a tree-like plant. — Antico Nuovo.

Terroni

7605 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

There’s no better respite from an afternoon spent fighting throngs of shoppers at the Grove than snagging a bar seat at Terroni for a cocktail and a plate of fresh housemade pasta. The bartenders are chatty, the drinks are well-mixed, and pastas like homemade tagliatelli with a classic Bolognese or guanciale-studded bucatini all’amatricana replenishes the soul.

7605 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TERRONI LA (@terroni.la)

Eataly

10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067

With a bustling marketplace and plenty of places to sit — from bar seats to tables to booths — the sprawling dining areas of Eataly are great for those who want to get away, but not feel like they’re by themselves. Capri has pasta, pizza, and crudo that feel plucked right out of the Amalfi Coast while other areas serve more familiar Italian plates that please a crowd, or a single diner.

10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067

Visit Website

Capri inside Eataly.

Langer's Delicatessen

704 S Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA 90057

The counter seats (or the small booths) at nearly 77-year-old Langer’s are ideal for a solo lunch in Los Angeles, with hefty pastrami sandwiches, comforting matzo ball soups, or loaded chili fries. Sit down and people-watch at one of LA’s most energetic lunch crowds.

Open in Google Maps

704 S Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Visit Website

Counter at Langer’s deli with patrons sitting. — Langer’s Deli counter.

Bicyclette

9575 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035

With a few choice bar seats, Bicyclette is a terrific place to duck in a weeknight to dine solo. Bartenders are friendly and eager for you to try the newest spirit they’re into. The polished bistro food like the bouillebasse and onion soup provide the right amount of comfort for solo eaters that are looking for a relaxed but upscale meal.

9575 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035

Visit Website

Bicyclette Bistro dining room — Bar and dining area of Bicyclette.

Grand Central Market

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

The best part about dining alone at Grand Central Market is not having to reach an agreement on where to eat. Take a lap around the space and choose from whatever commands attention from Sarita’s incredible pupusas, Oyster Gourmet’s freshly shucked oysters, or one of the city’s most popular lobster rolls at Broad Street Oyster Company.

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Visit Website

Grand Central Market, Downtown’s China Cafe — Grand Central Market, Downtown

Camphor

923 E 3rd St #109, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Co-chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George dazzled LA with Camphor’s modern French bistro fare, but the apothecary-like bar is where solo diners are made to feel comfortable thanks to the well-versed and conversational barmen. The extra bonus is a direct view into the busy and well-run kitchen.

923 E 3rd St #109, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Visit Website

The bar area at Camphor restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles. — Camphor.

Shirubē

424 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Japanese restaurants are often very conducive to solo dining, especially at Shirubē in Santa Monica, which has a bustling open kitchen for people eating at the counter to watch. Order up the seared mackerel, the restaurant’s specialty, along with other izakaya bites, all washed down with top-flight sake or ice-cold Japanese beer.

Open in Google Maps

424 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Visit Website

Seared cured mackerel at Shirubē in Santa Monica.

Holbox

3655 S Grand Ave c9, Los Angeles, CA 90007

With almost all bar seats, Mercado La Paloma’s popular Holbox has received rave reviews for its pristine seafood and excellent coastal Mexican food. Order at the counter and wait for the parade of fish tacos, ceviches, and freshly cracked sea urchins for a solo feast done right.

3655 S Grand Ave c9, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Visit Website

Holbox’s sea urchin ceviche in Los Angeles, California

Earle's On Crenshaw

3864 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008

A South LA institution with outdoor seating, Earle’s On Crenshaw is made for solo dining. There’s outdoor seating and indoor counters that face Crenshaw Boulevard, plus a rapid ordering process that includes vegan, chicken, turkey, or beef dogs, excessively decadent chili dogs, and much more.

3864 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008

Visit Website

Chili-slathered hot dog with pickled onions on a slate gray background at Earle’s on Crenshaw. — Chili dog from Earle’s On Crenshaw.

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Coucou

218 Main St, Venice, CA 90291

Those looking for a friendly, easy place to have a solo meal at the bar, Venice’s Coucou is a solid place to eat without feeling alone, per se. The bar is casual and approachable, with great cocktails and reliable bistro fare like a juicy burger, steak frites, and soft serve to finish. Coucou has the polish of a fancy place but with the no-reservations-required vibe that Venice folks love.

218 Main St, Venice, CA 90291

Visit Website

The bar at Coucou restaurant in Venice, California. — Bar area of Coucou in Venice.

Dulan's

1714 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90047

Operating since 1999, Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen is SoCal’s traditional soul food specialist. The Dulan Brothers made a name for themselves by serving shockingly large portion sizes of smothered pork chops, smothered chicken, or oxtails served with mac and cheese, greens, stuffing, and gravy. Though the Century Boulevard location is an ideal place to sit and grub solo, the original restaurant on Crenshaw is set to reopen with new seating this fall.

Open in Google Maps

1714 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90047

Visit Website

Smothered fried chicken with mac and cheese, greens, cornbread, and sweet potatoes at Dulan’s Soul Food in Inglewood, California.

Gardena Bowl

15707 S Vermont Ave, Gardena, CA 90247

When dining at this mini diner attached to a bowling alley, take a look around. There are plenty of people eating by themselves and enjoying every bite of Hawaiian fare. It’s likely these fellow solo diners ordered the hearty kimchi bacon fried rice, and the Hawaiian royal — a massive plate of eggs, rice, chashu, and Portuguese sausage.

15707 S Vermont Ave, Gardena, CA 90247

Visit Website

Loco moco at Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop in Gardena, California. — Loco moco at Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop.

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