Dining solo in Singapore has evolved into a celebrated experience, not just a meal enjoyed in silence or haste. With an eclectic blend of global cuisines, vibrant dining rooms, counter seats, bar counters, and innovative menus, the city is filled with great places for solo diners to indulge.
Many restaurants in Singapore have embraced the solo dining trend, incorporating chef’s counters, individual grills, or cozy bar seating so guests can fully immerse themselves in enjoying a plethora of food options.
This detailed guide explores the top restaurants, casual eateries, hawker stalls, and cafés that understand the needs of solo diners, each with its unique menu, space, and ambiance—making solo dining not just comfortable, but truly memorable.
What Makes a Dining Spot Ideal for Solo Diners?
Solo dining is more than just sitting at a table alone. The best solo dining spots Singapore offers pay special attention to ambiance, space, and service. Counter seats and bar counters offer solo guests a view of the kitchen, mixing action, or city life—allowing you to witness your food and beverages being prepared. Private nooks, cozy two-tops, and window seats help diners relax and enjoy their meal with minimal intrusion.
A thoughtful dining room makes solo diners feel welcome. Menus featuring small plates, individual portions, or personal grills so you can enjoy a range of dishes without over-ordering are a plus. Attentive service is important, as are condiments and sauces placed nearby for easy access at your seat. Some venues even provide reading materials, free Wi-Fi, or charging points—small touches that make a big difference in your dining experience.
Upscale Solo Dining Experiences
If you believe dining solo should be a celebration, Singapore’s best restaurants offer chic, bar-side settings, sophisticated menus, and a dining room ambiance so good you’ll forget you came alone.
Fat Cow
For steak lovers searching for rich flavors and perfectly seared meats, Fat Cow (1 Orchard Boulevard, #01-01/02 Camden Medical Centre) serves up a Japanese-inspired beef experience. Best part: private dining rooms are available if you prefer more seclusion.
Price Range: $70–$200 per guest
Best Time to Visit: Lunch for great set options
Atmosphere: Elegant, sleek, quiet—good for savoring meat and conversation with the chef
Why It’s Solo-Friendly: Bar seating means never feeling out of place; the chef explains each cut and cooking style.
Tatsuya
Located at Goodwood Park Hotel, Tatsuya is famed for its individual grills and sushi artistry. Secure a seat at the bar and enjoy an impressive array of small plates, sushi, and even your own personal grill for premium meats or seafood. The menu highlights raw and cooked dishes—beef, chicken, and the tomato salad are must-haves. The chef-curated omakase menu complements the experience, delivering dynamic flavors with every bite.
Price Range: $80–$150 per meal
Best Time to Visit: Mid-week lunches
Ambiance: Lively yet refined, thanks to the open kitchen
Why It’s Solo-Friendly: Chef interaction and a counter set up for solo and couple diners; portions are just right for those dining alone.
Casual Restaurants: Great Places to Eat Alone
Casual dining is about comfort, good food, and feeling at ease—qualities that the best solo dining spots Singapore is known for deliver brilliantly.
Yakiniku Like
If grilling your own beef short plate on a personal grill in a bustling dining room sounds appealing, Yakiniku Like is your place. With thoughtful bar counters and stools, you can choose your own bowl of rice, mix and match meats, add kimchi, and enjoy a savory meal with minimal fuss. Pick from beef, pork, or chicken, with a selection of condiments at every seat for maximum customization.
Locations: Paya Lebar Quarter, Clementi Mall
Price Range: $12–$25 per meal
Atmosphere: Quick, efficient, lively—perfect for a speedy yet satisfying solo lunch or dinner
Why Solo Diners Love It: No awkward sharing, fast service, and all grills are sized for single diners.
Menya Musashi
Ramen is the ultimate comfort food, and Menya Musashi delivers with rich broth, springy noodles, and customizable toppings. The counter and bar seats make eating solo feel utterly natural. Order the beef or chicken ramen, choose soup bases like tomato or spicy miso, and enjoy small plates like boiled egg or green onion for extra flavor.
Location: Raffles City Shopping Centre
Price Range: $12–$18 per bowl
Best Time to Visit: Early evenings or post-lunch lull
Dishes to Try: Beef short plate ramen, pork belly, udon, boiled eggs
Solo-Friendly Highlight: Counter seats and speedy service; portions perfectly fit for one.
Tanuki Raw
Tanuki Raw is a contemporary bar and eatery is a great spot for solo diners who enjoy variety and a touch of excitement. Sit at the bar, order a donburi bowl, sushi, or small plates—think avocado toast with a twist, creative sushi rolls, and hearty sashimi bowls filled with rice and fresh toppings. Their cocktails are top-notch, so complement your meal with a signature beverage.
Location: Orchard Central
Price Range: $18–$30 for a meal + drink
Ambiance: Urban cool, lively; solo diners always welcome at the bar
Solo-Friendly Perk: Happy hour deals and a bar-side menu designed for individuals.
Maki-San
DIY sushi bowls make Maki-San a solo dining favorite. Choose your fillings (beef, egg, green onion, vegetables), drizzle your favorite sauces, and pick from an array of condiments. The serving size is ideal—you won’t make the mistake of ordering too much—and seating is a mix of high tables and window seats to watch Singapore’s city streets.
Locations: Multiple throughout Singapore
Price Range: $10–$20 per meal
Best Part: Customizable portions so solo diners get their fill, not more.
Hawker Centres: The Solo Food Explorer’s Playground
The beating heart of Singapore’s food world, hawker centres serve up flavors from around the globe—each stall often operated by the chef themselves. Solo diners can mix and match portions, grabbing the best from each vendor.
Lau Pa Sat
Famous for the hotpot stalls and barbecued meats at Satay Street, Lau Pa Sat is a haven for solo eaters. Grab a seat on your own, sample beef satay, chicken wings, or the classic rice with spicy soup, and pair it with a cold beverage. The vast space and communal tables let solo diners blend in naturally.
Location: Shenton Way
Best Dishes: Beef satay, chicken satay, peanut sauce, rice cakes
Portions: Small, perfect for single diners
Ambiance: Open, busy—great people-watching
Tip: If you want company, strike up a conversation; if not, nobody minds you eating alone.
Amoy Street Food Centre
Dive into a world of broth, noodles, and bold condiments with an incredible fresh salad or spicy kimchi mix. Try the top soup stalls, or enjoy rice-based dishes, each served in individual portions designed for quick solo diners.
Location: Amoy Street
Dishes to Grab: Fish soup, spicy noodles, salad, sweet desserts
Ambiance: Spirited, packed at lunch but clears out for a peaceful dinner
Why It’s Great: Individual tables and counter seating at many stalls.
Tiong Bahru Market
With a multitude of food stalls, Tiong Bahru Market is a must visit for solo diners seeking variety. Each vendor serves their specialties—try hand-pulled noodles, hotpot with your mix of beef or seafood, or grab classic Singaporean desserts for a perfect ending.
Location: Seng Poh Road
Best Tips: Go early for breakfast or after the lunch rush; seating is ample and no table is off-limits for a single diner.
Cafés: Perfect Solo Dining Retreats
A café is a haven for reading, people watching, or simply sipping gourmet coffee while enjoying sweets or small plates.
The Book Café
Filled with comfortable sofas and a quiet bar, The Book Café is a refuge for dining solo with a great book and coffee. Their brunch menu features eggs (boiled or runny), salad, and hearty rice or noodle dishes complemented by a good beverage or cake.
Location: Martin Road
Price Range: $12–$22
Best Part: Soft lighting, shelves of books—nobody will rush you.
Why Solo Diners Love It: Solo patrons mix with remote workers and readers, creating an easy-going space.
Chye Seng Huat Hardware
A trendy café famous for its coffee bar and specialty brews, this is the best spot for solo diners to settle at the circular counter and watch the baristas at work. The menu includes sweet and savory small plates, rice bowls, and desserts complemented by specialty beans and cocktails.
Location: Tyrwhitt Road
Price Range: $14–$25
Ambiance: Industrial, hip, vibrant—with bar counter seats ideal for eating solo.
Nylon Coffee Roasters
Simplicity is key at Nylon, with a standing bar, world-class coffee, and friendly staff who help you choose your brew and dessert. For a quick bite, grab a seat at the communal table, enjoy a rich pastry with your coffee, and then head out—or linger and chat with other solo guests.
Location: Everton Park
Why It’s Great: Fast-paced, welcoming, with a “grab and go” vibe
Hint: The green onion cake is a must for savory fans.
Etiquette Tips for Dining Solo in Singapore
Dining solo in Singapore is straightforward—most places welcome solo diners, especially at the bar counter or window seats.
If you’re enjoying soup or hotpot, choose a smaller portion or pick toppings that suit your appetite. Hawker centres encourage exploration, so don’t hesitate to mix different dishes or condiments. When at restaurants, look for solo set menus or let the waitstaff recommend a meal. Don’t rush—enjoy your bite, beverage, and dessert as you take in the ambiance.
If you need to step away, use a tissue packet or a personal item to reserve your seat. And don’t be shy about striking up a conversation at the bar—with chefs or fellow diners. The best part about dining solo? Full control over every choice and the freedom to enjoy flavors from around the world your way.
Indulge Yourself at Singapore’s Best Restaurants for Solo Dining
Dining solo is all about making the most of every meal, discovering new cuisines, and enjoying a moment for yourself. Singapore’s dining scene celebrates solo diners with counter seats, bar counters, chef’s tables, and menus filled with small plates, sushi, grilled meats, ramen, hotpot, and world-class desserts.
Don’t hesitate—head out and experience the pleasure of dining solo at these top restaurants, hawker centres, and cafés. It’s an adventure for your palate and your spirit—cheers to the best solo dining experience Singapore has to offer!
