This time of year, there’s always an onslaught of recommendations for the best places for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. Being the contrarian, and also someone who dines alone a fair amount for work, I thought it was high time someone pulled together a list of the best places in the city for solo diners — because after being cooped up in a hotel room with family members during an ice storm, I’m guessing many folks could use a little alone time.
These are places that don’t say “Just one?” when you approach the host stand. They don’t relegate solo diners to the bad wobbly table by the bathroom, or force you to make a reservation for two. Instead, they treat solo diners to good service, good food, and the bounty that comes with not having to share your meal: Leftovers for the next day.
Recently remodeled, the 10-year-old East Nashville Mediterranean favorite has several different spaces where you can sit, including at the counter. Checks are handed to you in a book, making this a place you can happily sit solo and read while you feast on whipped feta.
Located in the heart of the North Gulch and owned by celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan, Chauhan has a reputation as a group-dining destination. There are certainly plenty of dishes meant to be shared, and you’ll likely run into some larger parties having a good time in Music City. But there are lots of small tables to tuck into where you’ll be perfectly comfortable alone, sampling fusion Indian food with Nashville twists.
This Donelson spot is the result of a collaboration between two brothers, Bill and Sam Darsinos. The two also own East Nashville’s GReKo, and they’re partners at Southside Grill and Darfons. Open seven days a week, Salento Italia has several dining areas to fit your mood, but the screened-in porch, which is heated year-round, is never a bad choice.
This popular Riverside Village restaurant offers a large menu of Asian dishes, with an emphasis on Thai food and a bar where you can eat sushi and noodles and talk to strangers. After dinner, walk across the street for solo-friendly dessert at Hattie Jane’s Creamery or The Tennessee Cobbler Co.
Always buzzy and busy, Cafe Roze’s bar is a go-to if you want a healthy, delicious, well-plated meal and crafted cocktail or mocktail — and you want to be around other people. It’s an East Nashville neighborhood spot where you’ll feel like you’re part of the scene, even if you’re by yourself.
