The Best Restaurants in Paris for Solo Dining
One of my favorite ways to experience Paris is by visiting solo. I love my husband, and our trips together are special. It is a whole different experience when you are traveling with a loved one, family, friends, or solo. I have had the opportunity to do it all. Your first time dining alone can be an awkward or lonely experience, but once you get used to it, you can embrace it and make it your own. Choose a cuisine or restaurant you can’t wait to check out. This is also a prime opportunity to snag a hard-to-book reservation by grabbing a bar seat instead of a table for two or four. Below are the best restaurants in Paris for solo dining. Make sure to save the Google Map so you have easy access to the list. I would love it if you shared it with a friend who is headed to Paris!
Paris is used to solo diners. Don’t worry about feeling uncomfortable. The tables at Paris bistros and cafés are very tight together. Be prepared to strike up a conversation with your neighbor, especially at an outdoor café. A small table separates the chairs and will be turned, facing the street, giving you an excellent view for people watching. A busy boulevard or street is a great spot for an evening meal and to watch the world go by.
L’Avant Comptoir de la Terre: Best Restaurants in Paris for Solo Dining
L’Avant Comptoir de la Terre has always been my go-to for a solo meal in Paris. I discovered it in 2013 and have had memorable experiences solo and occasionally bringing a friend along. The space is small, so don’t expect to find a table. It is a zinc bar with a few bar seats and standing room throughout the cramped space. You will find the menu hanging from the ceiling, and it includes a variety of small plates. L’Avant Comptoir is just around the corner from the Odéon metro station. There is also a bus stop in the center, making it easy access for public transportation. If you are taking an Uber to the area, Odéon is a great spot to get dropped off in the heart of the action.
The wine bar was a hit, and they have expanded with a seafood place next door, L’Avant Comptoir de la Mer, and a second location for L’Avant Comptoir du Marché at the Saint-Germain-des-Prés market just around the corner. No reservations are required, but it does get busy around meal times, so take this into account if you are planning to go for lunch or dinner. You’ll need to be patient and comfortable with cramped spaces. If this doesn’t sound like your type of spot, there are more on the list below.
Bistro des Tournelles: Where to Eat Alone in Paris
Bistro des Tournelles is an excellent spot for a solo dinner in Paris. Just around the corner from Place des Vosges, you will find the bistro on the side street of Rue des Tournelles. I have dined here solo a few times at the bar. There are just a few spots at the bar at Bistro des Tournelles, making it a prime spot for solo diners. I am sharing my secret to some of the best people-watching in the Marais. The bar is located just by the front door, and you will see well-dressed Parisians and tourists come in and out. Many walk-ins try for a table, but they are always fully booked. You will want to make sure you have a reservation, even if it is just for one person, for bar seating.
A majority of the menu stays the same at Bistro des Tournelles, with the addition of seasonal vegetables to the offerings. Order a glass of wine at the bar.
Hando Sushi: The Best Places to Eat Solo in Paris
My husband and I first discovered Hando on a rainy evening in the fall. We had just finished cocktails near the Louvre, and we were trying to decide on a place to eat. Hando had great reviews, and we wanted to try something different that wasn’t French or Italian. Hando has a beautiful sushi bar with a few locations in Paris on the Right Bank and Left Bank. We stumbled upon the restaurant by Place Vendome and managed to snag a spot at the bar for two people. It was a casual dinner with delicious and simple sushi handrolls. While visiting Paris solo and working on the book, Hando was just a quick walk away from my Left Bank Hotel by the Bon Marché. There weren’t any available reservations online, and I decided to walk in and see if I could score a table for one. I didn’t wait long until a spot opened up for me.
The sushi chef did a great job keeping me entertained throughout my meal. It was fascinating to watch the restaurant work, and a few different rolls caught my eye to try while I was sitting at the bar. Hando has fresh fish, and it is surprisingly way more affordable than in the US. Keep in mind, the rolls are more straightforward than some of the crazy sauces and ingredients we are used to.
There are multiple locations for Hando, one in the Marais, one by Place Vendome, and also one on Rue des Sèvres.
Au Petit Fer à Cheval: Where to Eat Alone in Paris
Au Petit Fer à Cheval is an adorable small bar that serves classic French food. No reservations are required, and you can just grab a seat on one of the few outdoor tables or at the zinc bar. I have been coming here since 2013 and love the vibe looking out onto Vieille du Temple. The best seat is at the zinc bar if you are solo on a rainy or cold day. Grab a coffee or glass of wine and a small bite. The food is homemade, including the tarte tatin, which is not to be missed in the fall/winter. You can order classic baguette sandwiches and chat with other single diners. This is one of the local spots in the Marais where you will see many Parisians coming in and out for a quick coffee and back off to work in the morning.
Semilla: Where to Dine Solo in Paris
Semilla is a modern French restaurant in the 6th arrondissement in Paris. Delicious seasonal dishes fill the menu. I dined at Semilla when I first arrived in Paris in 2013 and hadn’t revisited until my most recent stay. My hotel suggested I book a table here since it’s in the same area. I had a table for one at the bar area and ordered a starter and a main. The butter was perfectly salted, and the incredible sourdough paired with it. I arrived early, and the restaurant quickly filled with locals and visitors. Make a reservation in advance if you are looking to try Semilla. They may have bar openings available depending on the time of the evening, but it is better not to risk it. This is one of the best restaurants in Paris for solo dining and also great with a travel partner.
La Fontaine de Mars: The Best Restaurants for Solo Dining in Paris
For a solo dining spot near the Eiffel Tower, I love La Fontaine de Mars. The inside space is a perfect place on a rainy day or a cold evening. Enjoy a meal on the outdoor seating for a warm autumn or spring day. They are open on Sundays, and it is easy to book a reservation online. I highly recommend taking a look at their daily seasonal specials on the chalkboard menu.
Kubri Lebonese Cuisine in Paris
For a unique twist on traditional French or Italian cuisine, try Kubri while in Paris. I discovered Kubri from Lindsey Tramuta a few years ago and always love revisiting the restaurant when I am back in Paris. For solo dining, you can choose a table in the front or the bar in front of the kitchen. It was so fun to see the dishes prepared by the kitchen, and watching the staff interact felt like an action-packed episode of The Bear. All of the dishes are good here. You cannot go wrong. Strike up a conversation with your neighbors next to you and see what they have ordered and loved too.
Paris is a great place for solo travelers. If you aren’t comfortable dining alone, you can stop at a café and order a glass of wine along a busy street for people watching.
The Best Advice I Received In Paris for Solo Dining
My first solo dinner in Paris, during my first couple of months, was a complete flop. I stumbled upon a local bistro near my apartment, which fit my very tight artist’s budget. The food was not memorable, but the lesson from the waitress was. She assumed, based on my behavior, that I was a tourist. I proudly told her that I had moved to Paris to an apartment close by. She pulled a magazine off the rack behind me and put it on the table. Her advice was not to rush through a meal but to savor it.
My Top Tip for Eating Alone in Paris
Put your phone down and bring a book or journal. Reading a book at a dining table in France is very normal. Scrolling on social media while you eat alone is not eating alone. Put your phone in airplane mode. Soak up the ambience and enjoy the experience of being in Paris.
Tips For Booking A Table For One
Not all restaurants will have a table for one available on a booking site. You can always book for two and make a note that you are a solo diner. Some Paris restaurants charge a fee if you cancel late and fail to keep your reservation. Keep this in mind if you have a table for two.
I hope this inspires you to book a solo trip to the City of Light and enjoy the incredible food the city has to offer.
To see more of my favorite places to eat and drink in Paris, you can check out this post.
Bonjour, I’m Rebecca!
I’m a photographer, blogger, croissant-lover, and world traveler. I hope that Everyday Parisian inspires you by bringing a bit of France into your daily life and helps you plan the best trip to Paris with personalized recommendations for places to stay, explore, and eat.
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Very helpful! Merci !!
Heading to Paris in April 2026 on a tour but will have a couple free days. Looking forward to trying some of these spots as a solo female traveler!
Paris is full of women solo dinners. There’s no stigma about eating alone or sitting at a sidewalk cafe cafe table and enjoying a glass of wine while lost in your own thoughts. It really comes down to your mindset. What a lovely gift that woman gave you so those years ago.
I’ll be in Paris soon therefore I would love to visit does restaurant
Rebecca, I enjoyed this post and your tips for dining solo. I dine alone quite often here in the US and always find it enjoyable. I’m thinking about a solo trip to Paris next year, and I’d love it if you wrote a post with general advice on traveling solo. Thanks for your lovely work.
Hi Amy,
Thank you! I would love to know what type of information would be helpful for your upcoming trip. xo
Merci Rebecca! I have wanted to travel solo to Paris and will do 2026
This list is SO helpful!
Thank you for this list!
Thank you for this Rebecca! Especially the dining solo options. I’ll be in Paris solo for 4 days at end of September before joining a 7 day river cruise.
Hi Susan! You are so welcome. It is a post I have wanted to write for a long time. I hope you have the best solo trip to Paris and enjoy your 7 day river cruise. xo Keep me posted if you come home with any new favorite spots.