Our Favorite Restaurants For Dining Solo in L.A.

Who isn’t happy devouring a decadent plate of rigatoncini drenched in an oxtail ragu sauce while sipping a chilled mezcal Negroni? Snag a seat at the perennially packed Mother Wolf bar and you’ll find yourself immersed in an energetic scene that feels like a perpetual afterparty. Order any of the pizzas (the Calabrese, with chunks of ‘nduja and roasted brocoletti, is a tri-colored feast for the senses), and multiple people are guaranteed to ask what you got. Where you take the conversation from there is up to you. 

As most Westsiders know, the best place to unwind solo (or with a pal) at the end of a long day is at Esters. Order a glass of your favorite vintage, or let fate guide your hand, and find yourself in a living room-style atmosphere where everyone is loose, open, and looking to chat. Sit at the bar and order the lavender-spiked Marcona almonds while enjoying the scene. Or drop in on Sundays for wine tasting nights and meet plenty of like-minded Angelenos. Non-drinkers have options here, too — try the passionfruit “mock-arita,” with its Optimist Botanicals base.

The magic of The Prince lies in a rather eclectic mix of elements: a 100-year-old space decorated in a Federalist style (think presidential portraits, beefeater statuette lamps, and damask wallpaper), with the kitchen serving Korean pub food (kimchi pancakes, spicy boneless chicken wings), and a bar that pumps out solid cocktails (the whiskey-based Midnight Cowboy with smokey rosemary is a fan favorite). What puts this place over the top, however, is the friendly bar staff that keeps the diverse crowd lubricated and having fun until the wee hours.

No reservations; more information here.

Maybe it’s the welcoming feel in Dante’s gorgeous dining room, or the breezy views of Beverly Hills outside, but rather than feel cliquey or snobbish, Dante succeeds in creating a warm, inviting space where you can actually make friends with the person next to you. A pianist croons lounge-y versions of modern hits most nights, while guests gather around and have been known to join in. Dante has already become the go-to spot for the Beverly Hills office set after work, and the adjoining Maybourne Beverly Hills hotel ensures a constant stream of out-of-towners.

Decor has a lot to do with the feeling of a space, and Nossa Caipirinha Bar knows this well. Entering here is like stepping into a living room lined with warm wood paneling, hand-painted tiles, and the soft glow of flickering candles. And just like a living room, it’s filled with friendly, relaxed faces chatting away at the bar or between one another at the tables. Grab any one of the caipirinhas on the menu (Brazil’s national cocktail, based on the fermented sugarcane spirit cachaça), or ask the person next to you which one they’re sipping. If you’re in the mood for a bite, the tuna and prawn ceviche is one of the most dazzling dishes in town.

Tucked inside this neighborhood stalwart is a compact bar distinct from the larger Bar Stella in a separate room along Sunset. This snug space is the sort of spot where locals go specifically to dine on the kitchen’s classic French bistro fare (the best coq au vin in L.A., and a pot de crème that will have you saying “mon dieu!”) all while chatting with fellow Silver Lake denizens or anyone else who shows up. Don’t be surprised to see multiple mini-reunions as regulars cycle through and bump into one another. Who knows, you might be so charmed by the scene that you keep coming back yourself.

Note: Cafe Stella is temporarily closed for renovations, but the adjoining Bar Stella remains open for drinks.

On the other side of the Hollywood Hills, the San Fernando Valley swaps glitzy, high-octane clubs for more relaxed, family-friendly gastropubs. The Local Peasant is just this sort of casual place, and can feel like a community gathering hall at times. If you’re new to the Valley, this is a perfect place to meet the neighbors. As for what to order, the Wagyu beef patty smash burger is a highlight. If you just want a drink, grab a seat at the long bar and let the conversation flow like the beers on tap. A second location in Woodland Hills anchors the western edge of the Valley.

Café Triste is one of a few spots spearheading the current Chinatown revival. The European-style wine bar (a tight wine list, a small rotating menu of knockout dishes) has become more of a gathering spot for the area’s young creative types, and feels entirely indicative of how Angelenos like to eat now. But non-artists should not be dissuaded — all are welcome. In fact, most nights are so full of life and community here that it feels impossible not to meet a handful of new people every time you go. And if you can’t find space inside, the sidewalk out front is spilling over with people chatting, sharing a cigarette, and balancing a glass of funky orange.

No reservations; more information here.

Los Angeles has no dearth of top-notch Thai restaurants, but what makes Night + Market WeHo so innovative is how chef Kris Yenbamroong reimagined his parents’ restaurant into something new. Now bursting with colors as vibrant as the food’s spices, a soundtrack to rival the neighboring clubs on the Sunset Strip, and, yes, some of the coolest kids in town, Night + Market is a destination for a night out, not the stop beforehand. But if such a description seems intimidating or scene-y, know that Night + Market also has one of the most communal and inviting dining rooms around. Sit at the bar and you’re just as likely to meet a local regular as you are someone visiting from out of town. Order up a cool Singha beer, add a soul-satisfying bowl of panang en neua with chunks of beef smothered in rich curry, and toast with your new friends.

With locations in both West Hollywood and Encino, the Surly Goat has made its name as a beer-lover’s paradise. Take your pick from a rotating list of over two dozen beers on tap, and many more bottled or canned. If you love beer, this is the place to meet other hops-minded folk and discover a rare or unusual draft while you’re at it. The West Hollywood location holds weekly trivia nights for those seeking some intellectual stimulation, while the Encino location is a great spot to catch comedy shows or queue up for karaoke.

No reservations; more information here.

Few institutions in L.A. are as legendary as Musso & Frank — and for good reason. Looking for a steak dinner with a perfectly-made martini? Musso has you covered. How about a shrimp cocktail and a nice Riesling? You’re in the right spot. Grab a stool at the bar and quickly discover that the staff is nearly as legendary as the restaurant itself. Sit back and listen as your red tuxedo-jacket clad bartender regales you with tales of Hollywood history and secrets as they mix up a gin fizz. And you never know who you’ll end up next to, offering to share their basket of fries: from tourists to businessmen to the occasional starlet, they’re all here for a good time.