In the more popular areas of our bustling city, finding a place to eat alone and away from the constant stream of people can be quite a challenge. While going solo is not uncommon elsewhere in the world, in a collectivistic society like ours, there is an innate social pressure associated with eating by yourself.

Even though there are a multitude of places to choose from, here is the catch: in a country where dining alone tends to be frowned upon, life is that much harder when looking for a meal option away from the judging eyes of fellow diners. To help our fellow hermits out there, here are 11 food places in Singapore for solo diners.

GANGSTA RAMEN

In the land of solo eating, the quintessential food icon for lone diners is ramen. If you want to experience eating at a ramen booth in Singapore, drop by Gangsta Ramen! Aptly located in the CBD, this ramen place boasts the first local private booth dining experience à la Ichiran Ramen of Japan fame.

Working professionals who crave a little solitude can enjoy their ramen away from social pressure with the company of none other than the cubicle walls and a blackout curtain. With only twelve such seats available, the restaurant retains its original ambience of seclusion even at maximum capacity

The menu is sparse, but on the flipside, the portions are sizable with a healthy serving of ingredients. Prices start at S$10 for their Original Ramen, and go up to S$16 for the more deluxe Black Truffle Ramen. For the more voracious diners, get ready to enjoy the thick slices of tender pork belly, and a generous helping of bamboo shoots and fungus.

1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza
#02-10
Singapore 082001
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 8.30pm
Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

KANDA SOBA

Looking for a quick place to grab a bite without the fuss of dining at a full-fledged establishment? Head down to the first Singapore branch of Kanda Soba at Don Don Donki’s food court in Clake Quay Central! As a bonus for lone eaters, you can indulge in the mazesoba true noodle bar style – in a self-contained and fuss-free manner.

This popular Japanese and South Korean chain brought with them their famed Original Mazesoba with Chashu (S$12) to our shores. Said to contain a whooping 62 ingredients, diners can expect wonderfully al dente noodles mixed with an assortment of customizable toppings. For those dining alone, this means you can indulge in a few extra pieces of chashu without feeling too guilty!

6 Eu Tong Sen Street
Clarke Quay Central
Don Don Donki #B1-11
Singapore 059817
Daily: 11pm – 3pm, 5pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

KOGANE YAMA

Specializing in modern premium Japanese tendon, the distinct silhouette of these tendon bowls is eclipsed only by the flavors of the ingredients within. The extensive offerings here are generous in portions yet affordable in prices, and for the solo customer, perfectly sized for one.

A favourite is the classically sinful mixed bowl tendon (S$13.80) featuring protein and vegetables alike. For those looking for alternatives to tempura, their Unagi chahan (S$14.90) is a treat in itself, and the Seafood Miso Ramen (S$14.90) is a taste explosion of its own.

Whether you are an office worker or a student, Kagone Yama has a casual atmosphere that encourages both groups and single diners alike to share the space comfortably. At the end of the day, with bowls that enticing on the tables, it is no surprise that all attention is drawn to the food instead!

200 Victoria Street
Bugis Junction #02-50
Singapore 188021
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bugis
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

ORIOLE COFFEE + BAR

Located next to 313@Somerset, Oriole Coffee + Bar has the perfect camouflage of being yet another café in an area saturated with many others. Lone diners who have ventured in, however, will find themselves getting the best of both worlds: residing in the heart of the Somerset area while basking in the relative quiet of the café.

For those looking for a bite, keep an eye out for bar favourites like Ginger Ale Fish & Chips (S$22), or their all-day breakfast options like the scrumptious Fully Loaded (S$24). To wash your food down, don’t forget to try their handcrafted pour-overs (S$6), or opt for their cold brew (S$7) instead if you want a more special taste profile.

96 Somerset Road
Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard #01-01
Singapore 238163
Tel: +65 6238 8348
Sun to Thu: 8am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 12am
Nearest Station: Somerset

SORA BORU

For the more self-conscious lone eaters, ordering in Sora Boru is done via a self-order kiosk, thereby minimizing any anxiety-inducing human interaction. Moreover, the open space allows for customers to enjoy their meals in relative exclusivity, while still basking in the remote companionship of other tables at the same time. A win-win solution!

The selection of bowls includes everything from pick-your-own chirashi bowls to noodle bowls. The highlights however, are their Volcano Beef Don and its counterpart Snow Beef Don. At the price of S$7.50 for the mini, and S$11.90 for the regular, you can either get the spicy flame-grilled variant, or the savoury-sweet mix of parmesan and whipped cream respectively. Or if you are undecided, go for both!

313 Orchard Road
313@Somerset #B3-19/20
Singapore 238895
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

SPICY ROCK

If it seems like spice-lovers have been left out of the list, fear not – Spicy Rock joins the ranks as another Japanese fusion place, but with a spicy twist! The vibrant colours of the interior may seem counterintuitive for the solitary diner, but worry not, as the restaurant’s unique food creations are sure to draw everyone’s attention instead!

There are multiple menu options to satisfy the single customer, from the milder Spicy Rock Chicken Curry Rice (S$16.80) to the red hot Super Spicy Rock Tori-Katsu Ramen (S$15.80). More adventurous foodies on the other hand, can try the spectacle that is the Beef Steak with Cotton Candy (S$XX) for a truly unique taste experience!

13 Stamford Road
Capitol Piazza #B2-51
Singapore 178905
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

THE BURNING OAK

Unlike its counterparts, The Burning Oak is located in the renovated hipster Bedok Marketplace in Simpang. So, instead of feeling self-conscious when requesting a table for one amidst multiple groups, you get the luxury of having quality donburi in an environment where eating alone is commonplace.

For beef lovers, the S$16 Wagyu and Truffle Mince is a definite steal. Besides the juicy medium-rare slices of wagyu, it doubles that beef goodness with truffle-infused minced beef as well! Those who prefer pork can go for our favourite of Black Vinegar Pork Cheeks (S$12) instead; the caramelized tender goodness of the pork slices will have you returning for more!

348 Bedok Road
The Bedok Marketplace #02-16
Singapore 469560
Tel: +65 9873 6093
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2pm, 6pm – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

THE PROVIDORE

Nestled in the quieter corner of the shopping stretch within Mandarin Gallery, Providore provides a private respite for the lone adventurer without leaving the convenience of town. The café features cosy 2-person seaters perfect for the single customer as a default, and has a generally non-intrusive service staff.

The menu mainly offers single-dish options; the fragrant Lobster Mac & Cheese (S$27.50) is a crowd favorite, as is more substantial Club Sandwich (S$18.50). If you are a coffee lover, Providore does excellent blends (S$5++) using beans brought in from Melbourne. For a more luxurious option, you can enquire about their wine selection! Don’t worry about drinking in the day; no one is going to tell on you!

333A Orchard Road
Mandarin Gallery #02-05
Singapore 238897
Tel: +65 6732 1565
Daily: 9am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/therefinerysg

THE REFINERY

The Refinery has a forgiving menu for the sole foodie, offering affordable bowls and yakitori perfect for one. The food is simple and unpretentious; modern twists on traditional favorites made palatable in today’s society. Furthermore, its quiet location and grill-bar-workspace concept ensure a constant chill vibe. Everyone moves to their own rhythm here: as a lone diner, what more can you ask for?

The house special and customer favorite is the Refinery Gyudon (S$14). The fragrant mix of tender beef slices on truffle-infused mushrooms delivers a flavor kick that reaffirms the bowl’s status as a must-try dish. For those looking for an alternative to beef, Mr Unagi Don (S$14 nett) is similarly tasty with its charred skin and sweet interior.

115 King George’s Avenue
#01-02
Singapore 208561
Tel: +65 6293 1204
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 1am
Sat: 11am – 4pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Lavender

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/thesushibar.sg/

THE SUSHI BAR

This next place is more popular than you might expect: The Sushi Bar. However, it is said crowd that creates a buffer. With a constant stream of customers vying for seats, not only will parties of one beat the queue before waiting groups, taking up one seat – especially at the bar – reduces the pressure of savoring one’s food leisurely.

Famous for their decadent sashimi spreads, the Kaisen Chirashi Don (S$22.90 for small, S$26.90 for regular), or the Aburi Kaisen Chirashi Don (S$26.90) are must-tries here. Those who prefer sushi can substitute their bowls with the brand’s famed Salmon Aburi Roll (S$16.90), turning a dish typically saved for sharing into an ample meal for one instead!

14 Scotts Road
Far East Plaza #04-28
Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 9653 6464 (SMS reservation only)
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3.30pm, 5pm – 9.45pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 9.45pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Orchard
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

TUNGLOK TEAHOUSE

Many may think that it is impossible to have dim sum alone, but the newly renovated TungLok Teahouse is here to break that mould! Adding a bunch of automation via iPad ordering and a tray delivery system, the socially adverse among us can enjoy having freshly steamed dim sum baskets delivered to their tables with minimal human interaction.

As with typical dim sum items, the baskets come with three to four items. To reduce potential choice paralysis, here are some of our choices for the sole customer. Go with TungLok Teahouse’s signature Steamed Siew Mai with Quail Egg and Truffle (S$5.80 nett – 4 pieces) for a new twist on a classic dim sum staple. To substantiate on carbs, the Baked BBQ Pork Buns (S$4.80 nett – 3 pieces) are sweet flaky treats that leave you craving for more!

10 Sinaran Drive
Square 2 #01-73
Singapore 307506
Tel: +65 6893 1123
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 3pm, 3pm – 5pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena