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A woman’s arms hold a bread board with vegetable focaccia as she sets it on a table with a full place setting.
Focaccia and wine decorate an afternoon at Written by the Seasons in Bishop Arts.
Kathy Tran

10 Splendid Spots to Dine Solo in Dallas

These coffee shops, cocktail haunts, burger joints, and more are perfect for a bite by yourself

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Focaccia and wine decorate an afternoon at Written by the Seasons in Bishop Arts.
| Kathy Tran

Whether you’re searching for breakfast, lunch or dinner, sometimes eating alone is necessary. These cafes, coffee shops, bars, and restaurants are some of Dallas’s best options for a working meal, striking up a conversation with a stranger or for a simple moment of respite from the daily grind.

If you’re going to go it alone, these are the best places in big D to be.

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Trova Wine + Market

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If it’s going to be a laptop open lunch, this place has plugs under the counter. It’s also a great option for those in of need a glass of wine and a change of scenery to make working from home bearable on any afternoon. No need to be a wine aficionado—the menu has a somm’s choice option that takes the guesswork out of ordering.

Goodfriend Package

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Not only can you get one of the best sandwiches in DFW here, but you can grab a chair or an outdoor table and daydream for a spell. As a bonus, if you were using your solo dinner out to get away from the family, Goodfriend Package does special casseroles and family-style dishes to grab and take back to feed the crew.

Cafe Duro

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Whether it’s a cup of coffee served in china, a pastry, a panini, or a wine spritzer, all of this plus world-class decor can be found at Cafe Duro. Stop in for breakfast, lunch, or to grab a bottle of wine for dinner. Stay and watch the traffic on Greenville go by from the shop or the porch of Sister next door for a delightful slowing the world down experience.

For a real treat yo’ self moment, head to Coupes for a coupe of champagne or sparkling wine and some light bites. Do not miss the gougeres, a chesse-stuffed pastry puff, or the deviled eggs. If a bigger treat is called for, try the caviar service.

TJ's Seafood Market & Grill HP/Oak Lawn

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The Oak Lawn location is perfect for a solo lunch or snack, since so many of the tables here are two-tops. Order the excellent lobster roll, a fresh tuna salad, or crab cakes —  because who wants to take on all the work of making any of those seafood favorites themselves?

Ascension Coffee - Design District

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This Design District coffee shop has millennial friendly decor down and is the kind of place to be industrious or a slacker. Have a snack and feel inspired by the other folks pecking away at their laptops or sit and daydream in the light-filled space.

Pie Tap Pizza Workshop + Bar

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Pull up a seat at the expansive bar in this modern space and enjoy some pizza solo — the prosciutto with dates and arugula is excellent. Or a bowl of pasta — it’s carbonara is noteworthy. Or a salad, from chopped crispy chicken to the Workshop which puts everything from a Mediterranean diet into a bowl. The experience is always peaceful, unhurried, and yummy.

Sandwich Hag

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Try this spot owned by 2023 James Beard Best Chef nominee Reyna Duong all on your own, no reservations required. Head down to the Cedars any day for lunch and try an excellent bahn mi sandwich or any of the chef’s specials. Add on a Vietnamese coffee for some extra kick.

Written by the Seasons

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One of the best places to eat dinner solo is this Bishop Arts spot. With it’s ultra seasonal menu, which changes frequently, and its great view onto the streets of a happening district, it’s a wonderful place to indulge in a great meal and watch the world go by. No book as a distraction necessary.

Another James Beard 2023 nominee, this one for Best Restaurant, has always been known as a difficult place to get a reservation. A good hack is to pop in for a solo meal at the bar. It does save spots for walk-ins. The menu here changes nearly daily, but what’s on it is always excellent.

Trova Wine + Market

If it’s going to be a laptop open lunch, this place has plugs under the counter. It’s also a great option for those in of need a glass of wine and a change of scenery to make working from home bearable on any afternoon. No need to be a wine aficionado—the menu has a somm’s choice option that takes the guesswork out of ordering.

Goodfriend Package

Not only can you get one of the best sandwiches in DFW here, but you can grab a chair or an outdoor table and daydream for a spell. As a bonus, if you were using your solo dinner out to get away from the family, Goodfriend Package does special casseroles and family-style dishes to grab and take back to feed the crew.

Cafe Duro

Whether it’s a cup of coffee served in china, a pastry, a panini, or a wine spritzer, all of this plus world-class decor can be found at Cafe Duro. Stop in for breakfast, lunch, or to grab a bottle of wine for dinner. Stay and watch the traffic on Greenville go by from the shop or the porch of Sister next door for a delightful slowing the world down experience.

Coupes

For a real treat yo’ self moment, head to Coupes for a coupe of champagne or sparkling wine and some light bites. Do not miss the gougeres, a chesse-stuffed pastry puff, or the deviled eggs. If a bigger treat is called for, try the caviar service.

TJ's Seafood Market & Grill HP/Oak Lawn

The Oak Lawn location is perfect for a solo lunch or snack, since so many of the tables here are two-tops. Order the excellent lobster roll, a fresh tuna salad, or crab cakes —  because who wants to take on all the work of making any of those seafood favorites themselves?

Ascension Coffee - Design District

This Design District coffee shop has millennial friendly decor down and is the kind of place to be industrious or a slacker. Have a snack and feel inspired by the other folks pecking away at their laptops or sit and daydream in the light-filled space.

Pie Tap Pizza Workshop + Bar

Pull up a seat at the expansive bar in this modern space and enjoy some pizza solo — the prosciutto with dates and arugula is excellent. Or a bowl of pasta — it’s carbonara is noteworthy. Or a salad, from chopped crispy chicken to the Workshop which puts everything from a Mediterranean diet into a bowl. The experience is always peaceful, unhurried, and yummy.

Sandwich Hag

Try this spot owned by 2023 James Beard Best Chef nominee Reyna Duong all on your own, no reservations required. Head down to the Cedars any day for lunch and try an excellent bahn mi sandwich or any of the chef’s specials. Add on a Vietnamese coffee for some extra kick.

Written by the Seasons

One of the best places to eat dinner solo is this Bishop Arts spot. With it’s ultra seasonal menu, which changes frequently, and its great view onto the streets of a happening district, it’s a wonderful place to indulge in a great meal and watch the world go by. No book as a distraction necessary.

Lucia

Another James Beard 2023 nominee, this one for Best Restaurant, has always been known as a difficult place to get a reservation. A good hack is to pop in for a solo meal at the bar. It does save spots for walk-ins. The menu here changes nearly daily, but what’s on it is always excellent.

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