5 more places to dine solo in Sydney

The Old Clare Hotel’s Longshore restaurant, Chippendale
 Credit: Jason Loucas

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of another 5 Sydney venues making solo dining a dream.

1) Longshore – for local seafood

Those with a penchant for seafood will enjoy a night of solitude with a snack flight menu at Longshore, a modern Australian restaurant located within The Old Clare Hotel in the inner-city suburb of Chippendale. Here, solo diners are often seated at the bar– a great vantage point to observe the bustle of the kitchen and to enjoy the company of the staff. The snack flight features 10 individually portioned miniature snacks and heroes local seafood. Solo diners can also order the standard tasting menu (it’s a little more intensive) or any of the a la carte dishes.

2) Cho Cho San – for an izakaya-style dining experience

Trying a series of dishes, instead of limiting yourself to only a couple, is not an issue for solo diners at Potts Point favourite Cho Cho San – here menu items can be reduced in size. This minimally decorated Tokyo-style izakaya (a Japanese-style pub or bar offering typically inexpensive dishes, snacks and drinks) serves its signature dishes such as the black sesame mochi and fried soy rice with shiitake and egg in smaller portions for those dining on their own. The izakaya set menu is also available to solo diners, and sitting up at the bar and interacting with staff is a great perk of dining there alone. Its sister venue just up the street, The Apollo, offers a similar solo dining experience for those seeking modern Greek food.

3) Amuro – for cosiness and saké

This tiny Japanese restaurant in Darlinghurst opened with solo diners specifically in mind – offering individual diners a special, more intimate dining experience. Tucked away in the suburb’s back streets, this tidy spot seats 14 guests at the counter, which looks onto the ‘theatre’ of the kitchen, and two additional tables for two that offer a little more privacy. Food-wise, find a rotating a la carte menu of Japanese snacks and boutique saké. Insider’s tip: Amuro is walk-in only for new guests and it’s not until there's an established, regular relationship with the venue that guests can make reservations.

4) Ester – for a famous potato bread

Ester Restaurant, Chippendale - Credit: Ester Restaurant

A firm favourite among Sydneysiders, Chippendale’s Ester makes dining alone a dinner to remember – its dining room is beautifully designed and cosy, and dishes are some of Sydney’s most famous. Upon arrival, solo diners will be sat at the bar or countertop and anything on the menu, either the set or a la carte, is available to them. Smaller portions are also possible depending on the dish and availability. Remember: no night at Ester is complete without ordering the fermented potato bread with kefir cream and salmon roe.

5) Kosuke – for a bowl of ramen

Ramen, and noodle soups generally, are excellent solo dining meals, and Kosuke in Lane Cove is serving some of the city’s best bowls. The sibling venue of a very popular ramen and tsukemen restaurant in North Strathfield, Kosuke serves Tokyo-style ramen with house-made noodles and broth. Sidle up for a bowl of tonkotsu (pork-based) or tori (chicken-based) ramen topped with chashu (marinated and sliced grilled or fried pork), bamboo shoots and soy egg; crack open an ice-cold can of Calpis and enjoy a meal of solitude among the hustle and bustle of a busy noodle joint in suburban Sydney. Tip: lines can be long at the North Strathfield outpost of this Sydney favourite. At Lane Cove you may also have to wait for a table, but it will be well worth it.