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A cocktail in a coupe at Copycat Co. DC.
Copycat Co. is a top spot for a solo drink or bite.
Copycat Co./Facebook

Where to Dine Solo Around D.C.

Go ahead and treat number one

by Tierney Plumb, Vinciane Ngomsi, and Kalina Newman Updated
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Copycat Co. is a top spot for a solo drink or bite.
| Copycat Co./Facebook
by Tierney Plumb, Vinciane Ngomsi, and Kalina Newman Updated

Sometimes “me time” shouldn’t mean binging on Netflix and takeout in your jammies. And while some restaurants give solo diners second-rate treatment, many know how to treat number one well. From warm bowls of ramen and crab-topped deviled eggs to cornbread muffins and kale chips, there’s something to fit everyone’s taste.

While this list is a perfect reference for newly ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, anyone could use a break from dining with dates or groups every now and then. When it comes to dining solo in D.C., here are some of the best spots to people-watch, tuck into a book, or simply enjoy a meal alone.

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Tryst

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With its extensive all-day brunch menu, lunch plates, and selection of espresso drinks, the laid-back Adams Morgan cafe is fit for any solo diner. Take a seat on one of its couches and get some reading in with a featured latte, warm up while with a bowl of tomato and basil bisque, or start the day off with a chorizo breakfast burrito stuffed with a cheese frittata.

2459 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 232-5500
(202) 232-5500

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Izakaya Seki

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For a solo reservation at Izakaya Seki, a counter seat is the perfect perch to peruse the hand-written menu as chef Hiroshi Seki masterfully presides over the sushi bar. The omakase menu, with a choice of three, seven, or ten types of chef-selected sashimi, is a solid choice.

1117 V St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Also featured in:

BRESCA

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Head to the sleek bar at Michelin-rated Bresca for Sara Chaudhuri’s meaningful Ethos menu, which links life experiences to ingredients and flavors across five cocktails. Single diners can stay for dinner at the bar after they imbibe.

1906 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Sara Chaudhuri serves an omakase cocktail menu at Bresca.
Bresca

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CHIKO

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Can’t decide between Chinese or Korean food? Don’t have to at CHIKO. The bulgogi tots are always a hit starter, followed by the duck fried rice or orange-ish rice. Between 3 and 6 p.m. daily at the Dupont and Bethesda locations, enjoy $5 dumplings and $8 soju smashes. The same deal is valid Monday and Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesday through Sunday from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Shirlington spot.

2029 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 331-3040
(202) 331-3040
A crispy fried piece of chicken being dipped into a spicy sauce using metal chopsticks, with another cluster of chicken and vegetables on the side.
Crispy fried chicken at Chiko.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Also featured in:

Destino

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At La Cosecha’s sleek Mexican eatery, opt for guacamole, chile-packed ceviche, pork carnitas enchiladas, and creative desserts like a canela toast crunch tostada with orange zest ricotta and tortilla ice cream. Snag a seat at its big pebbled bar and soak up sights of the surrounding Latin market.

1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 866-0933
(202) 866-0933

Also featured in:

St. Anselm

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With a sizable dining room and year-round patio, St. Anselm’s curved bar is the underrated spot to enjoy a plate of buttermilk biscuits with pimento cheese, blue crab-topped deviled eggs, and oysters with smoked herb butter, plus a unique selection of sommelier-picked wines.

1250 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 864-2199
(202) 864-2199
The bar features a vantage point of the St. Anselm’s open kitchen and stylish dining room.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Also featured in:

Unconventional Diner

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Brunch at Unconventional Diner includes globe-trotting dishes like Lebanese fried rice, sweet potato shakshuka, and Caribbean shrimp and grits. Evenings bring plates of cornbread muffins, kale nachos, and a near-constant stream of people going to and from events at the nearby Walter E. Convention Center.

1207 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 847-0122
(202) 847-0122

Also featured in:

Morris American Bar

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The bartenders at bright and airy Morris love to chat about the cocktails on its ever-rotating menu, providing some entertainment, education, and friendly banter. For those not into a buzz, Morris pours spirit-free and low-alcohol cocktails to sip as well.

1020 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(833) 366-7747
(833) 366-7747

Also featured in:

Copycat Co.

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H Street NE’s dimly lit perch is the perfect place to plunk down and enjoy warming soups, dan dan noodles, pot stickers, and other Chinese street snacks for one. Big bar stools with comfy backs provide an extra reason to sit and stay for that extra daiquiri. The popular industry hangout fills up fast, so snagging a stray seat is sometimes the only option anyway. Artistic chalkboard drawings of the cocktail menu add to its allure. Dupont sibling Astoria is also a nice getaway for one.

1110 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 241-1952
(202) 241-1952
Copycat Co Interior
Copycat’s dark interior.
Copycat Co. [official photo]

Also featured in:

Daikaya (Ramen Shop 1st Floor/ Izakaya 2nd Floor)

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The best escape from the cold weather may be a piping hot bowl of ramen at Chinatown’s intimate Daikaya, where seats come with a clear view of the chefs making ramen in real-time. Besides that, solo dining is common in Japan. Its sleek Shaw sister Haikan is also a worthy one-seater contender, with lots of interesting Japanese whiskeys to sample at its bar.

705 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 589-1600
(202) 589-1600

WHINO

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Part art gallery, part wine bar, and part new American restaurant, it’s hard to group Whino into one dining category. While large parties a fairly common, a sizable portion of the restaurant is dedicated to an elongated bar and small high-tops. Take in whichever art show is currently on display and flip through an extensive drink menu. Throw back $4 oyster shooters, $7 wings, and $10 cocktails during a weekday happy hour that runs later than most (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.).

4238 Wilson Blvd Second Floor, Arlington, VA 22203
(571) 290-3958
(571) 290-3958

Also featured in:

Shilling Canning Company

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Shilling Canning Company’s open kitchen seating arrangement allows a view of the kitchen’s magic from most spots in the house. For a closer look, pull up to the chef’s counter for a seven-course tasting experience ($135, $65 beverage pairing) with a menu featuring Chesapeake rockfish and bountiful vegetables that take a trip through its wood-fired oven. Or sit back, sip a cocktail, and people-watch from the restaurant’s U-shaped bar.

360 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 554-7474
(202) 554-7474
The bar at Shilling Canning Company
Shilling Canning Company

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Tryst

2459 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

With its extensive all-day brunch menu, lunch plates, and selection of espresso drinks, the laid-back Adams Morgan cafe is fit for any solo diner. Take a seat on one of its couches and get some reading in with a featured latte, warm up while with a bowl of tomato and basil bisque, or start the day off with a chorizo breakfast burrito stuffed with a cheese frittata.

2459 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 232-5500
(202) 232-5500

Izakaya Seki

1117 V St NW, Washington, DC 20009

For a solo reservation at Izakaya Seki, a counter seat is the perfect perch to peruse the hand-written menu as chef Hiroshi Seki masterfully presides over the sushi bar. The omakase menu, with a choice of three, seven, or ten types of chef-selected sashimi, is a solid choice.

1117 V St NW, Washington, DC 20009

BRESCA

1906 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Head to the sleek bar at Michelin-rated Bresca for Sara Chaudhuri’s meaningful Ethos menu, which links life experiences to ingredients and flavors across five cocktails. Single diners can stay for dinner at the bar after they imbibe.

1906 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Sara Chaudhuri serves an omakase cocktail menu at Bresca.
Bresca

CHIKO

2029 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Can’t decide between Chinese or Korean food? Don’t have to at CHIKO. The bulgogi tots are always a hit starter, followed by the duck fried rice or orange-ish rice. Between 3 and 6 p.m. daily at the Dupont and Bethesda locations, enjoy $5 dumplings and $8 soju smashes. The same deal is valid Monday and Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesday through Sunday from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Shirlington spot.

2029 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 331-3040
(202) 331-3040
A crispy fried piece of chicken being dipped into a spicy sauce using metal chopsticks, with another cluster of chicken and vegetables on the side.
Crispy fried chicken at Chiko.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Destino

1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

At La Cosecha’s sleek Mexican eatery, opt for guacamole, chile-packed ceviche, pork carnitas enchiladas, and creative desserts like a canela toast crunch tostada with orange zest ricotta and tortilla ice cream. Snag a seat at its big pebbled bar and soak up sights of the surrounding Latin market.

1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 866-0933
(202) 866-0933

St. Anselm

1250 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

With a sizable dining room and year-round patio, St. Anselm’s curved bar is the underrated spot to enjoy a plate of buttermilk biscuits with pimento cheese, blue crab-topped deviled eggs, and oysters with smoked herb butter, plus a unique selection of sommelier-picked wines.

1250 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 864-2199
(202) 864-2199
The bar features a vantage point of the St. Anselm’s open kitchen and stylish dining room.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Unconventional Diner

1207 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Brunch at Unconventional Diner includes globe-trotting dishes like Lebanese fried rice, sweet potato shakshuka, and Caribbean shrimp and grits. Evenings bring plates of cornbread muffins, kale nachos, and a near-constant stream of people going to and from events at the nearby Walter E. Convention Center.

1207 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 847-0122
(202) 847-0122

Morris American Bar

1020 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The bartenders at bright and airy Morris love to chat about the cocktails on its ever-rotating menu, providing some entertainment, education, and friendly banter. For those not into a buzz, Morris pours spirit-free and low-alcohol cocktails to sip as well.

1020 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(833) 366-7747
(833) 366-7747

Copycat Co.

1110 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

H Street NE’s dimly lit perch is the perfect place to plunk down and enjoy warming soups, dan dan noodles, pot stickers, and other Chinese street snacks for one. Big bar stools with comfy backs provide an extra reason to sit and stay for that extra daiquiri. The popular industry hangout fills up fast, so snagging a stray seat is sometimes the only option anyway. Artistic chalkboard drawings of the cocktail menu add to its allure. Dupont sibling Astoria is also a nice getaway for one.

1110 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 241-1952
(202) 241-1952
Copycat Co Interior
Copycat’s dark interior.
Copycat Co. [official photo]

Daikaya (Ramen Shop 1st Floor/ Izakaya 2nd Floor)

705 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The best escape from the cold weather may be a piping hot bowl of ramen at Chinatown’s intimate Daikaya, where seats come with a clear view of the chefs making ramen in real-time. Besides that, solo dining is common in Japan. Its sleek Shaw sister Haikan is also a worthy one-seater contender, with lots of interesting Japanese whiskeys to sample at its bar.

705 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 589-1600
(202) 589-1600

WHINO

4238 Wilson Blvd Second Floor, Arlington, VA 22203

Part art gallery, part wine bar, and part new American restaurant, it’s hard to group Whino into one dining category. While large parties a fairly common, a sizable portion of the restaurant is dedicated to an elongated bar and small high-tops. Take in whichever art show is currently on display and flip through an extensive drink menu. Throw back $4 oyster shooters, $7 wings, and $10 cocktails during a weekday happy hour that runs later than most (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.).

4238 Wilson Blvd Second Floor, Arlington, VA 22203
(571) 290-3958
(571) 290-3958

Shilling Canning Company

360 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Shilling Canning Company’s open kitchen seating arrangement allows a view of the kitchen’s magic from most spots in the house. For a closer look, pull up to the chef’s counter for a seven-course tasting experience ($135, $65 beverage pairing) with a menu featuring Chesapeake rockfish and bountiful vegetables that take a trip through its wood-fired oven. Or sit back, sip a cocktail, and people-watch from the restaurant’s U-shaped bar.

360 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 554-7474
(202) 554-7474
The bar at Shilling Canning Company
Shilling Canning Company

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