(Featured image from Kevin Day)
Solo dining.
Up until recently, solo dining was synonymous to a takeaway for one that’s usually scoffed down in the car or anonymously eaten at home. Alone. Most people would never want to be spotted solo dining because it automatically associates them to being a “friendless person” or for lack of better word, #foreveralone. It’s practically social suicide!
However, these days, more and more people are choosing to dine out alone. The observation was initially made by BBC but even in Kuala Lumpur, a hub for city slickers who are constantly on-the-go, solo dining is on a steady rise. As such, cafes and restaurants are making way for these customers by making themselves more welcoming. The little touches that they’ve made could easily be ignored by other diners but it shines like a beacon to solo diners.
Here are our picks for the top 5 solo dining places (could be a little pricey) in Kuala Lumpur:
1. Porcelene Jazz (Empire Damansara)
Considered a “newbie” because they just opened in 2013, Porcelene Jazz brands themselves as a fun and funky hangout and Malaysia’s first acid jazz restaurant and bar. The restaurant serves an Asian-European flavourful fusion menu that’s catered to both the local and visiting foreigner’s palate e.g. soups, pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, and burgers. We especially adore how solo diners will be able to fit right in and super comfortably at the restaurant’s smaller tables which can only fit a max of 2 patrons per table. Not awkward at all!
For more information, visit their website.
2. Alexis (Telawi, Bangsar)
Stylish and comfy to a tee, Alexis is known to serve a yummy selection of thin-crust pizzas and all-time Asian favourites. Their desserts, too, are absolutely delectable such as the pavlova and tiramisu. But perhaps the most unique selling point is the intimate outdoor seats (there are only a few) along the front of the bistro, which caters for a small party of 2 or solo diners. We love how the cushioned seats are strategically placed to face the road so that solo diners can “people watch” or watch the world go by and not feel all that #foreveralone while wolfing down a bowl of Sarawak Laksa.
For more information, visit their website.
3. Coliseum (Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur)
An old colonial haunt, the legendary Coliseum offers not only good food but also, character. The restaurant takes it customers back to basics with its whirling ceiling fans, ornate dark wood furniture, and linen tablecloths all “encased” in the traditional structure of the restaurant lot. In fact, Coliseum has been serving food and drinks for more than 90 years and they are known to dish out some of the best (and afforable) steaks e.g. sirloin, rump, fillet, etc. in the city. We wouldn’t call it a Western gourmet heaven but because of its bar seats and some smaller tables, it’s worth the visit for solo diners.
For more information, visit their Facebook page.
4. La Bodega (Telawi, Bangsar & Empire Shopping Gallery, Subang)
Known to be Kuala Lumpur’s most prominent Spanish food chain, La Bodega will satisfy all your tapas cravings and more. La Bodega first opened along Jalan Telawi 2 in 1999. Since then, it has become the perfect place to hide out amidst the busyness of Bangsar. We especially love their refreshing sangria! The outlet in Bangsar has a warm and cosy atmosphere so you can enjoy a meal alone indoors while being bathed in soft lighting. La Bodega in Empire Shopping Gallery also has bar seats so you can go ahead with your solo dining without interruptions – except for maybe striking up a conversation with the friendly bartenders!
For more information, visit their website.
5. Grafa Cafe, (SS15, Subang Jaya)
Easily overlooked while driving down the street it’s on, Grafa Cafe boasts an ambience that will make you believe you’re not in the heart of the busiest part of Subang Jaya. It’s extremely hidden and doesn’t have much of a facade to it so you’ll need to spot the Pattern Store which is located right in front Grafa Cafe. The eatery serves just about anything from pastas to pizzas, to lamb chops and grills, and of course a delicious selection of local food e.g. meehun goreng tomyam, nasi lemak, etc. We love the solo seats along the entrance’s corridor and the smaller tables inside. Perfect!
For more information, visit their Facebook page.
And that’s all we’ve got – for now. Know of any other interesting places that you’d like us to add to the list? Drop us a tip in the comments box!
