Table for One? Best Spots for Solo Dining

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, but not all of us are lucky enough to have a lover, wife, "special friend" to share meals with. Need a table for one? Don’t wither under the smirks. Hold your (sniveling) head high and tuck in at one of these singles-friendly establishments.

Ginkgo
The mussels and tapas here are both tasty and good value, but it’s the eclectic live music that’ll keep companionless diners distracted and entertained all evening. Steaks are 40 percent off on Wednesdays too. Treat yourself – no one else will.

Daily 10.30am-3pm, 6-10.30pm. 199 Andingmennei Dajie, Dongcheng District
(6402 7532)
东城区安定门内大街199号

Ding Ding Xiang
Hot pot needn’t be a no-no for solo diners. At this branch of the upmarket Beijing chain, each customer gets their own mini cauldron of bubbling broth, so you can dunk to your heart’s content without looking like a loveless glutton.

Daily 11am-10pm. 2/F, Yuanjia International Apartments, Dongzhimenwai, Dongzhong Jie, Dongcheng District (6417 9289)
东城区东直门外东中街东环广场对面元嘉国际公寓2层

Mirch Masala
Mirch’s thali sets (RMB 45) are a delicious rebuke to tiresome family-style dining. With mini tasting bowls of chicken, lamb, prawn and vegetable curries, tandoori roti, naan, and pilau rice for one, who needs company?

Mon 5-10.30pm; Tue-Sun 11am-2.30pm, 5-10.30pm. Unit 130, Bldg 2, Ritan Highlife, 39 Shenlu Jie, Chaoyang District (8563 6304)
朝阳区神路街39号日坛公园北门对面日坛上街2号楼130号

Noodle Bar
Just because you’re a desperate singleton doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Sanlitun’s romantic 1949-The Hidden City complex. Grab a stool at Noodle Bar’s 12-seat counter and let the experts show you how to “pull” – noodles, that is.

Daily 11am-10pm. 1949–The Hidden City, Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (6501 1949)
朝阳区工体北路4号院 (盈科中心南面)

Trojan Fairy Dark Restaurant
It might be billed as a sensory experience for couples, but the pitch-black dining room here means fellow patrons will be totally in the dark about your lonely secret. You can even imagine the partner of your dreams sitting opposite you. Note that word: dreams.

Daily 11am-2pm, 5-9pm. 8/F, Hunsha Dalou, 109 Xidan Beidajie, Xicheng District
(6616 0336)
西城区西单北大街109婚庆大楼8楼