The best places for solo dining in Delhi

What is it: A tiny Asian spot with authentic Japanese cuisine and great summer/winter menus, plus great ramen

Why it’s great for solo diners: They have a communal table where many friendships have been struck up. If that’s not what you were after, the tiny balcony has stools that face onto the street. But the best thing about Zuru Zuru is that their menu has tiny portions priced accordingly, including half-servings of ramen. The thought’s to allow diners to sample several things at once without breaking the bank, but it works wonderfully for solo diners too. 

What to order: The gyoza fused to a crisp tuile and the shio pork chintan, which is so aromatic that it warranted two special visits. 

Time Out tip: Get yourself a reservation. They tend to get packed.  

Price: ₹1,000-1,500 for one

Timings: Mon-Sun. 1pm-4pm (lunch), 4pm-7pm (tea), 7pm-10.30pm (dinner)

Address: Shop no. 1, 1st floor, DDA Market, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi, Delhi 110049

What is it: An affordable favourite for comforting Japanese food inside INOX mall at Nehru Place

Why it’s great for solo diners: Big bowls for under ₹500, and three hundred options to choose from. Plus a giant window from where you can stare out at the constant hyperlapse that is Nehru Place. It’s the kind of quick service place where absolutely nobody could give a damn about if you’re alone or in a pack of 30. 

What to order: The crispy chilli oil toridon and honey chicken combo, or any of their ramens. The chicken karaage is juicy, but I think we really need to draw the line at matcha churros. 

Price: ₹400-700 for one

Timings: Mon-Sun. 11am-9.30pm.

Address: Inox Mall, District Centre, Nehru Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110019

What is it: A charming, sleepy restaurant that sits inside an arts complex and overlooks a tiny, manicured amphitheatre, serving simple fare

Why it’s great for solo diners: The clientele here leans left-artsy: art enthusiasts, practitioners, people in between theatre rehearsals, maybe an odd retired bureaucrat. Not the kind to gawk or judge. Also – there’s always just so much to see at Triveni Kala Sangam – exhibitions, shows, even dance workshops. Makes for a beautiful quiet solo gander pre- or post-meal. 

Also, price-wise, Triveni Terrace Cafe is a site of resistance. It has heard about inflation and, like an art student who has heard about jobs, opted out.

What to order: You can choose one of their thalis but I’m not sure if that would leave space for the shami kebabs or the parathas. Also, the palak patta chaat here is the best in town. 

Price: ₹400-700 for one 

Timings: Mon-Sun. 10am-9.30pm.

Address: 205, Tansen Marg, opp. FICCI Auditorium, Mandi House, New Delhi, Delhi 110001

What is it: A tiny spot serving Vietnamese cuisine in the heart of Humayunpur

Why it’s great for solo diners: Tuoi Moi has done what very few restaurants in this city have bothered with, which is to actually plan for the solo diner. This is even rarer in the Humayunpur pocket itself. But here, there’s a designated single seat from where you can look out at the entire space. Who’s judging whom now? The room is small, the vinyl player never drowns out the room and the cat (yes, there is a cat) is friendly if you’re patient. 

What to order: Start with the summer rolls, have half a bahn mi and pack the other half because you need space for the seafood pho. Let it all settle with a Vietnamese coffee. 

Time Out tip: If coating your tongue with condensed milk isn’t your thing, the flan uses jaggery and is perfectly balanced. 

Price: ₹700-1,000 for one 

Timings: Tue-Sun. 12.30-5.30pm, 6pm-11pm. Closed Mon. 

Address: Near B5 Market, Humayunpur, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi

What is it: A glass-walled, sun-dappled enclosure in a white-pebbled corner of Mehrauli, with a fun fusion menu and great bakes

Why it’s great for solo diners: Folk come for brunch, yes, and date night, yes, but also to work and clickety-clack away at their laptops. It’s always packed and there’s a small communal table at the entrance which also has loads of board games. Basically, it’s got a great ambience and nobody makes you feel weird. 

What to order: The shredded noods or the mustard shrimp if you’re feeling rich, the breakfast bowls if you’re feeling restrained, and the South Bombay cold coffee no matter how you’re feeling.  

Price: ₹900-1,200 for one 

Timings: Mon-Sun. 9am-11pm.

Address: One Style Mile, Kalka Das Marg, Mehrauli, New Delhi, Delhi 110030

What is it: A beloved Delhi chain doing authentic Bihari food, with a bunch of outlets. For solo dining, we recommend the Hauz Khas one

Why it’s great for solo diners: The case for solo dining at Potbelly is essentially the case for thalis themselves, which is that they are the original one-person tasting menu. Everything you need arrives at once, in correct proportion, and the prices remain sane in a part of town that has otherwise lost its mind. In fact, I’d recommend a cocktail here just because they’re still not priced like phone numbers. 

What to order: Maithili thali if you want a full vegetarian spread that holds up, litti chokha and Champaran mutton for obvious reasons, and the pakoda basket.

Time Out tip: Get yourself a sattu cooler. Sounds like medicine but tastes like a forgotten summer (you know, when it wasn’t 56 degrees).

Price: ₹700-₹1,200 for one 

Timings: Mon-Sun. Noon-midnight. 

Address: Third Floor, Hauz Khas Enclave, Plot No. G2. Hauz Khas. New Delhi 110016

What is it: A string of cafes with outdoor garden seating and a shit ton of fairy lights

Why it’s great for solo diners: At Diggin, the menu is a little too long, the crowd can be a little too chirpy, but you’re never out of place. The pasta is consistently good while the pizzas have only gotten better. The garden seating goes very well with the fairy lights, doing a lot for the solo experience.

What to order: The wood-fired margherita, the Diggin signature ravioli, and a cold coffee or a strawberry bourbon smash, depending on the kind of evening you’re having. 

Price: ₹800-₹1,200 for one 

Timings: Mon-Sun. 11.30am-11pm.

Address: Shop No. 1 & 2, opp. Gargi College, Anand Lok, Sadiq Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110049

What is it: Another beloved Delhi chain serving wine, coffee, and great small plates

Why it’s great for solo diners: The pared back interiors and seating arrangement – communal tables and benches looking outward – especially at the Khan Market and Basant Lok outlets, do wonders for anybody looking to transition from a work-from-cafè day to getting gently drunk post 5pm. That, plus the decent music and good food.

What to order: They do wine by the carafe here – perfect for solo drinking. The charred chipotle chicken tacos are unexpectedly spicy and spiked with an Indian flavour, and the goat cheese mousse on toast's also a banger. 

Time Out tip: Surprisingly, also a great date night spot. 

Price: ₹1,500 for one

Timings: Mon-Sun. 8am–midnight. 

Address: Multiple