10 restaurants for solo dining this Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is often wrapped up in romantic expectations, pricey set menus and crowded restaurants. Even when it’s well-intentioned, the day can feel less about connection and more about ticking boxes. But sometimes, what we really need is space and self-care. Even on a day traditionally set aside for couples.

This Valentine’s Day, consider breaking the norm and dining solo. Eating alone can be an act of self-love ‒ a way of claiming time and pleasure for yourself. For many, solo dining isn’t about loneliness. It’s about comfort and autonomy. 

Whether it’s a bowl of ramen eaten in silence, a leisurely cafe lunch with a book, or a counter seat where you can watch chefs at work, the best solo-friendly spots make dining alone feel freeing rather than intimidating. Think layouts that don’t revolve around couples, menus that work for one, and service that’s friendly without hovering.

We’ve rounded up ten of the best spots to solo-dine this February and be your own Valentine.

Enishi

Enishi is one of our favourite Michelin-winning ramen spots. The streamlined menu features two ramen signatures: the Dan Dan noodle and Japanese Dashi noodle. The Dan Dan is a flavourful bowl packed with ingredients like chopped pork, duck, cashews, pickles, poached egg and Dan Dan noodles. In contrast, the Japanese Dashi noodle is built on a fragrant and clean dashi-based broth. 

Aside from the quality food, the restaurant lends itself naturally to solo dining. Seating is mostly counter-style, allowing solo diners to settle in without feeling conspicuous. Service is polite and unobtrusive as well. A noren-style curtain drawn across the entrance adds a sense of privacy, making it feel like a truly hidden Japanese eatery tucked away from the outside world.

10 Anson Road, #02-85A International Plaza, Singapore 079903

Thank You Come Again

Located on Balestier Road, Thank You Come Again is a cafe-restaurant and co-working space, making it appealing for solo diners who want to pair a good meal with quiet productivity. The mix of bar seating and communal tables means you never feel spotlighted dining alone, while the space is equipped with ample power points, stable Wi-Fi and generous table spacing. The space also functions as a social hub, so it’s easy to strike up a casual conversation with fellow diners or creatives if you’re in the mood. 

The menu’s modern Asian-Western mix allows for flexible ordering. Choose from one of their poke bowls or cauliflower steak for a healthy pick-me-up, or indulge in heartier mains like the spicy seafood bianca with white clams and tiger prawns. 

355 Balestier Road, Singapore 329782

Jellyfish Sushi

Opened just last month by chef Bjorn Shen, Jellyfish Sushi is his latest concept. It’s one of Singapore’s most intriguing chef-driven sushi bars ‒ a 10-seat counter tucked within Artichoke at New Bahru. There, sushi is reimagined without strict adherence to tradition. The entire space is intimate and compact, allowing solo diners to face the chefs directly and settle into a meal.
The set omakase menu evolves regularly, but its signature is “bread sushi”. Think seafood and sashimi paired with thoughtfully treated bread instead of traditional vinegared rice, bringing unexpected textures and flavours to each bite. With limited slots available during designated timings, the tiny place is perfect for those eating alone. Just be sure to reserve a spot before heading down. 

46 Kim Yam Road , #01-02 New Bahru , Singapore 239351 

TamJai SamGor Mixian

TamJai SamGorr is ideal for a solo meal that you can craft to suit your taste buds. The signature item is a rice-noodle bowl (mixian) that diners customise from start to finish. The concept is perfect for those dining alone as you’re in complete control of heat and ingredients, with no need to compromise.

Choose your toppings (from pork belly and minced pork to enoki mushrooms and tofu puffs) and pair them with soup styles like hot & numbing mala or tangy tomato. Spiciness levels are fully customisable and portions are comfortably sized for one. The ordering kiosk system further streamlines the experience. Just tap, select your base and toppings and your bowl arrives piping hot. 

Multiple outlets islandwide.

Yakiniku Like

Yakiniku Like has reimagined yakiniku for the solo diner: each seat comes with an individual grill and set menus sized for one. Customers can cook at their own pace without the need for group coordination or passing plates around.

Menu sets typically come with rice, seaweed soup and a choice of kimchi or salad. Popular options include the Garlic Butter Karubi Set and Karubi & Harami Set, along with lighter choices like the Pork & Chicken set. There are often seasonal or promotional sets as well, and sauces like garlic soy or chili garlic elevate the dining experience.

Multiple outlets islandwide.

Merci Marcel Orchard

Merci Marcel brings laid-back French bistro charm to Orchard. Alongside smaller tables and counter-style seating, there are cushioned couch seats tucked into corners for you to linger over lunch. Service is attentive but not overwhelming, giving you space to enjoy the meal at your own pace. The architecture makes for an aesthetically-pleasing dining experience too, with a tropical theme and hints of Bauhaus architecture.

The menu balances classic and contemporary French fare, from tarte flambees and French dumpling pasta to lighter options like smoked haddock salad. If you’re feeling celebratory during your self-date, grab a glass of wine or champagne from their extensive list. 

 390 Orchard Road, 01-03 Palais Renaissance, Singapore 238871

The Book Cafe

Tucked into a quiet corner of Robertson Quay, The Book Cafe feels less like a cafe and more like a second living room ‒ exactly the kind of space that makes solo dining feel natural rather than conspicuous. Its mix of comfy leather sofas, lounge chairs and table seating lets you sink in with a book, your laptop or simply your thoughts, while built-in bookshelves and large windows create an ambience that’s relaxed and unhurried.

The all-day menu is broad yet comforting, so there’s always something that fits your preferences. Brunch favourites such as eggs benedict, pancakes and steak & eggs are available beyond breakfast hours, alongside heartier mains like olive fried rice and toasted tortillas with beef. Light bites, soups and fresh salads round out the choices. 

20 Martin Road, #01-02 Seng Kee Building, Singapore 239070

Living Room Eating House

Situated inside Leng Kee Community Club, this neighbourhood cafe offers an unexpected solo-dining haven that’s both affordable and unpretentious. Its spacious interior, casual seating and relaxed rhythm make sitting alone feel natural. The menu leans into local classics and familiar favourites rather than cafe-trend fare, with portions that suit one person. 

Food offerings are built around beloved Singapore classics. Highlights include prawn noodle soup, braised pork rice and nasi lemak. There’s also an array of local breakfast snacks like chwee kueh and butter kaya toast that pair well with the café’s traditional kopi and teh C. 

 400 Lengkok Bahru, #01-01 Leng Kee Community Club, Singapore 159049

Province

Tucked discreetly behind 808 Eating House on Joo Chiat Road, Province is an intimate, eight-seat chef’s counter that feels almost tailor-made for solo diners who enjoy food as conversation and craft. The experience centres on a seasonal tasting omakase-style menu, where Southeast Asian ingredients are reimagined with finesse. 
Seating at the counter means you’re placed directly opposite the open kitchen. Previous menus have featured dishes such as kombujime-cured fish with regional herbs, sweet potato and buah keluak interpretations, and aged duck with layered sauces. Service is thoughtful and unhurried, and dining alone here feels intentional ‒ like an evening spent appreciating technique, storytelling and flavour.

153 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427431 

Zen

Zen is a compelling option for solo diners who appreciate precision and a sense of ceremony. Located in a restored shophouse on Bukit Pasoh Road, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant offers a multi-course Japanese tasting menu that unfolds slowly and thoughtfully. Counter seating allows you to observe the meticulous choreography behind each dish, while the ambience is classy and understated. 

The menu draws from seasonal Japanese produce, with past courses featuring delicately aged sashimi, charcoal-grilled seafood, and cooked dishes that prioritise balance over excess. Service is polished yet discreet, giving solo diners space to fully immerse themselves in the experience. Zen is best reserved for an indulgent solo evening, where dining alone feels purposeful and deeply rewarding.

41 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089855