Page 41 - 101+ Tips for Solo Women Travelers

80 Best seat in the house? The bar

Belly up to the bar, and order your meal there. The bartender
will usually try to make you feel at home, strike up a conversation, and

o en engage others at the counter to join in. It’s a great way to enjoy some
conviviality—and a good meal. Otherwise, bring a book, a magazine, a
newspaper or your phone, laptop or other device to keep you occupied
(and keep your mind o being alone).

81 Dine outdoors or near a window

An outdoor table or window seat lets you gaze out at the larger
world, do some people watching, and hopefully, lose yourself (and your
self-consciousness) in the evolving scene.

82 Join a group tour

A small group adventure with O.A.T. has many benefits, and built-in
dining companions is just one of them. Otherwise, in many overseas cities

you can join a short food tour for a fun evening (or a ernoon) out.
83 Find dining companions online

Meal sharing apps are a godsend for solo foodies who want to try
the local fare with some company. Some of them, like EatWith, match you
up with locals who are hosting a traveler dinner party or specialty meal.
Others connect you with other travelers looking for a dinner companion.
Try Traveling Spoon to book home dinners in places as faraway as India,
Vietnam, Bangladesh, Japan, and Indonesia. All the hosts are vetted.
Meal Sharing operates in 425 cities around the world. A popular option,
Voulez Vous Diner, now operates under the aegis of Mamaz Social Food.
It started in France but now has programs in 70 countries. All these
sites o er travelers the opportunity to leave a review of their experience.

Read up—and eat up!

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