Most of us enjoy hanging with friends and family at our favourite local restaurants. But there are plenty of times when dining solo is also on the menu. Perhaps you’re gabbing a quick lunch in an unfamiliar part of the city or maybe you’ve had a long day and you’d rather treat yourself than cook at home.
Richmond’s celebrated food courts, of course, are tailor-made for solo diners. But if you’re craving a more elevated eat-alone experience, there’s also a full serving of local restaurants that are ideal for dining with nothing more a great book or a hand-picked headphone soundtrack to keep you company.
Looking for a perfect place for a solo meal where you don’t have to entertain anyone but yourself? Read on for our round-up of 10 top places to eat in Richmond that positively encourage one-person dining.
O’Hare’s Gastropub
5031 Steveston Highway, Richmond, BC
Snagging a high stool at the counter of a friendly bar is a great option for solo diners––but only if the menu stretches beyond generic beer and uninspiring pub grub. Luckily, O’Hare’s delivers a superior experience on both counts with 20 or so tasty craft beers alongside a great selection of top-notch, made-with-love comfort dishes including beef dip, fish and chips and––our favourite––their luscious, near-legendary steak and Guinness pie.
Pho 37
1008 – 8300 Capstan Way, Richmond, BC
There are lots of one or two-person tables at this bright, bustling and ever-friendly contemporary Vietnamese restaurant and we’ve been welcomed here for solo lunches many times over the past couple of years. It’s always busy, though, so arriving early is recommended. Dive into one of several tempting pho varieties––we love their Special Beef Noodle––and consider a delicious Vietnamese coffee finale before you leave.
Afuri Ramen and Dumpling
140 – 7971 Alderbridge Way, Richmond, BC
A short walk from Canada Line’s Lansdowne Station, this bright, high-ceilinged contemporary Japanese restaurant has several communal long tables that are ideal for solo diners who don’t mind sitting alongside each other. There’s a great array of delicious ramen bowls at Afuri (try their spicy tonkotsu tantan) as well as tempting side-dishes such as pork buns and gyoza dumplings. Vegetarians will also find plenty of great menu choices here.
5991 Alderbridge Way, Richmond, BC
Hotel restaurants often incorporate a generous allocation of solo seats, reflecting the proportion of overnight guests who are travelling alone. While Richmond has plenty of these, located within the Executive Hotel Vancouver Airport is one of our all-time favourites. Slide onto a comfy high seat at the large, stone-topped bar and dive into a menu of southern-inspired comfort dishes such as chorizo cassoulet, shrimp salad po-boy and fried chicken and waffle––and don’t miss their daily 3:00pm to 6:00pm happy hour as well!
John 3:16 Malaysian Delights
6832 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC
There are plenty of small tables plus a handful of solo high seats facing the front window at this super-friendly city centre Malaysian restaurant. We’re big fans of the yam rolls and curry chicken puffs here, but make sure you save room for a lip-smacking main––the velvet-soft Hainanese chicken is a surefire winner. It’s very popular, though, so arrive early or off-peak––or consider visiting their new counter location at the Aberdeen Centre food court.
Fuggles Beer Taphouse
103 – 11220 Horseshoe Way, Richmond, BC
Loved by in-the-know beers fans, the tasting room at what may be Richmond’s favourite craft brewery is also one of the best hidden-gem bars in the city. Snag a seat at the chunky wooden counter, peruse the fresh tap menu and explore a sampler selection of four brews (don’t miss their hoppy Destiny IPA). It’s not all about beer, though. You’ll also find tasty side dishes such as samosas, sausage rolls and waffle fries to soak up all that lovely ale.
Gokudu Shabu Shabu
2133 – 3779 Sexsmith Road, Richmond, BC
Located at the Continental Shopping Centre strip mall, this friendly but under-the-radar hot pot restaurant has a surprisingly large array of ingredient choices––including more than a dozen broth options. Solo hot pot dining is encouraged here, especially if you snag a seat and your own hotplate at the U-shaped counter that dominates the restaurant’s interior. The good-value combos are tempting, and there’s even a rare vegan option on the menu.
Little Mexico Cantina
150 – 3131 Chatham Street, Richmond, BC
Head straight to the inviting, straw-roofed counter at this warm and welcoming Steveston favourite and––if you’re lucky––you’ll be able to snag one of the handful of solo bar seats. It’s the perfect perch to sip a co*cktail or two before diving into an extensive menu of classic and lesser-known regional Mexican dishes. Take the delicious taco route and you’ll find more than 15 flavours to choose from––we especially love their pan-seared fish variety.
Ember Indian Kitchen
135 – 6168 London Road, Richmond, BC
Request one of the comfy solo bar seats at this expansive London Landing restaurant and you’ll soon be diving into a huge and highly enticing menu of finger-licking Indian and African-influenced dishes. We love the lamb biryani and codfish curry mains here, but the weekday 2:30pm to 5:00pm happy hour is also one of the city’s best––complete with great-value co*cktails and bargain-priced side dishes such as samosas, pakoras and more.
Milltown Bar & Grill
101 – 9191 Bentley Street, Richmond, BC
There’s always a chatty vibe at this popular shoreline pub, located on the Fraser River between Richmond and Vancouver. Snag a bar stool and dive into a hearty selection of B.C and international beers plus a great array of classic comfort food dishes. We’re big fans of the chicken, prawn and sausage jambalaya here, but it’s also hard to resist the caramel crunch cake dessert––and since you’re eating alone, there’s absolutely no need to share!
Last Updated on May 27, 2024 by Tourism Richmond
