Why Dining Solo At Thai Restaurants Can Feel Like A Mistake

One of the joys of Thai dining is discovering the variety of dishes available. Think rich coconut curries, fiery papaya salads, and fragrant soups. But when dining solo, your appetite can hinder the experience. One entrée and a mound of rice is usually plenty, which means you'll miss out on the diversity of flavors — and that can feel like a huge mistake. 

You see, Thai food isn't built for the one-dish-at-a-time approach many Western diners are used to. In Thailand, meals are shared family-style. Several dishes hit the table at once, and everyone takes small portions from each. The dishes generally complement one another, balancing sweet, spicy, sour, and salty elements. Many Thai restaurants design their menus with this communal format in mind, with some offering portions meant for two or more. 

When you order just one entrée, however, you only experience that one dish and miss a crucial part of the Thai dining experience. To avoid this mistake, we encourage you to order a few dishes — even if it seems against normal solo dining protocol. Just be prepared to pay extra and leave with plenty of leftovers. 

Craving Thai food but flying solo? Don't skip the restaurant just because you don't have a dining partner. You can absolutely have your Thai fish cake and eat it, too. It just takes a little strategy. Start by avoiding common red flags at Thai restaurants like funky smells, grimy restrooms, or menus that sound like a global buffet. Check reviews and scan the menu ahead of time to ensure you're walking into a place that's truly Thai, not just Thai-ish.

Although eating solo can feel intimidating, it's not weird to go to a restaurant alone. It can actually be a refreshing change. Dining solo is basically taking yourself on a date, except there are no compromises and no picky eaters to appease. Want papaya salad alongside a curry and an extra order of sticky rice? Go for it. The beauty of eating alone is that the menu is yours and yours alone. And since you won't be chatting the whole time, you can chew slowly and fully savor those flavors.

Timing is also important. The best time to dine at restaurants alone is on the earlier side, so you'll get better service, fresher food, and fewer prying eyes if you're feeling self-conscious. When ordering, avoid certain dishes at Thai restaurants like cheese rolls or chow mein (neither is authentically Thai). Instead, lean into the family-style spirit by picking two or three complementary dishes, enjoying them while fresh, and boxing up the rest for tomorrow's lunch.