The minimal dining room of Kobee Factory, with its smattering of Formica tables, is a great place to be unbothered and enjoy a generously portioned plate of kebabs and other Syrian dishes in a Van Nuys strip mall.

The menu is laid out simply at Sola Izakaya, which provides three categories of well-prepared meats, seafood, or vegetables. The deep-fried tofu is immensely flavorful, as is the butter-sauteed squid, or the grilled pork belly.

Pasadena’s expansive Agnes restaurant is a bit of a Swiss army knife, with a full dinner menu and handy lunch bill of fare that can be enjoyed at the bar. Try the tremendous braised brisket melt or a platter of cheese with charcuterie alongside a well-shaken cocktail. Co-owner Vanessa Tilaka also regularly hosts cheese-tasting classes, the ultimate activity for one.

Sometimes it’s nice to be alone with one’s thoughts — and a giant stack of buttermilk pancakes, or a plate of corned beef has.. or a tuna melt on really good bread. Sidle up to a counter seat at this beloved retro-styled Hollywood diner, taken over by the Clark Street Bread group in 2021, and take a minute to read a book or doomscroll through the phone as the diner buzzes in the background.

San Gabriel Valley’s popular 101 Noodle Express has a huge menu of crowd-pleasing favorites, though the dan dan noodles with beef roll are must-orders for anyone that hasn’t tried them. The portions are big enough that a solo diner will be able to take home leftovers too.

There’s no better respite from an afternoon spent fighting throngs of shoppers at the Grove than snagging a bar seat at Terroni for a cocktail and a plate of fresh housemade pasta. The bartenders are chatty, the drinks are well-mixed, and pastas like homemade tagliatelli with a classic Bolognese or guanciale-studded bucatini all’amatricana replenishes the soul.

The counter seats (or the small booths) at nearly 76-year-old Langer’s are ideal for a solo lunch in Los Angeles, with hefty pastrami sandwiches, comforting matzo ball soups, or loaded chili fries. Sit down and people-watch at one of LA’s most energetic lunch crowds.

The best part about dining alone at Grand Central Market is not having to reach an agreement on where to eat. Take a lap around the space and choose from whatever commands attention from Sarita’s incrediblepupusas, Oyster Gourmet’s freshlyshucked oysters, or one of the city’s most popularlobster rollsat Broad Street Oyster Company.

的計謀nter-only seating always works for a party of one, especially at the longtime burger destination Apple Pan. Order a hickory burger, fries, a soda, and a slice of fresh pie for a complete meal served in less than half an hour, though be prepared to wait during prime hours.

A big bowl of steaming ramen equals superior comfort, and few do it better than Tsujita on Sawtelle. There may be a wait for a table or a chance to squeeze in at the bar, but once inside, simply allow the aromas of one of the restaurant’s signature ramen — ranging from charsiu to Negi to vegan versions — to take the edge off whatever ails.

For a moody and serene evening spent eating sushi and the like, head to Kodō in the Arts District. The restaurant’s warmly lit steel-and-marble bar is ideal for experiencing chef Yoya Takahashi’s creations, which range from sashimi to robata-grilled short ribs or live scallops.