Solo by the Sea: The Tide is Turning for Solo Dining
When I asked my Solo Girls Club broadcast channel what they wanted to see most, the overwhelming responses were local recommendations – especially for places to eat, and confidence boosting tips for eating out alone. That definitely seems to be the activity that most people fear the most on their own. The coast is where I do so much solo, because it’s right on my doorstep and SO MANY people are on their own. There’s just so much to do, trust me you won’t be out of place.
There’s something about the seaside that makes solo adventures even more special, whether it’s a sunrise walk, an afternoon battling the elements, the fresh sea air is a mood lifter and one of the best things you can do for yourself. A few years ago when I needed it most, the beach was the safe space to clear my head and get outside with Arthur – whatever the weather. It’s stuck with me ever since and although I love it when people do join me – I’ll never give up the solo walks.
Spending a day along the North Tyneside coast is the perfect opportunity to embrace the art of solo dining and get your practice in. I’ve found the root of people’s fear of eating alone is the perception of what people think. I started doing it when I had to when I was travelling for work. I also do it a lot when I’m invited to places or go on trips for this blog. What am I meant to do just not eat? It’s almost like if you have a reason in the back of your mind it makes you feel better, but the truth is nobody needs a reason, and even more importantly – nobody cares!
Instead of feeling out of place, try to change your mindset on eating alone, and at the end of this post there’s plenty of specific tips for eating out alone. It’s a chance to choose and enjoy whatever food you like, relax in the time to yourself either watching the world go by or with a book, or a playlist, and enjoy your own company. Like Carrie Bradshaw said, ‘it’s time to take that fear to lunch.’
In this blog, I’ll take you through a full day of coastal food spots, from early morning coffee right through to evening meal and drinks, proving that solo by the sea is the perfect way to start your ‘table for one’ adventures. The tide is definitely turning for solo dining – so jump right in.
Early Morning Coffee? Shore Thing
If you’re an early riser like me, especially in the summer when it’s a pre 7am sunrise, then there are two places you can get an early coffee.
Cullercoats Coffee – Cullercoats & Tynemouth
Cullercoats and Tynemouth locations open from 7am, so if you’re having a walk, taking your camera, going paddleboarding or doing a sea dip, this is your go to afterwards. Their Tynemouth and Cullercoats locations open then and you can sit in. Regular Jo’s in Tynemouth also open from 7am on weekdays. A good one if you’ve done an early session at Cove Yoga Studios.
Woods – Tynemouth
The next one to open is Woods, and their takeaway hatch at 8am. In the winter when it’s colder and the sun rises later grab a coffee here first and then go for your walk.
In general though, if you want to sit in and have coffee and an hour’s peace to yourself at any other time of day, these are my favourites if I’m on my own.
Wombat Wisdom – Park View Whitley Bay
This charming little coffee shop combines artisan coffee with a very relaxed vibe. There isn’t a lot of seating but I love grabbing the high window seat and watching the world go by. It’s a spot more for the locals as a lot of visitors tend to go to Kith & Kin, so it’s definitely more peaceful, and delicious. They have a specialty range of teas too.
Regular Jo’s – Tynemouth
What started as a coffee cart in Tynemouth Station for the market, Regular Jo’s independent coffee shop opened a few years ago and has a rustic charm to it on Percy Park Road. It’s very small but has a window bench inside and a couple of tables outside. You won’t be out of place on your own here and it’s a sheltered spot in central Tynemouth. Great coffee and offers a fantastic selection of local treats too. A peaceful morning here sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Pure Knead – Whitley Bay
Pure Knead Bakery on Park View open from 10am, and although a lot of people queue for their sourdough, they have recently refurbished inside and have two big communal benches where you can sit in and have coffee or a pastry. I always see people on their own here, reading the paper, sitting with their ipads or a book. It’s a lovely spot.
Breakfast & Brunch: Coastal Comforts
North Tyneside has some amazing places for breakfast, you’re pretty spoiled for choice but these are the specific ones I think are good for if you’re on your own. Tried and tested!
The Boatyard – Cullercoats
This is one of my favourites because I really like the menu, especially their acai bowls, and their pancakes. They’re in the village just behind the sea front, are dog friendly, and have a great little table to the left behind the wall that I like to bag for myself and Arthur.
Woods Coffee – Tynemouth
Great for an early takeaway but Woods Coffee in Tynemouth is also a great spot for solo sippers and those wanting breakfast. Whether you want a mouth watering pastry off the counter, or one of their breakfast specials which are always amazing, Woods have a unique menu. It’s pretty big right on the corner so there are always people coming and going, and they have little tables or the window bench which I always love to sit at. Woods isn’t dog friendly but you can sit with them outside.
Foda – Monkseaton
One of the newer spots but it has been very popular, Foda is beautiful, and a bit different to some of the others. They describe themselves as a ‘calming lifestyle’ cafe and that’s definitely true. They create healthy, wellness dishes but without losing the comfort type you want for breakfast or brunch. They have small tables and window seats, and are dog friendly.
Priory Press – Tynemouth
For something light and refreshing, head to Priory Press. I felt like Tynemouth was crying out for a juice and smoothie bar before they opened and I’m so pleased they’ve done well. Their açai bowls are packed with flavor and a brilliant way to kickstart your day, or if you prefer they have a range of smoothies and coffee.
Lunch Spots: Take The Bait
I tend to do this less because I love going for breakfast at the coast more, but for lunch these would be my go to spots:
Chloe Mae’s – Cullercoats
Not far from Cullercoats metro, Chloe Mae’s is a cafe for the girls, it’s very pretty. They’re open until 5pm, and although they also have a good breakfast menu, they have a great lunch menu that gets highly spoken of. Everything from steak sarnies, to fish tacos, and burgers and chicken wings.
Fox & Finch – Whitley Bay
You could go here for any meal to be fair, but this tapas spot is busy, has a varied selection of tables including some window seats and high tables in the bar area, where you could sit more casually and have a drink and some of their small plates. I say small but their tapas are big portions, and really good! They do a very good aperol spritz here too. A nice one if you want lunch and a potter along the shops of Park View.
Brack Burger
Based in Surfers Cafe, Brack Burger are my favourite North East burgers and I’ve stopped by on my own a few times both to sit inside and outside in summer with a view over the beach.
Tynemouth Market
If you aren’t sure on sitting in somewhere, the Tynemouth market at weekends is a good option to grab lunch instead. They have all sorts including pizza, Acropolis, curry, sausage sandwiches.
Afternoon Tea: High Tides, High Tea
Afternoon tea is a timeless indulgence, and there aren’t many places at the coast who do it. The two standout spots for afternoon tea would be:
Spanish City – Whitley Bay
Spanish City serves afternoon tea from Valerie’s tearoom, in a beautiful location under the Dome. A more elegant experience, afternoon tea at Spanish City is a selection of finger sandwiches, scones, and cakes, it is beautifully presented and perfect for a peaceful solo treat.
Meet Me on the Corner – Whitley Bay
A bit more of a casual vibe, Meet Me on The Corner offers a homemade traditional afternoon tea with plenty of local flavors. Their welcoming staff make solo diners feel right at home. I’ve done this a few times and it’s always absolutely fine. They are in the process of moving from their current location to Whitley Bay Golf Club.
I do think Afternoon Tea is nice with someone, but there’s no reason you shouldn’t do it if you want to. If you just wanted tea and pretty delicious cakes, without the afternoon ritual then I think the Dil & The Bear Locations in Whitley Bay and Tynemouth are ideal for that. And similarly a coffee and a donut can also be enjoyed at Deep North Donuts on Front Street in Tynemouth.
Fish & Chips
People get very defensive of their favourite fish and chips, but if I was having them for lunch at a weekend, I’d go to either, Marshall’s and sit outside with Arthur, or take them to the priory in the summer when it’s open and you can sit on the wall and have them with a sea view. Or Longsands Chippy and sit outside. Also Riley’s Fish Shack on the beach, another casual one with incredible food you could rent a deck chair and enjoy on the beach.
Sunday Lunch at the Coast
One of everyone’s favourite meals of the week, and I’ll be honest although a lot of places do it, there’s only one, maybe two places I’d go for Sunday lunch at the coast.
The Beehive – Whitley Bay
This historic pub is a local gem, an old coaching inn it has a lot of character and is in my opinion, the best Sunday lunch at the coast. So good they get booked up well in advance so make sure you book. They have a dog friendly room which you could easily feel comfortable in alone with the dog. Alternatively sit by the fire in one of the other nooks or find a sunny spot in the garden if the weather allows. The staff are always friendly, making it an easy choice for a solo visit.
The other one I have enjoyed is Meet Me On The Corner.
Dinner: A Table for One, Please
I think this is the hardest meal to go out for alone if you are new to it. But a lot of the places at the coast are tapas style, are casual, and none of these would bat an eyelid if you walked in alone.
Allards – Tynemouth, Fish Quay and Monkseaton
These bistro and bar type restaurants are perfect for a quiet solo dinner if you’re happy to walk in and sit in the bar area. You could reserve the restaurant ends but I think the bar is better for solo diners. Their menu is tapas and mains, I’m a big fan of their paella and chorizo tapas. They all serve good cocktails too.
Lobo Rojo – Tynemouth, Fish Quay and Whitley Bay
If you’re in the mood for Mexican, Lobo Rojo is the place to be. Their tacos are bursting with flavor, and in my opinion some of the best in Newcastle. I’ve ate alone at all of their locations. Their margaritas are incredible too.
The Cove – Tynemouth
The Cove in Tynemouth is what used to be Ora on Tynemouth Front Street, and it’s had a full refit which I think is much nicer with a bigger bar and more seating downstairs. It’s also now dog friendly which is great as Ora never was except outside. You could enjoy some small plates at one of the bar tables, or even outside in the summer. I’ve had the calamari, chicken goujons and the garlic prawns and they were all great.I spotted they also now do tasting events with paired wine flights which I’d really like to try some time.
Snack Stops: Sweet and Salty Treats
No trip to the coast is complete without snacks, and North Tyneside is brimming with options to grab and go if you want something quicker without sitting in.
Di Meo’s Ice Cream:Treat yourself to an award-winning Di Meo’s ice cream it really is unbeatable.
Baker In the Bay: A bakery known for its artisan bread and sweet treats, their cinnamon buns are very popular
Sustenance Society: From pastries to doughnuts, this café is a solo snacker’s dream. My favourite are their croissants.
Deep North: the go to for donut lovers.
Evening Drinks: Raise a Glass to Yourself
Wrap up your day with a drink at one of these spots, I frequently have a drink at all of them on my own. More often than not I’ll bump into someone I know anyway, and all the staff at each venue are so nice they’re very used to solo visits.
Longsands Apres: A very laid-back vibe for a glass of wine, beer, or craft cocktails, Longsands Apres is perfect for solo sipping and so is their new venue opposite if you prefer a slightly bigger venue.
The Cove, Allards, Salthouse: Yes, these are all worth a second mention for their cocktails
Square and Compass: A small bar at the end of Ilfracome Gardens, with a friendly atmosphere and an extensive drinks menu make this pub an excellent choice to finish your solo day by the sea. Dog friendly too.
Vineyard 72: If you want a grazing board with your wine, then this is the place to be in Tynemouth. A great wine bar with a big selection.
Platform 2 and Left Luggage: These two metro station micro pubs always have lots of solo drinkers, often on their commute home. Very casual, both dog friendly.
Practical Tips for Eating Out Alone & Building Confidence
Now that you’re armed with a whole list of places to enjoy, let’s focus on building confidence and getting in the right mindset to be able to do it. I’ll be honest it doesn’t happen overnight it does take some getting used to, but it will eventually pay off and you will stop caring entirely. These would be my tips to help you get there:
Start small: Begin with casual cafes or lunch spots, order a drink first and see how that goes then have food. Once you’ve done this move on to more formal dinner settings.
Bring a prop: A book, magazine, or notebook, or your phone or laptop can provide a sense of purpose and occupation. I try to leave the laptop though. And also look around, most other people on their own are on their phone you look no different.
Choose off-peak hours: Dining during less busy times can help ease into the experience.
Sit at the bar: This often feels more natural for solo diners and provides opportunities for interaction if you want it.
Practice positive self-talk: Remind yourself that dining alone is a sign of independence and self-assurance and most importantly, there is NO reason not to.
Tips For Eating Out Alone But Making It Sociable
For those who want to make their solo dining experience more social, here are some tips:
Chat with the staff: Ask for menu recommendations or inquire about the restaurant’s history.
Sit at communal tables: This provides natural opportunities for conversation with others.
Attend restaurant events: Many places host special events or themed nights, perfect for meeting like-minded food enthusiasts.
Go for the match: Nobody thinks twice about anyone on their own watching the match
Developing the right mindset is crucial for enjoying solo dining. Here’s a guide to help you tell yourself to have a positive attitude towards it:
Reframe solo dining as self-care: View it as an opportunity for personal enjoyment and peace and quiet.
Celebrate independence: Recognise that dining alone is a sign of confidence and self-sufficiency.
Focus on the food: Without distractions, you can truly savor and appreciate your meal.
Set personal challenges: For example, try a new cuisine or restaurant each month.
Remember that practice makes perfect: The more you dine solo, the more comfortable it becomes and eventually you won’t think twice about it.
The Tide is Turning for Solo Dining
As the tide turns for solo dining, it’s time to embrace the freedom and satisfaction of exploring on your own terms. So grab your coat, head to the coast, and discover the beauty of dining solo by the sea.
Hope you’ve found these suggestions and tips for eating out alone useful, if you’re new here why not join my solo broadcast channel where I share new tips and recommendations every Sunday. Or take a look at some of my other blogs below.
Other posts you might like: