Eating alone
The problem Enjoying the local food is a great part of travel, but I find dining at nice restaurants awkward when I’m alone. I usually opt for middle-of-the-road joints where I can watch the passing scene while I eat.
The solution The best antidote to eating alone is to find someone to dine with. But how? If you meet someone during your day and hit it off, ask them if they have dinner plans, and suggest a place you have your eye on. It’s a date! Failing that, you can drop by the restaurant for a drink before dinner, and check it out. If you talk to the staff and the locals a bit, the place may seem more welcoming by the time dinner comes around. And you may bump into another traveller who’s looking for a table mate.