It’s curious that the places filled with the most people are sometimes the best spots to explore alone. A bustling crowd can actually allow you to slip into anonymity and quietly observe the world around you – and crowds don’t come much more bustling than at Borough Market. When you need a rest from its fun if chaotic energy, slip into Camille, a lovely bistro where the blackboard menu of classic French dishes provides the perfect refreshment. The window counter seats are ideal for solo diners.

Lamb’s Conduit Street in Bloomsbury has become a much sunnier place since Honey & Co set up stall here. There is a calming feel to the surroundings, with plenty of counter seats that are perfect for solo diners. It’s an all-day spot, with a host of egg-based dishes and indulgent homemade cakes available for breakfast. The main menu, meanwhile, boasts vibrant Middle Eastern dishes that change seasonally, but the finely-made falafels and creamy, velvety hummus are ever-present.

While the food is the main factor in choosing a restaurant, it always helps to have some atmosphere – and when dining solo, a touch of people-watching can often help things along too. Overlooking Grosvenor Square, Lucky Cat provides just what you need, with a glamorous flourish for good measure. Start off with a cocktail, while taking time to look over the extensive menu that takes inspiration from multiple East Asian cuisines. The well-priced weekday lunch menu is ideal for hungry shoppers.

A pub is often the perfect place for solo dining. You never feel alone and, historically, inns were places duty-bound to offer food and shelter to one and all. The Pig and Butcher started life in the mid-19th century, serving refreshment to cattle drovers taking livestock to Smithfield Market. While it looks every inch the ‘proper London pub’, it could just as easily be transported to the countryside and feel right at home. As expected, the in-house butchered meats are of top quality.

While it's possible, on occasion, to get a single seat in Sabor's first-floor El Asador, you’d be hard pressed to do justice to the signature sharing dishes they offer. A better option is the ground-floor counter, where they only take walk-ins, so arrive early or be prepared to queue. Watch the chefs in action in the open kitchen and choose from the roll-call of tapas-style dishes; ‘Sabor’ translates as flavour, an appropriate name for dishes like the signature, melt-in-the-mouth octopus.

Sister to the MICHELIN-Starred Trinity below, this casual, well-priced restaurant has been a hit since day one. The counter seats by the window, overlooking Clapham Old Town, are perfect for solo diners, as are the high tables and stools near the open kitchen. While you might need help polishing off some of the larger plates, the smaller dishes are ideal on your own, offering a delightful mix of international flavours and styles.