By now, you’ve probably heard the news (or you’ll almost certainly have seen the backlash) that a certain Michelin-starred restaurant in Mayfair will begin charging solo diners the same total cost as a pair of diners. Let us be clear: solo dining – solo anything, really – is never something to be ashamed of. In fact, we should be celebrating the enjoyment of spending time alone. After all, a good meal should be a treat, whether enjoyed with company or not.

The requirements of a great independent dinner are, of course, good food, but it also helps to have communal benches or counter seating that doesn’t draw too much attention to the fact that you’re flying solo.

So next time you take yourself out, be sure to try one of these nine spots across the city that are single-friendly and certainly won’t charge you more.

9 solo-friendly dining spots in London to try that won’t charge you extra